Cunningham Family Community Endowment

Therese Cunningham

Year Founded
2010

Purpose of Fund
Grants are awarded from the Cunningham Family Community Endowment by the Board of Directors of the Putnam County Community Foundation to support the changing needs and aspirations of the people in Putnam County as the years go by.

History of Fund
The Cunningham Family Community Endowment was established by Therese Cunningham to honor her parents, John and Paula Cunningham.  “We were raised with a strong sense of gratitude for all the blessings we have been given,” said Ms. Cunningham.  “They taught us that the more we give of ourselves, the more we receive in kind.” 

John and Paula reared their four daughters to give back to their communities, and they led by example.  John and Paula volunteer at St. Joseph Hospital in Bloomington Illinois.  Patricia Cunningham works with several committees through her employer, St. John’s Hospital, in Springfield Illinois.  Therese Cunningham serves as a board member for many organizations in Putnam County, including both the Putnam County Community Foundation and the United Way of Putnam County.  Mary (Cunningham) Luttrell contributes to her community through the YMCA of Charlotte in North Carolina.  Lucy (Cunningham) Mardis donates resources to her local community in Bloomington, Illinois through many local charities. 

Now a new generation of Cunninghams is carrying on the tradition of giving back. John and Paula's four grandchildren, John Luttrell (Duke University), Maggie Luttrell (Rice University), Abbie Mardis (Elmhurst College) and Mary Mardis (Bloomington, IL Central Catholic High School) are all actively involved in community and charitable activities.