Match reached; Brillion Area Family of Funds celebrates major milestone in endowment funding for the community

In January 2026, the Brillion Area Family of Funds (BAFF) officially hit its fundraising goal of $1,000,000 ($500,000 through community fundraising and $500,000 through a single donor match) to establish a permanent endowment fund for the Brillion community. This endowment, called Brillion Area Family of Funds Endowment Fund, provides a permanent source of dollars for charitable organizations working to improve the lives of everyone in the Brillon area.

The BAFF began in 2013 as a collection of charitable funds to actively preserve, strengthen and improve the quality of life in the Brillion area. BAFF is an affiliate of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region (CFFVR) with a focused grant-making presence in the Brillion community.

“Our community has many people who are looking to do so much good,” says Curt Detjen, President and CEO of CFFVR. “We have donors who are looking to amplify their generosity and support our rural communities. We have communities, like Brillion, who are up for the challenge to grow endowment funds that local nonprofits will benefit from forever.”

The catalyst for this most recent fundraising endeavor came from Bob and Pat Endries who approached BAFF in 2021 with the idea of the $500,000 match, sparking excitement and support to establish this endowment. As lifelong residents of the Brillion area, the Endries’ have continued to find ways to give back to the community they love so dearly.

“Brillion is very important to us. I’ve lived in Brillion all my life. They’ve treated us well,” says Bob Endries during a video interview with the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. “I’ll never forget that and that’s why we’ve always stayed in Brillion.”

This endowment, although sparked by the promise of matching dollars, was only achieved with the commitment of the whole Brillion community. Over the past five years, the community has given its time and gifts towards raising the funds needed to establish this fund. Every donation was an important gift that totaled the monumental milestone.

Tammy Koehler

“It was everybody,” said Tammy Koehler, BAFF Advisory Board President, as stated in The Brillion News “People in the community care and they want their community to be better. That’s what Brillion is about – no matter if you gave $5 or $25,000. It’s about seeing the future and wanting to help build something that will help your community, and everybody was doing that.”

“Individuals, many times don’t realize the impact they have by giving just a little bit,” said Bob Endries.  “If we can give $500,000, there is somebody who can give $500, and that’s very important. That’s just as important as our $500,000. We absolutely believe that.”

With the match reached, the Brillion Area Family of Funds will begin the process of establishing a grant cycle that will be able to give out around $45,000 a year to local nonprofits looking to support the area. That amount is expected to grow over time through investment appreciation.

About the Brillion Area Family of Funds

The Brillion Area Family of Funds is an affiliate of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. As an affiliate, the Brillion Area Family of Funds utilizes their professional services and staff. To learn more about the Brillion Area Family of Funds visit Brillion Area Family of Funds.

About the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region

The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region helps people provide long-term support for charities through endowments and other charitable funds. The second largest certified community foundation in Wisconsin, its donors have enabled the foundation to award $526 million in grants since 1986 to nonprofit organizations through 1,898 charitable funds. It partners with affiliated community foundations in Brillion, Chilton, Clintonville, Shawano, and Waupaca.

To learn more, go to www.cffoxvalley.org, subscribe to The Loop at www.cffoxvalley.org/loop or connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn.