Mary Ridder Cherny Fund

The Mary Ridder Cherny Fund was established by Mary Agnes Ridder Cherny's family to honor her commitment to her family, vocation, and students. Mary died on November 10, 2005, after the effects of cancer claimed her life. The fund reflects her lifelong connection to music and education. As a child, Mary showed musical talent that was encouraged by her parents. Piano was her first love, and she later became an accomplished violinist while also learning oboe and cornet. She earned a music education degree, taught private lessons to young people, accompanied students on piano, and performed in bands and orchestras. The purpose of the Mary Ridder Cherny Fund is to provide financial support for Quincy public and parochial schools and for organizations serving K-12 youth who want to participate in the performing arts. Grants for Quincy public or parochial schools serving grades K-12 receive consideration, but the fund may also consider other applications that meet the goal of supporting youth participation in the performing arts outside the school setting. Grant funds may be used for purposes connected to youth participation in the performing arts. The source material states that eligible uses may include, but are not limited to, student talent or merit awards, costs of lessons, workshops, rentals, purchase of instruments, music, scripts, or related items. No award ceiling, award floor, total program funding amount, number of awards, matching requirement, or performance period is stated in the provided materials. Grants are made yearly from the fund for activities that fall within the stated charitable purpose. Advisors to the Mary Ridder Cherny Fund may make written recommendations to the Community Foundation's Board regarding grants from the fund. All grants are made at the discretion of the Board of the Community Foundation. The Community Foundation reserves the right to require return of grant funding if it determines that a grantee has not complied with the terms of the grant agreement. Requests for funding must be submitted online through the Community Foundation website at www.mycommunityfoundation.org. Applicants are instructed to use the Non-Profit Login link, log in with existing credentials or create a new account if needed, select the Apply link on the Applicant Dashboard, scroll to the Mary Ridder Cherny Grant section, click Apply, complete the application, and submit it online. The application form serves as a way to make the Community Foundation aware of deserving programs and students, and completed application forms must be received on or before June 1 each year. The application becomes available March 31 and is due June 1 each year. Grants are awarded in early September. Based on the annual deadline language, the opportunity is recurring yearly. For the current cycle analyzed on 2026-05-06, the application opened on 2026-03-31 and closes on 2026-06-01, so the opportunity is currently active and accepting applications. Questions should be directed to Kent Embree, Program Officer, Community Foundation, by phone at 217-222-1237 or by email at grants@mycommunityfoundation.org.

Emphasize how the request supports K-12 youth participation in the performing arts and connect requested expenses to eligible uses such as lessons, workshops, rentals, instruments, music, scripts, or related items.