2012 IPCF Community Grants
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation awarded $19,997 in grants to 11 local area organizations. Area non-profits awarded grants include
Atlanta Historical Preservation Council, Inc. (J.H. Hawes Elevator) of Atlanta, IL – $2,000
Material, construction and installation of updated aluminum sign to replace wooden sign directing travelers to the J.H. Hawes Elevator Museum.
Bloomington Day Care Center, Inc.— $2,182
Purchase of 9 infant cribs that comply with new federal safety regulations to replace those that do not.
Children’s Discovery Museum— $2,500
Purchase of elements that help users conceptualize the abstract idea of energy for the new You’ve Got the Power! exhibit.
Homes of Hope, Inc. - $675
Replacement of 4 storm doors and deck staining at the Townley Drive group home for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
IWU Action Research Center—$1,100
Purchase of Spanish-language books appropriate for pre-K through 12th grade for the “Celebra Libros!” Book Bike program to promote literacy and the joy of books to Spanish-speaking families.
Labyrinth Outreach Services to Women—$1,500
Psychiatric assessments and follow-up visits for 12 female clients who have recently been released from prison.
McLean County Museum of History—$1,000
Free enrollment scholarships to 8 students from low-income households to attend History Careers Day Camp.
McLean County Soil & Water Conservation District— $1,800
Purchase of 25 educational signs, mounting posts, a lumber and concrete kiosk, and 4 large composite signs for the Interpretive Nature Trail at Evergreen Lake.
Sugar Grove Nature Center—$2,300
Purchase of microscopes and stream and insect sampling kits for programs that engage people with nature through educational outdoor experiences.
The Baby Fold—$2,040
Funding for a Love & Logic conference to bring effective, results-oriented parenting to at-risk families in Central Illinois.
The Salvation Army – $2,900
Purchase of protein food items for well-balanced meals for the Salvation Army Food Pantry
2012 Mirza Arts Grants
The Jerome Mirza Arts and Culture Fund is the result of a gift from the Jerome Mirza Foundation to the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation in honor of Jerry Mirza’s support of the Arts. $25,000 in arts grants was awarded to 16 organizations in 2012 through this very special gift.
Atlanta Public Library and Museum - $2,000
“Saturdays on the Lawn.” To support two days of visual and performing arts activities on the grounds of the Atlanta Public Library.
Community Players - $540
To provide sign language interpretation once for two of the season performances.
Cultural Festival, Inc. – $1,000
To sponsor a performance by virtuoso violinisht Lee England, Jr. at the 33rd annual Cultural Festival Weekend.
Illinois Shakespeare Festival – $3,000
“Hispanic Theatre Puppet Troupe.” To establish, in collaboration with Western Avenue Community Center, a Hispanic puppet troupe to perform bilingual shows about Shakespeare’s work, classical theatre, and Hispanic culture.
Illinois State University School of Art – $725
To purchase supplies for fourteen art lessons, forty children per session, taught by ISU student volunteers at the Bloomington-Normal Boys and Girls Club.
Illinois State University School of Music - $1,800
“2012 Concerts on the Quad.” To pay artists’ fees for Ashley Lewis and Ashton Gap, a bluegrass band.
Illinois State University School of Music – $1,000
To expand offerings of the ISU String Project at outreach classes in Fairbury, IL.
Illinois Symphony Orchestra – $3,000
To help provide bus transportation and up to 1,000 free tickets for students/schools unable to pay to attend ISO’s Education Concerts.
Illinois Theatre Consortium - $300
To purchase tee shirts for campers and staff at Seedling Theatre’s Summer Lovin’ Theatre Camp for special needs children and young adults.
IWU Summer Music Program - $1,500
To support more than 25 free concerts to the public and scholarships to low-income students for intensive summer music study.
McLean County Arts Center – $2,650
To provide support and materials for 25 pen and ink workshops throughout the community in collaboration with a group exhibition titled In Your Neighborhood.
Music Connections Foundation, Inc - $2,245
“Ninos y Musica: A Bilingual Early Childhood Music Education Program.” To fund one 12-week semester of classes for children aged 3 months to 5 years and their mothers and/or fathers.
Odell Public Library District – $500
To fund two arets-related programs for the “Reading Is So Delicious” summer program.
University Galleries - $2,740
“Mobile Projects Unit: TEAM (Teen Education & Art Mentors).” To support school travel to and from the gallery and art materials for approximately 300 students.
Western Avenue Community Center – $1,900
To support the Summer Academy’s percussion instruction sessions for approximately 25 low-income, at-risk students.
2012 IPCF Arts and Culture and Hilfinger Endowed Fund for Performing Arts Grants
McLean County Diversity Project – $400 (plus an additional $100 from the Mirza Arts and Culture Fund
To assist with the rental fee of the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts for the Diversity Project’s production of “The Miracle Worker.”
UNITY Community Center – $800
To provide ballet instruction, dance slippers, and exercise clothing for at-risk students.
