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Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation in Top Philanthropic Tier Nationally |
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Local Organization Meets Rigorous Standards for Quality and Accountability
8-27-2012
Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation recently received notification that it has met the nation’s highest philanthropic standards for operational quality, integrity and accountability. The notice comes from the Community Foundations National Standards Board, a national accreditation organization based in Arlington, Va.
 “This is similar to the Good Housekeeping Seal for community foundations,” said Diane Miller, Manager of the Community Foundations National Standards Board. “It says that Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation has demonstrated a commitment to operational quality, integrity and accountability.”
The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration. With over 200 community foundations already confirmed in compliance nationwide, the program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.
“This is critically important to our donors,” said Joedy Hightower, Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation president. “When people make a charitable bequest or establish a fund they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the investment wisely, honor their charitable wishes and, in some cases, provide lifetime income to a loved one. The National Standards confirmation says our house is in order.”
Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation was established in 1999 as a result of a partnership between the Effingham County Community Foundation (est. 1999) and the Mattoon Area Community Foundation (est. 1990). Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation operates as a collection of permanent and non-permanent funds for the long-term benefit of Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland and Shelby counties in Southeastern Illinois, allowing donors to advance a cause such as education or the environment, support an individual organization, provide flexible support for community needs or recommend individual grants. In addition to affirming the organization’s philanthropic services, the confirmation validates Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation’s grantmaking practices for the nonprofit community.
“Some say it’s easier to create wealth than to give money away wisely,” said Scott Lensink, Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation board chair. There’s some truth in that. Grantmaking is a lot like investing… we need to assess risks, weigh potential gains, diversify assets, monitor performance and operate fairly. When you see the National Standards Seal, you can be assured that we’re committed to meeting the highest standards for grantmaking as well.”
The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations program is the first of its kind for charitable foundations in the United States. Through philanthropic services, strategic investments and community leadership, Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation helps people support the causes they care about, now and for generations to come. |
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Scott’s Pay It Forward Fund makes first grant award |
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4/18/2012
St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation recently received a gift of $5,000 from the Scott’s Pay It Forward Fund (SPIFF) to support families of children with cancer who are in need of financial help as they battle this dreaded disease.
Even though Scott Ellis lost his own personal battle with cancer in 2009, his family, friends and community has not given up the fight. Mike and Durinda Ellis, Scott’s parents, are extremely excited to announce this first distribution to Children’s Hospital. “The purpose of SPIFF is to preserve the spirit of Scott’s desire to “pay forward” all the support he experienced in his fight against cancer and to somehow make a difference in the lives of others fighting the battle for their own lives. On behalf of Lindsey Ellis, Amanda (Ellis) Washburn, and the awesome SPIFF Committee, we want everyone in the community to know how extremely appreciative we are of your willingness to support our efforts to give back in Scott’s name,” said Mike Ellis.
According to Flip Becker, St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation, “It takes a tremendous effort to face the trials encountered when a family member is confronted with cancer. In many cases, a little financial help here and there can make all the difference in a good day and a bad day for families. Because of this gift, many families will feel the comfort of Scott’s legacy.”
Upcoming fundraising events for the Scott’s Pay It Forward Fund include a Rummage Sale on March 31st and the 2012 SPIFF Golf Outing and 5k Run on June 15 and 16. The SPIFF fund is managed by the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation and contributions to the fund are tax deductible.
Additional information regarding the Scott’s Pay It Forward Fund can be obtained by contacting Mike and Durinda Ellis at (217) 276-2515 or Joedy Hightower, President/CEO, Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation, at (217) 342-4988. |
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Effingham Area Philanthropist honored by Regional Community Foundation |
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11-16-2011
Richard C. Siemer is named outstanding Philanthropist in 2011.
Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation President and CEO Joedy Hightower earlier today announced Richard C. Siemer as the 2011 recipient of the first annual Outstanding Philanthropist Award in celebration of National Community Foundations Week. Siemer was presented the award at a luncheon reception held today, Monday, November 14, 2011, at the Effingham Country Club. More than 40 local business leaders and philanthropists were present for the announcement and award presentation.
“Rick is an amazing philanthropist who not only gives significant funds, but just as importantly, gets involved with the causes he values, contributing his time, talent and experience,” says Hightower. “His philanthropy has touched countless lives across the Effingham County and he has been an inspiration to many of those who have served beside him. All of us at Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation are honored and humbled to be able to recognize him for his extraordinary generosity and leadership,” she adds.
“The examples set by my parents and their lifelong tradition of philanthropy taught me an unforgettable lesson about the importance of giving – whether of one’s time or financial support. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to help others,” says Siemer.
Siemer was selected for this award based on his long history of philanthropy. His philanthropic credentials include: Founding board member of the Effingham County Community Foundation in 1999; establishing the Siemer Miller Company Endowment Fund in 2006 to provide grants to youth leadership programs; board member of the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation from 2008 – present; establishing the Diane Siemer Scholarship Fund in 2011 to provide educational scholarships to General Equivalency Diploma (GED) graduates in Effingham County; contributing founder of Teutopolis Community for Progress; past president of the Effingham County United Way Board; Supporter and past president of Lincoln Trail Boy Scouts Council; steering committee member of Effingham County Vision 2020 and member of many other organizations that benefit the residents of this regional area.
Each year this award will honor an individual with a proven record of exceptional generosity who, through direct financial support, demonstrates outstanding civic and charitable responsibility and whose generosity encourages others to take on philanthropic leadership roles. All future awards will be named the Richard C. Siemer Outstanding Philanthropist Award in honor of Siemer.
Nominees for the upcoming 2012 award will be evaluated based on four key criteria: Financial contribution supporting an organization in Southeastern Illinois; specific achievements, such as new programs launched; encouragement and motivation to others to take leadership roles toward philanthropy and community involvement, and participation in and in support of other non-profit organizations in the region.
More than 700 community foundations across the United States celebrate National Community Foundations Week. For more than 20 years, this effort has raised awareness about the increasingly important role of philanthropic organizations in fostering collaboration and innovation to address persistent civic and economic challenges.
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Area Community Foundations Celebrate Eight-Year Illinois Communityworks Initiative |
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11-16-2011
Foundation leaders attend meeting to recognize the successful statewide Communityworks program sponsored by the Grand Victoria Foundation to collaborate on improving early care and education, workforce development, and land use and protection.
Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation President and CEO Joedy Hightower and Effingham County Community Foundation board member, Joy Kirby, attended a two-day event sponsored by the Grant Victoria Foundation held in Chicago, October 6 - 7, to celebrate the achievements of the Communityworks partnership.
The Grand Victoria Foundation, Elgin, Illinois, formed the Communityworks partnership in 2004 to work with organizations that strive to strengthen educational opportunities for children and adults, boost the economic vitality of neighborhoods, cities, and regions, and restore and preserve the health of our environment. The Communityworks leadership initiative partners with 18 community foundations in Illinois, including the Effingham County Community Foundation and the Mattoon Area Community Foundation.
“Thanks to the opportunities made available by the Grant Victoria Foundation and the Communityworks partnership, both the Effingham County Community Foundation and the Mattoon Area Community Foundation have grant-making resources to support local, meaningful programs that make a difference,” says Hightower.
The Effingham County Community Foundation and the Mattoon Area Community Foundation participated in the Communityworks project as equal partners, sharing the operating and matching grants equally. Prior to July 1, 2003 and the start of Communityworks, the total endowed financial assets of Effingham and Mattoon foundations were $240,000. That amount has grown to a total of $3.8 in endowed assets as of September 30, 2011. Total of all permanent and non-permanent assets of the two foundations are well over $6 million.
Over the course of the eight-year Communityworks program, Effingham and Mattoon each established a permanent Communityworks Endowment Fund to provide funds to address local issues concerns early childhood care and education, workforce development, and land use and protection. These two funds now have assets totaling over $430,000. Since 2009, Effingham Communityworks grants total $91,500 and Mattoon Communityworks grants total $36,200.
The Mattoon Area Community Foundation will be implementing their first competitive grant cycle in 2012 for their Communityworks Endowment Fund. Grants will be awarded to qualified area programs that support early childhood education, workforce development, and land use and protection. The Effingham County Community Foundation has already implemented their program and will accept applications in the spring of 2012.
In addition to building the Communityworks Endowment Funds, the two foundations established their own operating endowments with assets totaling nearly $400,000.
The statewide results of Communityworks are equally astounding. Total endowed assets among the 14 community foundation partners before Communityworks was only $61 million. Today, total endowed assets among the partners are over $247 million.
Over the last eight years, statewide community foundation investment in workforce development issues was $3.5 million; early childhood care and education was $3.7 million and land use and protection was $1.2 million. Total statewide permanently restricted assets to address the issues areas in the future are well over $30 billion.
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The Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation recently expanded its governing body by one seat and approved the appointment of Mr. Mark Bolander of Newton, Illinois to a three year term.
