Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

Quick Stats

• Founded: 1948
• Annual Giving: $7.1 million (2023)
• Grant Range: $2,000 - $50,000 (discretionary grants typically $2,500 - $20,000)
• Decision Time: 30-45 days after application deadline
• Geographic Focus: Greater Aurora Area, Kane County, and Kendall County, Illinois
• Charity Navigator Rating: 97% (Four-Star)

Contact Details

Address: 1971 West Downer Place, Suite 312, Aurora, IL 60506-4384
Phone: (630) 896-7800 or (331) 208-9422
Email: info@cffrv.org
Website: www.cffrv.org
Grant Portal: Online Grants Manager (accessible through website)

Overview

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley was founded in 1948 (originally as The Aurora Foundation) and serves as a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley, Illinois. With over 75 years of service to the community, the foundation distributes grants and scholarships to benefit citizens of the Greater Aurora Area, Kane County, and Kendall County. In 2023, the foundation contributed $7,082,669 in grants. The foundation operates with a strong commitment to transparency and responsible management, earning a Four-Star Charity Navigator rating with a 97% score. In a historic milestone, the foundation opened its first stand-alone office in 2025 at 1971 W. Downer Place in Aurora. President & CEO Julie Christman emphasizes the foundation's collaborative approach: "We can have such a bigger impact... so much more can be done together than if we stay in our own silos."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Discretionary Grantmaking Program: $2,500 - $20,000 (average approximately $12,000)

• Capital purposes only (technology, furniture, equipment, building improvements for owned buildings)
• Two grant cycles annually (spring and fall)
• Recent cycles awarded 31-40 grants totaling $535,000+

Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) Grantmaking Program: $500 - $5,000 (typically $1,000 - $4,900)

• Total of $25,000 distributed annually
• High school students from Kane and Kendall County decide grant allocations
• Focus on "Youth Helping Youth" mission
• Application period: December 1 - February 1

Priority Areas

The foundation awards grants in four designated charitable categories:

• Education (excluding grade schools, middle schools, and high schools)
• Social Services
• Health Care
• Arts and Humanities

What They Don't Fund

• Operating expenses
• Salaries or wages
• Rent payments
• Land or real estate purchases
• Programmatic expenses
• Political purposes
• Tax-supported institutions
• Grade schools, middle schools, and high schools (public or private)
• Churches, congregations, and other member organizations (generally ineligible)

Governance and Leadership

Officers

• Jeffrey Cali - Board Chair
• Jessica Breugelmans - Vice-Chair
• James Eccher - Treasurer
• Cheryl Vonhoff - Corporate Secretary

Executive Committee Members

Jessica Breugelmans, Jeffrey Cali, Austin Dempsey, James Eccher, Stan Free, Matt Gilmore, Mariana Martinez, Nicholas Richard-Thompson, Cheryl Vonhoff

Additional Board Members

Jim Griffin, Joyce A. Hemphill Ph.D., Melinda Kintz, Brian Konen, Don Kremin, Scott F. McCleary, Amy Pagels, Mollie Peskind

Staff

• Julie Christman - President & CEO
• Cathy Schwieger - Vice President of Marketing & Communications
• Gregory Probst - Vice President of Finance and Operations
• Beth Christoffel - Director of Scholarships
• Jen Borgognoni - Director of Grantmaking
• Amanda Das - Director of Finance
• Rosie Ogawa - Office Manager
• Joan Dufelmeier - Donor Services Coordinator
• Alyssa Schroeder - Finance Coordinator

Leadership Perspective

Julie Christman on community impact: "We see so much good in the community... People care so much about others." She emphasizes that scholarship and grant funding "has been at the heart of our mission from the beginning" and that the dollars awarded "represent more than just financial support."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)

• Create an account in the Online Grants Manager through the foundation's website
• Complete and submit Letter of Intent by deadline
• Foundation staff will contact you within days to determine eligibility

Step 2: Site Visit

• Required for all applicants after LOI submission
• Foundation staff visit your facility to meet with agency contact, administration, and other relevant parties
• Purpose: Learn more about organization and proposed project
• Eligibility confirmed during or after site visit

Step 3: Full Application

• If deemed eligible after site visit, applicant receives next steps
• Complete full application through Online Grants Manager
• Must be project-ready with estimates and timeline

Application Deadlines

Spring Cycle:

• February 1: Letter of Intent available
• March 31: Letter of Intent due
• May 1: Application closes

Fall Cycle:

• August 1: Letter of Intent available
• September 30: Letter of Intent due
• November 1: Application closes

YEP (Youth Engagement in Philanthropy) Grants:

• December 1: Application opens
• February 1: Application closes

Decision Timeline

Applicants receive notification approximately 30-45 days after the application deadline. Notifications are provided via phone call, email, and letter indicating whether the grant request was approved.

Success Rates

In recent grant cycles (2024-2025), the foundation awarded approximately 40 grants per year through discretionary and YEP programs combined. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly available, but the competitive nature of the program means thorough preparation is essential.

Reapplication Policy

For Successful Recipients: Organizations that have received a grant must wait at least two full years from the date they received payment before applying for a new grant. This policy exists to ensure fairness to the many organizations seeking support given the foundation's limited resources.

For Unsuccessful Applicants: No waiting period is specified for organizations whose applications were not approved. They may reapply in subsequent grant cycles.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grant awards and guidance, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Capital Project Readiness

• Have detailed project estimates and timelines prepared before applying
• Ensure projects are ready to launch (grants are typically one-year only)
• Focus on capital needs like technology upgrades, furniture, equipment, or building improvements

2. Clear Community Impact

• Demonstrate how the capital investment will enhance services to citizens of Kane County, Kendall County, or Greater Aurora area
• Show alignment with one of four priority areas: Education, Social Services, Health Care, or Arts and Humanities
• A grantee testimonial highlighted: "Grant funds from the Community Foundation helped provide updated technology. These upgrades were transformative."

3. Geographic Alignment

• Organizations must be located in the service area OR demonstrate significant impact within the service area
• When possible, use vendors with offices in the service area

4. Organizational Credentials

• Must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity status
• Provide an environment free of harassment or discrimination
• Submit all required documentation including evidence of tax status

5. Application Quality

• Read guidelines carefully before applying
• Use recommended browsers when completing online applications
• Complete all sections of the LOI and application thoroughly

Recent Grant Recipients (examples from 2024-2025 cycles):

• Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties
• Fine Line Creative Arts Center
• GiGi's Playhouse Fox Valley
• HorsePower Therapeutic Riding
• The Conservation Foundation
• Wayside Cross Ministries
• Loaves & Fishes Community Services

Projects funded ranged from technology upgrades to equipment purchases to facility improvements supporting community services.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Capital-only focus: This foundation ONLY funds capital projects (equipment, technology, furniture, building improvements). Do not apply for operating expenses, salaries, or program costs.
• Two-year rule: If you've received a grant before, you must wait two full years from payment date before reapplying.
• Site visit required: Plan for foundation staff to visit your facility as part of the application process—this is a relationship-building opportunity.
• Project readiness is critical: Grants are typically for one year only, so have your project ready to launch with estimates and timeline in place.
• Geographic specificity matters: Clearly demonstrate how your project serves Kane County, Kendall County, or Greater Aurora area residents.
• Average grant is $12,000: While the range extends to $50,000, most discretionary grants fall in the $2,500-$20,000 range with an average around $12,000.
• Quick decision timeline: Expect notification within 30-45 days of the application deadline, making this a relatively fast process compared to many foundations.

References

• Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley official website: www.cffrv.org (accessed January 2026)
• Discretionary Grantmaking Program page: https://www.cffrv.org/grantmaking-program/ (accessed January 2026)
• Guidelines & Deadlines: https://www.cffrv.org/grantmaking-program/guidelines-deadlines/ (accessed January 2026)
• Officers, Directors, and Staff: https://www.cffrv.org/about/officers-directors-staff/ (accessed January 2026)
• YEP Program: https://www.cffrv.org/yep/ (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/366086742 (accessed January 2026)
• Charity Navigator Rating: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/366086742 (accessed January 2026)
• Shaw Local News: "Community Foundation of Fox Valley awards more than $535,000 in grants to 40 nonprofits" (August 2025)
• Chicago Tribune: "Column: Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley celebrates first stand-alone office in its 77-year history" (June 2025)
• The Voice: "Record scholarship applicants to Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley" (accessed January 2026)