FUNDS – Specific Interest Funds
The Community Foundation of Will County is presently home to sixty-eight funds. All of our funds are open and may receive contributions at any time. Following is a description of each fund.
Ways to Make a Donation
Funds for Grantmaking
The Community Foundation of Will County Grant Endowment Fund
This fund provides grants to assist the charitable needs of non-profit organizations.
Wadsworth Family Cultural Arts Endowment
The Wadsworth Family Cultural Arts Endowment Fund, provides income for cultural arts programs, performances and projects in Will County.
The Community Foundation of Will County Education Fund
This fund awards grants to non-profit organizations providing educational opportunities in Will County.
The Community Foundation of Will County Health Fund
This fund awards grants to non-profit organizations serving the health-related needs of area residents.
The Community Foundation of Will County Human Services Fund
This fund awards grants to non-profit organizations serving basic human needs of area residents.
The Rink Family Grant Fund
Established in 2013 to provide resources for nonprofit agencies and organizations in Will County to address the most vital community issues.
The Michael F. Rittof Fund
Established in 2014 to provide resources for nonprofit agencies and organizations in Will County to address the most vital community needs.
The Sentinus Charitable Grant Fund
Established in 2014 to provide resources for nonprofit agencies and organizations in Will County to address the most vital community issues.
The Spesia & Taylor Charitable Grant Fund
Established in 2014 to provide resources for nonprofit agencies and organizations in Will County to address the most vital community issues.
Center for Economic Development Education Grant Fund
Established in 2015 to provide resources to nonprofit agencies and organization in Will County to help young people be more workplace ready and improve the quality of the local workforce.
Joliet Woman’s Club Grant Fund
Established in 2016 to provide resources for nonprofit agencies and organizations in Will County to improve the lives of children in our community.
Community Foundation Funds
Donor Advised Funds
Click donate to make a donation to any of the funds below.
The David and Joan Allemeier Charitable Fund
Established in 2015 by David and Joan Allemeier for general charitable purposes.
The Jay and Lori Bergman Charitable Fund
Established in 2016 by Jay and Lori Bergman for general charitable purposes
The Matthew Booty Charitable Fun
Established in 2014 by Matthew Booty for general charitable purposes.
The William and Margaret Cockbill Fund
Established in 2011 to provide grants to higher education for Asian and English Language studies.
Cowgill Family Fund
Established in 2007 by Thomas and Sandra Cowgill for general charitable purposes.
Frances Brotz Di Tusa Charitable Fund
Established in 2014 by Michael Di Tusa for general charitable purposes.
The Ed & Gloria Dollinger Family Legacy Fund
Established in 2012 by Ed and Gloria Dollinger for general charitable purposes.
Kistner-Eddy Family Fund
Established in 2011 by Romeo Kistner and Heather Eddy for general charitable purposes.
The Families in Need Fund
Established in 2016 to provide annual support to Guardian Angel Community Services, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet, and The Community Foundation of Will County’s Community Partner Grants program for families in need.
The Gunst Family Charitable Giving Fund
Established in 2015 by Randy and Ann Gunst for general charitable purposes.
The Bill and Diane Habiger Charitable Fund
Established in 2013 by Bill and Diane Habiger for general charitable purposes.
Jean A. Helt Fund
Established in 2015 by Jean A. Helt for general charitable purposes.
The Mark and Judy Inserra Charitable Fund
Established in 2013 by Mark and Judy Inserra for general charitable purposes.
Carolyn Kuninic Charitable Fund
Established in 2018 by Hope United Methodist Church of Joliet, United Way of Will County, Disability Resource Center and Prairie State Legal Services.
Lorimor Legacy Fund
The first donor advised fund established at The Community Foundation of Will County in 2006 by Larry and Kathy Lorimor for general charitable purposes. Mr. Lorimor joined the board of directors in 2006 and opened this fund in anticipation of his retirement to support his family’s philanthropic objectives.
The Rose E. Mancuso Charitable Fund
Established in 2014 by Rose Mancuso for general charitable purposes.
The Twilla S. Margaron Nursing Fund
Established in 2012 by Frank Margaron for general charitable purposes with a focus on providing support to Silver Cross Hospital employees wishing to advance their nursing training.
The Fred and Carolyn Martens Charitable Fund
Established in 2014 by Carolyn Martens for general charitable purposes.
Ken and Sue McConnaughay Fund
Established in 2018 by Heart Haven Outreach; Rotary Club of Bolingbrook and New Life Lutheran Church.
The Tyler & Stephanie Qualio Charitable Fund
Established in 2012 by Tyler and Stephanie Qualio for general charitable purposes.
The Deb & Scott Reynolds Charitable Fund
Established in 2012 by Deb and Scott Reynolds for general charitable purposes.
The Diane L. Reynolds Charitable Fund
Established in 2013 by Diane Reynolds for general charitable purposes.
The Sentinus Charitable Fund
Established in 2012 by Tyler Qualio and Scott Reynolds for general charitable purposes.
The Fred and Maria Schaffer Charitable Fund
Established in 2013 by Fred and Maria Schaffer for general charitable purposes.
The Sharing Blessings Fund
Established in 2015 by anonymous donors for general charitable purposes.
The Danny and Tricia Simpson Family Fund
Established in 2016 by Danny and Tricia Simpson for general charitable purposes.
The Rick and KB Sleckman Charitable Fund
Established in 2014 by Rick and Kathleen Sleckman for general charitable purposes.
Douglas & Loretta Spesia Charitable Fund
A staunch supporter of and advocate for the Community Foundation of Will County and an original member of the board of directors, Mr. Spesia and his wife were among the first to open a donor advised fund. This fund supports the family’s philanthropic objectives.
The Christian & Meredith Spesia Family Fund
Established in 2012 by Chris and Meredith Spesia for general charitable purposes.
John M. Spesia Family Foundation Fund
Following a deep felt belief in the value of charity and to strengthen their home community, John and Mary Spesia established their Family Foundation. Known in the community for their support of several charitable organizations that help people in need, the Spesias also feel it is important to teach children the importance of charitable giving.
Tonelli Fund
A founding member of the board of directors, Mr. Tonelli and his late wife Geraldine (Geri) opened this fund to help make it possible for others to “overcome financial challenges” and to meet other philanthropic objectives of the family.
Stanley Wadsworth Endowment Fund
Established in 2019 to provide annual support to the Rialto Square Theatre, First Presbyterian Church of Joliet, Joliet Township High School Foundation and the Joliet Area Historical Museum.
Other Funds
Melvin and Ruth Oyer Joliet Central Band Fund
This fund is designed to support music instruction for future generations of Joliet Central band musicians.
Guardian Angel Community Services Agency fund
This fund is designed to provide the Guardian Angel Agency needed income for operations every year and an endowment that will grow, securing their future ability to deliver services in Will County.
The Voyager Group Fund
Established in 2012 by Kathy and Tom Cawley for general charitable purposes.
The Women’s Leadership Fund
Established in 2013 by Jan Viano and the women of First Midwest Bank for general charitable purposes with a focus on supporting programs embracing women and girls’ leadership initiatives.
The Joliet Region Education Scholarship Fund
Established in 2014 by the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry to build resources that will promise scholarships to young students and encourage them to work hard during their high school years and pursue a college education.
The Center for Correctional Concerns Fund
Established in 2014 by the Center for Correctional Concerns for general charitable purposes.
Joliet Area Historical Museum Endowment Fund
Established in 2018 to provide the museum with an annual stream of revenue while protecting the principle.
Joliet Area Historical Museum Opportunity Fund
Established in 2019 to build reserves that the museum can access for repairs, capital expenses, new acquisition, or other opportunities which present themselves.
Strategic Opportunities Fund
Established in 2017 to provide support and encourage long-term partnership collaborations or mergers for Will County non profits
Brother James Gaffney Scholarship Fund
The Brother James Gaffney Scholarship Fund was established by Ed and Gloria Dollinger to honor Brother James for his “incredible leadership in our community and for all he has done for Lewis University”. This fund will help students attend Lewis University now and forever thereby fulfilling the Foundation’s motto, “Strengthening Will County Now and Forever.” Deeply committed to education, Brother James has devoted 39 years of service to Lewis University and since 1988 has been the President of the University. Brother James has served on numerous boards throughout the region.
The Dystrup Memorial Young Philanthropists Fund
Established in memory of Dick and Andy Dystrup to promote philanthropy among young people.
American Red Cross of Greater Chicago Will County Fund
Established in 2011 to fund American Red Cross operations in Will County
The Rotarian’s Fund of Joliet
Established in 2015 to provide annual support of the charitable giving of the Joliet Rotary and a place Club members can leave legacy gifts to sustain and expand that support.
Plainfield Legacy Fund
The Plainfield Legacy fund was created to help the people of Plainfield improve the quality of life in their Community.
Joe Carnes Scholarship Fund
Have Questions?
If you have questions about how we can help you reach your charitable goals contact us at 815.201.3700.
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PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS
We work with Professional Advisors to enhance their services to Will County clients.
NOT-FOR-PROFITS
We work closely with Not-for-Profit agencies, grassroots organizations, and community stakeholders.