Community foundation seeks philanthropist nominees

[July 22, 2020]     Illinois Prairie Community Foundation is seeking nominations for its 2020 Philanthropists of the Year awards. New this year, the Community Foundation will award two Philanthropist of the Year awards – one for Bloomington-Normal and the other for outside the Twin Cities (other parts of McLean County, plus DeWitt, Logan and Livingston counties).

The recipients (an individual, couple or family) will be honored at the Community Foundation’s Celebrating Local Philanthropy Luncheon at the Holiday Inn & Conference Center, 8 Traders Circle, Normal, on Nov. 19, 2020. Nominees must reside in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston or Logan counties.

“Philanthropy is about generosity in all its many forms, commonly referred to as gifts of time, talent and treasure,” said Greg Meyer, IPCF executive director. “We know there are outstanding people giving back to their communities throughout our service area and we’d like to recognize those efforts. Philanthropic work in smaller communities often can have a greater effect on its population.”

The criteria for the award are outstanding civic responsibility as demonstrated by impact of philanthropic efforts; willingness to serve in leadership roles, providing vision and the ability to involve others in philanthropic activity; and voluntary commitment of time and contributions of financial resources. Nominations should describe why the nominee deserves this recognition. Current IPCF board members and staff are not eligible to be nominated.

Past recipients of the award have been from Bloomington-Normal: Paul and Sandra Harmon, Duane and Toni Farrington, George and Myra Gordon, Darrell and Donna Hartweg, John and Marilyn Freese, John and Jan Wohlwend, Bob and Julie Dobski, Roger and Mary Hunt, Deanna Frautschi and Alan Bedell, and Jerry and Carole Ringer.

The deadline for nominations is July 31, 2020. Entries may be submitted by mail to Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, 915 E. Washington St., Suite 2, Bloomington, IL 61701 or by email to [e-mail]. Nomination forms are available for download from the Community Foundation’s website at https://ilprairiecf.org/philanthropists-of-the-year-award. For more information, call [phone].

About Illinois Prairie Community Foundation
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, now in its 22nd year, encourages and facilitates philanthropy in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan counties by connecting donors who care with causes that matter to them. The Foundation currently manages assets of more than $18 million in more than 170 funds including endowments and donor advised, fiscal sponsorship and scholarship funds.

[Michele Evans
Grants & Communications Director
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation]