The Illiana Genealogical & Historical Society Foundation was established in 2017 to assist in promoting public awareness of the Illiana Genealogical & Historical Society, as well as to enlist financial support to further its mission and to ensure its future.
The IGHS Foundation has initiated the annual Historic Preservation Award to recognize individuals who, through their dedicated and sustained efforts, have worked to research, promote, and preserve our local history for future generations. Past honorees include:
- Sybil Mervis (2018)
- Don and Sue Richter (2019)
- Larry Weatherford (2022)
- The late Canon John J. Flattery (2022)
- Alan and Rebecca Woodrum (2023)
The Foundation annually awards grants to IGHS to support the society in its work. In 2019, the Foundation made a donation to help purchase the new state-of-the-art reader/printer equipment to allow for better and easier access to the microfilm holdings of the society.
Officers
- Mark Denman, President
- Joe Skowronski, Vice- President
- Jackie Gumm, Secretary
- Darla Sigmon, Treasurer
- Rene Blessent, Director
- Lynnette Ervin, Director
- Paula Hurst, Director
- Carolyn Livingston, Director
- Kathie Porter, Director
- Melanie Stevenson, Director
- Sheila Switzer, Director