Philanthropy

The June 19 fire that destroyed a building and impacted multiple businesses in the 400 block of East Adams Street left a hole in the downtown landscape, further challenging the area with finding ways to engage the community and grow. But with loss comes potential for renewal. A recently released master plan for rebuilding and […]

Locally founded Bunn-O-Matic Corporation is a worldwide beverage equipment company, and its coffee makers are commonplace globally. But there’s another aspect to what they dispense, and that’s corporate citizenship. As is stated on BUNN’s website, “At Bunn-O-Matic, being a good corporate citizen is embedded in our primary mission, ‘To act with purpose to make a […]

In addition to holding church services and engaging in mission work, Calvary Church operates a day care, a private Christian school from pre-K through high school and a thrift shop which uses its proceeds to benefit children’s causes locally and globally. According to Ryan Mobley, Calvary’s groups and discipleship pastor and business administrator, “Part of […]

Volunteers can be the life force of an organization. HSHS St. John’s Hospital’s volunteer group, the Samaritans, provide vital services that add to the comfort of patients and their families while offering an opportunity to give back to the community. Katie Sundby, who until recently served in the Children’s Miracle Network at HSHS St. John’s […]

Since 1999, Springfield’s Computer Banc has served as a depository for donated computers which are refurbished and distributed to nonprofits, schools and the underserved at a reduced cost. The organization is also an authorized nonprofit Microsoft refurbisher, meaning it is officially licensed to repurpose computers with up-to-date Windows software and is the largest nonprofit Microsoft-registered […]

Marscia Anderson believes God put it in her heart to start Solid Rock Youth Transitional Services after she learned that 40% of youth who age out of foster care end up homeless. “That was a devastating statistic,” she said, “and it broke my heart to learn so many young people are homeless and trying to […]

Illinois Women in Leadership has been empowering area women for two decades, and the nonprofit group has about 200 members in the Springfield area. Its IWIL credo promotes professionalism and leadership through purposeful inclusion, education, mentoring, networking and community involvement. Through its history, IWIL members have mentored many people and made an impact in various […]

When former Springfield Mayor Karen Hasara visited Hilton Head, S.C., nearly 20 years ago, she was inspired by a group she came across. “I saw a photo and article about a women’s giving circle there and thought it would work here, she recalled. “It seemed like a good fit for us in the Springfield area […]

When coming up with ideas for fundraisers, nonprofit organizations often need to give a lot of “fore” thought about to how to attract donors and participants. The result may be a golf outing. Orthopedic Center of Illinois Foundation’s Chip in Fore Charity golf outing was “created as an opportunity to raise funds for the OCI’s […]

The Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance reports that it has helped facilitate more than $1.6 billion in economic development opportunities coming to the region over the next several years. The organization seeks to advance economic development and partnership opportunities across the region. The SSGA engaged with local business leaders last year through about 100 business retention […]

Springfield Frontiers International is a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization whose goals are achieved through service to others and by working with community leaders in finding solutions to key issues that are civic, social and racial in nature. Members are called Yokefellows, the term originating from oxen bearing the burden of hard work through the yoke it […]

Members of the 100+ Who Care in Springfield play a bit of a numbers game. The group’s intent is to recruit at least 100 people who will donate $100 each with the goal of voting for and awarding $10,000 to a local nonprofit, all in under 100 minutes. Jenny Vaughn, board president, summed up the […]