Mchenry County Community Foundation Dec 2016

INSIDE Foundation Information – Page 2 Philanthropist of the Year – page 3 Organizations We Support – Pages 4 and 5 GIVE360 – Page 6 Legacy Giving – Page 7 MCHELP – Page 8 Health and Human Services Grants Cycle – Page 8

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Celebrating 15 years serving McHenry County!

In August, the Foundation awarded over $400,000 to programs focusing on Health and Human Services, bringing total grants in Fiscal Year 2016 to more than $1.2 million to 70 nonprofit organizations across the County.

Sunday, December 4, 2016

| McHerny County Community Foundation

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Foundation Information - news and updates Luncheon acknowledging and honoring members of the Mchenry County Community Foundation Legacy Society

The rainy fall day outside did not dampen spirits inside at our first luncheon at the Woodstock Country Club honoring and thanking our Legacy Society members.

Members of the Legacy Society have included the Community Foundation in their estate plans. These generous individuals are giving for the future of our community, and we are truly grateful. The full listing of Legacy Society members is included on Page 7.

Scholarships

The McHenry County Community Do you know a high school student considering college?

Foundation Board Each year the Community Foundation offers college of Directors 2016 scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 annually for students across McHenry County. Students do not have to attend college in McHenry County, but they do need to be from the county. Application deadline is March 2017. Visit the website at www.mccfdn.org/scholarships to download the applications and find more information.

Or contact Margaret Miller at Margaret@mccfdn.org or (815) 338-4483 for more information.

The Foundation has two competitive grants cycles through the year that result in awards to many nonprofit agencies. To learn more about the process and find out if your organization is eligible, please visit: www.mccfdn.org/grant-process/ or contact Margaret at Margaret@mccfdn.org or (815) 338-4483 for more information 2016/2017 Abbreviated Grant Cycle Timeline Arts & Culture, Education, Environment funding cycle: December, 2016 – Full Proposal Invitations sent January, 2017 – Full Proposal due Late March 2017 – Grant Presentation Health and Human Services funding cycle: March, 2017 – Grants workshop April, 2017 – Letter of Intent due

Benefits of Giving to the McHenry County Community Foundation: ➧ We help individuals, families, businesses and nonprofit agencies achieve their charitable and financial goals by providing tools and resources that make giving easy, flexible and effective. ➧ We help donors create a charitable fund and recommend grants that support the issues and groups they care about. ➧ We grow and secure endowments to ensure that grants and scholarships are always available to support our community. ➧ We provide an attractive alternative to starting a private foundation, handling all record keeping, reporting to the IRS, accounting and investment management.

May, 2017 – Full Proposal Invitations sent June, 2017 – Full Proposal due Late August, 2017 – Grant Presentation

The McHenry County Community Foundation Staff Robin Doeden, Executive Director Donna Kassens, Director of Development Margaret Miller, Program Manager You can reach the Foundation staff at (815) 338 – GIVE (4483) or Give@MCCFdn.org

Scott McClain Board Chair Crystal Lake Carolina Schottland Vice Chair Round Lake Nancy Gonsiorek Treasurer Crystal Lake Barbara Oughton Secretary Woodstock LeeAnn Atwood Crystal Lake John Buckley Woodstock Mark Davids Union Russell Foszcz Richmond Sheila Henson Harvard Steve Middaugh Woodstock Vern Schiller McHenry Susan Schott Cary

Christine and Don Schellhaass

That In sums up Christine Don passed away on October 31, 2016 He touched many lives, and his light and Don in a will be missed in our community. nutshell.

They don’t see themselves as superheroes or anyone extraordinary.

And then you talk about how they give back to their community.

“The Schellhaasses are true philanthropists – giving of their time, talent and treasure to benefit so many different organizations across the County,” says Doeden. “This award is not just about who gave the biggest gift. It’s about who has the biggest heart. It’s being given to two people that have made an impact on this community.”

Christine and Don have been involved with, as they say, “a whole bunch of organizations” throughout their lives. Don focused on programs working with Veterans and on environmental issues.

Christine was a teacher for 25 years and leans toward educational organizations.

They both like giving locally. Seeing results of their support firsthand is always an exciting prospect. They also appreciate that with local giving, they can ask as many questions as they want so they are confident their support will be used efficiently and well.

Christine and Don set up a fund at the Community Foundation from which they can direct gifts to organizations of their choice.

Though they are quick to say that choosing is never easy! As part of the Philanthropists of the Year Award, Christine and Don awarded a $1,500 grant to the student veterans at McHenry County College. It’s a program that blends both their passions, and that they’ve supported in the past by providing laptops.

When Christine and Don talk about their philanthropy, they aren’t looking for recognition or accolades. To them, “if our philanthropy makes a difference and makes someone else look into it, it’s worth it.”

They’ve certainly got some of the biggest hearts in our county, and we’re proud to recognize Christine and Don Schellhaass as the 2016 Philanthropists of the Year. Thank you Don and Christine!

Chris and Don Schellhaass generously donated to support the Veteran’s Laptop Fund at McHenry County College. The laptop grants enable veterans to purchase their own laptop. It gives veterans the ability to have up-to-date technology to help ensure their academic success.

Sunday, December 4, 2016

There are some amazing people in McHenry County – people who make an impact on so many lives. Christine and Don Schellhaass are two of them, and this year, the Community Foundation honored them with the first Philanthropists of the Year Award.

Their reaction when Robin Doeden, Executive Director of the Community Foundation told them: “But we’re just regular Christine Schellhaass and members of her family receive the Philanthropists people.” of the Year award from the Community Foundation during the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation 25th Anniversary Dinner in Memoriam October. Don was not able to attend the presentation event.

McHenry County Community Foundation |

Philanthropists of the Year

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Sunday, December 4, 2016

| McHerny County Community Foundation

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Organizations we Support Girls on the Run of Northwest Illinois Financial Support in Low Income Schools in McHenry County

Girls on the Run helps girls take charge of their own lives. Through structured curricula beginning in 3rd grade, Girls on the Run coaches work with girls to help them understand their own beliefs and who they are as individuals. The program builds on this understanding and encourages girls to stand up for themselves. Then they look at those values and apply them to relationships—what makes a healthy relationship, what is the role of teams, and what kinds of healthy choices can a girl make in different situations. The program culminates in a service project involving the community which instills in the girls that they can positively shape their world.

While all that is happening, the girls are training to complete a 5K race.

When they start the program, most of the girls find it hard to believe that they’ll be able to finish the 5K. But almost every single one does. The pure joy that shows when they do finish is contagious. It proves to the girls that they can set a goal, and they can achieve it.

Girls participating in this program take away so much more than running. They learn about themselves, their community, their responses.

They surpass their own perceived limitations. Their self-esteem grows.

They learn that they have their own voice, that they can make the best choice for themselves.

They also make friends in a supportive environment. Those friendships transcend Girls on the Run. One young girl was a bit of an outsider. She had different classes than a lot of the students her own age, and she didn’t feel like she fit in. She was quiet and reserved, but she participated in Girls on the Run. Through the program, she got to know her teammates, and they got to know her. Even today, after the program ended, they are still friends. They say, “hello” in the hall, when they didn’t before. It’s a seemingly small change, but to a young girl, it can make the difference between a good day, and a bad one.

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Thank you for helping make a difference in the lives of young girls as they grow through this program.

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– Laurie Dayon, Executive Director.

Thanks to the Community Foundation, Girls on the Run of Northwest Illinois is able to offer the program free of charge to girls at six different schools in McHenry County. Prior to this grant, the program fee was a barrier, and girls at these schools couldn’t participate. Today, that is no longer a barrier, and girls are ready to run!

BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center Veterans Program

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Sunday, December 4, 2016

Equine-assisted activities and equine therapies can make a huge difference in an individual’s life. BraveHearts’ founder, Marge Tautkus Gunnar learned first-hand how much a difference a horse can make when she was diagnosed with cancer. During her treatment, her horse, nicknamed Max, was an immense source of comfort and strength.

A few years later, Marge realized she wanted to share that experience with others. She started volunteering at a therapeutic riding center and saw first-hand how much the programs impacted the lives of people of all ages—for the better. Fast forward a few years, and BraveHearts was born.

Last year BraveHearts provided services We are so appreciative for the to more than 1200 people, over 500 of support we’ve received through the whom are veterans. Some veterans come Community Foundation and our daily, others weekly. Some work with the local community. Because of this horses twice a week, some come in every other month. Men and women in the support, we can offer our programs Veterans program come from all sorts of to veterans and all participants situations. Some face physical challenges, free of charge. It really makes a while others suffer from PTSD. Every difference to the people we work person who comes to BraveHearts has with. Thank you! the opportunity to benefit from building a bond with a horse, regardless of the formal – Meggan Hill-McQueeney, President/COO diagnosis.

Equine-assisted activities and therapies can make a difference when nothing else seems to be working. Working with horses can impact a person physically, cognitively and emotionally. It’s a very profound experience.

One of the best parts of BraveHearts is that it’s 100% free to program participants, thanks to funding from friends and partners, including the Community Foundation.

McHenry County Community Foundation |

Organizations we Support

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Sunday, December 4, 2016

| McHerny County Community Foundation

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GIVE360

Eight Agencies Receive Special GIVE360 Grants!

On November 9, members of the Foundation’s GIVE360 circle gathered to celebrate philanthropy and community and award grants to organizations throughout McHenry County.

$18,500 was awarded to:

• Adult & Child Therapy Services • Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County • CASA of McHenry County • Family Health Partnership Clinic • Garden Quarter • Mainstay • Transitional Living Services • Turning Point Grants ranged from $5,000 - $1,500.

Laura Franz, Executive Director of Transitional Living Services TLS, already has a specific use for these grant funds. “This will provide two months of groceries for our Veteran Food Pantries.” With locations in Hebron and McHenry, the TLS Veteran Food Pantries provide food for veterans facing homelessness and the challenges that go with it.

Mike Neumann, Development Manager at Turning Point said, “We haven’t decided exactly how we will use these funds, but I can guarantee that we will use this grant where it needs to be used most ultimately benefiting the people we serve.”

Members of GIVE360 join the circle by giving an annual gift of $360—less than $1 a day—to the GIVE360 Fund. This gift can be paid monthly, quarterly, or all at once. Then, all the funds donated by all the members of GIVE360 during the fiscal year are added together. Half of the funds are distributed at the end of the year to nonprofit agencies and programs across the county chosen by member votes. The other half is added to the GIVE360 Endowment Fund, which is invested so it continues to increase each year and provides additional funds to be distributed. Dollars raised by the fund are added to the GIVE360 distribution amount each year.

Representatives of the agencies receiving GIVE360 grant funds.

Eight agencies received a total of $18,500.

(Pictured L to R) Kelly Pokharel, CASA; Leslie Cohn, Big Brothers Big Sisters; Loriann Dowell, Mainstay; Laura Franz, TLS Veterans; Suzanne Hoban, Family Health Partnership Clinic; Kim Keefe, Adult & Child Therapy Services; Mike Neumann, Turning Point; Guadalupe Ortiz, Garden Quarter Neighborhood Resource Center.

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We are incredibly thankful for this grant. It is so special knowing that members of the community chose to support our work through GIVE360. Thank you!

– Kelly Pokharel, Executive Director of CASA of McHenry County

It’s so much fun to know that we’re making a difference in our community. My husband and I are actually two-fers in GIVE360. We each like it so much that we both support it!

I have my favorites, and he has his, so we both get to choose who to support. It’s a great program – Julie Schlidgen, GIVE360 member

GIVE360 makes giving so easy! As a donor, you know all the organizations have already been vetted.

The hardest part, and the part that’s the most fun, is choosing which organizations to vote for.

– Judith Porter, GIVE360 member

If you’d like more information about GIVE360, go to www.mccfdn.org/give-360-2 or contact Robin Doeden or Donna Kassens at 815-338-4483

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our family after we’re gone. I encourage each of you to take the time to review your estate plan and give your family members and the charities you support instructions about what you would like to have happen when you’re gone.

Most importantly share your wishes by having a conversation with close family members and charities, especially when your healthcare is involved.

If you do not already have a financial advisor, The McHenry County Community Foundation has enlisted the help of professional advisors in our community that are willing to meet with you for a one hour consultation. Our Legacy Advisory Committee is available to help you make decisions about what you need to have in place to provide for your family and for charities you support while you’re alive.

When you are seeking an advisor, or when charity is your concern, call me. I will ask one of our professional advisors to meet with you. And, I’ll assist you with information about donor advised funds, scholarship funds, and endowments. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Donna Kassens, Director of Development 815-338-4483

Legacy Society The following donors have notified The McHenry County Community Foundation of a future gift in their estate plan.

Anonymous (12)

Scott McClain

Richard Schildgen

LeeAnn Atwood

Dianna L. O’Connor

Jean A. Schiller

Charles and Angela Boe

Timothy J. O’Connor

Vernon L. Schiller

Tim Dooley

Barbara C. Oughton

Carolina Schottland

Robin R. Doeden

Ray L. Oughton, Jr.

Bradley Schlottman

Alan R. and Tina R. Hill

Pamela and Luis Padilla

John E. Small

Suzanne Hoban

Judith M. Porter

Jennifer P. Streit

Renee Apostal McClain

Julie Schildgen

As of December 31, 2015

Shelly Casella-Dercole, CPA Eder Casella & Co. Jennifer Dallas, CFP Vice President/Financial Planner Morgan Stanley Steve Middaugh, Financial Advisor Edward Jones Timothy Fraser, Wealth Manager Fraser Wealth Management, Inc. Sam Melei, Attorney Roth Melei Melissa J. Cooney, Attorney At Law Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McCardle Timothy J. O’Connor, CFP Senior Vice PresidentInvestment Officer Wells Fargo Advisors Patricia C. Kraft, Attorney At Law Mark Weber, President Trust & Asset Management Group Home State Bank Larry Whitaker, Vice President and Senior Trust Officer The Northern Trust Roberta Wajrowski, CPA RCW Tax Services, LLC Terrence J. McKenna, Attorney Franks Gerkin McKenna Ellaine A. Sambo-Reyther, Vice President Senior Client Advisor BMO Private Bank Mark Davids Wealth Management Advisor Dorion Gray Retirement Planning

An easy to read and free brochure titled "Create a Lasting Tribute for Someone You Love or Admire" is available by calling Donna at 815-338-4483.

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Recently, a 77 year old single man passed away.

He left his entire estate to the University he not only attended but had spent his entire career working for in their library. His gift was unrestricted, meaning that he left no instructions on how he wished the money to be used but allowed the University to put it to best use.

When the University announced the gift and how it would be used there was a general sense of dismay among colleagues, friends and the general public. This gentleman has spent a lifetime working in a library, focused on books, education and learning. Yet the University chose to use $1 million – a quarter of his gift – to install a new video scoreboard in the football stadium. Since there were no instructions to use the money otherwise, the University was fully within their rights to do this.

Why am I sharing this story? How many of us don’t look at our estate plan annually? How many of us don’t update the amount or percentage of our money that should be given to our children and other family members. And, what about the charities that are important to us?

As a whole, Americans are generally not good about facing death. We don’t even like to talk about death and dying much less make plans for

Legacy Advisory Committee

McHenry County Community Foundation |

Making Your Wishes Known

Sunday, December 4, 2016

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2016 Health and Human Services Grant Recipients In August, people from organizations throughout the country gathered in Lake in the Hills and celebrated the Community Foundation’s Health and Human Service grant recipients. Over $400,000 was awarded to 29 different organizations serving people throughout the county.

Aarrk Garden Adult & Child Therapy Services Alano Club Of Woodstock Bravehearts Therapeutic Riding And Educational Center Crystal Lake Teen Center Diaper Bank Of Northern Illinois Faith Acres Foundation Family Alliance Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project Garden Quarter Neighborhood Resource Center Gigis Playhouse Inc

Girls On The Run Of Northwest Illinois Habitat For Humanity Of Mchenry County Harvard Rotary Club Hooves To Heal I-Plus Main Stay Therapeutic Farm Mano A Mano Family Resource Center Mchenry County Behavioral Health Foundation NISRA Foundation Northern Illinois Food Bank Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault Prairie State Legal Services Inc Revolution Teen Ministries Samaritan Counseling Center Senior Services Associates Inc Society For The Preservation Of Human Dignity The Thresholds Turning Point

GET THE HELP YOU NEED WITH THE MCHELP APP!

MC ELP “MCHELP” App connects to Crisis Line Via Text

McHenry County teens and families now have 24/7 access to mental health crisis resources with a new app. The MCHelp mobile app gives individuals easy access to professionals ready to listen and help.

MCHELP is an anonymous texting app that allows individuals to confidentially text their concerns -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -- to trained, licensed mental health counselors. Students and their families can use this app for many reasons, including:

➧ social and family pressures, ➧ bullying, ➧ exams and tests, ➧ substance use, ➧ suicide thoughts, ➧ depression, ➧ or simply needing to talk.

It’s a way for students to get help or advice the moment they need it without drawing additional attention.

The counselors are all connected with and aware of local agencies and can provide recommendations for additional help. If necessary, and if Would you like more information about anything in this newsletter? Or would you like to make a gift? Go online to www.mccfdn.org or call (815) 338-4483.

the student provides enough information, the counselor can arrange for a wellness check or other intervention.

“We are extremely grateful to an anonymous donor for their 3-year commitment to provide a resource for students who struggle with stress and mental health concerns,” said Robin Doeden, executive director of the McHenry County Community Foundation. Initially branded as “TextA-Tip,” it generated nearly 5,000 texts during the 2015-16 school year.

But there was room for improvement. Last spring, the Community Foundation conducted focus groups with students at Prairie Ridge High School. The feedback resulted in a rebranding of the Text-A-Tip service as MCHELP. Besides a name change, feedback from students also indicated they were looking for a faster, easier way to connect to the service.

“Thanks to their honest insight and ideas, the program now has the app to make connecting easier, a new look that is more attractive, and a new name which causes less confusion about the purpose,” explained Doeden.

Through a partnership of McHenry County Community Foundation, McHenry County Crisis Line and Centegra Health System the app is available through iTunes and Google.

The McHenry County Community Foundation 620 Dakota Street • Crystal Lake, IL 60014 www.mccfdn.org