By Curt Detjen, President and CEO, Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region

We are busily setting the table for Thanksgiving and for a busy December here at the Community Foundation. We’ll share many wonderful stories of giving from our donors, nonprofits and partners in the weeks ahead, along with giving opportunities throughout the Fox Valley.

For me and for all of us, it’s a time to be thankful for an incredible year of growth and change, and another strong year for giving.  The spirit of philanthropy continues to grow in the Fox Valley as neighbors help neighbors, and donors see how their contributions are impacting people’s lives across so many projects and organizations.

Grants awarded from charitable funds exceeded $30 million for the first time, another record level! You can see all the details in our Annual Report to the Community here. Giving back out of gratitude is a long-held value and it thrives for our community in the Foundation.

Our Foundation team is growing and changing as well, improving our services to our donors and community. Plans are underway to increase our office by expanding into an adjacent space in 2020. The larger and reconfigured space will accommodate our larger staff and provide the welcoming atmosphere to bring together people to foster the next waves of philanthropic synergy for current and future generations.

In tandem with planning our office expansion, we’re also refreshing our brand for the first time in 33 years to reflect who we are and our mission. We’re eager to share all of this with you in 2020!

The growth of the Foundation is a direct reflection of this remarkable community. Thank you for engaging with us on this exciting journey bringing the talents, gifts and energy of the community together to build for current and future generations in our Fox Valley Region.

From all of us here, Happy Thanksgiving!

NOTE: Our office is closed for the Thanksgiving holiday Thursday and Friday, November 28 & 29.
What does a Community Foundation do? Glad you asked! Learn more here.