Fund Will Support Area Services to Children and Youth

MacMurray Foundation & Alumni Association is pleased to announce that four community organizations have been awarded grants totaling almost $15,000. MacMurray Foundation Grants are in line with the former MacMurray College’s commitment to service and community betterment.

In making the announcement, David Ekin, MacMurray Foundation Chair, stated that “thanks to the generosity of MacMurray College Alumni, we were able to implement a new grants program that was identified as a goal of the Foundation when founded in 2020. Through these grants, the Foundation carries out some of its goals – to impact lives and enhance communities, which were also areas of importance to the former college” Ekin noted.

Jane Nickerson, Chair of the Grants Committee and a Board member, stated “we are pleased that the Foundation was able to implement this new initiative which will impact both community organizations and the individuals served by them through these grants. We are especially pleased that all recipients provide services to youth in Jacksonville and the immediate area.”

Recipients of the grants included:

• Espirit de Corps, Jacksonville, IL, for Providing Musical Education to children and youth. The grant will support the purchase and repair of musical instruments as well as instructional materials.

• Crisis Center Foundation, Jacksonville, IL, for their Healthy Relationship Program, a five-week healthy relationship program focusing on youth ages 11 – 17.

• Western Illinois Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Jacksonville, IL, for their Athletes Mission Trip where participants will travel to needed areas and provide work at a safe house, a center for adults with disabilities, a youth sports camp and food pantry.

• Sangamon County Board and Fairgrounds, New Berlin, IL, for Light-Up the Livestock Barn to enhance the environment where youth participating in 4-H and FFA Chapters learn life skills and exhibit their livestock.

Grant applications are reviewed by a committee that includes MacMurray alumni and non-alumni. The Foundation holds the MacMurray College Archives with historical memorabilia and artifacts displayed in a special area of the Jacksonville Area Museum. The Foundation also provides scholarships to students for continuing their education in colleges and universities as well as other programs to continue the legacy of MacMurray College. For more information or to donate to one of the Foundation’s signature programs please visit www.MacAlumFoundation.org.