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The Council on Foundations has announced that the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has received a Critical Impact Award in recognition of its Access to Recreation initiative. The national award recognizes grantmaking foundations that have demonstrated innovative leadership, bold vision, and significant impact in advancing the common good through effective grantmaking.

Partners providing statewide leadership for the initiative include Donors Forum (Illinois), Ohio Grantmakers Forum, Indiana Grantmakers Alliance, and the Council of Michigan Foundations.

Beginning in 2006 with an initial grant to Midwest Community Foundations’ Ventures, 22 local community foundations in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan subsequently received grants ranging from $52,000 to $425,000 to build recreation projects that provide inclusive access beyond that mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act to help create an inclusive “equality of experience.” The most visible result of the initiative are more than 40 recreation projects that include trails, wildlife viewing blinds, an indoor greenhouse, playgrounds, splash pads, and more.

In all cases, advisory groups included people with disabilities or family members and advocates of people with disabilities to bring new ideas to the design process and to ensure that the final product met the high standards of the initiative.

Not as visible, but just as important, were strategies developed to bring communities together to address local recreation needs; to influence public policy as it pertains to accessibility; and to build awareness of the increasing need for accessible recreation.

As part of its efforts to build collaboration and community support, Access to Recreation brought new definition to the role of recreation as it serves the public – as a driver of improved health, economic development, and social justice.

“We are so incredibly proud of the work of our Illinois grantees,” said Valerie Lies, president and CEO of Donors Forum, a membership association that works to strengthen philanthropy and the nonprofit sector in Illinois. “Their commitment to accessible recreation has not only created inclusive family activities, but also changed perspectives and attitudes, fostering a community that is welcoming to citizens of all ages and abilities.”

In Illinois, local community foundation grantees and recreation projects include Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, Sangamon County Community Foundation, DuPage Community Foundation, and Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation.

Donors Forum is a membership association that strengthens philanthropy and the nonprofit community in Illinois by providing resources — education, networking, public policy leadership, research, library services, publications, and a website — for grantmakers and nonprofits. In so doing, Donors Forum increases the ability of the philanthropic and nonprofit sector to meet the needs and enhance the lives of individuals, families, and communities throughout Illinois.