COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ESTABLISHES COVID-19 RESPONSE FUND
To Support Local Nonprofits Serving Populations Impacted by COVID-19

[May 31, 2020]  BLOOMINGTON, IL – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its presence in our community, Illinois Prairie Community Foundation has established the IPCF COVID-19 Response Fund to support local nonprofits that serve populations who have been impacted by the COVID-19 virus and its economic consequences.

The Drake Zimmerman and Jan Elfline Fund has shown its support for the community by offering to match the first $25,000 raised through the emergency fund. For every dollar donated to this fund, the Drake Zimmerman and Jan Elfline Fund will match it, up to $25,000.

One hundred percent of all donated funds will be used to administer impactful grants to local nonprofits in need. By establishing the IPCF COVID-19 Response Fund, the Community Foundation stays true to its mission of connecting people who care with causes that matter by offering philanthropic leadership, organization and grant-making for the long-term enrichment of our Central Illinois community.
 

Any money Illinois Prairie Community Foundation receives for this purpose from federal or state government agencies, including the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund (a joint effort between the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations and United Way of Illinois) will be deposited into IPCF’s COVID-19 Response Fund for distribution to local nonprofit agencies.

“The needs will certainly be great,” said Greg Meyer, Executive Director of Illinois Prairie Community Foundation. “We are pleased to collaborate with the United Way of McLean County to provide aid to people in need. By working together and with other local agencies, we bring greater awareness of the needs and different means to serve various impacted populations.” Illinois Prairie Community Foundation serves McLean, DeWitt, Logan and Livingston counties.

Illinois Prairie Community Foundation remains committed to supporting local nonprofits that serve communities who are impacted by the COVID-19 virus and its economic consequences. “Our local nonprofits are the boots on the ground in times of crisis and they know better than anyone where the needs are and how to provide for their clients,” said Meyer. “We want to be proactive, joining forces with the United Way and assisting nonprofits to combat challenges affecting their clients.”

IPCF encourages anyone interested to donate to the IPCF COVID-19 Response Fund to support our local nonprofits as they continue to serve clients during this difficult time. Whether by writing a check (send to IPCF at 915 E. Washington St., Ste. 2, Bloomington, IL 61701), using their Donor Advised Fund to make a distribution, donating shares of stock, directing their upcoming Qualified Charitable Distribution/Required Minimum Distribution from an IRA or by donating a portion of any federal stimulus money that they don’t need for immediate personal needs, we can all get through this crisis together.

To donate online to the IPCF COVID-19 Response Fund, visit IPCF’s website at https://ilprairiecf.org/ipcf-covid-19-response-fund. IPCF is a trusted public nonprofit charity; its tax identification number is 37-1377415.

About Illinois Prairie Community Foundation

Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, now in its 21st 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 $17 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]