By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The Rockford IceHogs Community Fund and the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation on Tuesday awarded a $20,000 grant to Think Big, a nonprofit that helps women and minority entrepreneurs grow their business.
The grant is part of $127,000 the IceHogs and Blackhawks are awarding to local organizations and charities during this year’s grant cycle.
“Back in 2021 when the Blackhawks purchased the IceHogs we made a commitment together to make Rockford a better place to live, work — a better place to be,” said Ryan Snider, the IceHogs president of business operations.
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Think Big will use the funds to increase the number of cohorts for its quarterly school of business. It also will allow it to offer how-to workshops and provide more one-on-one coaching for entrepreneurs.
“We’ll be able to take a handful of individuals who are in brick-and-mortar (businesses) and actually walk with them side-by-side through the process and make sure they are sustainable in our community and are able to upscale their business,” said Sheila Hill, who co-founded the nonprofit with Duntai Mathews. “That’s something that we have not done in the past, but we think that it’s something that is worthwhile to our community and the economic growth of our community.”
This is the second year the IceHogs and Blackhawks have awarded a grant to Think Big. Last year’s $50,000 grant helped the nonprofit launch its Think Big! School of Business 2.0 and provide 11 mini-grants to local businesses.
Since its debut in 2019, Think Big has had 162 entrepreneurs graduate from its school of business and 96 have gone on to register a new business.
“The Rockford IceHogs can only succeed if our community is strong, and our community will be at its strongest if our economy is robust and if our citizens are well-educated,” said Dave Costello, manager of marketing and community relations for the IceHogs. “Think Big is an organization that is making a positive impact in both of those spheres of influence, and our community is better for it.”
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The IceHogs Community Fund raises money through special jersey auctions, chuck-a-puck events, raffles and other fundraisers.
Next up for Think Big is breaking ground on its future small business development center at 1311 N. Main St., the former Jerome Interiors building.
City Council members last week approved a workforce development agreement with Kee Solutions to renovate the property while mentoring six young adults to prepare them for future careers in the trades.
IceHogs Community Fund | 2023
Here’s a look at other grants in this year’s cycle announced so far. More grants awarded will be revealed later this year.
- $10,000 to VanVleet Family Foundation for 67 kids to attend Fred VanVleet’s Summer Camp
- $34,000 for the Rockford Park District’s Junior StreetHogs outreach program
- $10,000 for the Rockford Park District’s first Buddy Hockey program for participants with disabilities
- $10,000 to Rockford Hockey Club to reduce season fees for players at the 8 and under level
- $10,000 to Rock House Kids to help serve a larger number of children in after-school programs
- $6,500 to The Greg Lindmark Foundation to connect first responders to counseling services
- $6,500 to Easterseals for diagnostic assessments for children ages 3-12 on a one-year waiting list
- $10,000 to Rockford Razorbacks Lacrosse for fees and equipment assistance for 15 kids
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas