Morton Community Foundation - Est. 2000
25 Years of Gather, Grow, Grant
June Fundiversaries
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SHULL, DOUG MEMORIAL MHS CROSS COUNTRY ENDOWMENT FUND
This fund provides annual support to the District’s Boys and Girls Cross Country programs. It may be used for expenses such as uniforms, equipment, meet participation, scholarships for runners with financial need, and other cross country-related activities.
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DENNIS & PAULA EWALD FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND
This unrestricted fund was established in 2009 by the Morton Community Foundation Board of Directors in honor of Dennis Ewald’s six years of service as Board President. Created by renaming a $10,000 portion of the Morton Impact Fund, it allows the Foundation flexibility to support the evolving needs of the Morton community through grants to local 501(c)(3) organizations.
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KENT GEIGER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
This scholarship fund provides an annual award to a graduating Morton High School senior to support their continued education at a university, college, community college, vocational school, trade school, or technical training program.
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KEN GETZ MEMORIAL AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
This fund provides annual scholarships to graduating MHS senior boys who played football at Morton High School and plan to attend college, in memory of Drew Cousins.
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HAMILTON PRIMARY SCHOOL ENDOWMENT FUND
This Designated Fund was started in June of 2016 by Mr. Roy L. Maguire. The purpose of the fund is to provide annual funding for the restoration and maintenance of the historic Hamilton Primary School in Otterville, IL.
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YVONNE HANSEN MEMORIAL LIFE BEYOND LIMITS ENDOWMENT FUND
The fund supports Camp Big Sky by providing annual contributions to maintain and expand “Accessing the Outdoors” activities for individuals with disabilities. It also helps cover costs for facility improvements, upkeep, and maintenance related to the program.
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MORTON YOUTH BASEBALL ASSOCIATION (MYBA) FUND
This Designated Fund was established by the Morton Park District and MYBA using remaining funds from the Non-Endowed Pass-Through Project Fund that supported construction of the new baseball stadium at Westwood Park. Its purpose is to provide grants to the Morton Park District in support of MYBA activities.
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DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY - TAZEWELL COUNTY FUND
All children under age five in Tazewell County are now eligible to receive a free book each month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, in partnership with Tazewell County Libraries. The program is open to all families, regardless of income.
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JAN SMITH MEMORIAL JEFFERSON AND LETTIE BROWN LIBRARY FUND
This fund was established by Jan’s husband, Pete Smith in June of 2024. It’s purpose is to assist Jefferson Elementary and Lettie Brown Elementary schools specifically around Library services. The fund prioritizes the use of the funds as follows: (1) to fund library books, technology, and other materials for the Agencies’ libraries, and (2) to fund such other needs as determined by the schools’ Principals.
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JOAL STANFIELD MEMORIAL MHS TENNIS ENDOWMENT FUND
This fund was started in June of 2015 in memory of tennis coach Joal Stanfield. The purpose of the fund is to provide annual grants to support the purchase of uniforms, defray the costs of participating in tournaments, provide support for the purchase of training equipment such as a ball machine, and to provide support for the maintenance and enhancement of the MHS tennis facility.
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LESLEY VAN NESS MEMORIAL Y.E.S. FUND (YOUTH IN EDUCATION AND SPORTS)
This Donor Advised Fund was started by Lesley Van Ness's husband, Tom Van Ness in May of 2023 in Lesley's memory. The purpose of the fund is to make annual distributions from the Fund to qualified U.S. based 501(c)(3) and other not-for-profit organizations, primarily to fund programs and projects that benefit youth education and youth sports.
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LESLEY VAN NESS ENDOWMENT FOR BROADCAST JOURNALISM SCHOLARSHIPS
The Lesley Van Ness Endowment for Broadcast Journalism Scholarships fund was started by Lesley Van Ness's husband, Tom Van Ness in May of 2023 in memory of Lesley. Annual distributions will be made from the Fund to qualified U.S. based colleges or universities, primarily for the purpose of rewarding scholarships to students pursuing an education in broadcast journalism and/or communications.
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ERIC WEBER PAY IT FORWARD SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Eric Weber Pay it Forward Scholarship was started in June 2022 by Eric’s family. The endowment offers a scholarship to a graduating Senior of Morton High School who exemplifies the generosity and “pay it forward” qualities that Eric had.
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.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
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.