2021 Grants Accepted through October the 15th

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Grant Recipient

​Donors Forum

With this $50,000 grant, the Dunham Fund will support the first two strategies of the Donors Forum three-year strategic plan, Engaging for Impact, which involve a new technology platform and strengthening of public policy. In 2014, Donors Forum will assume management from the University of Illinois at Springfield of Good Works Connect, an online community space and virtual resource center created as a learning community of nonprofit organizations, with local community foundation support through training, micro grants, and convening on topics crucial to building nonprofit capacity.

The Dunham Fund grant will support the development of a new interactive platform for implementing Good Works Connect throughout the state of Illinois. The Fund will also support the Donors Forum second strategy, Building a Stronger Illinois, by partnering with other foundations to disseminate the research, data, and case studies gathered by the Forum’s new website, www.BuildingStrongerIL.com, to provide nonprofit organizations in the Aurora area with impactful capacity-building strategies and greater advocacy potential. A training workshop about how to utilize the BSI website and advocacy toolkit will be offered to Dunham Fund grantees and other nonprofits in the Aurora area.

All Recipients

  • 2024
  • Area: Education

Wayside Cross Ministries

This grant was approved through the Dunham Foundation’s Ready for the Future RFP Grant and supports Wayside Cross Ministries’ Urban Youth Ministries (UYM) Program. The UYM program provides tutoring and mentoring support to Aurora-area students during the school year and summer programming. UYM will also engage other partners through this funding to broaden tutoring and programming offers for their students.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

TriCity Family Services

This sponsorship grant from the Dunham Foundation provided support for TriCity Family Services’ 34th Annual Inspiring Hearts and Minds Gala.
  • 2024
  • Area: Education

The Wong Center for Education

This grant was approved through the Dunham Foundation’s Ready for the Future RFP Grant and supports after-school STEM programming in 17 East Aurora School District elementary and middle schools. The Wong Center for Education’s STEM Ignition program will provide after-school programming four days a week at East Aurora schools, engaging a number of community partners to provide multiple programming components.
  • 2023
  • Area: Community

Sarah’s Smile of Illinois

This sponsorship grant from the Dunham Foundation provided support for Sarah’s Smile of Illinois’ Prom Part Duex! event.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Pigment International

This grant provides sponsorship support for Pigment International Foundation’s Black Fine Art Month.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Neighbor Project

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provided sponsorship support for the Neighbor Project’s 2024 Benefit Concert.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Musician’s Enduring Legacy Organization

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports Musician’s Enduring Legacy Organization’s installation and programming for “The Musicians’ Green Book – An Enduring Legacy” cultural education initiative. This traveling exhibit opens in Washington, D.C. in November 2024 and runs through February 2025. The exhibit will travel to Aurora, IL for the first stop on its national tour visiting towns along the Chitlin’ Circuit. During the exhibit’s time in Aurora, there will be various film screenings, community conversations, and educational sessions that explore the exhibit and documentary’s themes and their relevance to our community today.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

This grant provides sponsorship support for Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry’s Fill-The-Bowls Fundraiser.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Joshua Tree Community

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports Joshua Tree Community’s campaign to purchase a new van to safely transport their participants to daily outings.
  • 2024
  • Area: Education

Lutheran Child and Family Services

This grant was approved through the Dunham Foundation’s Ready for the Future RFP Grant and supports the Best Start After-School Support Programming at East Aurora School District’s Resilience Center. This programming engages students in social and emotional learning, community service projects, and homework help to address the academic and social-emotional needs of our youth.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Illinois Bar Foundation

This grant provides support for the Illinois Bar Foundation to serve individuals in the Aurora Service Area.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Forefront

This grant provided sponsorship support for Forefront’s 50th Anniversary & Annual Summit.
  • 2024
  • Area: Education

Diamond Youth Foundation

This grant supports Diamond Youth Foundations’ Guide Right Mentoring Program to expose underprivileged students to higher education through visits to college campuses.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Community Foundation of the Fox River

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provides a matching opportunity for CFFRV’s Youth Engagement in Philanthropy program’s grantmaking program.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

CASA Kane County

This grant provided sponsorship support for CASA Kane County’s Annual Superhero Luncheon.
  • 2024
  • Area: Education

Aurora East Educational Foundation

This sponsorship supports the 4th annual Tom-A-Hawk Turkey Trot, an event benefitting both East and West Aurora School Districts.
  • 2024
  • Area: Education

A+ Foundation for West Aurora Schools

This grant was approved through the Dunham Foundation’s Ready for the Future RFP Grant and allows the West Aurora School District 129 to engage Littera Tutoring in all West Aurora School District elementary and middle schools, as well as Blackhawk Academy, for live, virtual one-on-one tutoring during the school day to support student learning and learning recovery.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry

This grant provides support for Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry’s Critical Food & Supplies Fund. This fund ensures that it is prepared to serve its clients in unprecedented circumstances, such as when their food supply and budget deplete during a surge in client needs. It also allows for the pantry to hold a supply of critical items an individual may need, such as gas cards, diapers, formula, or other critical supplies.
  • 2024
  • Area: Economic Growth

Paramount Arts Centre

This grant from the Dunham Foundation allows the Paramount to engage a consultant to guide a comprehensive campaign planning project to build a holistic fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $31M to honor the 100th anniversary in 2031.
  • 2023
  • Area: Community

Sarah’s Smile of Illinois

This sponsorship grant from the Dunham Foundation provided support for Sarah’s Smile of Illinois’ Prom Part Duex! event.
  • 2024
  • Area: Education

SciTech

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports SciTech’s work in creating and facilitating a Fox Valley STEM Alliance to help coordinate STEM/STEAM education programming by various nonprofit organizations throughout the Fox Valley area.
  • 2024
  • Area: Economic Growth

Women’s Business Develoipment Center

This grant allows the Women’s Business Development Center to continue its ScaleUp and ScaleHigher programs in Aurora, supporting local small business owners in building and growing a successful business. It also allows the WBDC to implement new Digital Boot Camp, which builds small business owners’ knowledge, skills and confidence in using digital tools to optimize their business efforts.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Holy Angels Catholic School

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provided sponsorship support for Holy Angels Catholic School’s 2024 Seraphim Ball.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry’s operations at a temporary location, ensuring the Pantry is able to continue serving its clients during its renovation and expansion project.
  • 2024
  • Area: Education

Mount Carmel High School

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports Mount Carmel High School’s Student Financial Assistance program, alleviating financial barriers for current and incoming students.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Mutual Ground

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports Mutual Ground as it continues to provide free and confidential services and advocacy to individuals affected by domestic and sexual violence.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Oswegoland Park & Recreation Foundation

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provided sponsorship support for the Leon McNair Memorial Golf Classic.
  • 2024
  • Area: Workforce Development

Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence – Batavia High School

This grant provided support for Batavia High School’s INCubator Program. The INCubator Program serves sophomores, juniors and seniors a real entrepreneurship experience with an opportunity to develop their own product or service.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Community Support Services

This grant provided sponsorship support for Community Support Services’ 40th Anniversary Circles of Support Celebration.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Dominican Literacy Center

This grant was given to Dominican Literacy Center by the Dunham Foundation’s Board of Directors in honor of Sr. Kathleen Ryan’s 30 years of service to the Center.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Forefront

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports a continued partnership to offer nonprofits in the greater Aurora area professional development workshops.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Fox Valley Park Foundation

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provided sponsorship support for Fox Valley Park Foundation’s 2023 Golf Outing.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Association for Individual Development

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provides sponsorship support for AID’s 2023 Benefit Auction.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry

This challenge grant from the Dunham Foundation provides sponsorship support for Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry’s 2024 Radiothon
  • 2024
  • Area: Education

Aurora University

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports the planning and implementation of Aurora University’s new Career Skills Infusion Program. As today’s work environment becomes more competitive for those entering the workforce, many employers are considering college graduates based on a competency-based hiring model. Research by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) identified core competencies students should possess to be considered by top employers: career and self-development, critical thinking, leadership, teamwork, communication, equity and inclusion, professionalism, and technology. Aurora University’s Career Skills Infusion program will advance true career readiness options for the youth in our community to help prepare them for life beyond their college careers.
  • 2024
  • Area: Community

Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence – Batavia Fine Arts Centre

This grant supported the Batavia Fine Arts Centre’s 2023-2024 season.
  • 2023
  • Area: Community

Changing Children’s Worlds Foundation

This sponsorship supports Changing Children’s Worlds Foundation’s 10th Annual Stand Up for Kids spring fundraiser.

This sponsorship supports Changing Children’s Worlds Foundation’s 10th Annual Stand Up for Kids spring fundraiser.
  • 2023
  • Area: Community

Community Foundation of the Fox River

This sponsorship supports CFFRV’s Lasting Legacy Gala, celebrating its 75th anniversary of serving the greater Fox Valley area.

This sponsorship supports CFFRV’s Lasting Legacy Gala, celebrating its 75th anniversary of serving the greater Fox Valley area.
  • 2023
  • Area: Community

Fox Valley Patriotic Organization

This grant provides supports fundraising efforts to build a Flag Day Monument in Batavia, IL. This monument, the first of its kind, honors Dr. Bernard Cigrand, a Batavian who had the vision to create a day to commemorate the adoption of the American Flag, and unfolds our nation’s history beginning in 1776 and continuing through today.

This grant provides supports fundraising efforts to build a Flag Day Monument in Batavia, IL. This monument, the first of its kind, honors Dr. Bernard Cigrand, a Batavian who had the vision to create a day to commemorate the adoption of the American Flag, and unfolds our nation’s history beginning in 1776 and continuing through today.
  • 2023
  • Area: Community

Mutual Ground

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports Mutual Ground’s contracting with the Illinois Facility Fund to conduct a feasibility study for Mutual Ground’s building expansion and strategic plan.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports Mutual Ground’s contracting with the Illinois Facility Fund to conduct a feasibility study for Mutual Ground’s building expansion and strategic plan.
  • 2023
  • Area: Community

TriCity Family Services

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports TriCity Family Services as they continue to providing vital counseling services to the growing number of those in need of mental health support in the greater Aurora area.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports TriCity Family Services as they continue to providing vital counseling services to the growing number of those in need of mental health support in the greater Aurora area.
  • 2023
  • Area: Economic Growth, Education

Waubonsee Community College

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports Waubonsee Community College’s Bridge to the Bi-Lingual Paraprofessional Program to help meet the immense need for bilingual professionals in the classroom.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports Waubonsee Community College’s Bridge to the Bi-Lingual Paraprofessional Program to help meet the immense need for bilingual professionals in the classroom.
  • 2023
  • Area: Community

Wayside Cross Ministries

This grant supports Wayside Cross Ministries’ capital improvements at their Lifespring Center and programming at their Urban Youth Ministry (UYM). The UYM program provides tutoring and mentoring support to Aurora-area students during the school year and summer programming.

This grant supports Wayside Cross Ministries’ capital improvements at their Lifespring Center and programming at their Urban Youth Ministry (UYM). The UYM program provides tutoring and mentoring support to Aurora-area students during the school year and summer programming.
  • 2023
  • Area: Economic Growth

The Neighbor Project

This grant supports The Neighbor Project’s financial counseling services for the Aurora Financial Empowerment Center, counseling individuals to help bring them and their families out of poverty.

This grant supports The Neighbor Project’s financial counseling services for the Aurora Financial Empowerment Center, counseling individuals to help bring them and their families out of poverty.
  • 2023
  • Area: Community

Three Fires Council – Boy Scouts of America

This grant supports the Three Fires Council and its efforts to expand programming to include mental and behavioral health education and support for youth in the Aurora area.

This grant supports the Three Fires Council and its efforts to expand programming to include mental and behavioral health education and support for youth in the Aurora area.
  • 2023
  • Area: Community

Fox Valley Patriotic Organization

This sponsorship supports Fox Valley Patriotic Organization’s Gala and First Look of the Flag Day Monument. The event

This sponsorship supports Fox Valley Patriotic Organization’s Gala and First Look of the Flag Day Monument. The event
  • 2023
  • Area: Community

Fox Valley Park Foundation

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provided sponsorship support for Fox Valley Park Foundation’s 2023 Golf Outing.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provided sponsorship support for Fox Valley Park Foundation’s 2023 Golf Outing.
  • 2023
  • Area: Sponsorship

Fox Valley Park Foundation & Kiwanis Club of Aurora

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provided sponsorship support for Fox Valley Park Foundation and Kiwanis Club of Aurora’s Inaugural Pickleball-A-Thon Charity Tournament.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provided sponsorship support for Fox Valley Park Foundation and Kiwanis Club of Aurora’s Inaugural Pickleball-A-Thon Charity Tournament.
  • 2023
  • Area: Economic Growth

Greater Chicago Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (GCAMP)

This grant from the Dunham Foundation allows GCAMP to purchase tour guide systems designed for plant tours as they explore various manufacturing jobs as a career path. It also allows GCAMP to advertise the GCAMP New Hire Survey, which gathers data from new manufacturing employees on their hiring and early career experiences. Results from this survey allow GCAMP to hone its best practices when it comes to solving the skilled workforce gap for manufacturers in Kane County and the surrounding areas.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation allows GCAMP to purchase tour guide systems designed for plant tours as they explore various manufacturing jobs as a career path. It also allows GCAMP to advertise the GCAMP New Hire Survey, which gathers data from new manufacturing employees on their hiring and early career experiences. Results from this survey allow GCAMP to hone its best practices when it comes to solving the skilled workforce gap for manufacturers in Kane County and the surrounding areas.
  • 2023
  • Area: Economic Growth

Lewis University

This grant from the Dunham Foundation, supports the Dunham Aviation Scholars, and Workforce Pipeline Initiative. This initiative provides 10 scholarships to to students who have graduated from high schools within the Dunham Foundation Service area and enroll in the University’s aircraft maintenance degree program.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation, supports the Dunham Aviation Scholars, and Workforce Pipeline Initiative. This initiative provides 10 scholarships to to students who have graduated from high schools within the Dunham Foundation Service area and enroll in the University’s aircraft maintenance degree program.
  • 2023
  • Area: Community

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

This grant sponsors Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry’s Garden Harvest Dinner.

This grant sponsors Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry’s Garden Harvest Dinner.

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