Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley
The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a public charity based in Aurora, Illinois, that brings together charitable funds established by individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. It administers grants and scholarships to support quality of life in the Fox River Valley, and also hosts a youth philanthropy program.
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley at a glance
In short: Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley gave $6.2M across 123 grants in 2025 (avg $51K), mostly in Illinois. 31% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,220,479
- +72.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 123
- -3.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $50,573
- +79.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $169,043,583
- +13.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (38 of 123, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (69% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley
- How to Apply
-
The published process begins with an online Letter of Intent. Foundation staff then contact the organization to discuss eligibility and the project and schedule a site visit. After the visit and eligibility confirmation, the organization receives next steps for the application.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists spring and fall cycles, with applications closing May 1 and November 1, respectively. Its pages give different Letter of Intent due dates: March 31 and September 31 on the guidelines page, and March 15 and September 15 on the grant programs page. The September dates listed have passed as of October 2, 2026; the listed November 1 application deadline is upcoming.
- Deadline
- The website lists spring and fall cycles, with applications closing May 1 and November 1, respectively.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1971 West Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60506
Phone: (630) 896-7800
Website: https://cffrv.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
126 open opportunities from Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley
Albert M. Zari Scholarship Fund Grant
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Albert W. Medernach Scholarship Endowment Fund Grant
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Alexander Family Scholarship Endowment Fund Grant
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was National Christian Foundation ($1.4M). Together the top 10 received $3.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
507 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 406 grants of 507 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County in Illinois. Its discretionary grant guidelines specify the Greater Aurora Area, the TriCities, and Kendall County, with consideration for organizations outside the service area that can demonstrate significant impact within it. In 2025, 69% of grant dollars went to Illinois recipients, with additional grants reported in Arizona, California, Massachusetts, and Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 123 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 38 of 123 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $60K; repeat grants $46K. How we count
Medians: $19K first-time, $21K repeat.
- 53% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+6%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.9M (2023) to $6.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 123 grants totaling $6.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Christian Foundation Scottsdale, AZ | General Support | $1,449,475 |
| West Aurora School District 129 Aurora, IL | General Support | $821,106 |
| The Neighbor Project Aurora, IL | General Support | $404,000 |
| Aurora Public Library Foundation Inc Aurora, IL | General Support | $184,767 |
| Blue Courage LLC Aurora, IL | General Support | $137,200 |
| Paramount Arts Centre Aurora, IL | General Support | $132,741 |
| VNA Health Care Aurora, IL | General Support | $100,000 |
| Trustees of Boston University Boston, MA | General Support | $98,286 |
| Napa Valley Festival Association Napa, CA | General Support | $92,500 |
| Clearbrook Arlington Heights, IL | General Support | $90,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $169,043,583 | $20,094,278 | $11,294,899 | $6,220,479 | 123 | $9,698,920 |
| 2024 | $148,593,728 | $14,995,665 | $8,442,898 | $3,606,543 | 128 | $8,438,830 |
| 2023 | $132,715,598 | $17,492,898 | $9,166,117 | $1,914,698 | 76 | $7,248,418 |
| 2022 | $112,792,367 | $13,247,168 | $9,435,290 | $5,873,287 | 109 | $3,059,535 |
| 2021 | $129,427,234 | $19,610,188 | $7,127,373 | $2,085,826 | 71 | $13,506,160 |
| 2020 | $114,321,990 | $13,794,680 | $8,491,010 | $5,480,700 | 130 | $5,646,072 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to provide effective and rewarding ways for donors to fulfill their philanthropic objectives. Its discretionary grants support nonprofits in arts and humanities, education, health care, and social services.
The Foundation’s stated service area includes the Greater Aurora Area, the TriCities, and Kendall County. It also considers nonprofits outside that area when they can show significant impact within it. The Foundation’s 2025 grants illustrate support for organizations with varied missions: for example, The Neighbor Project describes its work as helping working families revitalize neighborhoods through homeownership, education, and savings programs; VNA Health Care describes its work as providing primary care and community health services; and the Aurora Historical Society describes its work as preserving and presenting Aurora-area history. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 123 grants totaling $6,220,479. Grant amounts ranged from $5,064 to $1,449,475, with a median of $20,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $1,449,475 to the National Christian Foundation in Scottsdale, Arizona; $821,106 to West Aurora School District 129; $404,000 to The Neighbor Project; and $184,767 to the Aurora Public Library Foundation. Other notable grants included $132,741 to Paramount Arts Centre, $100,000 to VNA Health Care, $90,000 to Clearbrook, and $82,508 to CASA Kane County.
For its discretionary program, grants are for capital purposes only, such as technology, furniture, equipment, or certain improvements to a building owned by the nonprofit. Organizations should have project estimates and a timeline for completion within a year. Grants are typically for one year, and the Foundation rarely provides full project funding. Applicants must be qualified tax-exempt public charities and provide evidence of 501(c)(3) or 170(b)(1)(A) tax status. Illinois tax-exempt status is preferred; applicants must provide a state tax-exemption certificate or documentation that an application for sales-tax exemption was denied. Churches, congregations, and other member organizations are generally not eligible. Former grant recipients are asked to wait at least two full years from receiving payment before applying again.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jeffrey Cali as director/chair, Jessica Breugelmans as director/vice chair, Austin Dempsey as director/past chair, and James Eccher as director/treasurer. It also lists Stan Free, Matt Gilmore, Joyce Hemphill, and Brian Konen as directors. Kathy Birkett and Rob Hollis are listed as directors through March 2025.
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is led by Julie Christman, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 2 of 21 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Julie Christman
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$153K (2020) → $185K (2025)
Jeffrey Cali
Director & Chair
Director → Director & Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Austin Dempsey
Director & Past Chair
Chairman → Chair, 2023
Chair → Director & Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Vonhoff
Director & Secretary
Director → Director & Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Eccher
Director & Treasurer
Treasurer → Director & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joyce Hemphill
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stan Free
Director
Director → Director & Vice Chair, 2024
Director & Vice Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Breugelmans
Director & Vice Chair
Secretary → Director & Secretary, 2024
Director & Secretary → Director & Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Konen
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Don Kremin
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mariana Martinez
Director
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Gilmore
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rob Hollis
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Pagels
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Birkett
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas Richard Thompson
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Griffin
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melinda Kintz
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mollie Peskind
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott McClearly
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cathy Schweiger
Vice President Marketing & Communications
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$108K (2025)
Former officers (14)
- Former: Wendy K. White Eagle (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Kathryn Birkett (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Nicholas Richard-Thompson (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Cathryn Schwieger (2023) — Vice President Marketing & Communications
- Former: Eccher James (2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Jeffrey Jeffrey (2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Duane Suits (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Duncan Alexander (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Lourdes Blacksmith (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Rick Guzman (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Robert Hollis (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: John Diederich (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Scott Voris (2020–2021) — Chairman
- Former: F Keith Brown (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $185K, to Julie Christman (President and CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley
How much does Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley give each year?
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley gave $6.2M across 123 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.6M across 128 grants.
What is Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley's typical grant size?
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $50,573, across 123 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley that year got $60K on average.
Where does Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley give grants?
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley gives mostly in Illinois: 69% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Arizona (25%). The most frequent recipient cities were Aurora, IL (41 grants), Saint Charles, IL (17 grants), Geneva, IL (10 grants) and Batavia, IL (6 grants).
Does Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley give general operating support?
Yes: 83% of Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (102 of 123) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Annual Distribution" (20 grants).
Who are Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley's largest grantees?
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley's largest 2025 grantees include National Christian Foundation ($1,449,475), West Aurora School District 129 ($821,106) and The Neighbor Project ($404,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley?
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley reported $169.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $20.1M.
What does Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to provide effective and rewarding ways for donors to fulfill their philanthropic objectives. Its discretionary grants support nonprofits in arts and humanities, education, health care, and social services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley?
The published process begins with an online Letter of Intent. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley's EIN?
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6086742. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 26, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 27, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-of-the-fox-river-valley-morg_6af87ba5470d4c1da8f256b77cbe428c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_366086742_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-of-the-fox-river-valley-morg_6af87ba5470d4c1da8f256b77cbe428c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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