Justice Miller Charitable Fund Awards More Than $1.2 Million

A new charitable fund established in honor of the late Justice Benjamin K. Miller has awarded more than $1.2 million in grants to organizations serving women, children and families throughout central Illinois.

The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln announced that the Justice Benjamin K. Miller Charitable Fund was created through a $3.2 million gift from the Justice Ben Miller Declaration of Trust. The fund was established to continue Miller's commitment to public service and charitable giving by supporting nonprofit organizations in the region.

The fund recently distributed a total of $1.21 million in grants to seven organizations.

Wooden It Be Lovely received $250,000, while MERCY Communities was also awarded $250,000. Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery received $250,000, and the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault was awarded $310,000.

Additional grants included $50,000 to Petersburg United Methodist Church, $50,000 to Pregnancy Care Center of Springfield Inc., and $50,000 to Sojourn Shelter & Services Inc.

In addition to the grant awards, the Justice Ben Miller Declaration of Trust made a separate $300,000 gift directly to Wooden It Be Lovely to assist with the purchase of a building for the organization's operations.

According to the Community Foundation, the grants reflect Justice Miller's charitable legacy by supporting organizations that provide services and resources to women, children and families.

The foundation also recognized trustees Karen Hasara, Jennifer A. Johnson, Carol Pope and Janice DiGirolamo for their work in carrying out Justice Miller's charitable wishes through the trust.