About the Fund

Paving the Way for Tomorrow's CPAs

The CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois, working in cooperation with the Illinois CPA Society, encourages individuals to consider accounting as a career choice and helps students through scholarships and other programs.

• Make a Gift
• History 
• Leadership
• Endowed Funds
  

Hear from our future CPAs…

History  

The CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois was formed in 1998 to ensure ongoing funding for Illinois CPA Society and collaborative partner outreach programs geared toward attracting students to the CPA profession and to support individuals with financial needs once they decide to become CPAs. A Founders’ Council, comprised of 22 Society leaders dedicated to the profession’s future, anchors the Fund and many Illinois CPA Society members have given generously. While the CPA Endowment Fund maintains charitable tax-exempt status separate from the Illinois CPA Society, a lasting collaborative relationship is maintained.

Leadership  

While established as a separate not-for-profit, the Fund works hand-in-hand with ICPAS staff and volunteer leadership through the Fund's Board of Directors. Currently there are 25 leaders in the CPA profession who serve on the board.

Staff: Julie Lenner, Director of Development, 312.993.0407 ext 290 & Paige Walus, Fundraising Specialist, 312.993.0407 ext. 205

Endowed Funds  

In addition to the General Fund, which supports Illinois CPA Society scholarship and outreach programs, several funds have been established with generous donor support.

• Illinois CPA Society Women’s Executive Committee’s Advancing Women in Accounting Scholarship Fund
  The Society’s Women’s Executive Committee has taken a lead role in developing and supporting this Fund.  Through the generosity of nearly 200 contributors, including a lead gift from Ernst & Young LLP, this Fund currently supports a scholarship program for outstanding women accounting students.
  
  
• Herman J. Neal Fund 
  This Fund was established in honor of the deceased Dr. Herman J. Neal to memorialize his strong commitment to opening doors of opportunity for African-Americans.  It supports scholarships for African-American accounting students.
  
  
• Mary T. Washington Wylie Opportunity Fund 
  Established to carry on the legacy of Mary T. Washington Wylie, the first black female to attain her CPA license, this Fund will support educational opportunities that encourage and support African-American students to become CPAs.  Washington, Pittman & McKeever, LLC, the Chicago firm Mrs. Washington founded, made a lead contribution to launch this Fund.
  
  
• Arthur R. Wyatt Accounting Scholarship Fund
  Arthur R. Wyatt, Adjunct Professor of Accountancy and a Founder of the CPA Endowment Fund, established this Fund to support a scholarship program for graduate level accounting students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he teaches.
  
  
• Kenneth J. Hull and Jacqueline M. Hull/Illinois CPA Society Accounting Scholarship Fund
  Kenneth J. Hull, CPA, retired President and CEO of Follett Corporation, demonstrated his commitment to his profession and alma mater by launching a scholarship program for accounting students at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
   
• Marian Powers Accounting Scholarship Fund
  Established by Belverd E. Needles, Jr. and Marian Powers, this scholarship fund supports high-achieving accounting students at Chicago State University.  Marian Powers is an alum of Chicago State, and the donors’ commitment to the University extends well beyond issuing scholarships, they also provide mentoring and career programs.
  
  
• Needles/Snow/Wish Accounting Education Fund
  Belverd E. Needles, Jr., CPA, William B. Snow, CPA, and Ernest R. Wish, CPA launched the Success Through Scholarship program for undergraduate accounting students at DePaul University. DePaul and members of DePaul’s Ledger & Quill, the alumni organization of their School of Accountancy, have also contributed to support some of DePaul’s best and brightest.

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