LA SALLE CO. - The staff of the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation was surprised to learn that a contribution of $7,500 was headed their way to launch the new SRC COVID-19 Recovery Fund, hosted by the Community Foundation. The gift is intended to help the Foundation respond to COVID-19.

Compeer Financial, working through their Agriculture and Rural Initiative at the Chicago Community Trust, notified SRCCF President Pamela Beckett that Compeer Financial will be making a $7,500 donation for COVID-19 Relief Efforts.

Karen Blatter-Schieler, with the Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America and Strategic Relationships, stated, “On behalf of the Compeer Financial board members, team members and clients, I would like to say thank you to the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation for your continued commitment to serve our rural community members in these unprecedented times. Organizations like yours that support essential services in your communities have never been more important and you understand the most pressing needs.”

Beckett expressed her appreciation, saying, “We cannot thank the team at Compeer Financial enough for this incredible donation to our community and for recognizing the value the SRCCF brings to our region.”

Working through their Fund for Rural America and Agriculture and Rural Initiative, Compeer Financial is responding with $830,000 of support for rural communities for COVID-19 relief efforts.

The $7,500 contribution from Compeer Financial will launch the Starved Rock Country COVID-19 Response Fund to support local nonprofits who serve populations impacted by the Coronavirus and its economic consequences. “The needs are certainly the greatest we have ever seen,” said Beckett. “Our local nonprofits are the boots on the ground in times of crisis and they know better than anyone where the needs are and how to provide for their clients. We want to be proactive. We encourage everyone in the region who can donate to this Starved Rock Country specific fund to do so in support of our local nonprofits as they continue to serve clients during this very challenging time.”

Grants from the Starved Rock Country COVID-19 Recovery Fund will be made to agencies providing food, shelter, basic supplies, primary health care services, housing and utility assistance, support for children and other vulnerable populations, and nonprofit operations assistance. While the funds cannot be distributed to individuals and for-profit organizations directly, the Community Foundation is working in tandem with other organizations who can transition the funds directly to individuals and for-profit companies.

One hundred percent of all donated funds will be used to serve those in need.

Donations can be made by check or credit card. Donor Advised Funds, shares of stock, Qualified Charitable Distributions from an IRA or a contribution of a portion of the federal stimulus money being received are other ways community members can contribute to the fund. “Together we will get through this crisis,” said Beckett.

Make a donation online at Starved Rock Country COVID-19 Recovery Fund (srccf.org) or mail a check to SRCCF, 718 Columbus St., Ottawa, IL 61350 (please write COVID-19 on the memo line). Contributions are tax deductible in accordance with IRS guidelines.

The SRCCF is a trusted public nonprofit charity. For more information about the SRC COVID-19 Recovery Fund, call (815) 252-2906 or contact cathy@srccf.org to connect with the Community Foundation.

SRCCF is a collection of individual funds created through the contributions of financial resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in Starved Rock Country. SRCCF is a tax exempt charity that allows individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations to establish pass-through funds, temporary funds and endowments within the confines of one large, central and local Foundation. SRCCF is a 501(c)3 organization. Financial contributions are tax-deductible in accordance with IRS guidelines.