2023 was the year the Foundation reached an amazing number: In the fourth quarter, we’re pleased to announce that we reached over $4.5 MILLION in donations since the inception of the FT Cares Foundation! The actual number is $4,523,891... a number we couldn’t have imagined when we began FT Cares in 2006 (which then became the FT Cares Foundation in 2012).
How It All Began. We began First Trust’s philanthropic journey with an idea and a hope that we could help to transform lives locally, nationally and globally. We’ve grown and evolved since then, but our mission statement has not changed. We knew we had an incredibly giving firm and colleagues, and you have astonished us every single year. Through the generosity of our Foundation Partners and donors, we have transformed lives for thousands. We’ve touched all 50 states and 26 countries.
We often used the term “We’re just getting started” in the early years because we were so anxious to grow and donate to charitable organizations in and around DuPage County. The mission added National and Global help in 2012. Twelve years down the road, we’re as excited as ever to do the work and continue the Foundation’s mission to transform lives! We thank all who helped make this journey such an impactful one!
Some numbers from 2023:
We gave away over $792,000 to 117 charity organizations!
We performed 9 service projects: 5 in Wheaton and 4 in Austin. Also, Light the Torch 5K celebrated its 10th year; we had 791 runners and the Foundation’s proceeds were well over $25,000, which we in turn donated to several organizations!
110 Thanksgiving baskets were created: 66 in Wheaton and 44 in Austin; we also donated food to Milton Township and Wayne Township!
Other Contributions Last Year:
Foundation Week in July raised $50,000
For Christmas, in Wheaton we impacted dozens of families and kids:
Toys for kids in the foster care system for CASA Kane County
Backpacks for students in need at various local schools in DuPage County
Presents for kids from Army Trail Elementary School who are homeless/live in a shelter
Gifts for kids fighting cancer with Cal’s Angels
Gifts for a family through Milton Township
For Christmas in Austin, we had a big impact as well:
Helped fill the shelves for S.A.F.E
Used Partnerships for Children’s Wish List to get gifts for kids it serves
Delivered gifts to Saint Louise House for the families it serves
The Foundation is grateful to all who helped make 2023 a great year of giving.
And stay tuned, because we’re already working on 2024!!
