Nonprofit Highlight: Barrington Area Community Foundation

BAVC is happy to share exciting news with you – the Barrington Area Community Foundation has awarded the Barrington Area Volunteer Connection a 3-year grant to sustain our work!

Founded in 1998, the purpose of the Barrington Area Community Foundation (BACF) is to establish a permanent, long-term fund for the betterment of the greater Barrington community. The Foundation uses the annual proceeds to support initiatives that benefit the community and maintain our quality of life.

To date, BACF has granted over $2.5 million to local charities & $300,000 to 27 local charities in 2020, estimating about $320,000 in 2021. Last year, BACF granted over $100,000 to 24 local charities from the COVID Relief Fund

BACF is also committed to introducing philanthropy to the next generation via our Youth Advisory Council (YACsters). To learn more about BACF, please visit here.

As part of our weekly nonprofit profile, we interviewed Robin Kelleher, BACF Grants Co-Chair to learn more about BACF. Read more below.

Below is Barrington Area Volunteer Connection’s eighth installment of their profile program, highlighting non-profits using BAVC for their volunteering needs. Keep reading for the profile of the Barrington Area Community Foundation.

Interview with Robin Kelleher – Grants Co-Chair | Barrington Area Community Foundation

Why did you select BAVC to be a grant recipient this year?

We chose BAVC as a 2021 grant recipient because our grants committee felt that BAVC serves as a conduit for all our area NFPs. The ability to effectively connect and unite volunteers from various organizations working toward a common goal can only strengthen the mission and the ability to successfully carry it out.

How does BACF utilize volunteers?
Our Board of Directors is 100% volunteer

How did you become involved with this organization?
My husband, Andy Kelleher, was a board member a few years ago and served as grants co-chair so I became intimately aware of all the good BACF was doing in our community supporting NFPs. I knew that I wanted to continue to be a part of this valuable organization. I know all of us on the board love our Barrington community for all that it offers to the people that live here. We are truly a “community” in its purest form. That is why we volunteer our time to give back and further support the unmet needs of our neighbors.

Are there any new programs or new initiatives you will be implementing for 2021?
We have just concluded our regular 2020-21 grant cycle, but plan to conduct an additional grant cycle later this year using restricted funds from our Barrington Area COVID Response Fund. Charities should check our website for details as they become available. This fund is to support charities who may be struggling due to the inability to conduct traditional fundraising events last year, as well as charities supporting individuals directly affected by COVID, i.e. job loss, financial difficulties, emotional stress.

Unfortunately, we also could not conduct any of our usual activities last year, having to adjust to a virtual format for most.

The commitment shown by BAVC’s ambassadors, technical experts, community outreach team, and website development group were instrumental for BAVC to be selected for this award.

‘The BAVC takes the strength of the Barrington Area Development Council’s social network, intellectual capital, and talent pool, and pairs them with the Barrington Area Library’s knowledge base, training assets, and reputation as a community resource. The result is a collaborative powerhouse with broad and deep reach.’

‘Everybody wins with BAVC: nonprofit leaders are supported in their work, our citizens receive all the rewards of being part of something bigger than themselves and our community benefits from the good work of the organizations and individuals involved.’

Interesting in becoming a part of Barrington Area Volunteer Connection? Join today at volunteer.thebavc.org!