Dennis Piron Legacy Scholarship

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Dennis Piron Legacy Scholarship emblem A Permanent Tribute · Batavia, Illinois

The Dennis Piron
Legacy Scholarship

For a decade, Dennis Piron turned Batavia students into entrepreneurs. Now we're endowing a scholarship in his name — funded forever, with no annual fundraising.

Every gift doubled by the Dunham Foundation, up to $40,000
Make a Leadership Pledge See How Your Gift Doubles
In their own words · 23 voices · 16 minutes
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A Limited Matching Opportunity

Your gift is doubled — dollar for dollar

We're raising $80,000 to permanently endow the scholarship. We've requested a $40,000 matching grant from the Dunham Foundation — which means every dollar the community gives is matched, dollar for dollar.

$80K
The Endowment Goal
Fully funds the scholarship in perpetuity — no annual fundraising, ever.
$40K
Community Half
Raised from lead donors like you — the trigger that unlocks the match.
$40K
Dunham Match
A dollar-for-dollar matching grant requested from the Dunham Foundation.
$2,500 + $2,500 = $5,000
A $2,500 leadership gift becomes $5,000 toward the endowment. Lead gifts of $2,000–$5,000 are what get us there.
Dennis Piron with Batavia High School students
Why This Scholarship

A decade of building entrepreneurs

Through the Batavia High School INCubator program, Dennis Piron guided countless students as they turned raw ideas into real businesses — coaching them through everything from pro-forma financials to pitch night in front of a room full of investors.

He taught them courage, teamwork, and what it feels like to bring something to life. This scholarship — awarded annually to a graduating senior who carries that spirit forward — makes his impact permanent.

"There's a tough love that prepares them in ways I don't know that college does. Nobody like him. Nobody." — Gary Ricke, Mentor
How Your Pledge Works

Low risk. High leverage. Lasting impact.

Lead-donor pledges are commitments — nothing is charged today. You only give once the matching grant is secured.

1

You pledge

Commit a leadership gift of $2,000–$5,000. It's a statement of intent, contingent on the Dunham match — no money changes hands now.

2

We secure the match

Lead pledges become the evidence we submit to the Dunham Foundation to unlock the dollar-for-dollar matching grant.

3

It's endowed — forever

Your gift, doubled, joins the $80,000 endowment held by the Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence. The scholarship is funded for good.

Make Your Pledge

Become a lead donor

Submit your leadership pledge below. A steering-committee member will follow up to confirm. Nothing is charged today.

No payment today. Tax-deductible when fulfilled.

Prefer to talk first? Text or call 630-699-3040, or email pledges@pironlegacy.org. Gifts are payable to the Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence, an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) — tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The Steering Committee

Led by people who know what's at stake

This effort is organized by a volunteer steering committee — every member has already made a personal commitment to the scholarship.

Dave Brown Bob Hansen Rob Hollis Bob Hubbard Gary Ricke Bob Vaughan

Help us endow it — before the match window closes

A single leadership gift, doubled, moves us meaningfully toward $80,000. Make your pledge today.

Make a Leadership Pledge