Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation has awarded five Community Engagement grants through the Mattoon Foundation for Academic Excellence Fund. The awards were presented on November 5, 2025 at Elevate CCIC during the foundation’s Fall Grant Reception.
Rachel Schafer received $1,600 for the recycling grant this year from the Foundation to continue the Recycling Program started at Arland D. Williams Jr. Elementary School last year. Funds will be used to expand the program so that 4th and 5th grade students can experience the recycling program at the Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education (EIASE) Recycling Center. The program has been a strong collaboration between the school and EIASE students.
Schafer received another grant, along with Jodi Maleske, to be used for educational Family Game Nights at Williams and Riddle Elementary Schools. Both Schafer and Maleske received $1,000. Funds will support hosting game nights for families to come into the schools and play math games with their students. When families leave, they will take home a game to continue the learning.
Tracey Perry received $1,000, with funds going towards the Franklin Preschool Parent Advisory team. In an effort to increase parent participation, quality involvement, and establish a stronger sense of belonging, she plans to use the money to purchase t-shirts and additional supplies.
Vincent Walk received $10,000 to support the Financial Literacy program started last year for parents, students, and community partners. This initiative provides teachers with weekly financial lesson plans and offers parents resources to reinforce these concepts at home. Walk will once again be working with EIU professor Dr. Linda Simpson, who wrote the book Mindful & Intentional Money Management: An Unbeatable System to Calm the Chaos. This initiative aims to build a strong foundation of financial knowledge and skills within the community. Families will learn money management principles and be able to apply them effectively to their own financial situations. Students will also have the opportunity to connect with local business professionals to learn about a variety of career options and engage in hands-on learning.
The Mattoon Foundation for Academic Excellence operates under Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation, established in 2009 through a merger of Effingham County Community Foundation and Mattoon Area Community Foundation, and serves communities in southeastern Illinois.
Pictured above L to R: Vincent Walk, Tracey Perry, Jodi Maleske, Rachel Schafer