Grant Progress Update Event
Sunday, July 19, Westfield Old Orchard acted as gracious hosts to the Skokie Community Fund and its grantee organizations so that the community could get an update on each of the Fund’s first five grant projects. Additionally, California Pizza Kitchen at Old Orchard and Maggiano’s Little Italy Old Orchard donated food for the Fund’s first fundraiser! Sincerest thanks to everyone for such a successful event!
The Fund also thanks the following elected officials who joined us:
The Honorable George Van Dusen, Mayor of the Village of Skokie
The Honorable Randall Roberts, Trustee of the Village of Skokie
Brian Novak, D219 School Board
Thanks also to Village Manager, John Lockerby, for joining us.
(Photos: S.F. Pavkovic)
- The Cube was the perfect venue for this event.
- Kristin Winter of the Fund welcomes attendees.
- Attendees learned about the progress of each of the five grant projects.
- Danielle Clemons of CJE Senior Life and Susan Carlton of the Skokie Public Library
- Andi Drileck of National Able Network
- Seth Green of Youth Opportunity United
- Matt Ryan of The Talking Farm
- Mary Rose of Metropolitan Family Services with John Lockerby of the Village of Skokie and Village Trustee, Randy Roberts
- Tim Geiges of Westfield Old Orchard with Fund Steering Committee Member, Jim Szczepaniak
Grant Celebration
On Tuesday, November 18, 2014, the Skokie Community Fund celebrated a significant step forward in its mission to support Skokie by awarding a total of $25,000 to local nonprofit organizations that co-applied for grants to serve Skokie residents and enhance the community.
The Fund awarded each of the following five co-applicants $5,000 for use in 2015.
- CJE Senior Life, Skokie Public Library, and Village of Skokie Human Services
- Y.O.U. (Youth Organization Umbrella) and Skokie/Morton Grove School District 69
- National Able Network and Childcare Network of Evanston
- The Talking Farm and Oakton Community College
- Metropolitan Family Services and Village of Skokie
- Executive Director, Kristin Winter; Steering Committee Members Maria Franks, Jim Szczepaniak, Kevin Mott, and Gene Griffin. (Not pictured: Carol Dammrich)
- State Senator Daniel Biss (9th District) and Legislative Director, Alison Leipsiger, lent their support to the Fund.
- Mayor of Skokie, George Van Dusen spoke in support of the Fund.
- President and CEO of the Evanston Community Foundation, Sara Schastok, also spoke in support of the Fund.
- More than 60 people attended the grant celebration.
- All the grantees gathered for a group photo.
The Skokie Community Fund began its 2014/15 grant cycle by seeking collaborative proposals for capacity-building and program grants.
Proposals were accepted until Tuesday, September 9, 2014.
To qualify, two organizations co-applied to either provide services to Skokie residents or build capacity for greater service. One of the two co-applicants was required to be a 501(c)3 organization, a school, or a government entity.
The Fund requested proposals addressing any aspect of community including arts and culture, basic human needs, community development, early childhood education/early learning, education, environment, family support/counseling, health, housing, seniors, workforce development, or youth.