The Dunham Fund is an active contributor to AU’s community based initiatives that provide the university with a unique public issues platform to serve students and engage members of the community. This grant helped bring to campus New York Times foreign affairs columnist and best-selling author Thomas Friedman, the latest in a list of distinguished speakers since 2013 that includes David McCullough, Daniel Pink and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Grant Recipient
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
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: 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.
- 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: 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.
- 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: 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: 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
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: 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
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
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
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
Community Support Services
This grant provided sponsorship support for Community Support Services’ 40th Anniversary Circles of Support Celebration.
- 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
Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence – Batavia Fine Arts Centre
This grant supported the Batavia Fine Arts Centre’s 2023-2024 season.
- 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
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: Community
Association for Individual Development
This grant from the Dunham Foundation provides sponsorship support for AID’s 2023 Benefit Auction.
- 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
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
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
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
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: 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
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, 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
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: Community
The Aurora Catholic Educational Foundation –
50th Anniversary of the Aurora Catholic Education Foundation
50th Anniversary of the Aurora Catholic Education Foundation
- 2023
- Area: Community
Serenity House
This grant allows Serenity House to expand its teen mental health and wellness & substance use prevention ambassador project to schools throughout the Aurora area.
This grant allows Serenity House to expand its teen mental health and wellness & substance use prevention ambassador project to schools throughout the Aurora area.
- 2023
- Area: Community
Quad County Urban League
This grant will allow Quad County Urban League to provide support to over 150 participants who experience barriers to completing the program such as childcare, housing, and transportation needs.
This grant will allow Quad County Urban League to provide support to over 150 participants who experience barriers to completing the program such as childcare, housing, and transportation needs.
- 2022
- Area: Community
Pigment International
This grant provides sponsorship support for Pigment International Foundation’s Black Fine Art Month Salon Talk.
This grant provides sponsorship support for Pigment International Foundation’s Black Fine Art Month Salon Talk.
- 2023
- Area: Community
Paramount Arts Centre
This grant supported Paramount Arts Centre’s 2023 Gala, featuring performances by Broadway Tony-winning performers Sutton Foster and Brian Stokes Mitchell.
This grant supported Paramount Arts Centre’s 2023 Gala, featuring performances by Broadway Tony-winning performers Sutton Foster and Brian Stokes Mitchell.
- 2023
- Area: Community
Northern Illinois Food Bank
This grant allowed Northern IL Food Bank to provide food, at no cost, to food pantries in the Dunham Foundation Service Area.
This grant allowed Northern IL Food Bank to provide food, at no cost, to food pantries in the Dunham Foundation Service Area.