RJN Group, Inc. was founded by Richard J. Nogaj in 1975. Twenty successful years later, the employees bought the firm through an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan).  Dick believes that the reputation of RJN Group, Inc. is enhanced when clients learn that RJN Group is an employee-owned firm with a charitable “heart,” and he established the charitable RJN Foundation in 1994.

The mission of the RJN Foundation is to provide resources and financial assistance to not-for-profit programs that focus on areas of human welfare, including programs for families and children in crisis, the economically, culturally, or educationally disadvantaged, the physically or mentally challenged, and those suffering from systemic effects of illiteracy, hunger, poverty, and homelessness.

Over the last 16 years the RJN Foundation has supported 28 not-for-profit programs that partner with low and limited-income individuals and families. In addition, the RJN Foundation has established a scholarship program at three Illinois universities.

The Foundation has a contributions committee upon which RJN employees participate. In addition, employees are urged to submit funding requests for 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations. 

The RJN Foundation is funded by Richard and Florence Nogaj, and by RJN Group, Inc. It is also funded by individual RJN Group employees through a payroll deduction plan. 

Organizations which have benefited from the foundation include:

• Habitat for Humanity
• Big Brothers / Big Sisters
• Peoples Resource Center
• HOPE Fair Housing
• Outreach Community Ministries
• American Diabetes Association
• Walk for Autism
• University of Illinois – Scholarship
• Little City (Illinois)