Dunham Fund Awards $25,000
Aurora, IL - April 7, 2015 - As Volunteer Fox Valley (VFV) gains its footing within the volunteer and online community, The Dunham Fund has taken notice by awarding a $25,000 grant to the growing online volunteer resource center.
Fox Valley United Way and Aurora University's Wackerlin Center for Faith and Action have teamed up to create the first web-based virtual volunteer resource center in the region. Volunteer Fox Valley links volunteers to social service agencies in the Kane and Kendall county area, needing their time and assistance.
Volunteer opportunities for special events, projects, and in-kind donations can be found on Volunteer Fox Valley. Aurora University's Wackerlin Center for Faith and Action and Fox Valley United Way believe that creating an interactive one-stop shop for all volunteer opportunities in the Fox Valley area will be beneficial to the community.
"We currently have more than 100 participating agencies and over 600 individuals and groups registered in the VFV database," said Michael Meyer, chief executive officer of Fox Valley United Way. "This funding will give us the opportunity to substantially increase those numbers in the coming year."
The Dunham Fund grant will be used to increase staffing and marketing of Volunteer Fox Valley to match the increasing numbers of volunteers and non-profit organizations utilizing the site.
A portion of the grant will also be used to conduct outreach activities with area middle school, high school and college students who are looking for volunteer opportunities.
"The support of VFV by the Dunham Fund will play an important role in the continued expansion of the program for both area agencies and volunteers to increase their impact utilizing the resources available through Volunteer Fox Valley. We are grateful for what this grant will make possible in advancing volunteerism in the region," said Ted Parge, executive vice president at Aurora University.
Launched in 2014, Volunteer Fox Valley is the Fox Valley region's first web-based virtual volunteer resource center. For more information, please visit volunteerfoxvalley.org.
About Fox Valley United Way
Founded in 1922, Fox Valley United Way is a volunteer-supported organization that provides an efficient and effective way for contributors to give one gift that will support a variety of programs, helping to meet the most critical needs within their communities. Fox Valley United Way serves 15 communities including Aurora, Big Rock, Bristol, Hinckley, Little Rock, Millbrook, Montgomery, Mooseheart, North Aurora, Oswego, Plano, Plattville, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Yorkville.
Aurora University
Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning, annually educating more than 4,900 degree-seeking students at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. The university has a long tradition of preparing students for lives of service and leadership, and using its resources and expertise to meet the needs of the community. In addition to its main campus in Aurora, Ill., AU offers programs online, at its George Williams College campus in Williams Bay, Wis., and at the Woodstock Center in downtown Woodstock, Ill. Learn more at aurora.edu.
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If you would like to know more about Volunteer Fox Valley, please contact Deborah Collins at 630/896-4636 or Barbara Calvert at 630/844-6865.