Young man standing outdoors near a body of water during autumn, dressed in a black blazer, gray sweater, white shirt, and jeans, smiling at the camera.

Building a Legacy

STEM Innovation

The Will Kenny Foundation

Honoring Will's passion for robotics, science, and discovery by empowering the next generation through STEM scholarships, educator grants, and community partnerships.

Support Our Mission

Turning Curiosity Into Opportunity

Will never stopped tinkering. Whether he was building with LEGOs, working on a robot, or figuring out how something worked, he was happiest when he was creating. We created the Will Kenny Foundation to carry that same spirit forward by helping students and educators across Central Illinois discover what's possible through STEM.

Learn About Our Impact

How We Invest in the Future

Every student deserves the opportunity to explore, create, and discover what's possible.

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Will Kenny SciTech Scholarship

The Will Kenny SciTech Scholarship helps a Central Illinois eighth-grade student attending Peoria Notre Dame continue their STEM journey, celebrating the curiosity and creativity that defined Will.

A woman with blonde hair and a septum piercing stands in front of a whiteboard, speaking and gesturing with a marker in her hand; the whiteboard features a mountain drawing and the words 'On Time' and other text.

Education Grants

Great ideas often begin in the classroom. Our Educator Grants help Central Illinois teachers bring STEM lessons to life through creative, hands-on projects that encourage students to build, experiment, and discover.

A woman in a floral dress and platform sandals is standing at a table, interacting with another woman in glasses and a black dress. Several people are gathered around, with a brick wall and large window in the background, in an indoor setting with sunlight coming in.

Whiskey + Robots

Whiskey + Robots is our Foundation’s signature fundraiser, bringing friends, family, and community together for a night of good whiskey, good food, and plenty of fun.

Proceeds support our scholarships, educator grants, and the work that carries Will’s spirit forward.

The Story So Far

We're just getting started, and we're grateful to everyone who has joined us on this journey

3
SciTech Scholarships Awarded

2
Educator Grants Funded

1
Community Making It Possible

Meet Will

A young man with short dark hair, smiling, wearing a black jacket over a gray sweater and dark jeans, standing outdoors with fall foliage and a creek in the background.
A man wearing sunglasses, a gray flat cap, and a green t-shirt with a logo, sitting on a green tractor decorated with flags and St. Patrick's Day-themed items, outdoors among trees.
A man in a navy blue suit adjusting his sleeves, wearing a white dress shirt, a blue and white striped tie, and a wristwatch, standing on a staircase inside a modern building.

Will never met a stranger. He loved making people laugh and was almost always talking, usually with headphones on his head and aviator sunglasses not far away. He loved music and concerts, was incredibly proud to be Irish, liked to cook, and had a soft spot for animals, including the snakes and other creatures most people would rather avoid.

He was always building something. LEGOs, robots, whatever caught his interest. He and his uncle even built metal robots together. And when other kids reached the age when some of those things were no longer considered "cool," that didn't matter much to Will.

He also worked hard. Will had his own mowing and yard work business and took real pride in his work.

He never stopped being exactly who he was. And that's the spirit we hope to keep alive in every student we support.

A young boy sitting at a dining table with a red and blue toy robot, two smaller cars, and a white robot dog. He is giving a thumbs-up and smiling. The background shows a wall with a picture of a forest, decorative lanterns, and large letters 'A & M' on a shelf.

  • The Will Kenny SciTech Scholarship is open to eighth-grade students attending a Catholic school in Central Illinois who have an interest in STEM. The scholarship provides financial support toward tuition at Peoria Notre Dame High School.

  • Educators in Central Illinois may apply for funding to bring creative, hands-on STEM opportunities into their classrooms.

  • We look for projects that give students opportunities to build, experiment, create, and discover. From robotics and technology to other hands-on STEM experiences, we want to help educators turn great ideas into something their students can experience.

  • There are many ways to be part of what we're building, from making a donation to attending Whiskey + Robots or getting involved with our programs and events. Every contribution helps us create more opportunities for students and educators in Central Illinois.

FAQs

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The People Behind the Foundation

The Will Kenny Foundation is a family effort in every sense. Our board brings together Will's parents, sister, family, and close friends, all people who knew him, loved him, and want to carry forward the things that made him Will.

Together, we're building something that reflects who Will was while creating new opportunities for young people throughout Central Illinois.

Be a Part of What Comes Next

A group of six people, including a girl with a NASA T-shirt holding a certificate, standing in a school hallway in front of a door and colorful bulletin boards, smiling for a photo.
An instructor teaching two boys how to build a robot using a robotic kit in a classroom.

SciTech Scholarship

Multiple bottles of John Sandler whiskey on a wooden shelf, with focus on the front bottle.

Educator Grants

Gold shamrock pins with 'WAL' engraving in a black display box with individual compartments.

Whiskey + Robots

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