Article Published by Decatur Tribune – February 1, 2024

Macon County – The Community Foundation of Macon County (CFMC) and Decatur Earthmover Credit Union (DECU) announce a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive $1 million grant funding collaboration, Moving Forward. This new initiative will provide increased 2024 grant funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations to help them advance the communities they serve through their projects and programs.

Moving Forward includes four discretionary open-call grant programs – Places & Neighborhoods (awarding $100,000), Impact200 ($200,000), Emergency Services Support ($100,000) and CommunityWorks ($400,000). An additional $200,000 in grant funding will benefit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), emergency services, financial literacy, arts, and summer education programs. As part of this collaboration, CFMC folded two of their annual grant programs, CommunityWorks and Impact100, into Moving Forward, doubling each program’s available grant funding.

Funding will be granted in several of the areas where DECU branches are located – Macon, Moultrie and Piatt Counties and Paris, Ill. Grants will be distributed throughout 2024, and interested organizations can learn more about the application process and specific timelines at maconcountygives.org/moving-forward.

“Decatur Earthmover Credit Union has been a consistent supporter of The Community Foundation’s mission,” said Natalie Beck, CFMC President and CEO. “Since 2007, DECU has held multiple funds with us, and they are continually seeking ways to help area residents. DECU is dedicated to serving their credit union members and communities. They are rooted in the credit union tradition of people helping people.”