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Peoria, IL 309-674-8730
The Emerging Philanthropists Fund is an initiative designed by the Community Foundation of Central Illinois (CFCI) to invigorate emerging community leaders to join together as philanthropists. The group is comprised of a cross section of professionals in the community who like to have fun, but who also want to positively impact the quality of life in central Illinois.
Together, members build the Emerging Philanthropists Fund, an endowment which addresses community needs through grantmaking. The Emerging Philanthropists Fund offers a unique opportunity to its members by providing them with a vehicle for strategic giving, information about the grantmaking process and the ability to learn more about the many nonprofit organizations in central Illinois.
The Fund’s giving circle model allows members to be philanthropic without having to be wealthy. By pooling together yearly membership contributions, as well as additional donations, the Fund grows. Each year, a portion of the fund is granted back into the community through a grantmaking process. Emerging Philanthropists Fund members ultimately vote on which nonprofit organizations receive grants from the Fund.
In addition to grantmaking, members will gain basic philanthropic skills and be connected with established philanthropists in the community. It is a wonderful way to get involved!
Invitation Only Events: Learn about community issues, promote grantmaking, forge leadership skills and build camaraderie.
Networking: Meet leading community leaders and philanthropists and learn about their philanthropic strategies.
Enhanced Skills Set: Learn about the grantmaking process and what local nonprofits are doing to meet community needs.
Tax Advantages: All donations, including annual memberships, qualify for the maximum available deduction for charitable contributions.
Charitable Impact: Members vote on the issue area where they would like to direct the annual grant each year.
There are two ways you or your family can become a member:
1. Check: Print and download a membership form and mail with payment to CFCI. Checks can be made payable to “Community Foundation of Central Illinois.”
Mailing address:
Community Foundation of Central Illinois
ATTN: Emerging Philanthropists Fund
3625 North Sheridan Road
Peoria, IL 61604
2. Online: Enroll and make your payment conveniently via credit card by clicking here. Choose to submit your payment in full or opt for monthly or quarterly payments using your credit card.
Jennifer Weaver, Chair
Kelly Schneider, Vice Chair
Audrey Kamm, Immediate Past Chair
Lynette Fernandes
Kevin Jochman
Melissa Heil
Mark Mason
Maleka Miller
Monica Ray
Brent Rynearson
Clayton Welker
Emerging Philanthropists Fund Grant Guidelines
Each year, as the Emerging Philanthropists Fund grows, a portion of the fund will be regranted into the community. All 501(c)(3) nonprofits are encouraged to submit an application. For the 2025 grant cycle, nonprofits can apply for up to $5,000.
The Emerging Philanthropists Fund Grants Committee will review and narrow down the applications and select up to five finalists. Of the finalists, based on funding available, the Emerging Philanthropists Fund membership will then vote on one or several recipients. Recipients will be notified in August of 2025.
Grant application is open April 1st through June 11th, 2025.
Questions? Please contact CFCI Director of Grants and Community Initiatives, Amanda Fiske, at 309-674-8730 or amanda@communityfoundationci.org.
Congratulations to the Emerging Philanthropists Fund 2023 grantee Graceland Center for Purposeful Aging! To learn more about their mission to enhance the lives of older adults in the Peoria area. Inspired by Mather Centers in Chicago, the Graceland Center seeks to serve older adults who desire to live happily, productively, and economically in their communities. GCPA will provide an environment where older adults find resources, opportunity and support for staying connected to and involved with their community, where they are recognized for the individuals they are rather than the age segment they belong to and where they can continue to grow in health, mind and spirit. For more information, visit their website www.gracelandcenter.com
Foster Village Peoria received $4,000 for their Resource Closet program. The Resource Closet provides welcome bags for foster children when they are placed into or leave foster care. Each bag includes three new sets of clothes, toiletries, a blanket, and a journal or stuffed animal. The Resource Closet also supplies larger items by request, such as car seats and cribs. There are currently no other programs filling this need in the Peoria community. Foster Village Peoria, launched June 2022, is a nonprofit & affiliate location to Foster Village Inc. that fills the gaps in resources for the foster care community. It “Takes a Village.” To learn more about Foster Village Peoria, visit www.fostervillagepeoria.org
