Campus News

Contacts:
Pam Clark Reidenbach, Director, Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence at Rockford University: 815-226-2833
Director of Communications Rita Elliott, 815-226-3374

Rockford, Ill., – The United Way of Rock River Valley confirmed their partnership with the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE) at Rockford University through a three-year commitment of $51,000. Funds will be used to build nonprofit capacity, draw national experts to our community, create dialogue on best practices, and support the integration of additional NICNE resources into the academic units at the University.

‌‌“United Way has been a strong partner with NICNE throughout our 11 year history. This three year commitment demonstrates their continued support of nonprofits and the crucial role they play in creating a healthy community and strong economy,” said Pam Clark Reidenbach, director of NICNE. Funds from United Way of Rock River Valley are coupled with a $60,000 three-year grant awarded by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. The combined $111,000 allows NICNE, UWRRV and the CFNIL to focus critical, capacity-building services for area nonprofit organizations on best practices that will “move the needle” in the right direction and demonstrate impact and significant value of the nonprofit sector.

“NICNE has been at the forefront of our community, encouraging regional collaboration that has resulted in a nonprofit sector that is second to none,” adds Paul Logli, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Rock River Valley. “The Northern Illinois region faces many issues including poverty, unemployment, and low education achievement. We must contend also with the struggling economy and massive cuts to social spending by the State of Illinois. Nonprofits agencies have never been so crucial to the improvement of our community and the betterment of our citizenry.”

NICNE was first formed in 2004 and has grown to reach more than 1,200 individuals from over 220 nonprofit organizations in 13 counties each year. United Way of Rock River Valley advances the common good in Winnebago and Ogle counties, creating opportunities for a better life by focusing on education, income, and health.

For more information about the Northern Center for Nonprofit Excellence, United Way Rock River Valley or the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, visit:

www.rockford.edu/community/nicne/
www.unitedwayrrv.org
cfnil.org/