Introducing the Safe Passage Angels Endowment Fund, created by the estate of Sharon Dowen. As a designated fund at the DeKalb County Community Foundation and the very first endowed fund benefitting Safe Passage, this fund will provide ongoing support, where it is needed most, to Safe Passage, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing and preventing domestic violence and sexual assault in DeKalb County.

Sharon Dowen was known as a woman of courage. As an internal auditor for NIU (1983-2008), her strength, personal integrity, positive attitude and hard earned credibility brought her great respect among the university and the community. She was one of NIU’s “25 Amazing Women” and a true role model for others to follow.

During her retirement Sharon gave of her time, talent, and treasure to her local church and nonprofit organizations in DeKalb County.

“Safe Passage is thrilled and so grateful to our dear board member Sharon Dowen for her most generous gift that started the Safe Passage Angels Endowment Fund. It was so like Sharon to remember us in this profound way,” said Mary Ellen Schaid, Safe Passage executive director. “Sharon was an amazing person and truly an ideal board member since 2011. She was passionate about our mission, brilliant in her knowledge and gave tirelessly of her time and generously of her treasure. She is dearly missed and so fondly remembered. Safe Passage is a better, stronger agency because of all Sharon did when she was here and we are deeply grateful that she chose to carry her good work on with the Angels Endowment Fund.”

If you would like to make a memorial gift to the Safe Passage Angels Endowment Fund or wish to explore additional philanthropy in DeKalb County, please contact Executive Director Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.

Pictured: Sharon Dowen

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