Foundation Awarded Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation Grant

Thanks to the generosity of so many people, the matching grant portion of the challenge has been completed! We deeply appreciate the support and there are still plenty of opportunities to volunteer! Help us reach 400 volunteers hours and earn an additional $4,000!

Your Dollar Donation + Three in Matching Dollars = Four Times the Impact!

The McHenry County Conservation Foundation is excited to announce that it was recently awarded a Community Stewardship Challenge Grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. This grant offers an opportunity for members of our community to get involved in volunteer land stewardship and raise funds for the care and maintenance of Glacial Park.

There are two elements to this challenge. The first part sets a $7,000 fundraising goal that will be matched 3:1. Combined, the $7,000 in private contributions plus the $21,000 matching grant will equal $28,000 in support of volunteer land management on Glacial Park’s critical oak habitats. This includes purchasing native trees, shrubs, and hand tools, as well as supporting overall site upkeep and stewardship.

With this part of the grant, a $25 gift becomes a $100 gift. A $100 becomes a $400 gift. And every dollar makes a direct, on-the-ground impact right here in McHenry County.  

The second element encourages McHenry County residents to get outside and sink their hands into the soil by stepping up and stepping out into the field as a volunteer. If volunteers spend a combined 400 hours collecting seeds, planting trees, or assisting in one of many other numerous ways, their time will be converted to cash! The stewardship challenge grant will contribute a bonus payment of $4,000 if 400 or more hours of volunteer time is logged toward the stewardship project at Glacial Park.

The Foundation has until October 31, 2020 to raise $7,000 and record 400 hours of volunteer work. Help reach this goal by making a gift or signing up to volunteer today!

To Sign Up to Volunteer:
Contact: Bob Menard, Volunteer Coordinator
Phone: (815) 338-6223 ext. 1201
Email: Volunteers@MCCDistrict.org