Heart of Illinois Community Foundation

06/12/2026

HICF Grant in Action

Through the Memory Keeper’s Chorus, individuals living with memory loss, along with their care partners, come together to experience the joy, connection, and purpose that music can provide.

This remarkable program is a reminder that belonging does not depend on age, ability, or diagnosis. It is built through community, compassion, and the simple joy of singing together.

We invite you to experience the impact firsthand at the Memory Keeper’s Chorus Concert:

Saturday, June 13
11:00 a.m.
Life Foursquare Church

06/11/2026

Heart of Illinois Community Foundation Director of Scholarships & Grants Andrea Gerhard recently joined members of Golden K Kiwanis Club of Decatur as they celebrated this year’s scholarship recipients.

During the June 10 meeting, Scholarship Chair Jackie Evans shared the impressive impact of the Golden K Kiwanis Scholarship Program. Since 2009, the club has awarded 70 scholarships totaling more than $69,000 to local students pursuing their educational goals.

Interest in the program continues to grow. This year, Golden K received 154 applications—128 academic and 26 trade scholarship applications—more than double the number typically received.

Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients, including Addyson Hodges, Nora Roush, Hunter Martin, Caleb Reed, Kamryn Johnson and Furie Fringer.

We are grateful to Golden K Kiwanis for their long-standing commitment to investing in the future of our community through education.

06/10/2026

Applications open for new Illinois grant program combating hunger.

A new grant program helping volunteer groups fight hunger is now accepting applications.

06/10/2026

June 10, 2026 - Rick Darnell and Alyse Knust of Millikin University joined Byers & Co to talk about how th...

06/09/2026

June 9, 2026 - Andrea Gerhard of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation and Crystal Hoadley of Sunshine Su...

06/08/2026

Join us tomorrow morning on Byers & Co. as HICF Director of Scholarships & Grants Andrea Gerhard and Sunshine Supplies for Teachers, NFP Executive Director Crystal Hoadley discuss the power of investing in educators and students.

They’ll share how our organizations partnered to help teachers and classrooms recover following the tornado at DeLand-Weldon CUSD #57, provide updates on HICF’s Teacher Professional Development Microgrants, and highlight the important work Sunshine Supplies for Teachers is doing to support educators throughout our region.

Listen live during Byers & Co. or catch the podcast afterward at NowDecatur.com

06/06/2026

The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation is honored to serve as the home of the Warren Daniel Hardy Foundation Fund, whose support has helped make Hardy’s: Race for the Lake possible. Thanks to Dan Hardy’s vision, generosity, and commitment to our community, competitive boat racing has returned to Decatur and grown into a nationally recognized event that attracts visitors from across the country.

Best wishes to all of the racers, volunteers, organizers, and spectators for a safe and exciting weekend on the water. We look forward to cheering you on!

As we get ready for the 2026 APBA Inboard Racing Nationals tomorrow, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to Dan Hardy.

The support of the Warren Daniel Hardy Foundation played a vital role in bringing competitive boat racing back to Decatur. In just three years, Hardy’s: Race for the Lake has evolved into a premier event that draws racers and fans from across the nation.

This event would not be what it is today without Dan’s passion, generosity, and belief in our community. Thank you, Dan, for helping create an event that has become a highlight of the summer and a source of pride for Decatur.

We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the lake for another exciting weekend of racing!

06/05/2026

A special evening celebrating leadership, service, and the future of our community.

Young Leaders in Action recently gathered at the Millikin Commons for its annual induction and graduation ceremony. We welcomed a new class of student leaders while recognizing our graduating seniors for their commitment to learning, serving, and making a difference.

Throughout the year, YLIA students explore philanthropy, volunteerism, and community leadership while building relationships with peers from schools across our region. Their passion, ideas, and willingness to serve give us great hope for the future.

A special thank you to Temethia Barbee Joyner, whose leadership, mentorship, and encouragement help make this program such a meaningful experience for our students.

Congratulations to our graduates, welcome to our newest members, and thank you to our participating schools, donors, parents and community partners who make this program possible.

Take a look at some of the highlights from the evening!

06/05/2026

The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation (HICF) has once again received re-accreditation through Community Foundations National Standards, the nation's highest standard for philanthropic excellence. HICF first earned National Standards accreditation in 2006.

The National Standards program establishes rigorous legal, ethical, and effective operational practices for community foundations. With this reaccreditation, HICF joins more than 500 community foundations nationwide that have met these comprehensive requirements for donor services, investment management, grantmaking, and administration. This reaccreditation is required for foundation's to participate in the Illinois Gives endowment program.

"This recognition is critically important to our donors, who value transparency, integrity, and accountability," said Chasity Casey, Chief Financial Officer of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation and coordinator of the accreditation process. "When individuals, families, and organizations establish charitable funds or make planned gifts, they are placing tremendous trust in our foundation. They are counting on us to steward those assets responsibly and honor their charitable intentions. National Standards accreditation provides independent verification that our organization meets the highest standards of excellence and that our house is in order."

The HICF currently manages more than $67 million in charitable assets and has awarded more than $70 million in grants since its founding in 2000, supporting nonprofits, students, and community initiatives across Macon, Moultrie, and Piatt counties.

06/04/2026

At last night’s Moultrie County Impact Giving Circle meeting, members continued their commitment to strengthening our community by selecting two local organizations to receive grants.

The first grant recipient was the Life Center of Sullivan whose food pantry serves individuals and families throughout Moultrie County facing food insecurity. They received grant funding totaling $3,000.

The second grant recipient was Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc. which operates the Moultrie County Senior Center. They received a $2,000 grant. The organization provides information, resources, activities, educational programming, nutrition services, and support for seniors, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities throughout our area.

The giving circle also celebrated another exciting milestone: the awarding of its first $1,000 scholarship to a graduating Sullivan High School senior. Congratulations to Mae Dawkins, who will attend Eastern Illinois University this fall to study Biochemistry.

The group also announced a new initiative for future meetings. Beginning this fall, meetings will be hosted at local nonprofit organizations, giving members a firsthand look at the impact being made throughout our community.

The next Impact Giving Circle meeting will be held at The Little Theatre on the Square on September 2 at 5:30 p.m.