Foundation

Our mission is to support access and innovative learning opportunities at Heartland Community College through fundraising, financial stewardship, and advocacy for students and programs.

Incorporated in 1992, the Heartland Community College Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation dedicated to the enhancement and support of student learning and success at Heartland Community College.

Giving

We receive and administer gifts in many forms including monetary donations, bequests and real estate. We also organize a variety of fundraising events to support scholarship opportunities for Heartland students and to further solidify the College's strong relationship to the community.

Gifts to the Foundation ensure that access and excellence continue to be fundamental principles. They can provide for:
  • scholarships
  • educational programs
  • equipment purchases
  • campus enhancements
  • special projects
Give monthly and make a lasting impact all year long. Recurring Giving

One-Time Gift

Make a one-time gift to support students and programs.

Foundation Funding Priorities

Invest in the Nest

Now is a great time to celebrate the many successes from the last year at Heartland!

Each year, the Heartland Foundation calls on alumni, faculty, staff and friends on the annual day of giving, dubbed Invest in the Nest. In the Spring of 2024, the Foundation helped raise $49,348 that will help the students of Heartland Community College in their academic journey.

The Impact of Your Gift

Scholarship awards impact academic success for students like 1st generation college students, underrepresented populations, and students with high financial need.

Support for academic programs like nursing, radiography, physical therapist assistant, advanced manufacturing, and agriculture includes lab and equipment upgrades as well as scholarship opportunities.

The Student Emergency Fund assists students with groceries, rent, and other expenses when unforeseen life events endanger their ability to complete their education.

Make a difference

Other Ways to Give

If you'd like to give your time and talents, there are several other ways to Invest in the Nest!

  • Serve on a Foundation event planning committee.
  • Volunteer as a mentor to current Heartland students.
  • Attend an event.

For more information about the different ways you can serve the Heartland Community, email us at foundation@heartland.edu or call 309-268-8110.

Establish a Scholarship

Establishing a scholarship allows you to support an individual student who shares your passion. Foundation staff can walk you through the process which can allow you to establish a scholarship for as little as $1,000 a year.

Annual scholarships

Annual Scholarships are awarded each year the donor funds the scholarship. The minimum amount required for an annual scholarship is $1,000 with a three year commitment.

Endowed scholarships 

An endowed scholarship lasts in perpetuity and represents an award based on at least a five percent interest rate of the principal (amount invested). The minimum amount required for an endowed scholarship is $24,000. This amount may be pledged over five years. The endowment will not be activated until the minimum amount is attained. If the minimum is not reached within five years, donors have the option to extend the pledge period or offer individual scholarship awards. 

The principal will be invested according to the investment policy adopted by the Foundation and is intended to maximize the earnings on the principal consistent with a prudent level of risk. Copies of the investment policy and performance of the individual endowments are located in the Foundation office. 

General scholarship fund 

In addition to naming opportunities, donations may also be made to the general scholarship fund. Scholarships awarded from the general scholarship fund cover in-district tuition. The number of awards varies each year depending on the amount of funds that are available. 

Contact Melissa Fasig at melissa.fasig@heartland.edu or 309-268-8102 for further information on establishing a scholarship at HCC. 

Board of Directors

Officers

Board Officers
Name Position/Company
Donny Bounds, First Vice-Chair President/Owner, Donny B's Gourmet Popcorn and Gifts
Kevin Kramer, Second Vice-Chair HR Manager, Caterpillar Inc.
Sim Sandhu, Second Vice-Chair Director of Strategy and Innovation, Illinois Farm Bureau (Illinois Agricultural Association)
Melissa Marx, Past Chair Administrator, Fort Jesse Imaging Center & Gale Keeran Center for Women
Chris Downing, Executive Director Associate Vice President, Development and Community Engagement, Heartland Community College
Noah Lamb, Secretary-Treasurer Vice President, Finance and Administration, Heartland Community College

Directors

Directors
Name Position and Company
Don Adams Retired, Farnsworth Group, Inc.
Chris Ayers Financial Advisor, Thrivent
Vicki Berg Director of Operations, McDonald's
John Bishop Senior Architectural Manager, Farnsworth Group
Carl Bridges Senior Vice President & Chief Risk Officer, COUNTRY Financial
Andy Copenhaver Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
Jake Davis Chief Operating Officer, Mavidea Technology Group
Marianela Diaz Bilingual Parent Liason, McLean County Unit 5
Melissa Donovan Owner, Mad Strategy
Erica Epperson Realtor, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group
Wesley Ernst CEO, HALO Solar
Ben Jeffreys Partner, Mid America Insurance
Jenny Larkin Business Manager, Institute for Human Resources
Kirk McCullick Executive Director, Marketing & Business Development, Growmark, Inc.
Dean Messinger Retired, Caterpillar Inc.
Steve Meulemans Human Resources & Development Executive, State Farm
Charlie Moore President/CEO, McLean County Chamber of Commerce
Mark Muehleck Owner, CertaPro Painters of Bloomington, IL
Mary Jo Murphy Retired, Continuing Ed. Outreach Manager, Heartland Community College
Mary K. Penn Retired, Striegel Knoblock & Co. LLC
Sarah Powell Vice President, Sales, Afni, Inc.
Barry Reilly Retired, Superintendent District 87
Chris Ryan EVP Chief Retail Officer, Heartland Bank and Trust
Richard Seehuus Professor I, English, Heartland Community College
Amanda Smith Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer, Carle Health
Allegra Thigpen Technology Analyst, State Farm
Robyn Walter Retired, Illinois Wesleyan University
Cat Woods Retired, Community Cancer Center
Keara Wright Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer, OSF HealthCare

Ex-Officio

Ex-Officio
Name Position/Company
Becky Ropp Chair, Heartland Community College Trustees
Keith Cornille President, Heartland Community College

Directors Emeritus

Directors Emeritus
Name Years of Service
Donald Engelkes 1993-2001
Phares O'Daffer 1993-2002
Barbara Ostberg 1993-2002
Mary Wright 1993-2002
George Farnsworth 1999-2003
Sharon Heaton 1994-2004
Mary Feicke 1998-2005
Joan Guenther 2002-2005
Jim Blass 2004-2006
Art Adams (deceased) 2004-2007
William Mueller 2001-2007
Joy Schreder 2003-2008
Dianne Lerman 2003-2009
Jerry Ringer 2002-2009
H. Wayne Taylor 1994-2009
Robert Heitzman 2007-2010
Jim Schilkoski (deceased) 2000-2012
Dale Strassheim 2000-2012
Steve McManus 2008-2019

Contact Us

Contact Information

Heartland Foundation

CCB 2300

1500 W. Raab Rd.

Normal, IL 61761

Phone: 309-268-8110

Email: foundation@heartland.edu

Leadership

Melissa Fasig

Director, Development and Foundation Operations

Phone: 309-268-8102

Email: Melissa.Fasig@heartland.edu

Staff

For students with scholarship questions, please contact:

Larissa McIlvain

Coordinator, Scholarships

Phone: 309-268-8458

Email: Larissa.McIlvain@heartland.edu

Meet the Staff

Portait of Chris Downing

Chris Downing

Executive Director

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Melissa Fasig

Director, Development and Foundation Operations

309-268-8102
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Holly McCormick

Associate Director

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Amanda Schlehuber

Analyst

Portait of Madelyn Lee

Madelyn Lee

Coordinator, Foundation Events

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Larissa McIlvain

Coordinator, Scholarships

309-268-8458