DuPage Foundation Moves to Downers Grove
The new office is located at 3000 Woodcreek Dr., Suite 310 in Downers Grove-at the southwest corner of Butterfield and I-355, just north of I-88. In addition to being centrally located for the organization's constituents, which span the breadth of the county, the new office is nearly two-and-a-half times larger than the Foundation's former space with more than 6,000 square feet, and is large enough to accommodate up to triple the Foundation's current staff as future growth requires.
"We're very excited to be making this transition," said Foundation President David McGowan, CFRE. "There's no question in my mind that this new space is the right spot for us. Its location, size and functionality are just what we need at this stage of growth, and it will allow us to enhance our role as a convener and catalyst for philanthropy. I'm incredibly thankful to our Board and Committee members who encouraged us to think bigger, to the members of our Space Planning Committee for their leadership and guidance, and to our generous donors who helped make our vision for our new home a reality."
Although the Foundation's mission and focus have expanded over the course of its nearly 30-year history, its vision and primary objective to raise the quality of life throughout DuPage County has remained constant.
"We are here to provide lasting and meaningful support to the residents of DuPage County through our grantmaking and initiative work, and to help those who live and work in our community accomplish their current and long-term charitable goals," added McGowan. "This new space will allow us to achieve these objectives more effectively while ensuring that we won't have to worry about moving the office again for a long time, which was a personal goal of mine from the start of this process."
A series of grand opening events for the Foundation's various constituents are being planned for later this summer and fall.
History of DuPage Foundation's Growth and Office Moves
From a modest beginning in donated office space of one room with three desks (half of the first floor of what was then Gary-Wheaton Bank) to now encompassing half of the third floor in its new Downers Grove location, the DuPage Foundation has grown steadily over the years. Here's a look at our prior locations, staff complements, asset growth and grant history:
June 1987-1988
Location: 218 E. Wesley St., Wheaton
Staff: A half-time executive director (.5 Full Time Equivalent [FTE])
Total Assets: Less than $1 million
Grants Awarded During this Time Period: $60,000
June 1988-January 1995
Location: 120 N. Wesley St., Wheaton
Staff: Two part-time employees (1FTE)
Total Assets: Less than $1 million
Grants Awarded During this Time Period: $629,000
January 1995-January 2004
Location: 110 N. Cross St., Wheaton
Staff: 5 staff members (4 FTEs)
Total Assets: $13.8 million
Grants Awarded During this Time Period: $2.3 million
January 2004-February 2008
Location: 2100 Manchester Road, Bldg. A., Suite 103, Wheaton
Staff: 6 staff members (4.5 FTEs)
Total Assets: $25.8 million
Grants Awarded During this Time Period: $3.37 million
February 2008-July 2015
Location: 104 E. Roosevelt Rd., Suite 204, Wheaton
Staff: 7 staff members (6 FTEs)
Total Assets: $64.3 million
Grants Awarded During this Time Period: $16.2 million
Despite navigating fluctuating economic conditions, the Foundation's growth has remained strong throughout its history. McGowan offers some reasons why:
"We have a great product, are highly mission-focused, and our vision resonates well with people," said McGowan. "Moreover, we possess an outstanding team of dedicated Board and Committee members, passionate and hard-working staff members, and a group of professional advisors whose outreach and referrals on our behalf have contributed immensely to helping broaden our reach and impact. Combine these facts with an already extremely generous and caring community, and you have a tremendous recipe for success."
About the DuPage Foundation
The DuPage Foundation seeks to raise the quality of life throughout DuPage County by
fostering philanthropy, connecting donors to area needs and building community partnerships. Based on the American virtues of volunteerism and philanthropy, the Foundation fosters a legacy of support for the people of DuPage County by making grants to not-for-profit organizations working in the areas of arts and culture, education, environment, health, and human services. Since its inception, the Foundation has built its endowment to more than $63 million and awarded more than $22 million in grants to not-for-profit agencies
serving the residents of DuPage County and beyond.
Established in 1986, the DuPage Foundation is a publicly-supported 501(c)(3) organization to
which contributions are tax deductible. It was created to benefit the people of DuPage County and receives contributions and bequests into a permanent endowment from individuals, corporations, organizations and foundations wishing to make lasting contributions to the people of DuPage. The earnings on these funds are then used, in accordance with donor wishes, for the Foundation's grantmaking and community leadership activities.
For more information about the Foundation, or to arrange future media opportunities, please contact Joelyn Kundrot, marketing & communications officer, at (630) 665-5556, extension 19, or joelyn@dupagefoundation.org.