VAN MILLIGEN, Nancy

Being researched

VAN MILLIGEN, Nancy. (Rockford, IL-- ). Nancy received a B.A. degree in Political Science (1977) and a Master' of Public Administration (1989) from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. She came to Dubuque in 1993 when her husband Michael VAN MILLIGEN accepted the position of city manager. In 2003 Nancy was hired as the charter president and executive officer to the COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER DUBUQUE, an organization to help donors maximize the benefits of their charitable giving to people and organizations and made grants to nonprofit organizations. At the time of her hiring, she was the chairwoman of the Iowa Empowerment Board and was a board member of Dubuque Empowerment, MERCY MEDICAL CENTER, and the DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY. She had recently a term as chairwoman of the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service. (1) Prior to being named CEO, she had received the Dale Carnegie Highest Achievement Award (1999), Dubuque YWCA Women of Achievement recognition and Tanner Co. Legacy Award for Community Service (2001), and the Iowa Governor's Volunteer Award (2002). (2)

Her leadership roles in Dubuque included helping to organize EVERY CHILD/EVERY PROMISE, work with the Tri-State Community Health Center, VISION TO LEARN, Iowa Empowerment Board, Mercy Health Center Board, DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY board and member of the Dubuque Empowerment Board. She served as vice president for institutional advancement at CLARKE COLLEGE, area administrator for the Iowa Citizens Foster Care Review Board, and chair of the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service. Her honors included the 2008 Church Women United Human Rights Award for her work with many agencies and commitment as a foster parent. (3)

In April, 2026 Nancy Van Milligen announced that she would be retiring as of January 1, 2027. Since she had been appointed President / CEO and the only employee of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque the organization has grown and helped more than 300 partners and supported 4,000 donors. In her announcement she spoke proudly of many of her experiences including Community Heart and Soul, a community engagement process and Small Town Dreams helping town of 400 people or more raise a half a million dollar endowment.

Source:

1. Kittle, M. D., "Community Foundation Hires CEO," Telegraph Herald, January 6, 2003, p. 1

2. Cooper, Brian, "Foundation 'A Perfect Fit' for Van Milligen," Telegraph Herald, April 4, 2004

3. Acosta, Hery, "Dubuque Community Foundation Leader Stepping Down After 23 Years," KWWL.com, April 29, 2026, Online: https://www.kwwl.com/news/dubuque-community-foundation-leader-stepping-down-after-23-years/article_92c6577d-f94a-4234-b89d-f86f963e80cf.html

"175 Years" Vol. II Telegraph Herald, p. 117