Arcola Foundation

About Arcola Foundation

Arcola Foundation’s giving is anchored in Arcola itself: scholarships for local students, support for community projects, and regular operating help for civic organizations. The grant list shows a pattern of sustained local backing rather than a single program area, with major awards to Arcola Chamber of Commerce, the City of Arcola, and St Johns Catholic Church across multiple years. That mix points to a foundation that funds both civic life and educational pathways. Education is a central thread. The foundation maintains named loan and scholarship funds for Arcola High School seniors and graduates, including support for college, trade school, mathematics, music, and other merit-and-need awards. It also provides emergency assistance for elementary students through the Harold & Doris Chaney Family Fund, showing support across age groups. Beyond education, Arcola Foundation funds community infrastructure and services through general operations and project support. Recent grants include event-related support for the city’s pavilion and fireworks, donations to local institutions, and funding for community groups serving the Arcola area. The result is a grantmaking profile centered on local institutions, youth, and public-facing community needs.

What Arcola Foundation Funds

Education appears in several distinct forms. The Arcola Foundation funds scholarships for graduating seniors, including awards tied to academic performance, financial need, trade school plans, mathematics, music, and other named criteria. It also offers loan funds for Arcola High School seniors and graduates, including the Covalt/Knaus Scholarship Loan Fund and the Mike Poulos, Sr. Loan Fund. Community support is another clear area. Through the General Fund and Collins Memorial Fund, the foundation backs projects and improvements within the Arcola community, with requests reviewed by the Board of Governors at monthly meetings. The Allen Roberts Memorial Fund extends that local focus by supporting groups or individuals serving youth in Arcola and Douglas County. The foundation also funds public-health and civic needs. Its active programs include student emergency assistance through the Harold & Doris Chaney Family Fund and medical education support through the Dr. Allen Loan Fund, which is tied to a service commitment near Arcola.

How Arcola Foundation Gives