Contact: For Immediate Release
Lisa Gunggoll
Director of Operations
and Communications
708.829.8669 mobile
Donor matching program will help IPEF reach more military families in need
CHICAGO – April 16, 2013 – Illinois Patriot Education Fund (IPEF) announced today that it has formalized a partnership with the Robert R. McCormick Foundation to maximize the proceeds raised from its hallmark fundraising event, Medinah Patriot Day, taking place May 28, 2013, at
Medinah Country Club, home of the 2012 Ryder Club.
Through the partnership, IPEF will donate a portion of the proceeds from Medinah Patriot Day to the Illinois Veterans Fund, a fund of the McCormick Foundation, which will be matched 50 cents on every dollar by the McCormick Foundation. The funds designated to the Illinois Veterans Fund, plus the Foundation match, will go directly to support local nonprofit agencies that provide essential services to veterans in the area of education and career training.
“We are thrilled to be a part of the Medinah Patriot Day to help support our nation’s veterans looking to get back into school and complete their education,” said David Hiller, President and CEO of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. “We thank Illinois Patriot Education Fund for their leadership, and the funds raised, which will go to high-quality agencies supporting those who have served our country.”
“We are honored and inspired by the McCormick Foundation’s continued support.” said Mark Slaby, founder of Illinois Patriot Education Fund. “We are very grateful that the McCormick Foundation has chosen to partner with us to help amplify the educational services and opportunities available for our Illinois military families.”
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The rest of the funds raised from Medinah Patriot Day not designated to the Illinois Veterans Fund will be channeled through IPEF’s Scholarship Partners – Fisher House, Operation Homefront, Pat Tillman Foundation, Heart of a Marine Foundation and Student Veterans of America – which help to identify veterans and families and distribute needed funds. Members of the military and their qualified dependents are encouraged to apply for aid through the IPEF website at www.illinoispatrioteducationfund.org.
IPEF receives 100 percent of its funding through individual and corporate donations via its website and at its fundraising events, including Medinah Patriot Day, Bets for Vets™, and through Chicago Patriot Run, an effort to field teams for the Chicago Marathon and Shamrock Shuffle, dedicated to raising donations for IPEF through participation in these iconic local events. Furthermore, IPEF continuously seeks corporations and individuals interested in making a difference in the lives of military families and children by becoming volunteers and corporate sponsors. Please direct any and all inquiries to sponsors@illinoispatriot.com or volunteers@illinoispatriot.com.
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About the Robert R. McCormick Foundation
The Robert R. McCormick Foundation is committed to fostering communities of educated, informed and engaged citizens. Through philanthropic programs, Cantigny Park and museums, the Foundation helps develop citizen leaders and works to make life better in our communities. The Foundation was established as a charitable trust in 1955, upon the death of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. The Robert R. McCormick Foundation is one of the nation’s largest foundations, with more than $1 billion in assets. For more information, please visit www.McCormickFoundation.org, follow us on Twitter, or like us on Facebook.
About the Illinois Patriot Education Fund
The Illinois Patriot Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) based in Chicago, whose mission is to provide educational financial assistance to support Illinois military families. IPEF supplements educational needs beyond benefits provided by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Those benefits include school supplies and materials, professional tutoring programs, funding to help offset charter school costs, and scholarships. For more information please visit the official website at www.illinoispatrioteducationfund.org or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ILPatriotriotEdFund or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ILPatriotEdFund for the latest updates.