CHAMPAIGN/URBANA, IL – Kelly Hill, The Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation (CUSF) Executive Director, has announced plans to retire on July 1. Hill has served CUSF since May of 2018 and has helped to elevate the profile of the 36-year-old organization throughout her tenure. “I have enjoyed building a supportive network of individuals and local businesses who value the work of our educators. It has been an incredible privilege to support these educators who give so much to their students and families in Champaign and Urbana. I will miss this kind and welcoming community, and look forward to more time with family and friends in my home state of Colorado.”
Hill joined the CUSF staff in May of 2018. During FY18, CUSF distributed $104,500 in teacher grants, pass-throughs, and scholarships. Five years later in FY23, CUSF distributions have grown to $302,083 in these same categories. Today the foundation has relationships with over forty Community Partners who help support its signature programming, including the 365 Club Breakfast, Distinguished Alumni Recognitions, and teacher and staff appreciation programs.
During Hill’s tenure, CUSF has achieved all its strategic goals and objectives as outlined in FY21. These included; developing a sustainable growth funding model, raising the organization’s community profile, supporting, and expanding innovative experiences through teacher grants, and investing in operational personnel resources.
“It’s difficult to overstate how much Kelly will be missed,” said CUSF Board Chair and Urbana attorney Daniel Thies. “She is the rare person who combines strategic vision and operational acumen with a deft personal touch in everything she does. The relationships she has forged with stakeholders across the community have been an enormous asset to the Foundation. She will be difficult to replace, and our community should be extremely grateful for the years she has invested here.”
Thies says a search committee has been formed, to be chaired by CUSF Board Member and Director for Human Resources for Student Affairs administration at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Sonya Holley. The search committee is currently accepting applications for the position, which the Board anticipates will be filled no later than June 1, 2024.
The mission of the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation is to invest in an equitable and empowered future for Champaign Urbana by strengthening the community’s commitment to our public schools, teachers, and students.
