News & Events
THE FOUNDATION FOR NORTHWEST ILLINOIS
New Foundation Internship Program Announced
We're excited to announce that The Foundation for Northwest Illinois is accepting applications for the new Marketing & Communications Intern Program. The marketing & communications intern will provide support to The Foundation, including writing, material...
The Vital Role of Nonprofit Boards: A Call to Community Service and Investment
In an era where community challenges seem to be on the increase, the importance of collaboration is a priority. At The Foundation for Northwest Illinois, we keep an open line of communication and seek out ways to bring about new strategic partnerships—local, state,...
Gatsby Gala 2025: The Wrap-Up
The Foundation for Northwest Illinois hosted the first ever Gatsby Gala at The Freeport Club on March 22. Gatsby Gala proceeds benefit The Foundation for Northwest Illinois' Jane Addams Legacy Fund which provides support to nonprofit organizations working to elevate...
![[REFUND]raising: Support the Causes that Matter Most](https://fornwil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/refundraising-1-1080x628.png)
[REFUND]raising: Support the Causes that Matter Most
We are just a couple weeks away from the close of the 2025 tax season. Many of us look forward to the possibility of receiving a little financial bump from Uncle Sam this time of year—we’ve all viewed tax refunds as “found money” at one point or another in our lives....
Jananne “JR” Schaffner, 2025 Recipient of the Jane Addams Legacy Award
At the Gatsby Gala, The Foundation honors local women who, through visionary thinking, leadership, and philanthropy, have made a difference in the lives of others. Like Jane Addams, the recipient of the Jane Addams Legacy Award is a shining example of moral courage,...
Foundations on the Hill
It was recently my honor to represent Northwest Illinois as one of 370 foundation and nonprofit delegates, including 25 from Illinois, recently at Foundations on the Hill 2025 (#FOTH2025). While there, I participated in meetings with Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick...
The Foundation for Northwest Illinois Announces 2025 Gala Co-Chairs
FREEPORT, IL (January 2, 2025) — The Foundation for Northwest Illinois is pleased to announce that local businesswoman Doreen O'Brien of Big O's on the Hollow and attorney Bridget Trainor of Elliott, Trainor & Weller, P.C., are serving as the 2025 Gatsby Gala...
We Are Much Stronger, Together.
Autumn is in the air in northwest Illinois. There’s a chill to the winds that blow, the days are getting shorter, and the leaves are now steadily drifting downward. And, like all the other creatures around us, we are also starting to prepare for a bit of a winter...
Cocktails for a Cause at Mousie’s on the BLVD
Join us this evening, October 25th at 5 PM, to learn more about the work of The Foundation for Northwest Illinois! We are "hijacking" happy hour so come out with your friends and enjoy some great cocktails including the "Lady Jane" created for our event.
Foundation CEO Appointed to Commission on Poverty Elimination & Economic Stability
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (PDF)Contact: Sarah Flashing-ClowPhone: (815) 801-3035 (o) (815) 618-8808 (c)Email: sarah@fornwil.org To better inform policymakers on the root causes of poverty and economic insecurity in northwest Illinois, CEO Michelle DeHaven Quast of The...
The Foundation Honors Nonprofit Organizations at 50th Anniversary Celebration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Sarah Flashing-ClowPhone: (815) 801-3035 (o) (815) 618-8808 (c)Email: sarah@fornwil.org [Freeport, IL – August 21, 2024] –The Foundation for Northwest Illinois staff and board gathered with nearly 130 guests at the Celebration Gala, the...
Northwest Illinois Strategic Vision:
2025-2029
By Michelle DeHaven Quast, CEO Northwest Illinois is home. Its more than 1500 square miles of rolling hills, fertile farmland, rural communities, and micropolitan areas are home to roughly 85,000 hardworking Illinoisans. It is a place where community is valued, and...
Celebrating 50 Years: A Legacy & A Promise
The Foundation for Northwest Illinois invites you to join us in celebrating the legacy of 50 years of community impact with a look to what the future holds for Northwest Illinois. $50 per person. Click here for tickets of call (815) 801-3035 or email...
Freeport Police Department’s K-9 Campaign
This spring, The Foundation for Northwest Illinois was privledged to work with the Freeport Police Department on a campaign to raise funds for a new K9 unit. With contributions totalling $11,825, the new K9 "DJ" was equipped with basic training and equipment, along...
Grants Reception 2024
On June 20, The Foundation of Northwest Illinois awarded Marvin Wilson Community Impact grants to 13 organizations totalling $121,072.00 and Foundation Grow Grants to 2 organizations totalling $4175.00. These organizations, representing communities in Stephenson, Jo...
Passing the Torch: Succession Planning & the Future of Your Organization
The expression “passing the torch” is a metaphor alluding to the ancient Greek torch races where a runner passes a torch to another runner, each one entering to advance the whole team toward achieving its goal to finish the race. Today, the Olympic Torch Relay signals...
Community.
Community is at the heart of everything a community foundation does. And, yes, I realize that seems obvious… “Well, duh! It’s in the name.” What I am referring to, however, is thinking about and working with community on a higher level. It is a mindset that...
A Community of Doers: Celebrating National Volunteer Month
April is National Volunteer Month—and we appreciate volunteers! Nonprofit organizations throughout Northwest Illinois rely on volunteers to help carry out their mission on a daily basis. In our small communities, volunteers even find themselves serving in multiple...
Room to Grow
Recently staff from The Foundation for Northwest Illinois had the happy problem of needing to be in two places at once. Due to a scheduling fluke, the Greater Freeport Partnership and Northwest Illinois Economic Development hosted their annual dinners on the same...
New Funds Established to Support Youth in Freeport & Stephenson County
Today, The Foundation for Northwest Illinois announced at a press conference the establishment of 2 funds geared toward supporting youth in Freeport and Stephenson County. Marilee & Ted Odendahl have established a fund in their son Ian's name that will, in...
2024 Marvin · Wilson Community Needs Grants Cycle Opens February 15
The Foundation for Northwest Illinois is accepting grant applications for the 2024 Marvin · Wilson Community Needs grant cycle beginning February 15 and closing on April 1. Application procedures and grant guidelines are available online. Funding for the Marvin ·...
5 Golden Giving Tips
The holiday season is a time for celebration, but it also represents a time of reflection and how we can be thoughtful of others and make a difference in our communities. Consider making a donation in honor of a friend or loved one—it’s a gift that’s always the right...
Give Local & Shop Local this Holiday Season
As we move through the 2023 holiday and giving season, keep your local nonprofits in mind. Many need your monetary gifts, but many are also great sources for locally sourced holiday treasurers. From a giving perspective, most nonprofit organizations—including The...
2023 Holiday Meal Box Program
The Foundation for Northwest Illinois has teamed up with Northern Illinois Food Bank and New Jerusalem Food Pantry of Freeport to hold a drive-thru Holiday Meal Box distribution in Freeport on Monday, November 20. At this event, 500 meal boxes will be made available...
Richard “Dick” Drogosz: The Legacy of a Servant Leader
Yesterday, the family, community and The Foundation for Northwest Illinois laid to rest a true servant leader—Richard “Dick” Drogosz. In his 84 years, Dick lived an extraordinary life. Professionally he recorded 38 years with Honeywell International carrying out...
Richard Drogosz: In Memoriam
Richard "Dick" Joseph Drogosz, 84, of Freeport, IL passed away Wednesday September 27, 2023 at Ascension Living Saint Joseph Village with his family by his side. He was born March 18, 1939 in Chicago, IL, the son of Francis and Estelle (Matuch) Drogosz. Dick grew up...
Press Release: The Foundation for Northwest Illinois Joins Compeer Financial in Rural Collaboration Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Sarah Flashing-ClowPhone: (815) 801-3035 (o) (815) 618-8808 (c)Email: sarah@fornwil.org[FREEPORT, IL – August 21, 2023] – The Foundation for Northwest Illinois (FNWIL) is partnering with Compeer Financial on the Rural Collaboration...
Press Release: The Foundation for Northwest Illinois Partners with MasterClass to Provide Educational Resources to Nonprofit Organizations in Northwest Illinois
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Sarah Flashing-ClowPhone: (815) 618-8808 (c)Email: sarah@fornwil.org[FREEPORT, IL – August 23, 2023] – The Foundation for Northwest Illinois (FNWIL) has proudly partnered with MasterClass, offering no-cost annual memberships to their...
Happy 815 Day, Northwest Illinois!
Today is a great opportunity to celebrate all that is unique and wonderful about our region: The 815. Reaching from the far northwest corner or our State where Illinois touches the Iowa and Wisconsin borders, hugging the greater Chicago market, and ending just above...
Bridges to the Future Gala: Recap
On August 3, guests celebrated the service of nonprofit organizations and the generosity of those who support those organizations throughout Northwest Illinois. Emcee'd by WIFR's Chief Meteorologist, Mark Henderson, guests enjoyed a beautiful evening of almost perfect...