In 2024, the Animal Rescue Foundation (A.R.F) received a $25,000 grant through DuPage Foundation’s Community Impact grant program to help support the Medical Miracles program, providing medical care for over 100 dogs and cats, or 10% of our annual intake. DuPage Foundation awarded nearly $580,000 to 56 not-for-profit organizations across DuPage County through its fall discretionary grant programs – Community Impact, Arts DuPage, and Glen Ellyn Fund. This vital investment in education, environment, animal welfare, and arts organizations will directly empower these organizations to continue their critical work, making a real and lasting difference in the lives of countless residents, and affirm DuPage’s reputation as a destination for the arts. 

The Animal Rescue Foundation (A.R.F.) began in 1985 when a small group of dedicated volunteers in the Chicagoland area started rescuing cats and dogs from high-kill shelters in rural downstate Illinois, transporting them north for adoption and ensuring they received necessary medical care. As the volunteer base grew, A.R.F. was formally established and granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status on June 24, 2006. The organization’s efforts expanded rapidly, necessitating the acquisition of a central facility in 2020 to support animal intake, application processing, and medical care. A.R.F. is a no-kill, foster-based organization with over 230 volunteers and no paid staff, focused on rescuing animals that other groups often overlook, including older animals and those with complex medical needs. Each year, A.R.F. rescues over 1,000 dogs and cats, working tirelessly to find them loving forever homes.

“We are so grateful for the support from the DuPage Foundation,” said Danielle Spence, Marketing & Grants Manager at A.R.F. “There are few funding opportunities available to support animal rescues in our area, so this grant means the world to us. Thanks to their generosity, we can provide not only routine care but also life-saving procedures for so many animals in need. Without this support, many of these animals would face euthanasia or prolonged suffering. Their contribution is going to help us continue our mission to rescue, heal, and find forever homes for these deserving animals.”

“We are proud to share that 72% percent of eligible grant applications submitted this fall received funding,” said Barb Szczepaniak, DuPage Foundation vice president for programs. “Our grant program exists because of generous donors who have made unrestricted gifts or established endowed field-of-interest funds at the Foundation. These ‘forever funds’ are invested wisely and generate income that fuels our discretionary grantmaking. While the number of requests we receive always exceeds the amount of funding available in our budget, this cycle we received $217,550 in additional support for grants from local funders and our donor-advised fund partners. By working together, we are providing critical support to our community’s not-for-profits. That’s the power of coordinated impact at work!”  

For further information regarding A.R.F., please contact Danielle Spence, Marketing and Grants Manager, at danielle.spence@arf-il.org

About DuPage Foundation

DuPage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) community foundation, is DuPage County’s champion for philanthropy. DuPage Foundation manages more than $145 million in assets and has awarded more than $100 million in grants since its founding in 1986. Individuals and organizations seeking to provide impactful support to address critical issues in DuPage County and beyond can create powerful customizable gift solutions and partnerships through DuPage Foundation. Learn more at dupagefoundation.org. Doing a world of good in our own backyard.®