Morton Community Foundation - Est. 2000
Gather, Grow, Grant
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
SEPTEMBER FUNDIVERSARIES
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MORTON FINE ARTS ENDOWMENT FUND
This fund was started in September, 2007 through the efforts of Mr. Phil Kuhl. The primary purpose of the Fund is to instill, promote and encourage fine arts in all forms in Morton, Illinois. The purpose of the Endowment shall be accomplished, by way of illustration and not by limitation, by supporting concerts, musical and theatrical performances; the public display of all forms of visual art, including sculptures, paintings and photographs; ballet and dance recitals; and other visual and performing arts.
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MORTON HELPING HAND FUND
This fund was started in September of 2011 by Todd & Kathryn Grimm. The purpose of the fund is to provide funds to organizations with a mission or a special project that supports the needy and/or most vulnerable in Morton. Grants from the fund may be used toward things like support of the purchase of provisions for food, clothing, shelter, health care, educational assistance, gaining self-sufficiency, or emergency assistance. Annual distributions from the fund are not restricted to the support of capital projects or the purchase of durable assets.
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MARTIN, CARY S. CANCER SERVICES MEMORIAL FUND
This fund was started in September of 2013 by Dirk Roecker, a classmate and close friend to Cary Martin. The fund will be used to provide services to families in the Morton area who have a family member diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment. The American Cancer Society, via their Patient Navigation Services™ program, will use the funds to provide transportation, lodging and/or other needed services for the cancer patient and their caregivers.
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LIBBY’S® PUMPKIN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The purpose of the LIBBY’S® Pumpkin Sustainable Food Systems Scholarship Fund is to provide annual scholarship support to graduating seniors from Morton High School who demonstrate academic achievement and intend to pursue post-secondary education in agriculture, food-related fields, or sustainability. This fund reflects Libby’s commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders in industries essential to nourishing communities, advancing sustainable practices, and strengthening our local and global food systems.
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NESTLÉ LIBBY’S® PUMPKIN SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT FUND
Established in September 2025, this donor advised fund supports Morton-area youth, nonprofits, and school projects related to agriculture, pollinator gardens, food production, and sustainability. Grants help encourage hands-on learning and community initiatives that promote environmental stewardship and local food systems.
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COCUSA ENDOWMENT FUND
The COCUSA Endowment Fund, established in September 2025 by Sarah and Steve Schrock, provides a permanent source of support for youth and faith-based education through COCUSA’s summer ministry. It helps expand outreach, offer camper financial assistance, and strengthen programs centered on faith, fun, and personal growth.
Morton Community Foundation Awards $121,350 in 2026 Community Grants
Students at Blessed Sacrament School gather with their teacher on the floor, engaging hands-on with new Montessori learning materials made possible by a $4,588 Morton Community Foundation 2025 Community Grant. What began as a gradual transition quickly blossomed into a full embrace of Montessori learning, fostering independence, curiosity, and confidence—while drawing growing interest from new families throughout the community.
The Morton Community Foundation (MCF) is proud to announce the distribution of $121,310 in grant funding to 33local organizations and initiatives as part of its 2026 Community Grant Cycle.
While these Community Grants represent an important and highly visible part of MCF’s work, they are just one piece of a much larger impact. In fact, this year’s Community Grants account for approximately 19% of the Foundation’s total projected grantmaking of $628,550 in 2026.
The remaining grant dollars will be distributed through Donor Advised and Designated Funds, Agency Funds, and Scholarship Funds — each providing support to specific organizations, causes, and students throughout the community.
Powered by Endowment
All of this grantmaking is made possible through the generosity of donors who have established more than 150 endowment funds at MCF, totaling nearly $20 million. These funds are permanently invested, with a portion of the earnings distributed each year to support the long-term needs and opportunities within the Morton area.
This endowment model ensures that gifts made today continue to give back forever — providing a steady and reliable source of funding for local nonprofits, schools, parks, libraries, and other community assets.
A Balanced Approach to Community Impact
Within the Community Grant program, funding was thoughtfully distributed across key areas of need:
Education & Schools (49%)
Nonprofits & Community Organizations (29%)
Recreation & Youth Programs (14%)
Public Safety (8%)
Nearly half of all Community Grant funding supports education, reinforcing MCF’s commitment to students, classrooms, and learning environments. At the same time, meaningful investments were made in nonprofit organizations, youth programs, and public safety initiatives.
Investing in What Matters Most
Among the 35 grants awarded this year are several projects that will have a lasting and visible impact:
New playground equipment at Lettie Brown Elementary School
Program enhancements at local churches and nonprofit organizations
Bleachers and equipment upgrades for youth sports programs
Expanded access to books and programming through the Morton Public Library
Advanced training and medical equipment for local first responders
In addition to these larger projects, many grants support smaller but important needs such as classroom resources, music and arts programs, and community-based initiatives — ensuring that funding reaches a wide range of organizations and residents.
Part of a Bigger Picture
“Community Grants are often what people see most clearly because they involve an application process and a public announcement,” said MCF Executive Director Scott Witzig. “But they represent just one part of a much broader effort made possible by our donors.”
The majority of MCF’s grantmaking happens quietly and consistently through endowed funds created by individuals, families, businesses, and organizations — all working together to strengthen the Morton community over time.
A Community Effort
The grantmaking process includes careful review by both internal and external committees, ensuring that funding decisions reflect thoughtful discussion and multiple perspectives.
Ultimately, these 35 grants — and the broader $637,600 in total projected grants for 2026 — represent a community coming together to invest in its future.
From classrooms and playgrounds to first responders and nonprofit programs, the impact of these grants will be seen and felt throughout Morton for years to come.
For the full listing of 2026 Community Grants, click the button below…
2026 Incentives Available to Multiply Your Impact
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Through this program:
• Donors to qualified endowment funds can receive a 25% Illinois state tax credit on contributions.
• Tax credits are capped at $100,000 per donor annually (up to $400,000 in donations).
• $5 million in tax credits are available statewide for 2025, with 25% reserved for contributions of $25,000 or less.
• MCF can receive up to $3 million in qualified contributions.
Act quickly—credits are first-come, first-served.
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The Caterpillar Foundation offers a year-round Matching Gifts Program that matches employee and U.S. retiree donations to eligible charities on a 1:1 basis, up to $10,000 per participant annually.
This means that if you are a Caterpillar employee or retiree, your donation to the Morton Community Foundation can be doubled, significantly enhancing your contribution to the community.
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Donating appreciated stock offers unmatched tax benefits, such as avoiding capital gains tax on the appreciated value while deducting the full fair market value of stock held for more than 12 months.
For example, if you purchased Apple stock 10 years ago at $20 per share, a gift of 100 shares now worth $20,000 would have cost you just $2,000. You avoid taxes on $18,000 in gains and can deduct the full $20,000 as a charitable deduction for tax purposes.
Stock donations are easy, take minutes online, and are completely free for you and your advisor. Learn more on our website, or call for a no obligation discussion.
Make a Difference Today
These programs amplify your impact while offering significant tax benefits, especially if your donation qualifies for several, or all the above incentives. Whether supporting the Morton Public Library, education, or other local non-profit organizations, your gift goes further in 2025.
Free monthly books for every child under five who lives in Tazewell County.
Children under five years old who live in Tazewell County are now eligible to receive a free book each month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in partnership with Tazewell County Libraries. The free books are offered to all children under five in the county, regardless of family income.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was launched in 1995 by The Dollywood Foundation, providing free books to children in Patron’s home area of Sevier County, Tennessee. The goal of the program is to inspire a love of books and reading among children.
Alissa Williams, Director of the Morton Public Library said, “Libraries are committed to education and learning. As research shows early literacy skills lead to success in school. We want all children to have easy access to books, so partnering with Imagination Library made sense.”
Tazewell County’s Imagination Library program is funded by donations. Anyone can donate to support the Tazewell County Imagination Library program. A fund has been established at the Morton Community Foundation and donations can be sent to Morton Community Foundation ATTN: Imagination Library Fund, 135 S. First Avenue, Morton, IL 61550. Donations may also be made online.
Genna Buhr, Director of Fondulac District Library added, “this program allows Tazewell County libraries another avenue to share the joy of books and the gift of reading in our community. We can’t wait to get books in the hands of children throughout Tazewell County.”
Children must be registered by a parent or guardian in order to receive the books. There is no charge to register or receive the books. Age-appropriate books are mailed directly to the homes of registered children each month. Parents or guardians may register their children online by filling out a brief form at imagination library.com. Registered children will begin receiving books at their home address about eight to 10 weeks after their forms are received. The first book distributed is always the children’s classic, “The Little Engine That Could.”
The program’s impact has been widely researched, and results demonstrate its positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit www.imaginationlibrary.com.
Trusted for Good
Giving generously—to support your favorite cause or establish a permanent legacy—requires trust. At the Morton Community Foundation, we don’t take that trust lightly. Whether you’re starting an endowment or donating to one of our existing funds, you can be confident knowing we’ve met the highest standards for accountability, transparency, and ethical stewardship.
These commitments are reflected in the memberships, accreditations, and designations you’ll see recognized in the footer of every page of our website.
We are proud to be accredited for National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, the nation’s highest measure of excellence in the field. This rigorous accreditation, overseen by the National Standards Board (a subsidiary of the Council on Foundations), confirms that we meet strict legal, ethical, and operational standards.
We’re proud members of the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations, a statewide network that fosters collaboration, learning, and advocacy among community foundations in Illinois. This membership keeps us connected to best practices and collective impact strategies.
Candid (formerly GuideStar) has awarded us the Gold Seal of Transparency, recognizing our commitment to openly sharing our goals, financials, and impact. It’s a sign to donors that we’re accountable and aligned with best nonprofit practices.
We’ve earned a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, their highest possible score. This distinction reflects our strong financial health, accountability, and transparency—so you can give with confidence.
As an active member of the Morton Chamber of Commerce, we’re deeply connected to our local business and civic community. Our membership reflects our commitment to supporting local partnerships and advancing the economic and social vitality of Morton.