History

The Rockford Area Community Foundation was founded in the 60’s by a group of business owners to accept funding for an indoor swimming pool for Rockford High School (now North Rockford Middle School). Following the completion of the swimming pool project, the foundation sat quietly until 2007, when a group of community members, with renewed enthusiasm, formed a board of directors and held their first meeting as the Rockford Area Community Endowment.

Since that time, the foundation has grown significantly, funded numerous projects in the greater Rockford community, coordinated the 2011 Healing Fields Project, established Rockford’s Got Talent annual community fundraising event, awarded higher education tuition scholarship grants to students, and in 2008 dedicated Recognition Plaza at Peppler Park (Rockford Dam).

RACF is a tax-exempt public charity that enables people with philanthropic interests support the issues they care about, immediately, or through their will. Donors can contribute a variety of assets to a charitable fund and may recommend grants to nonprofit groups they wish to support.

Mission

The Foundation mission is to provide grants and gifts for charitable programs and organizations to encourage scientific, literary, recreational and educational activities throughout the Rockford community, including the encouragement of the arts.

Board of Directors

​Gordon Pickerd, President
Ed Ross, Vice President
Neil Blakeslee, Secretary
Jack Hagedorn, Treasurer

Mary Ann Andersen, Member
Greg Doerr, Member
Jennifer Folsom, Member
​Jacob Himmelspach, Member
​Tracie Rich, Member
David Spencer, Member

 

Recent Projects

  • Rockford Fire Department smoke detector program
  • Equipment and uniform purchases for the Rockford Police Bicycle Patrol
  • Helped fund the Rockford Dog Park

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