what are endowments?
Endowments are a way for you to forever provide for the people, organizations and places that you care about. When you establish an endowment through a charitable contribution to the Community Foundation of Randolph County, we do not spend your gift; we save it and invest it wisely.
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF ENDOWMENTS
THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
THE GOOD DEEDS FUND
Scholarship fund
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
The Scholarship Fund helps Randolph County students pursue higher education. Organizations, families, and individuals can establish a scholarship endowment with the Community Foundation and define the eligibility and selection criteria. For example, a field of study, academic or athletic achievement, community service experience, or career intentions. Scholarship Endowments may also honor or memorialize a loved one by awarding a grant to students who mirror the person's traits or achievements.
Together with the Southwestern Illinois Regional Leadership & Development Committee, the Community Foundation has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to Randolph County students.
GOOD DEEDS FUND
MEETING THE NEEDS OF A CHANGING COMMUNITY
Unrestricted endowments to the Good Deeds Fund are endowments whose earnings are not designated or restricted to an organization or specific purpose. These funds are free to support a program of perpetual grant-giving designed to respond to the changing needs of Randolph County. Distributions from the Good Deeds Fund will be available and awarded to the community by application, at the discretion of the Community Foundation Board of Directors.
SUSTAIN AND SUPPORT LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
Designated funding specifically names the organization or charitable purpose that will receive funds from the endowment. Donors may appoint more than one organization or mission. The use of the awards can be broadly or narrowly defined. For example, grants can be distributed to your organization annually to support operations, or to support specific projects.
CONNECTING VALUES TO OPPORTUNITIES
Field-of-interest endowments to the Good Deeds Fund designate an issue or area of need to receive grants. The donors identify their area of interest, and the Foundation will award grants to organizations and programs in Randolph County that serve that interest or concern.
As the Good Deeds Fund grows, Randolph County organizations may apply for matching grants for causes and community projects. Grants funded through the Good Deeds Fund will begin once sufficient wealth makes it possible.
SPECIAL PROJECT FUNDS
Special project funds may be established by the Board to support a specific charitable activity or community project that is consistent with the priorities of the community and the purpose of the Foundation.
the daniel aaron martin memorial scholarship
In 2022, Stephanie and Christopher Martin chartered the Daniel Aaron Martin Memorial Scholarship. Daniel Aaron Martin was a promising sculptor and artist. He was attending art school when he was stricken with adult-onset schizophrenia. The Daniel Aaron Martin Memorial Scholarship brings light to those who suffer the condition and to a young man whose life was abbreviated by this chronic disorder.
James I. Brockmeyer
FIRST RESPONDER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Two Randolph County organizations combined resources to establish the James I. Brockmeyer First Responder Memorial Endowment. Chester Police Officer and Firefighter James I. "JIB" Brockmeyer lost his life in the line of duty on October 28, 2016.
The Regional Leaders provided the seed money. The Community Foundation of Randolph County manages the endowment. You can help build this endowment by sending your tax-deductible gift to the Foundation.
Historic Village of Prairie du Rocher
In 2017, the Foundation helped raise more than $60,000 to assist with levee issues in the Historic Village of Prairie du Rocher. In 2018, the Foundation helped the Village of Prairie du Rocher author a multi-year strategic plan, which you can view here.
COVID-19 Assistance
During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, the Foundation, in concert with The Southern Illinois Community Foundation, secured a no-match grant of $38,000 to help Randolph County’s most needy. Funds were distributed to Western Egyptian E.O.C. to help with food, rent, mortgage and utility assistance, the Sparta Food Pantry at Westminster Presbyterian Church, and the Chester Area Christian Food Pantry.
SHELTER HOUSE
In 2018, the Foundation, with other partners and many generous donors, helped gather more than $100,000 to rebuild the Shelter House at Fort Kaskaskia. The Shelter House, located in the French Colonial Historic District, was destroyed by an accidental fire on October 31, 2012.
In 2019, the Foundation took on the task of raising $16,000 to refurbish the knee walls surrounding the Shelter House. The masonry for both the shelter house and the knee walls was expertly restored by Fithian Brothers Masonry of Red Bud using original river stones and matching concrete. Our sincerest thanks to three generations of the Fithian family for ensuring that the shelter, the knee walls, and the overlook wall, will be enjoyed by our community and future generations of Randolph County visitors.