
Kane County Awards Over $1 Million in Grand Victoria Riverboat Funds to Community Projects
The Kane County Board has approved more than $1 million in funding for 26 community-based projects through the Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund.
Under a longstanding agreement with the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, Kane County receives annual contributions to invest in initiatives that strengthen and enrich local communities. For Fiscal Year 2025, the Riverboat Committee was tasked with evaluating proposals from nonprofit organizations and units of local government and recommended $1,066,613 in funding to support a range of local projects.
Among the recipients:
Food for Greater Elgin received $66,322 to expand warehouse operations and purchase needed equipment.
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley was awarded $72,266 toward the acquisition of an Operations & Outreach Center.
Mutual Ground, Inc. will use its $60,000 grant to repair and pave a parking lot serving individuals affected by domestic and sexual violence.
Quad County Urban League was granted $51,492 for the purchase of a van and technology equipment to expand outreach and programming.
University of Illinois Extension – Kane County will receive $76,383 to support its community educational programs.
Other projects range from infrastructure improvements and accessibility upgrades to educational technology and mental health services. Proposals were reviewed based on impact, feasibility, budget soundness, and the ability to leverage additional funding.
Now fully approved as part of the county’s FY2025 budget, the selected organizations are expected to begin work on their projects in the coming months.
FY2025 Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund – External Project Awards
Big Rock Plowing Match Association – Tree Revitalization at Plowman's Park – $51,244
Community Crisis Center (Project 1) – Replacement of Flooring in Dining Hall – $29,268
Community Crisis Center (Project 2) – Replacement of Flooring/New Appliances in Kitchen – $32,564
Dundee Township Historical Society – Solar Lit Flag and Flagpole – $2,764
Easter Seals DuPage & Fox Valley Region – Purchase of Physical Therapy Equipment – $25,943
Family Service Association of Greater Elgin Area – Technology System Upgrade – $70,740
Food for Greater Elgin – Expansion of Warehouse Operations & Equipment – $66,322
Friends of the Fox River – Schweitzer Center Facility Improvements – $25,000
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley – Operations & Outreach Center Acquisition – $72,266
Hawthorne Hill Nature Center – Eco-Island Installation – $7,294
Little Friends, Inc. – Purchase of 14-Passenger Bus – $44,471
Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, Inc. – Purchase of Food Storage Freezer – $7,738
Marklund Children’s Home – Inspire Nurse Leaders Training Program – $20,000
Mutual Ground, Inc. – Remove, Repair, and Pave Parking Lot – $60,000
Northern Illinois Food Bank – Milling and Resurfacing of Parking Lot – $79,286
PADS of Elgin (Project 2) – Vehicle Purchase – $42,160
Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley (Project 1) – Beith House Interior Rehabilitation – $49,146
Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley (Project 2) – Fabyan Villa Museum & Japanese Garden Upgrades – $23,826
Quad County Urban League, Inc. – Van and Technology Equipment – $51,492
Rising Lights Project – Sensory Garden – $22,567
Side Street Studio Arts, NFP – Future Home Project – $64,875
Suicide Prevention Services of America – Upgrade Electrical System and Refinish Flooring – $13,330
The Neighbor Project – New Classroom, Office, and Accessible Lobby/Entrance – $67,480
The Wong Center for Education – VEX Robotics League – $35,643
Tri City Health Partnership – Technology Upgrade – $24,811
University of Illinois Extension, Kane County – Community Educational Programs – $76,383
Total: $1,066,613
