Foundation donates more than $55,000 to Forest Preserve

Pictured from left to right are Forest Preserve Executive Director Tracy Chapman, Forest Preserve Board President Judy Ogalla, Foundation Executive Director Tara Neff, and Forest Preserve and Foundation board members Julie Berkowicz and Dawn Bullock. (Photo by Anthony Schalk)

The Nature Foundation of Will County donated $55,545 to the Forest Preserve District of Will County on May 14 to support preserve restoration, public programs, exhibits and visitor amenities across Will County.

Foundation Executive Director Tara Neff presented the check to the Forest Preserve District’s Board of Commissioners at its May 14 meeting.

“The Nature Foundation works all year long to bring funds and friends to the Forest Preserve District to supplement the budget,” Neff said. “We write grants, secure funds that are sometimes only available to 501(c)(3) organizations and can offer charitable tax benefits to our donors.”

The donation included funds from the Foundation’s year-end fundraising campaign, business sponsorships, philanthropic organizations and corporate volunteer groups.

The year-end fundraising campaign raised:

• $8,000 for Adirondack chairs, hat shop supplies and exhibit equipment for Isle a la Cache Museum

• $8,000 for signs at Hidden Oaks Preserve

• $2,000 for the Forest Preserve’s natural resource management crews for volunteer workdays; funding is provided through the Foundation's Restore Will County grant program.

• $3,525 for exhibit rental deposits at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center

Business sponsorships included $11,500 from Old National Bank for the Fun & Food Trucks series and from Vulcan Materials Company for fishing derbies at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm.

The Sgt. Thomas M. Gilbert Memorial Foundation contributed $4,150 for equipment and supplies for environmental education and public programs at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

Corporate groups also contributed $3,108 and volunteer hours through Neuco, Target Corporation and Goldman Sachs.

The Foundation also received $15,270 from the estate of Jan Heideman to help fund restoration work at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve in Crete Township. This was the final installment of the gift.

“Her estate plan provided a total of over $300,000 to take care of a place she loved,” Neff said.“Her gift provided conservation with an extra $25,000 a year for about 14 years.”