The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri welcomes two new staff members to help fulfill its mission of connecting people who care with causes that matter. Barbara Casady joined the Community Foundation staff as Program Coordinator, responsible for the Community Foundation’s grantmaking. Jonathan O’Neal was hired as the Office Manager.
“We are excited about the experience, professionalism and knowledge of the region that Barb and Jon bring to the Community Foundation,” said Executive Director Jill Arnold Blickhan. “Both positions play a vital role in the operations and grantmaking of the Community Foundation.”
As Program Coordinator Casady will manage and coordinate the educational, operational and program aspects of the Community Foundation’s grantmaking and grant initiatives.
Casady’s career includes work with families, volunteers, nonprofit organizations and communities through University of Missouri Extension Programs, the Missouri 4-H Foundation and the Volunteer Center of the Big River United Way. She has a strong background in resource development and in community development. A graduate of Truman State University and the University of Missouri, Barb and her husband Bill live south of Warsaw, Illinois on the family farm.
As Office Manager O’Neal’s responsibilities include secretarial, financial, office management, and technology coordination.
O’Neal is a graduate of John Wood Community College and Western Illinois University. He started his career as a high school math teacher. For two years, he served as a Trainer and Safety Specialist for a local company. He and his wife Katie and their son, reside in Payson.
Both new staff members will work closely with the Community Foundation Board and Executive Director to fulfill the vision, mission and objectives of the organization.
The Community Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization connecting people who care with causes that matter. Serving West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri, it builds permanent charitable funds to address significant needs and opportunities now and in the future.
It has IRS 501(c)(3) status and contributions made to the Community Foundation generally qualify for the maximum allowable deductions for income and estate tax purposes.
More than $2,000,000 has been distributed since the Community Foundation began making grants in 1999. These grants have helped more than 200 organizations serving communities in West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri.
For more information, call 217-222-1237, email [email protected], or go to mycommunityfoundation.org or www.facebook.com/mycommunityfoundation.