Our Team
Andrea Gerhard
Position: Director of Community Outreach
E-mail: agerhard@heartofillinois.org
“I have long been captivated by the heart for serving and spirit of hope and generosity among people here in our community and in Central Illinois. I value the partnerships and collaboration toward common goals. Whether we realize it or not, we are a community set apart and meant to lead out. The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation and its vision and mission connect with what I have on my heart for this community – to bring together in partnership the spirit of generosity with the needs present here, for the mutual benefit of individuals, families, and organizations; to help us become all we truly can be in this community. There are many amazing opportunities already in progress and on the horizon for youth and adults here.”
As Director of Community Outreach for the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, Andrea manages our Scholarship and Grant programs and related management systems while also investing in community partnerships and relationships. On the scholarship side, this includes all aspects of the high school and adult scholarship programs, working with evaluators and donors, and connecting with area high school counselors, students, and families through the process. On the grant side, she manages all of our grant cycles and works with nonprofit organizations and schools in the community, keeping them informed, helping them navigate the process, and helping to connect them with available resources. She also assists with donor-advised grant processing and other grant management, resourcing and reporting.
From the first visit to Decatur in 2005, Andrea felt drawn to this community, the heart for serving and spirit of hope and generosity among people here. Through her work in education, local business, and in communications and community engagement in the nonprofit sector in Macon County, Andrea has had unique opportunities to build relationships and partnerships between people and organizations. She enjoys connecting our youth, adults, and organizations with the tremendous resources available here and to partner with them for greater growth and impact. She hopes our community will continue to embrace its ability to lead and be set-apart in our state and region.
Andrea has long had a love for education, service, and leadership. While a Wisconsin native, Andrea completed coursework at Colorado State University and earned her bachelor’s degree in music education (K-12 choral and instrumental) at Carroll University. She also completed master’s coursework in College Student Personnel while working at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). While Andrea’s journey developing students in higher education included years at Carroll and BGSU, it ultimately brought her here to Decatur, impacting students at Millikin University. She also engaged in leadership development, serving, communication, teaching, and operations as a part of staff and volunteer teams at Skeff Distributing Company, WBGL, Feed My Starving Children, and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. As a part of the team at HICF, Andrea has been serving as the HICF Director of Scholarships & Grants since July of 2024 and plans to continue her education and growth while helping connect others with the resources to do the same.
Outside of work, Andrea has a love for serving others in our community and beyond. She has led the Feed My Starving Children Decatur Community MobilePack team since 2013, partnering with leaders from ADM and other local organizations. She has served with other teams and events around Central Illinois, including Decatur Celebration, Soul Identity conference, Clay City, and Christmas Care & Share. She enjoys singing locally with Opus 24, since 2012.
Andrea lives in Decatur with her husband, Clayton, and their four children, Jack, Ainsley, Henry, and Sadie.
