IceHogs Community Fund
The IceHogs Community Fund (ICF), supported by the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, is invested in making a positive social impact by supporting initiatives that will help make the Rockford region a better place to work, live, and play. Through partnerships with local organizations, the ICF is dedicated to growing the game of hockey by working to broaden exposure and reduce barriers to the sport.
Over the last four years, the IceHogs Community Fund has awarded $412,000 in grants to Rockford area nonprofit organizations.
IceHogs Community Fund Grants (2025-26 Grant Awards)
| Recipient Organization | Grant Award Amount | Purpose |
| Discovery Center | $10,000 | To provide no-cost access to up to five Discovery Center Family Nights for underserved children and their families to experience the museum and engage in playful learning |
Fatherhood Encouragement Project | $5,000 | To provide no-cost access to participants in the organization’s Future Collegiate Stars Youth Basketball League |
| Good Shepherd YMCA | $15,000 | To support the launch of an NHL Street Hockey program that will introduce youth from underserved neighborhoods to hockey in a fun, safe, and cost-free environment |
| Nikolas Ritschel Foundation (Nik’s Wish) | $10,000 | To fund a wish to one 18-24 year-old from Winnebago or Boone County who is battling cancer and has met all criteria and applied for a wish through Nik’s Wish |
| Rockford Area Arts Council | $15,000 | To provide no-cost access to students attending the Arts Council’s Spark! summer arts programs |
| Rockford Hockey Club | $20,000 | To reduce season fees for 8U players and increase participation at all levels, plus fund outreach and subsidize fees for girls program |
| Rockford Park District Buddy Hockey | $5,000 | To support RPD’s floor hockey program for persons with disabilities |
| Rockford Park District Street Hockey | $10,000 | To fund RPD's Junior StreetHogs program with goal of introducing 10,000 youth and teens to the sport of hockey via community events and after school programs |
| Rockford Phoenix Cheerleading | $5,000 | To fund equipment and uniform costs and bring costs down for athletes participating in competitive cheerleading |
| One additional grant award is pending approval and will be announced at a later date. | ||
| CURRENT TOTAL AWARDED | $95,000 |
Fundraising Initiatives
Community Initiatives
