36th Cultural Festival To Highlight Twin Cities Diversity

Preview of Cultural Fest "The Happiest Place in Central Illinois" - July 25, 2015 - ISU Ballroom - Normal, IL - www.culturalfest.com

Illinois State University reportedly will be “The Happiest Place in Central Illinois” July 25, as host to the 36th annual Bloomington-Normal Cultural Festival.

The festival, established in 1979, is a community event that has evolved over the years but always focuses on the theme of diversity. The event is designed as a tool to bring people and the community together to provide a positive impact and serve as “a bridge to foster positive attitudes and learning.”  This year’s event will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Illinois State University Brown Ballroom; admission and parking will be free.

Local groups can reserve a booth the Cultural Fest online by visiting www.culturalfest.com. Organizations may with a $50 fee request an invoice and be billed to hold a spot.

In addition, area residents can register at the website to participate in a festival Lip Synch Battle.

Festival Partners include State Farm, Ameren, the City of Bloomington, Country Financial, the Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau, Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, KHOL, WXRJ, Illinois State Redbird, and Perfect Productions.

Fund Helps Invest in Tomorrow's Leaders

Want to invest in tomorrow's more diverse, more finely tuned Twin Cities leaders? The Multicultural Leadership Program is seeking help in funding their education.

 MCLP's goal is to "develop diverse leaders with the passion to serve their communities." MCLP classes include composed of  26 individuals who meet for biweekly sessions over eight months, August through March each year. Graduation for the current class is 7 p.m. April 25 at Illinois State University's Bone Student Center Brown Ballroom, following a 6 p.m. social hour.

The MCLP Endowment Fund is a general endowment fund supported by charitable gifts. The fund is invested and managed over time to provide a sustainable income stream for MCLP, while maintaining the gift’s purchasing power in perpetuity. Why is this endowment being established?

The fund will ensure a financially stable base to fund future MCLP classes and participant scholarships. It will allow MCLP to continue developing leaders for our community’s long-term needs.

MCLP achieved last year's initial goal of $100,000 by the end of April, 2014, but the group reports "we still have far to go." All MCLP endowment gifts are tax-deductible. All amounts are welcomed and tax deductible. We thank you for your support.

Endowment gifts can be mailed to:
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation—Attn: MCLP Endowment Fund,
2401 E. Washington, Suite 300B, Bloomington, IL 61704 

Make checks payable to IPCF-MCLP or to “Illinois Prairie Community Foundation” and cite “MCLP Endowment Fund” as the beneficiary.   

You may also endow online at  www.bn-mclp.org. Visit the website to download a copy of MCLP's 2014 annual report and investigate what the program offers,

The MCLP Endowment Fund is a general endowment fund supported by charitable gifts. The fund is invested and managed over time to provide a sustainable income stream for MCLP, while maintaining the gift’s purchasing power in perpetuity. Why is this endowment being established?

The fund will ensure a financially stable base to fund future MCLP classes and participant scholarships. It will allow MCLP to continue developing leaders for our community’s long-term needs.

MCLP achieved last year's initial goal of $100,000 by the end of April, 2014, but the group reports "we still have far to go." All MCLP endowment gifts are tax-deductible. All amounts are welcomed and tax deductible. We thank you for your support.

Endowment gifts can be mailed to:
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation—Attn: MCLP Endowment Fund,
2401 E. Washington, Suite 300B, Bloomington, IL 61704 

Make checks payable to IPCF-MCLP or to “Illinois Prairie Community Foundation” and cite “MCLP Endowment Fund” as the beneficiary.   

You may also endow online at  www.bn-mclp.org. Visit the website to download a copy of MCLP's 2014 annual report and investigate what the program offers.

Illinois Prairie Community Foundation Announces Grant Opportunities

IPCF is accepting applications for four types of grants through Feb. 23, offering opportunities for cultural, arts, education, and health.

Applicants must represent a 501(c)3 organization or one that operates under fiscal management of a 501(c)3, a branch of local, county, state or federal government, a nonprofit school/college/university, or a religious organization as recognized by the IRS. Programs must be available to residents of McLean, DeWitt, Livingston or Logan Counties but need not operate in all four counties (one exception is the Shulman Grants, which must be available to residents of McLean County).

For each specific program application, a group may choose only one grant type. However, you may apply in multiple grant categories if the applications are for distinctly different programs and fit the criteria for that particular type of grant.

IPCF General Grants are open to programs and projects that focus on education, environment, health and wellness or youth.

Mirza/IPCF Arts and Culture Grants are open to programs and projects that focus on performing, visual, or literary arts and/or art education/enrichment.

Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) Grants are conducted by Illinois Prairie Community Foundation’s YEP group consisting of 24 area high school youth. Projects must be youth focused or significantly impact youth; adults and youth alike are encouraged to submit an application.

Sol Shulman Jewish Life and Education Grants are open to educational programs and materials for residents of McLean County that focus on Jewish-themed arts, music, and theater or Jewish cultural enrichment. Examples include books for libraries, lectures, school curriculum or the like.

More information and applications for all four grant types are available at http://www.ilprairiecf.org/ipcf-grant-rounds Direct questions to Kathi Davis, associate program director and grants coordinator, at (309) 662-4477 or (309) 662-4477 or kdavis@ilprairiecf.org.

IPCF supports local solutions to local needs by growing and preserving permanent funds