July 2019 Newsletter
Graduating Our Third Cohort of Emerging Leaders
Community Memorial Foundation marked the culmination of our third Ladder to Leadership cohort on June 18th at a celebration for the 15 emerging leaders who completed the program. Nearly 150 people gathered at the La Grange Country Club to hear about the fellows’ journey and review their final action team presentations.
Ladder to Leadership is an in-depth capacity building program aimed at strengthening the leadership skills of mid-career professionals. Through an innovative, 16-month curriculum, the program dually enhances the leadership capacity of the nonprofit organizations supported by the Foundation.
Watch the video below to learn more about the fellows’ experience and why the Foundation supports making an investment in people.
Creating Next Gen Community Changemakers
30 students, 3 organizations, 15,000 dollars. The Foundation recently celebrated the culmination of its inaugural youth philanthropy program known as YC2. The program, offered to juniors and seniors from Lyons Township High School and Nazareth Academy, empowers students to explore our local community and its social challenges; learn about philanthropic theory; and engage in organizational evaluation and grantmaking.
After narrowing their funding focus to teen mental health, the YC2 changemakers awarded Healthcare Alternative Systems, Hope for the Day, and NAMI Metro Suburban $5,000 each to support youth mental health initiatives in the Foundation’s service area.
YC2 will return in the spring for a second session of changemaking. Be sure to follow our website and social platforms for more information.
Community Memorial Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of The Burjan Family in facilitating the YC2 program.
CMF President to Serve as Forefront Board Chair
Foundation President Greg DiDomenico has been appointed Board Chair of Forefront, the nation’s only statewide membership association for nonprofits, grantmakers, public agencies and advisors. He has served on Forefront’s Board of Directors since 2017, most recently as treasurer.
“I am extremely honored to serve as Forefront’s newest board chair,” says DiDomenico. “The organization has a long history of excellent stewardship and I’m proud to continue the board’s work of creating a vibrant social impact sector throughout Illinois.”
Forefront President and CEO Eric Weinheimer says, “We are delighted that Greg has agreed to be Forefront’s new board chair. He is a great leader who truly understands and values the critical role that Forefront plays in creating an environment in which all nonprofits and foundations in Illinois can do their best work.”