Project Pumpkin Endowment

Making the Morton Pumpkin Festival accessible for all families

The Project Pumpkin Fund was created in 2014 by the Morton Chamber of Commerce to ensure that every family in Morton has the chance to experience the joy of the annual Morton Pumpkin Festival—even if financial circumstances would otherwise prevent them from attending.

How it works

Each year, the Chamber partners with the Morton School District, which identifies families who would benefit from free festival packages. These packages include carnival tickets and “pumpkin bucks” for food and games, funded by grants from the Project Pumpkin Fund.

Festival guests help support the fund by purchasing special items at the Pumpkin Store during the festival. One hundred percent of proceeds go directly into the fund. Seed money to start the fund came from the sale of pumpkin bead necklaces during the 2013 festival, themed Pumpkin Carnivale.

Lasting impact

Thanks to this fund, families who might not otherwise be able to participate can create special memories at one of Morton’s most beloved traditions. It’s a great example of how community spirit and generosity come together to make the Festival a celebration for everyone.

To make a tax-deductible donation to this endowment fund, you can:

  • Donate by check: Make it payable to Morton Community Foundation and mail it to 135 S First Ave, Morton, IL 61550. Please write “Project Pumpkin” on the memo line.

  • Make a tax-advantaged gift of stock…Visit our stock gifting page by clicking HERE.

  • Give online by clicking the button below.

Are you a Caterpillar Employee or Retiree?

The Caterpillar Foundation is proud to offer the year-round Matching Gifts Program to support their employees, U.S. retirees and board of directors in their contributions to worthy causes. Eligible Caterpillar participants may request an annual total maximum 1:1 match of $10,000 USD each calendar year to eligible charities to which contributions are tax deductible. The Morton Community Foundation is an eligible charity. So, if you are an eligible Caterpillar participant, you may submit any donations to this fund for an equivalent match, up to your total maximum of $10,000 per year. CLICK HERE to link to the Caterpillar Foundation’s Matching Gift website.