FOUNDATION BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

2023 Geneseo Park District Foundation Board

Alex Cechowicz President
Todd Sieben Vice-President
Erin Wyffels Secretary
Erin Vorac Commissioner
Paula Verbeck Treasurer
 

The foundation will cooperatively work with the park district in selecting and funding capital improvement projects for the Geneseo Park District that are not allocated in the park district’s operating budget. The foundation will work with the park district staff and residents to identify the projects, and then work with businesses, community groups, and individuals to support the funding for the project.

Become a Foundation Board Member

Serving as a Board member of the Foundation is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about the Foundation’s mission and who has a track record of leadership.

Download a Foundation Board Member Application Today!

All donations can be sent to:

Geneseo Park District Foundation
541 E North St.
Geneseo, IL 61254

The foundation was established in 2014 as a not-for-profit corporation. The foundation is an IRS 501(c)(3) organization and all donations to the foundation are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Foundation audits can be viewed by contacting Paula Verbeck at (309) 944-5695.

FOUNDATION BOARD MEETINGS

Board Meeting Schedule

The Geneseo Park District Foundation will hold the following 2023 regularly scheduled meetings in the Poolside Room.

Tuesday September 12, 2023 at 5:30 pm
Tuesday December 12, 2023 at 5:30 pm

Donate

The primary mission of the Geneseo Park District Foundation is to promote and cultivate stewardship along with financial support empowering the Geneseo Park District to enhance the quality of life in our community by providing a positive recreational experience for all.

The most powerful gift is one that can be used for any need in the Geneseo Park District. Consider donating to help YOUR Park District by clicking on the Donate Today button below to give an unrestricted donation.

The Geneseo Park District Foundation has also put together an extensive list of items to help fulfill our mission. Visit the Wish Book page for complete list of items.

Donations can be fulfilled online or sent to:

Geneseo Park District Foundation
541 E. North St.
Geneseo, IL 61254

Are you a business or organization that wants to give back to your community? Do you have a fundraiser idea?

Contact Paula at (309) 944-5695 to discuss how your business can support the Foundation.
Outside Private Business or Organization Fundraiser Rules & Regulations

Once your donation has been processed you will receive an acknowledgment letter in the mail from the Geneseo Park District Foundation that you may use for your tax deduction. Call Paula, Jodie or Anne at (309) 944-5695 with any questions.

The Geneseo Park District Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization and all donations to the Foundation are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Wish Book

Giving back to your community has never been easier. The Geneseo Park District Foundation has put together an extensive list of items needed to fulfill our mission. Items are divided up by facility or program.

The Geneseo Park District Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization and all donations to the Foundation are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Once your donation has been processed you will receive an acknowledgment letter in the mail from the Geneseo Park District Foundation that you may use for your tax deduction. Call Paula, Jodie or Anne at (309) 944-5695 with any questions.

Geneseo Community Center
Pick from The Center's Wish List items in the drop down menu below.

Key Fab System $15,000.00 USDInfrared Sauna $10,000.00 USDSolar Powered Charging Station Bench $6,000.00 USDCell Phone Charging Station $2,500.00 USDIndoor Benches $3,500.00 USDTrees $1,000.00 USDPortable Pickleball Nets $400.00 USDFlags $50.00 USDLap Counters $10.00 USD

John & Carla Edwards Aquatic Center
You can give to the Aquatic Center by picking from the Wish List items in the drop down menu below.

Flume Slide $500,000.00 USDShade Sail $10,000.00 USDSno Cone Machine $1,500.00 USDTrees $1,000.00 USDLounge Chairs $200.00 USDUmbrellas for Lifeguard Stands $100.00 USDRescue Tubes $50.00 USDLife Jackets $25.00 USDUpright Chair $25.00 USDSunscreen $10.00 USD

Anderson Memorial Park
You can give to Anderson Memorial Park by picking from the Wish List items in the drop down menu below.

Water Fountain $5,000.00 USDPlants/Flowers $2,000.00 USDPark Bench $3,500.00 USD

Athletic Field
You can give to the Athletic Field by picking from the Wish List items in the drop down menu below.

Skate Park $350,000.00 USDTennis/Pickleball Courts $300,000.00 USDDog Park $125,000.00 USDSolar Power Charging Station Bench $6,000.00 USDPark Bench $3,500.00 USDPicnic Table $3,500.00 USDTrees $1,000.00 USD

Central Theater
You can give to Central Theater by picking from the Wish List items in the drop down menu below.

Carpeting $15,000.00 USD

Athletics
You can give to young athletes. The Geneseo Park District needs to continually replace the items that are kicked, thrown, hit and tossed during the normal course of competition.

Speed & Agility Trainers $600.00 USDStarting Block Cart $500.00 USDStarting Pistol $300.00 USDStarting Blocks $250.00 USDVolleyball Basket $250.00 USDRacquetball or Pickleball Racquets $50.00 USDGame Balls $50.00 USDRelay Batons $20.00 USDCones $25.00 USDWhistles $5.00 USD

Gymnastics
The Park District offers gymnastics programs for children ages 4 and up. This program offers instruction for a wide variety of ages and levels.

Landing Mat $2,500.00 USDWedges $800.00 USDFold Up Mats $800.00 USDTraining Octagons $800.00 USDClimbing Rope $500.00 USDChalk $50.00 USD

Aquatics & Fitness
At The Center the community can work towards broad goals of overall health and well being with a large number of machines, weights, bikes and accessories.

Music System $3,000.00 USDAqua Exercise Bikes $2,500.00 USDMicrophone Headset $500.00 USDLifeguard Cap Packs $50.00 USDSwim Fins $30.00 USDYoga Mats $20.00 USDBender Balls $10.00 USDJump Ropes $10.00 USDBands $10.00 USD

General Programs
Thanks to the Foundation, the Park District is able to offer FREE annual events for the community.

Fire Pit $300.00 USDRollerskates $200.00 USDElf Costumes $100.00 USDArt Supplies $100.00 USDBoard Games $25.00 USDBooks $20.00 USD

Donor Recognition

2024 IN REVIEW

Major Grants & Donations

• $5,000 GRANT from the Geneseo Foundation to be received annually for the next 6 years. This has allowed the Park District to continue to offer FREE Swim Lessons to all 3rd graders.
• $20,000 GRANT from Geneseo Foundation to support the FUNding Positive Recreational Experiences Scholarship Program. FUNding POSITIVE RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES is a Financial Assistance Program that strives to remove the financial barriers that may prevent Park District residents from enjoying a Positive Recreational Experience.
• $28,5000 GRANT from the Geneseo Foundation to help support the new Discovery Club Program. These programs are Free for Members and offer children a variety of Activities that are fun, educational, and offer opportunities for exploration and discovery.
• $10,000 GRANT Charles G. Davis Trust for the Athletic Field Playground Project.
• $5,000 DONATION unrestricted donations.
• $1,000 DONATION from the Karen & Wilmar Kohne Fund to support Anderson Park.
• $1,000 DONATION for the Steve Adams Memorial Art Scholarship – allowed young artists to take one art class through Geneseo Park District/Smith Studio for free.
• $10,500 DONATION from The Keppy Foundation and private donors for gymnastics coaches’ fees and the competitive gymnastics program.

Other Donations/Fundraisers

• The 1st annual Play it Forward Geneseo Sports Equipment Swap Fundraiser was held.
• A Rock & Roll Bingo Fundraiser was held to raise funds for competitive gymnastics.
• Bake Sale Fundraisers were held to raise funds for competitive gymnastics.
• Preschool, Swim Team & Gymnastics Apparel Stores – Online apparel fundraisers to help support each of these program areas.
• In 2023 the Steve Alexander Memorial Scholarship was established. Thanks to donations made in memory of Steve Alexander, the Geneseo Park District Foundation will fund the Steve Alexander Memorial Lifeguard Certification for a minimum of five years. Steve came back to work at the Geneseo Park District 5 years ago on June 18, 2018. There is a maximum of 10 patrons per course. This memorial will honor Steve, help train future lifeguards and remove the financial barrier that may prevent some from being able to participate in this course.
• In 2024 the Geneseo Park District Foundation received a 8% bonus from Birdies for Charity.

Due to the community’s continued support, the Foundation has been able to help the Geneseo Park District offer...

FREE ANNUAL COMMUNITY EVENTS such as a Community Camp Out, Outdoor Summer Movie Night series, Easter Egg Hunt, Turkey Trot, Special Skate Nights, Kayak Class, Flick & Float, Back to School Bash, Santa at the Center, Jinglebell Obstacle Course, Free Swims and Free Inflatables, & more. >>Learn More

FREE MOVIES at Central Theater over Springbreak and Christmas. >>Learn More

FREE WATER WALKING in the John & Carla Edwards Aquatic Center’s Current Channel. >>Learn More

FREE ACTIVE ADULT/SENIOR ACTIVITIES a variety of fitness & social activities are offered for free each month. >>Learn More

FREE ACTIVE ADULT/SENIOR ACTIVITIES a variety of fitness & social activities are offered for free each month. >>Learn More

Donor Board

YOUR NAME BELONGS HERE
Giving back to your community has never been easier. >>Learn How

Donations will be split into the following 6 levels.

Orange Leaf $500 - $999
Green Leaf $1,000 - $4,999
Yellow Leaf $5,000 - $19,999
Red Leaf $20,000 - $49,999
Brown Leaf $50,000 - $99,999
Multi-Color $100,000+

Geneseo Park District Foundation Donor Wall Rules & Regulations

• All monetary donations to the Foundation over $500 will be eligible to be included on the donor wall in the main hallway of the Geneseo Community Center with a few exceptions. Because donor recognition programs are already in place at Anderson Memorial Park, Make a Splash and for benches these recognition programs will remain the same.;
• Parktoberfest sponsorships, live and silent auctions purchases, and raffles are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law but will not be recognized on the donor wall. Goods or services are received in exchange for all of these Parktoberfest items.
• The donor wall will be updated once annually in January of every year./li>
• The Geneseo Park District Foundation will establish the placement of the acknowledgment on the donor wall. Donors will be responsible for completing the provided form indicating how they would like to be recognized within the established guidelines as indicated on the provided form./li>
• The Geneseo Park District Foundation has the final authority to remove any public acknowledgment of a previously honored donor.

The Geneseo Park District Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization and all donations to the Foundation are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Joni Beck Remembrance Path

ENGRAVED BRICK PAVERS

Thanks to a generous donation from Howard Beck in loving memory of his wife Joni, we now have the ideal setting within Anderson Memorial Park to honor a loved one or commemorate special occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, graduations, retirements, and birthdays with a permanent engraved brick paver along the Joni Beck Remembrance Path.
All proceeds benefit the Geneseo Park District Foundation.

Details

• Each paver is engraved with up to three lines of type with a maximum of nineteen characters per line including spacing, punctuation and special characters.
• Pavers are ordered two times per year. The following are the cut-off dates for orders and the approximate date of installation:
  • Order by April 1st Installed by July 1st
  • Order by August 1st Installed by November 1st weather permitting
• Every effort will be made to install the pavers by the dates listed above.
• The Geneseo Park District will place the pavers. Requests for placement in specific locations or sections are not allowed.
• The Park District works hard to ensure the pavers are protected and the park is beautifully maintained. Because pavers are made of natural and man-made materials, the colors can vary slightly from brick to brick and a fading of color is expected during the first few years.

JONI BECK REMEMBRANCE PATH PAVER SUBMISSION FORM

Submission Form Examples

Equipment SWAP

NOW ACCEPTING DONATIONS

Help us keep good quality sporting equipment in circulation, provide low-cost sporting equipment AND support the Geneseo Park District Foundation that provides free Community events and offers financial assistance for Park District memberships and programs.

HOW IT WORKS

• Drop your gently used sports equipment in the collection box at the Geneseo Community Center's front desk THRU MARCH 23, 2025 during regular business hours.
  Geneseo Community Center
  541 E. North St. | Geneseo
  Open Monday-Friday 5:00 am - 9:00 pm and Saturday & Sunday 6:00 am - 3:00 pm
• Click here for a complete list of accpetable/unacceptable items
• You will receive ONE $5 voucher for your donation that can be redeemed during the swap event. Because this is a fundraiser, each person will receive just one $5 donation voucher.
• No donations will be accepted the day of the event.

SWAP DATES & TIMES

• Two dates to shop to fit your busy schedule:
  MARCH 29, 2025 | 10 AM – 1 PM
  Held at The Center
  541 East North Street | Geneseo, IL
  APRIL 13, 2025 | Noon – 3 PM
  Held at the Athletic Field Sideline Room
  407 East North Street | Geneseo, IL
• Bring your own reusable bag to the swap event
• All proceeds go to the Geneseo Park District Foundation empowering the Geneseo Park District to enhance the quality of life in our community by providing a positive recreational experience for all.