CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – The Rotary Club of Champaign and the Champaign Rotary Foundation have proudly announced the 2024 Joseph H. Cannon Grant recipients, continuing the legacy of Champaign County native, University of Illinois graduate, long-standing Champaign Rotarian, and community service champion—Joseph H. Cannon. Since its inception in 2004, the Joseph H. Cannon Memorial Grant has awarded more than $1.7 million to Champaign County non-profit organizations serving area residents.
“Through his estate plan, Joseph H. Cannon provided an endowment and legacy for the ongoing support of nonprofit organizations in Champaign County,” said Carol Timms, president of the Rotary Club of Champaign. “As a Champaign Rotarian, Mr. Cannon understood the concept of ‘Service Above Self,'” added Timms.
2024 Joseph H. Cannon Grant Recipients, Awards, and Purpose
- The Well Experience: $20,000 to be applied toward transportation for students; http://www.thewellexperience.org/
- The Refugee Center: $15,000 to purchase computers and office supplies; https://www.therefugeecenter-cu.org/
- Crisis Nursery: $10,000 to purchase furnishings for the Safe Children’s Bedroom; https://crisisnursery.net/
- Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club: $10,000 to renovate and refresh the Art Room; https://www.dmbgc.org/
- Urbana Neighborhood Connections Center: $10,000 to purchase recreational equipment for the Summer Boost program; https://www.urbanaconnectionscenter.org/
- Developmental Services Center: $7,950 to purchase furnishings for the Sensory Room; https://www.dsc-illinois.org/
- Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County: $6,954 to purchase a new refrigerator and freezer for the food pantry; http://cscrantoul.org/
“Each of the organizations receiving grants today serve our friends and neighbors in Champaign County every day in a variety of ways—they provide shelter, food, access to resources, sensory respite, and afterschool activities,” said Joan Dixon, member of the Rotary Club of Champaign and Co-Chair of the Joseph H. Cannon Grant Committee. “These organizations represent what was important to Joseph Cannon and they are essential to making Champaign County a stronger community,” added Dixon.
About the Champaign County Rotary Foundation and Joseph H. Cannon Grants
The Champaign Rotary Foundation is a non-profit foundation whose charter was granted by the State of Illinois in 1976. It has been established to provide a medium for contributions which are deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes. The purposes of this foundation are charitable, religious, educational, and scientific as interpreted by section 501(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. It provides the main source of Champaign Rotary funding for community service projects.
The Rotary Club of Champaign invites proposals in the areas of arts and humanities, environmental concerns, education, health and human services, urban affairs, and youth activities. Successful proposals will address problems to be solved or opportunities to make a difference in Champaign County. Joseph H. Cannon Grants are awarded solely for durable goods.