From the campaign trail to a campus office at John A. Logan College.
After Glenn Poshard's 1998 run for Illinois governor, he and his wife Jo asked themselves a simple question: what's next? The answer became the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children.
A second career built on one decision
Glenn Poshard taught government, served in the Illinois Senate, spent a decade in the U.S. Congress, and later led Southern Illinois University. But when he and Jo sat down after the 1998 governor's race to ask "what's next," the answer had nothing to do with politics. All I want to do is help kids, Glenn told her — and the Foundation was chartered the following year.
John A. Logan College offered the new foundation office space and amenities, a partnership that continues today. The Foundation opened its doors in 1999 with an early anonymous gift of $250,000 and a simple vision: heal abused children physically and emotionally, and help stop the cycle of abuse.
Jo Poshard retired from a 34-year teaching career in 2005 and has run the Foundation full-time ever since — without salary or expense reimbursement.
We call John A. Logan College our home
Since 1999, John A. Logan College in Carterville has provided the Foundation's office space and amenities at no charge — one reason nearly all of every dollar raised goes directly to children rather than overhead.
How the Foundation has grown
Chartered as a 501(c)(3) public charity, with an anonymous founding gift of $250,000. John A. Logan College provides office space.
Built a 6,000 sq. ft. shelter for women and children in Cairo, IL — largely funded through donated labor-union work.
Jo Poshard retires from teaching after 34 years and takes on running the Foundation as a full-time, unpaid second career.
Helps fund a children's emergency shelter at the Night's Shield/Roan Center in West Frankfort and the children's wing at Centerstone in Carbondale.
Launches the modern Christmas Toy Giveaway after the end of the longtime "Pat's Kids" radio partnership — starting with 215 children served.
Distributes over $600,000 in COVID-19 relief grants to food pantries and social service agencies across more than 20 Southern Illinois counties.
Christmas Toy Giveaway reaches 700 children; Foundation surpasses $10 million raised and granted since 1999.
Marks 27 years of service with another round of Child Abuse Prevention Month grants to dozens of regional agencies.
We don't take state or federal money — on purpose
The Foundation is funded entirely by individual donors and area businesses. With no rent, no salaries, and no government strings attached, the Foundation can respond the same day a caseworker calls — rather than waiting on a grant cycle. That independence is also why, during Child Abuse Prevention Month every April, the Foundation can put grant checks directly into the hands of two to three dozen local agencies at once.