Community Involvement

Founded in 1953, the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is a regional leader in philanthropy. With more than $140 million in assets and more than 400 individual funds, CFNIL makes grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to local students.

Endowments at CFNIL are prudently invested and preserved to provide permanent funding for community needs. Over 90% of CFNIL’s assets are permanently endowed, meaning that those assets will serve Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties in perpetuity.

Waterside Financial Advisors regularly donates to the Community Foundation of Northern IL, and we firmly believe in the good that the Community Foundation of Northern IL provides for the community.

NAMI Northern Illinois envisions a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares.

Waterside Financial Advisors shares in their mission and supports their community efforts.

Clutch Sports Media (CSM) provides high-quality live coverage of the most-watched sporting events in Central Illinois, including local sporting events for Rockford-area high schools. CSM was founded in 2019 by two Bradley University broadcasting students, Joey Wright and Larry Larson. They strive to provide the most polished, comprehensive, accurate and highest quality broadcasts possible.

Waterside Financial Advisors is featured in their broadcasts of girls and boys sports for multiple area high schools.

Food Truck Tuesdays is a weekly seasonal event (May-October) where local food trucks park along the Rock River near Nicholas Conservatory. Community members come to grab a bite and connect with friends and family near the river. Check out this short video about  Food Truck Tuesdays

During this event, there are free Trolley Rides that shuttle people between parking areas. This trolley is made possible by sponsors, including Waterside Financial Advisors.

The Blackhawk Area Council is chartered by the national council of the Boy Scouts of America. Blackhawk Area Council is headquartered in Rockford, IL, and serves southwestern Wisconsin and northwestern Illinois. Their mission is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Youth training includes values, leadership, citizenship and service.

Waterside Financial Advisors shares in that mission for our community by supporting fundraising events like clay pigeon shoots, golf tournaments, and more!

The Rockford Park District’s City of Gardens adds to the beauty seen throughout our community during spring and summer with their hanging basket program. The program began in 1999 with just 18 baskets and quickly blossomed to more than 200 baskets that line our downtown and surrounding area streets and bridges. Their hanging basket initiative has received national recognition by “America in Bloom”, and received the state Hometown Award for volunteerism.

Waterside Financial Advisors donates to the Hanging Basket Program yearly.

Established in 1948, the Greenwich Village Art Fair is the longest running art fair of its kind in the Midwest. All artwork is original and produced by the exhibiting arts. Proceeds from the fair benefit education programs and additional art exhibitions. Waterside Financial Advisors is a proud supporter and sponsor.