Best Grants for Teachers Continuing Education in Illinois

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a public charitable foundation based in Aurora, Illinois, dedicated to improving quality of life across the Fox River Valley, including the Greater Aurora area and Kane and Kendall counties. The Foundation partners with donors to fulfill philanthropic goals by managing charitable funds and distributing grants and scholarships that address local needs in areas such as education, health and human services, arts and culture, and community development, while ensuring responsible stewardship of resources to create lasting community impact.

Community Foundation Alumni Scholarship Endowment Fund

The Community Foundation has administered a scholarship program since 1949.  Since that time, millions of dollars have been distributed to Fox River Valley area students in support of their educational futures. In 1986, the Community Foundation Alumni Scholarship Endowment Fund was established in honor of all students who have received a scholarship through the Community Foundation Scholarship Program.  This fund is supported primarily through gifts received from those students.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a public charitable foundation based in Aurora, Illinois, dedicated to improving quality of life across the Fox River Valley, including the Greater Aurora area and Kane and Kendall counties. The Foundation partners with donors to fulfill philanthropic goals by managing charitable funds and distributing grants and scholarships that address local needs in areas such as education, health and human services, arts and culture, and community development, while ensuring responsible stewardship of resources to create lasting community impact.

Coffman Diesel-Automotive Scholarship Fund

The Coffman Diesel/Automotive Scholarship Fund was established by Coffman Truck Sales to award scholarships to area students. Eligibility for the scholarship is restricted to students who have graduated from a high school located within the Foundation’s service area, are home-educated high school graduates, or are General Educational Development (GED) recipients. Students entering their freshman, sophomore, junior or senior year of undergraduate studies may also apply for these awards. Students must reside in the Community Foundation’s service area. Students must attend an accredited institution of higher education within the United States of America on a full-time basis. The type of school may be a two-year college or a professional, trade, or vocational school. Students must pursue the field of Auto Mechanics/Automotive/Diesel Truck Mechanics.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a public charitable foundation based in Aurora, Illinois, dedicated to improving quality of life across the Fox River Valley, including the Greater Aurora area and Kane and Kendall counties. The Foundation partners with donors to fulfill philanthropic goals by managing charitable funds and distributing grants and scholarships that address local needs in areas such as education, health and human services, arts and culture, and community development, while ensuring responsible stewardship of resources to create lasting community impact.

Child Welfare Society Endowment Fund

This fund was created to provide income for the educational, health and welfare needs of children. This fund also supports annual scholarships for local students who are majoring in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education. The Child Welfare Society was established in 1938 to assist children requiring transportation to medical facilities. The following year, the membership identified day care as a critical unmet need for the children of women working in defense industries. The organization responded by opening the Jack and Jill Nursery School on Beach Street in Aurora. Several years later, the school relocated to Clark and LaSalle Street where it remained for most of its history. In 1997, it made its final move to the Carriage House at Mutual Ground on Oak Avenue. The school closed in the summer of 2001. Funds to operate the school were raised by members who volunteered at the Gift Corner and through various fundraisers supported by the community. The Gift Corner opened in 1949 at Copley Memorial Hospital. In 1986, the shop moved to its current location at Dreyer Medical Clinic on Galena Boulevard. 

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a public charitable foundation based in Aurora, Illinois, dedicated to improving quality of life across the Fox River Valley, including the Greater Aurora area and Kane and Kendall counties. The Foundation partners with donors to fulfill philanthropic goals by managing charitable funds and distributing grants and scholarships that address local needs in areas such as education, health and human services, arts and culture, and community development, while ensuring responsible stewardship of resources to create lasting community impact.

Barbara Burgin & Edwin & Carol Ehrhart Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund was created to provide scholarships to students pursuing careers that will positively impact the environment and its inhabitants. Barbara Burgin (1907-1993) was born on a farm near Wheaton, Illinois. She later moved to Aurora, where she lived most of her life. During World War II, Mrs. Burgin was a butcherette at the Kroger Grocery Store in downtown Aurora. When the men returned from the war and assumed those positions, she became manager of several departments at Krogers. Her daughter Carol Ehrhart (1932-2018) was born in Aurora. A graduate of East Aurora High School, Mrs. Ehrhart was employed at Lyon Metal in Aurora. In 2008, she received an award from the City of Aurora as one of the city’s Volunteers of the Year. Mrs. Ehrhart volunteered for the Aurora Public Library and the Friendly Center Club at the Fox Valley Park District. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church. Her husband Edwin Ehrhart (1910-1984) was born on a farm in Naperville. He attended the Naperville schools and also worked at Lyon Metal. Mr. Ehrhart was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. This fund, which was created in 2005, became an endowment in 2007. Mrs. Ehrhart established the fund to encourage local students to further their educations. As she stated, “Education is essential to our survival and it is my hope that these scholarships will make a difference in the lives of future generations.”

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a public charitable foundation based in Aurora, Illinois, dedicated to improving quality of life across the Fox River Valley, including the Greater Aurora area and Kane and Kendall counties. The Foundation partners with donors to fulfill philanthropic goals by managing charitable funds and distributing grants and scholarships that address local needs in areas such as education, health and human services, arts and culture, and community development, while ensuring responsible stewardship of resources to create lasting community impact.

Austin and Melissa Dempsey Family Scholarship Endowment Fund

The Austin & Melissa Dempsey Family Scholarship Endowment Fund was created to provide scholarships for students who have graduated from Rosary, Marmion, or Batavia High School. Students must also reside in the Community Foundation’s service area. Students must attend an accredited institution of higher education in the United States of America on a full-time basis. The type of school may be a two-year college; a professional, trade, or vocational school; or a four-year college or university. Scholarships from this fund will be merit based and not dependent on financial need of the student.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

Dan and Tracey Stellato Family Scholarship Endowment Fund

Scholarships from this fund are available to residents of the Foundation’s service area.

BEI Holdings is a multi-generational real estate, property management and development firm established in 1959 by the Dempsey Family. BEI Holdings has always remained steadfast in their devotion to communities in the Fox Valley.

Dan and Tracey Stellato have always placed a high level of importance on education for their three sons, Nicholas, Michael and Marc Anthony. The proud parents have watched their sons achieve much success after the boys earned their college diplomas.

The Stellato family would like to help others who look to chart their future with higher education and this scholarship, funded by BEI Holdings, and administered through the Community Foundation, feels like a great way to achieve this important goal.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

Margaret Mercer Stewart Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund was created by Margaret Mercer Stewart to support the education of nursing students.

Mrs. Stewart (1912-2005) was born in Aurora, Illinois. She graduated from West Aurora High School and attended North Central College.

She was drawn to nursing, graduated from the Evanston Illinois Hospital School of Nursing in 1934 and then served as a school nurse in Evanston.

In 1935, she married Thomas Graeme Stewart, a descendent of the pioneer Stewart farming family of Tamarack (now Plainfield) Illinois.

The couple resided on and farmed the ancestral land from 1937 until Mr. Stewart’s death in 1970.

Since that time, Mrs. Stewart continued to live on the farmstead and rented the land for agricultural purposes.

She was able to achieve her wish of living on the farm until her death due in part to the care provided by her home health care aides.

Mrs. Stewart was an artist, skilled in several media including pastels, oils and watercolors. She won numerous awards at both local and state levels.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

Mildred E. Shambo Scholarship Endowment Fund

Scholarships from this fund are awarded to students at the undergraduate and graduate level of study.

The fund was established upon receipt of a bequest from Mildred Shambo (1907-1992).

Miss Shambo, a lifelong resident of Aurora, taught in the East Aurora School System for thirty-nine years.

She was a philosophy major at the University of Chicago and later earned a master of arts degree from Northwestern.

She maintained memberships in numerous professional and civic organizations.

Miss Shambo provided a bequest to the Community Foundation as her way of giving back to the community which had meant so much to her throughout her lifetime.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

Ruth H. & B.R. Skaggs Endowment Fund

This fund provides scholarships to students graduating from a high school in the Foundation’s service area with preference to students pursuing a vocation related to the field of Christian Service.

Ruth H. Skaggs (1912-2006) served as the Community Foundation’s Scholarship Secretary for eighteen years, retiring in 1988. She previously had been secretary to the president of Lyon Metal Products. She also served as a director of the Bank of Boulder Hill until it affiliated with Merchants National Bank.

Her husband B.R. “Bev” Skaggs (1912-1996) retired from Lyon Metal Products in 1977 after forty-one years of service. He was a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and the Lyon Quarter-Century Club. He also served in the United States Navy during WWII.

The Skaggs were active volunteers for Wayside Cross Ministries, the Boulder Hill Civic Association and Bethany of Fox Valley United Methodist Church.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

Thomas P. Sperry Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund was established by the family and friends of Dr. Thomas P. Sperry.

Thomas Sperry (1948-1998) practiced Orthodontics in the Aurora area for twenty years.

He was a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Dentistry and had served as an associate professor in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

In addition to his numerous professional affiliations, Dr. Sperry was an avid historian, writer and mountain climber.

Scholarships from this fund are reserved for students pursuing studies in the liberal arts curriculum with preference to those students majoring in history.

Created in 1998, the fund was established as an endowment in 1999.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

Towers Family Fund

The Towers Family Fund was created to honor Karen Towers who was an art teacher for West Aurora School District #129 for 36 years. Karen passed away on December 17, 2016 at the age of 79. She was a passionate art teacher who believed that everyone could create art. Karen loved teaching and helping students find their creativity and artistic side. Karen loved to share her love and knowledge of cultures and creating with others. She believed that you could be an artist and a lawyer when you grow up, you don’t have to choose.

Karen was involved in her community of Aurora with the Aurora Historical Society as past President and board member and the Aurora Public Art Commission as a board member. Karen’s teaching accomplishments were varied; teaching in 6 decades (1959-2000), Kane County Educator of the Year nominee, Golden Apple for District #129 recipient, Y.W.C.A Woman of Distinction nominee, P.T.A. member and many more.

The Karen Towers Art Scholarship was created in her honor to help future art teachers reach their dreams.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

United Punjabis of America Excellence in Community Service Scholarship Fund

This scholarship in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded annually to two eligible applicants. This scholarship is a one-year award and is non-renewable.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Erwin & Ella Hoffman Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund provides scholarships for students with a preference for graduates of East Aurora or West Aurora High School and attendance at a Lutheran-affiliated college or university. The fund was established by a bequest received from the estate of Mrs. Hoffman, who died in 1979, a year after her husband’s death. The couple owned and operated a farm in North Aurora for most of their lives.

They were members of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Aurora.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. The most common scholarship award amount is $1,000 for a single year. Scholarships are designated as non-renewable one-year awards or renewable multi-year awards depending upon the scholarship fund criteria, as established by the donor of the scholarship fund.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Eleanor C. Hungar Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund was established to administer a bequest from the estate of Eleanor Hungar.

Miss Hungar (1905-2005) attended Greenman Elementary School. She was a graduate of West Aurora High School and Illinois State University at Normal. Miss Hungar was a beloved and greatly admired teacher. She had a profound influence on the children whose lives she touched.

To this day, former students fondly recall her extraordinary kindness to those who had the good fortune to learn at her side.

In keeping with her lifelong devotion to children, she bequeathed a portion of her estate to provide scholarships for students entering the field of elementary education.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. The most common scholarship award amount is $1,000 for a single year. Scholarships are designated as non-renewable one-year awards or renewable multi-year awards depending upon the scholarship fund criteria, as established by the donor of the scholarship fund.

10,000 Degrees

What We Do

From college dreams, to graduation day, to your first career, we’ll be there for your entire journey—with near-peer support, scholarships, financial aid assistance, resources, and more.

Sonoma County Medical Association & Alliance Health Careers Scholarship

The Sonoma County Medical Association & Alliance Health Careers Scholarship Fund, administered by 10,000 Degrees, was established in 2001 to support students pursuing a career in medicine, nursing, or other allied health fields. This scholarship is open to undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree students.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

Dorothy K. Witte Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund

This Fund honors the memory of Dorothy K. Witte (1912-2008) who taught in East Aurora School District elementary schools for the bulk of her career. She had previously taught briefly in several Lutheran schools prior to having her three children, Elizabeth, Jonathan, and Robert who all graduated from East Aurora High School. After her husband Paul’s death at age 46, she began teaching in the East Aurora School District 131, at Brady Elementary, to support her young family. Her career in education became her life’s passion which spanned 25 years (1958-1982).

Dorothy’s dedication to helping students who had behavioral and learning difficulties led her to be the “go to” teacher for working with students with educational challenges. Often her students were the only English speakers in their home, so she took Spanish lessons to be able to communicate more effectively with the parents of her students. She occasionally made home visits when families felt uncomfortable attending school conferences. Her dining room table at home was often cluttered with lesson plans, teaching supplies, and papers to grade. She was known to stay in her classroom until well after dark working to prepare for class the next day.

Her daughter Beth (1940-2011) followed her mother into a career in teaching/education. Her sons Jon and Bob initially studied to be teachers, but eventually went into the medical field as physicians. They now establish this scholarship to honor their mother and the teaching profession which has been a consistent thread through their family. The funds awarded are intended for a recipient who seeks to pursue a career as a public school educator, helping those who most need the expertise of a skilled and caring teacher.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

George & Cora Webster Scholarship Endowment Fund

The George and Cora Webster Scholarship Endowment Fund provides scholarships to African American students who are graduates of high schools located within the Community Foundation service area.

George Webster is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh and attended Pennsylvania State University. In 1963, Mr. Webster enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. His service included sixteen months in Vietnam. After serving ten years in the Marine Corp, he joined the United States Navy. From 1979 until 1982, he was a Navy recruiter in Aurora. He served on five different aircraft carriers, and eventually achieved the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. Upon his retirement from the service in 1988, he and his wife Cora Webster moved back to the Aurora Community. George was also an Aurora Election Commission Judge for twenty-one years and a member of the Aurora Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association for many years.

Cora Webster was born in Eudora, Arkansas. She worked as a licensed cosmetologist in Texas and was employed by both the May Company and the KMART Corporation in Illinois. Cora (1939-2022) was a member of the Main Street Baptist Church and served as a member of the Nurse’s Aide Ministry.

Mr. and Mrs. Webster were married in December 1969 at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Chicago. They have one son, one granddaughter, two grandsons, and two great-grandsons.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

Richard James & William Alfred Wulff Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund was established by William Alfred “Bill” Wulff (1943-2021) in honor of his twin brother, Richard James “Dick” Wulff. Scholarships will be awarded to students pursuing a career in the medical field, such as nursing. At the age of 19, Dick passed away following complications from heart surgery; he had recently graduated from Marmion Academy and was attending Parsons School of Design. Bill was a cancer survivor, as is his sister; their mother also had cancer and their father underwent heart surgery. Along with honoring Dick’s memory, this fund is intended to honor and encourage the nursing profession that made such an impact on the Wulff family.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

Robert H. & Shirley N. Waldo Scholarship Endowment Fund

Robert and Shirley Waldo bequeathed a portion of their estate to provide scholarships for local students.

Shirley Waldo (1923-2002) was a graduate of West Aurora High School. She received a teaching degree from DeKalb Teachers College and a master’s degree from Northwestern University.

She was an educator in the East Aurora School System for twelve years. In addition, Mrs. Waldo was a past president of the Copley Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, director of the Women’s Chicago District Golf Association and member of Our Savior Lutheran Church.

Her husband Robert Waldo (1911-2007) was born in Sycamore.

His family moved to Aurora the following year when his father K.D. Waldo was appointed principal of East Aurora High School. K.D. Waldo was later named superintendent of the East Aurora Schools.

Robert Waldo studied at North Central College and the University of Illinois. He was a proprietor of Healy Chapel and later of Daleiden Mortuary.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

Swami Vivekananda Scholarship Fund

This fund was created by the City of Aurora’s Indian American Community Outreach Advisory Board (IACOAB).

IACOAB’s mission is to embrace, preserve and promote the heritage and contributions of Indian American’s while promoting civic engagement and encouraging Indian Americans to increase their involvement in Aurora’s growth.

The IACOAB created the Swami Vivekananda Scholarship Fund to support college-bound high school seniors to further their education in a field of their choice. Applicants must have demonstrated exemplary community service. 

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

Willett & Peffers Families Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund was established by Martha Willett Peffers to provide scholarships for students entering the field of music.

Mrs. Peffers (1911-2004) was a graduate of West Aurora High School. She received a degree in philosophy from the University of Illinois and a teaching certificate from Aurora College. She also attended the Art Institute of Chicago.

A lifelong Auroran, Mrs. Peffers was a member of the Tuesday Garden Club, the West Side Reading Circle and Chapter BT of P.E.O.

Her husband Hopkins Stolp Peffers (1905-1995) attended Culver Military Academy in Indiana where he later taught. He also attended the University of Wisconsin.

Mr. Peffers was a manager and consultant in the field of public transportation for many years.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

William “Skip” Rowe Scholarship Fund

William “Skip” Rowe was a father and husband who spent his entire life taking care of his family, friends and the many young people in the community. Skip was able to make friends with people from all backgrounds, and he was known to be a father-figure and mentor to many young men that just needed a trusted adult to help keep them on the right path. This fund was created to honor his memory and will help to provide support to a male student going into the field of education. This scholarship was made possible by the many friends and family that loved Skip and continue to benefit from his endless generosity, passion and love.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

Winteringham Family Permanent Endowment Fund

The Winteringham Family Permanent Endowment Fund was established through a generous bequest received from the estate of Marian Winteringham

Marian (1901-1994) taught in the West Aurora School System for over forty years. For the first half of her career, she taught at Abraham Lincoln and Nancy Hill Elementary Schools. In the early 1940s, she joined the faculty of West Aurora High School, where she taught English and also served as Dean of Women for many years.

This fund was created by Marian as a memorial to her parents Arthur J. and Minnie Winteringham, her sister Claire Winteringham, and her brother and sister-in-law Sidney and Frederika Winteringham. Although her bequest was unrestricted, Marian requested that at least a portion of her gift be used to provide scholarships for students entering the field of teaching. 

The Manford and Maude Brown Medical Education Scholarship, offered by the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation, supports local residents pursuing degrees in medical or healthcare fields. Open to high school seniors, undergraduates, and returning students, this scholarship aims to empower aspiring healthcare professionals in achieving their educational goals. With a commitment to inclusivity and community support, it fosters a brighter future for students in San Luis Obispo County.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Mary Virginia Hughes and Wesley C. Hughes Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund was created upon receipt of bequests from the estates of Mary Virginia Hughes and Wesley C. Hughes.

Their parents, Wayne and Sadie Hughes, owned and operated a farm in Newark.

Mary Hughes lived and worked on the family farm her entire life and was a member of the Millbrook United Methodist Church.

It was important to both Mary and Wesley to use their legacies to support the education of local students.

Scholarships from the fund are available to students graduating from a high school located in Kendall County for attendance at an accredited college or university.

These awards are reserved for students pursuing a major in the field of agriculture.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. The most common scholarship award amount is $1,000 for a single year. Scholarships are designated as non-renewable one-year awards or renewable multi-year awards depending upon the scholarship fund criteria, as established by the donor of the scholarship fund.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illi

Library Education Scholarship Fund

The Library Education Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing library sciences, writing, education – preference for language arts, or information technology.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. The most common scholarship award amount is $1,000 for a single year. Scholarships are designated as non-renewable one-year awards or renewable multi-year awards depending upon the scholarship fund criteria, as established by the donor of the scholarship fund.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

Albert W. Medernach Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund, which was created upon the receipt of a bequest from the estate of Albert William Medernach, provides scholarships to students residing within the Community Foundation service area.

Albert Medernach (1941-2012) was born in Aurora, Illinois to John and Loretta Medernach. His father worked at the National Brush Company and his mother was a homemaker. They were blessed with twelve children.

Their son Albert attended St. Nicholas Catholic Grade School and was a graduate of Marmion Academy.

He served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1966 and was employed by Caterpillar Tractor Company for thirty years.

After retirement, he volunteered for Hesed House and St. Rita of Cascia Church, where he became affectionately known as “Mr. St. Rita.”

Mr. Medernach was a master gardener who looked forward to the springtime when he was able to resume the design of his flowerbeds and other plantings.

His devotion to family was of great importance to him as demonstrated by the special care he provided to his mother prior to her passing. He was a kind and thoughtful man who brightened the lives of others.

Albert Medernach will be remembered for generations to come for his generous provision for the educational futures of local students.