Creating Connections that Change Lives

The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation is connected and invested in Piatt County's success.

Local staff, Cristin Wright, is connected to donors and community needs with an office located at the historic Wabash Depot and Tourism Center.
Representation on HICF board of trustees - Michelle Gross, State Bank of Bement.
Adult scholarship program offers nontraditional students living in Piatt County up to $2,500 per semester for education. Two Piatt County adult scholarship recipients were selected for Fall 2025 semester: Jessica Evans and Cecilia Zigler-Harrington and two were selected for renewals: Veronica Jones and Lydia Strand.
High school scholarship recipients in 2025: Cerro Gordo: Ivy Williams, $1,000 Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois Scholarship
Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois Scholarship is now offered to healthcare professionals in Piatt County who provide oncology/hematology related services.

$25,000 grant to Monticello Middle School
$ 7,520 grant to DeLand-Weldon CUSD #57 for book vending machine and books
$4,000 grant to Marissa's Purpose
$1,500 training microgrant to Willow Tree Missions
$1,500 grant to White Heath School teacher Brittany Taylor
$1,350 grant to White Heath School teacher Clay Dunker
$1,250 grant to Bement Middle School teacher Stephanie Block
$1,038 training microgrant to Allerton Public Library
$1,000 training microgrant to Piatt County Mental Health Center
$1,000 grant to Piatt County Mental Health Center
$1,000 food insecurity grant to Atwood Area Food Pantry/Atwood First Baptist Church
$1,000 food insecurity grant to A Small Hand - Piatt County Infant and Diaper Pantry, Monticello
$1,000 to Goose Creek Library
$ 500 to Hope Welty Public Library
$ 430 grant to White Heath School for 4th grade terrarium project supplies
Grant funding to Engineer in the Classroom with outreach too two classrooms at White Heath School
3-year investor in Sangamon Valley CEO program
Member Monticello Chamber of Commerce
Sponsor Kirby Derby

$52,500 granted to Hope Lives Youth Ranch
$34,000 granted to Piatt County first responders
$28,287.48 granted to Willow Tree Missions for their education and community programs space build out
$20,440 granted to Piatt County food pantries
$15,000 granted to Cerro Gordo CUSD #100 for their Fired Up for the fine arts program
$12,500 granted to Monticello schools for exterior community garden
$11,850 granted to Piatt County Animal Shelter
$10,000 granted to support Kirby Wellness Trail
$8,500 granted to White Heath School to provide a book vending machine and stock with books from local book store Hartfield Book Company
$6,000 granted to Piatt County summer camp programs
$5,000 granted to Marisa's Purpose
$4,000 granted to Piatt County Mental Health Center
$3,900 granted to Bement CUSD
$2,500 granted to Piatt County educators for inclusion grants
$2,500 granted to Piatt County Red Kettle Campaign
$1,500 granted to Allerton Public Library
$1,000 granted to Monticello Middle School teacher Jenna Bolen for microscopes
$1,000 granted to Monticello Railway Museum
$1,000 granted to Piatt County Toy & Gift Program
3-year investor in Sangamon Valley CEO program
2 residents selected as adult scholarship recipients
Member Monticello Chamber of Commerce
Sponsor Kirby Derby