CFQA: Mary Ridder Cherny Fund Grant

The Mary Ridder Cherny Fund, established in memory of Mary Agnes Ridder Cherny, supports Quincy public and parochial K-12 schools in fostering youth participation in the performing arts. The fund offers financial assistance for lessons, workshops, and instrument purchases, ensuring students can pursue their artistic talents. Grants, awarded annually, are based on recommendations to the Community Foundation’s Board, which retains the discretion to manage fund allocations. This initiative honors Mary’s lifelong passion for music and education.

What is the Mary Ridder Cherny Fund?
The fund was established by Mary Agnes Ridder Cherny’s family to honor her commitment to her family, vocation, and students. She died November 10, 2005 when the effects of cancer claimed her life. As a young child, Mary, or Agnes or Aggie to her friends and family, showed signs of talent in music which was greatly encouraged by her parents. Piano was her first love and she started taking private lessons. She blossomed into an accomplished violinist and also learned to play the oboe and cornet. She graduated college with a music education degree. Mary taught private music lessons to youngsters, accompanied her students on piano, and performed in various bands and orchestras. Throughout her life, she never abandoned her love of music.
What is the purpose of the Fund?
The Mary Ridder Cherny Fund with the Community Foundation provides financial support to Quincy public and parochial schools for K-12th grade students who want to participate in the performing arts; however, other applications meeting the goal to serve youth participation in the performing arts, not limited to the schools will also be considered. Proceeds from the fund may be used, but not limited, to provide funding for student talent or merit awards, to help deserving students cover costs of lessons, workshops, rental or for purchase of instruments, music, scripts or related items.
How does the fund work?
Grants are made yearly from the fund to provide support that falls within the stated purpose. The advisors to the Mary Ridder Cherny Fund may make written recommendations to the Community Foundation’s Board regarding grants from the fund. All grants are made at the discretion of the Board of the Community Foundation.
The Community Foundation reserves the right to require return of grant funding, if it deems that the grantee has not complied with the terms of the grant agreement for use of funds from the Community Foundation.

Eligibility

Grants for Quincy public or parochial schools for grades K-12 to participate in the performing arts will receive consideration; however, other applications meeting the goal to serve youth participation in the performing arts, not limited to the schools will also be considered.