Giving Back

The Morton Pumpkin Festival’s core function is community enhancement for the Village of Morton and the Morton Chamber of Commerce. In addition to using festival revenue to support their general operations, the Morton Chamber of Commerce donates tens of thousands of dollars each year to other, local non-profit organizations that assist in the operations of the festival.

Project Pumpkin Endowment Fund

Project Pumpkin is an endowment fund the Morton Chamber of Commerce launched in 2013 in partnership with the Morton Community Foundation. The purpose of the fund is to provide access to the Morton Pumpkin Festival for families in need. To contribute to the fund, festival guests can purchase a special item at the Pumpkin Store before and during the Morton Pumpkin Festival. 100% of the proceeds from those sales go to support this fund. Direct contributions to the fund can also be sent to the Morton Community Foundation.

Volunteer Give-Back Fund

Each year, it takes thousands of volunteers to make the Pumpkin Festival a success. Many of those volunteers come in the form of non-profit organizations. This Fund provides financial contributions to non-profit and youth groups who provide a minimum of ten people to host a shift or activity during the Annual Morton Pumpkin Festival.

Nonprofit Partners 2021

At the 55th Annual Morton Pumpkin Festival: Pumpkins, Tailgates, and Traditions, the following nonprofit organizations received a portion of the revenue through their support of activities and operations:

Morton Community Foundation
Morton High School Band
Blessed Sacrament School
Blessed Sacrament Church
St. Jude Runs
Girl Scout Troop 4268
Safe Families for Children
Peoria Area Water Wizards
Big Brothers/Sisters HOI
MHS Softball
MJHS Softball
MHS Girls Volleyball
MHS Football
Bradley University – Men’s Golf Team
First Baptist Church – American Heritage Girls
AAUW
Jefferson School Activity Fund
Jefferson School PTO
MYBA
Morton St. Jude Runners
Cub Scout Pack 85
Boy Scout Troop 178
Midwest Food Bank
TCRC
Kennel Lake Sportsmen’s Club
Morton Junior High Student Council
Pekin Community Softball Association
Morton High School Booster Club
Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank
Interact/Language Club
MYBA 11U Team
TAPS

Past Year Contributions

The Morton Chamber of Commerce has contributed thousands of dollars to local nonprofit organizations and projects through the revenue generated by the Morton Pumpkin Festival. Here is a history of contributions over the past decade:

2001 – $11,000
2002 – $15,250
2003 – $16,500
2004 – $17,000
2005 – $17,500
2006 – $5,000
2007 – $25,000
2008 – $5,000
2009 – $35,000
2010 – $40,000
2011 – $13,118
2012 – $46,793 (Special Project: Downtown Memorial Plaza – $25,000)
2013 – $41,062.26 (Special Project: Idlewood Arts Pavilion – $25,000)
2014 – $46,564.37 (Special Project: Veterans Memorial – $25,000)
2015 – $46,152.22 (Special Project: Birchwood Park Softball Complex – $25,000)
2016 – $31,016.61 (Special Project: Library Book Drop & Downtown Flower Pots – $14,714.61)
2017 – $39,074.13 (Special Project: Idlewood Large Picnic Shelter $20,000)
2018 – $38,740 (Special Project: Jefferson School Playground $10,000)
2019 – $51,650.83 (Special Project: Morton Park District, Horseshoe Park $25,000)
2020 – $13,162
2021 – $49,549.13 (Special Project: Morton Park District, Lakewood Park $20,500 & Morton Public Library, Story Walk $4,500)

Giving Back

Project Pumpkin Endowment Fund

Volunteer Give-Back Fund

Nonprofit Partners 2021

Past Year Contributions

415 West Jefferson Street Morton, IL 61550

2022 Videos

September 13 - 16, 2023