Foundation for Northwest Illinois

**What is The Foundation for Northwest Illinois?** The Foundation for Northwest Illinois helps area residents and organizations realize their unique charitable goals, provide impactful support to our community’s nonprofits, and foster key partnerships to address critical issues affecting Northwest Illinois. The Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization with IRS 501(c)(3) status. Gifts made to the Foundation qualify for the maximum allowable deductions for income and estate tax purposes. We encourage the full participation of your financial planner, attorney, accountant and/or insurance representative to understand your goals and the many options available through the Foundation. **Our History** In 1975, a group of forward-thinking citizens established the Freeport Community Trust. Their intent was to ensure a permanent source of funds for local charitable organizations. In 1998, the Board of Directors changed the name to the Freeport Community Foundation. In 2002, the Board of Directors updated the structure of the organization from a simple trust to a not-for-profit corporation. On June 28, 2023, an announcement was made that a new name had been adopted to better reflect the region in which it serves. The Freeport Community Foundation is now The Foundation for Northwest Illinois. **Our Region** The Foundation for Northwest Illinois is a “community investment account” for people to give back to the community in which they live, work and raise their families. It serves its donors, nonprofit organizations and institutions and our communities as a whole.