Mikulin Speaks to La Grange Lions About Collaboration and Community Investment

The La Grange Noon Lions Club recently welcomed Susannah Mikulin, CEO of the Greater Fayette Community Foundation (GFCF), as the featured guest speaker at its regular weekly meeting, held every Thursday at noon at Frisch Auf Valley Country Club in La Grange.

Mikulin shared insights about the Foundation’s service area, which now spans 19 counties, and offered a clear and inspiring definition of philanthropy as “Love of humanity.” She also reviewed the Foundation’s latest annual report and highlighted the upcoming Day of Education Rejuvenation event, scheduled for November 12, 2025.

The Day of Education Rejuvenation will feature local and regional speakers, including Lions Zone Chair Craig Moreau, who expressed his enthusiasm for the event, saying, “This is exactly the kind of collaboration that strengthens our schools, our nonprofits, churches and our communities. When we invest in non-profit education, we invest in everyone’s future.”

Mikulin emphasized GFCF’s focus on three key initiatives: the Red Door Fund for Mental Health, the Green Door Fund for Workforce Development & Education, and the Rural Community Health Fund for rural health equity. She also shared stories of recent successes, including funding a three-legged therapy dog named Roxie for Schulenburg High School and helping the Mighty Leopard High School Band raise money to perform at Carnegie Hall.

A guest of the Lions that day was Jennifer Sutherland, President of a nonprofit based in Fayetteville that operates a resale shop to meet community needs. She commented, “I really enjoyed learning how GFCF supports nonprofits like ours that are working to improve mental health and quality of life across our region.”

Through what Mikulin described as “facilitating collaboration and inspiring charitable action,” GFCF was managing $2 million of charitable funds at the end of 2024 and expects that amount to double soon. Annual scholarship awards have grown from a modest beginning of $1,000 to more than $81,000 in the most recent year.

For more information on today’s presentation, contact Susannah Mikulin at the Greater Fayette Community Foundation or Diana Wilson, President of the La Grange Noon Lions Club.