ROCKFORD, IL – The Blazer Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce that by the end of 2018, they will have awarded a total of $853,830 in grants to local organizations. Some of the organizations receiving grants include the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Barbara Olson Center of Hope, Discovery Center, Fish-abled Foundation, Gigi’s Playhouse of Rockford, Lifescape Community Services, Milestone Inc., RAMP, Rockford Park District, Rockford Rescue Mission, Special Olympics Illinois, Walter Lawson Children’s Home, and YMCA of Rock River Valley.

The Blazer Foundation Board continues to stay focused on the Foundation’s mission, “to improve the lives of individuals with mental or physical disabilities and to help level the playing field so all people have the opportunity to live life to the best of their abilities.” The organizations awarded grants in 2018 have all shown a commitment that aligns with this mission. The requests include initiatives in research and development as well as programs or needs designed to directly support individuals with disabilities. The Blazer Foundation is proud of the work that these local organizations do and is honored to be able to help support them.

The Blazer Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation established by Cedric Blazer in 1986. Its mission is to support local initiatives in research and development as well as programs designed to directly support those individuals with disabilities.