R1 Foundation

As a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation, R1 Foundation is authorized to perform the following activities.

1. Promote the growth and sustainability of Region 1 Planning Council, a special-purpose form of government established for the purpose of guiding and accomplishing coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the region, and of public improvements and utilities therein in accordance with the needs of the region to promote health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity, efficiency and economy in the process of development and the general welfare of said region, and any further purpose as permitted by law.

Benefits include:

• Reducing government burden by fulfilling the needs of government entities for long-range planning, securing funding, and analyzing and providing data in support of regional projects and initiatives;

• Supporting the erection or maintenance of public buildings, monuments, or works through economic development planning and implementation; transportation infrastructure planning and funding; and providing below-market grant consulting and administrative services to nonprofits and governmental bodies;

• Promoting social welfare by reducing community blight; and enabling access to affordable housing and transportation, employment; and

• Advancing public education through community engagement in planning activities.

2. Develop financial resources to support the purpose of the Commission and its stakeholders.

As a result, the Foundation will reduce the burden on government by creating a technical assistance fund to support government and charitable entity initiatives. Additionally, this will reduce reliance on member tax revenue to support Commission operations.

3. Seek gifts, contributions, donations, and bequests (herein generally called “gifts”) for its purposes. While the Corporation specifically encourages unrestricted gifts whose principal and/or income therefrom may be used for the Corporation’s purposes in the discretion of the Board of the Corporation, the Board will accept gifts for a restricted or otherwise designated purpose if such restriction is determined by the Board to be acceptable or otherwise conforms with these Bylaws and any other statutory guidelines, statutes, or tax code established by the Board for such restricted gifts. With respect to said solicitation policy, no solicitation of funds will take place until such time as appropriate registration has been accomplished as to the statutory requirements of said state and jurisdiction wherein funds are solicited, including any filings that may be required by the Illinois Charitable Trust Act and/or the Illinois Solicitation for Charity Act.

R1 Foundation is a federally recognized 501c3 tax-exempt nonprofit organization. As such, gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Donors should consult their accountant regarding the specific tax benefits and eligibility.

Staff Liaison: Michael Dunn, Executive Director | mdunn@r1planning.org