The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region fosters opportunities for the community to invest in itself. They do this by creating and managing a variety of charitable funds — more than 1,700 altogether — which provide grants to more than 1,300 nonprofit organizations every year.

Manny Vasquez is vice president of business development at Pfefferle Companies in Appleton.

Since joining the board of directors last year, I’ve been excited to play a small role in the organization’s huge influence in our community. The Community Foundation’s collective impact is tremendous! In fiscal year 2021, the foundation distributed $38.5 million in grants to more than 1,300 organizations locally and beyond. Those grants support the full range of charitable causes of community life.

The Community Foundation is led by an impressive team of volunteers and staff. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to learn from visionary, community-minded individuals and help make a difference.

The Community Foundation is proactive and purposeful in its goal to connect donors with community needs. The staff learns what can help nonprofits support their missions and strengthen the region and then rallies donors and community partners around issues and opportunities that we can address together, such as the special COVID-19 Community Response Fund, which was started in the early days of the pandemic.

We’re so fortunate to have a gem like the Community Foundation in our community. Learn how you, your family or business can make a difference at www.cffoxvalley.org. You’ll be happy you did.

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