DuPage Foundation's Annual Benefit Most Successful in Foundation History
"Thanks to the phenomenal generosity of the more than 230 attendees and others, I'm thrilled to report that to date we have grossed nearly $250,000 in support of the Foundation's Operating Fund from this event, plus an additional $180,000, which was leveraged as part of our "Partners in Philanthropy/Jail 'n Bail Challenge" in conjunction with three of our agency partners: Anima-Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus, Bridge Communities, Inc., and Family Shelter Service," said Foundation President Dave McGowan. "This amounts to more than $430,000 in gross charitable capital for Foundation operations and other funds under management with us, an all-time record in dollars raised from this event!"
"The Partners in Philanthropy/Jail 'n Bail Challenge was a special activity included in this year's Benefit to highlight some of our area not-for-profits for which we manage endowment funds," said Michael Sitrick, Foundation director of development. "I'm extremely pleased that we were able to offer this opportunity for them and that it was such a success."
In October, the Foundation invited its not-for-profit partners that have funds at the Foundation to participate in the Partners in Philanthropy/Jail 'n Bail opportunity. Agencies were asked to designate a Champion to represent their organization and encouraged to fundraise prior to the Benefit to add to their agency fund with the Foundation. The three organizations (and their Champions) which raised the most dollars included:
• Anima-Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus/Champion: Annie Wagner
• Bridge Communities, Inc./Champion: Mark Milligan
• Family Shelter Service/Champion: Christine Connery
Through this Challenge, approximately $130,000 was raised collectively by the organizations.
The three Champions were then invited to the Foundation's Benefit and "arrested" during the program. Each Champion was represented by a Public Defender who was given a "mission moment" to persuade Benefit attendees to raise bail to get their Champion out of jail. After each mission moment, Jim Myers, Benefit auctioneer, conducted a paddle raise for their bail. Collectively, more than $50,000 was raised during the jail 'n bail, which will be applied toward each agency's designated fund with the Foundation.
"I don't have the words to thank the entire DuPage Foundation," said Simrit Patel, executive director
of Anima-Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus. "The figures raised are beyond what any of us expected. It was heartwarming to see all of those paddles raised during the event to support our mission of excellence in choral music education (and to bail out Annie!) We were delighted to participate and to be one of the DuPage Foundation's Partners in Philanthropy!"
"Our staff did an amazing job of planning and executing all facets of the event, and I am very proud to be affiliated with such a talented group of people," said Stephen Burt, Foundation Board chair. "I wish to thank everyone who attended our Benefit for their generosity and support of the Foundation and its mission."
Sponsors of the event included: Premier Sponsor-Northern Trust with Charlie & Toni Mueller; Signature Sponsor-BMO Harris Bank with Nate & Sandra Wasson; Entertainment Sponsor-Stephen & Emily Burt; Supporting Sponsors-Ernie & Diane Mrozek, McDonald's Corporation with Phil & Zeila Cabrera, Spraying Systems Co., and U.S. Bank with Joe & Amy Weidenbach; Table Sponsors-Crowe Horwath, Executive Construction Inc. with Daniel & Beth Maguire, and Trust Company of Illinois with Bill & Margaret Giffin; and Media Sponsor-Daily Herald.
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, the Environment, Health, and Human services. Since its inception, the Foundation has built its endowment to approximately $63 million and awarded more than $23 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 Michael Sitrick, J.D., director of development, at (630) 598-5285, or mike@dupagefoundation.org.
About Anima-Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus-www.animasingers.org
For more than 50 years, Anima - Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus has held the belief that ordinary children can achieve extraordinary things. Serving the community since 1964, Anima is widely recognized for its musical excellence, innovative educational philosophy, and outreach programs that bring rich educational and cultural opportunities to children who would not otherwise have such experiences. Anima performs frequently with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) at Chicago's Symphony Center, with the Grant Park Orchestra at Millennium Park, and with Lyric Opera of Chicago. It has won several national awards for artistic excellence and performed under such eminent conductors as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Christoph Eschenbach, Sir Andrew Davis, Daniel Barenboim, James Levine, James Conlon, Claudio Abbado, and the late Sir Georg Solti. Anima has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and has sung on 6 continents. Please direct inquiries about this opportunity to Simrit Patel, executive director, or visit www.animasingers.org to learn more about this agency.
About Bridge Communities, Inc.-www.bridgecommunities.org
Through the help of our program partners and supporters, Bridge Communities provides free transitional housing to 128 homeless DuPage County families each year. During the two years each family spends in our program, they are able to save money, learn budgeting skills, and obtain better employment, so they can live self-sufficiently once they graduate.
Mission: The mission of Bridge Communities is to transition homeless families to self-sufficiency by working with partners to provide mentoring, housing, and supportive services.
Vision: Our vision is a community where all families are healthy, financially stable, and living in affordable
housing.
Values: Each of our core values-Partnership, Empowerment, Integrity, Respect, Hope-apply to everyone involved in Bridge Communities-clients, mentors, program partners, volunteers, donors, board members, staff and community.
About Family Shelter Service-www.familyshelterservice.org
Family Shelter Service's mission is to transform lives by offering hope and healing to victims of domestic violence. One in three women and one in five men will be impacted by this issue, which ripples out to affect all of us, from children in our schools to colleagues at our workplace. We offer three core programs: residential, counseling, and community advocacy. Services include: emergency shelter 24 hours/day, 365 days/year; two intermediate housing facilities for clients moving towards independent living; individual, group, and family counseling; case management; employment services; court/victim advocacy; a 24-hour crisis hotline and a counseling program specifically designed for children. Services are available in English and in Spanish. Family Shelter also provides education to engage the community in a dialogue about domestic violence. Last year, we served 1,779 women and children.