Category: General

By Katy Hopp, executive director, Makaroff Youth Ballet Makaroff Youth Ballet (MYB) is thrilled to be premiering “Peter and the Wolf” at our spring concert on May 17 & 18, 2019. It’s the first big step in gearing up to present the piece, introducing both ballet and the instruments of the orchestra, to Appleton first […]

Did you know that business owners are philanthropically the most generous people in the United States? According to Fidelity Charitable, the median annual donation for an entrepreneur is 50 percent higher than those who are not entrepreneurs. They bring philanthropy home.  This is just one of the many topics Phil Cubeta discussed during his Bringing […]

What a fantastic night to tailgate and take in a symphony under the stars! A $10,000 Bright Idea Fund grant from within the Community Foundation supported Friday’s “Brats, Beer & Beethoven” event at Fox Cities Stadium’s Neuroscience Group Field. The annual free, family-friendly evening features a concert by the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra and guest […]

From homelessness to coming home, Pillars provides shelter, support, and solutions to address the housing needs in our community. That is more than 150 homes per year and more than 45,000 nights of shelter each year! Recently, to support these efforts, Lisa Strandberg, Executive Director of Pillars, accepted a grant of $797,245 from the U.S. […]

Move-in day! Grants from charitable funds within the Community Foundation continue to support organizations eradicating poverty and homelessness, such as Pillars’ Single Room Occupancy Program that allows clients to share a home with affordable rent.   By Ryne Lodl, Donor Engagement Manager, Pillars Imagine doing everything you can to get out of homelessness, but not […]

When it comes to charitable giving, including the Community Foundation in your estate plans can benefit the causes or the nonprofit organizations you care about. The Himebaugh Legacy Circle recognizes those who have made plans for their favorite charitable causes through a bequest or similar deferred gift to the Community Foundation. You can make an […]

Guest post by Oliver Zornow Community Engagement Manager The Building for Kids Children’s Museum The Building for Kids Children’s Museum aims to create an interactive and supportive environment for all families. Through the support of a number of community partners, including several funds within the Community Foundation, Spectrum Saturday and the Autism Accessibility Initiative have […]

Two simple words can motivate and satisfy the people we work, live or do business with. Thank you. They are at the heart of the holiday we celebrate this week. True, the origins of Thanksgiving are religious and involved more of a divine appreciation, but the holiday makes plenty of room for more earthly giving […]

“Period Poverty” is a startling reality in the Fox Valley. Did you know that a lack of access to menstrual health products can cause students with periods to miss or be late to class, or feel anxious about period care? Menstrual products are expensive in the U.S., which makes it difficult for people, especially teens, […]

“I don’t want to be tens of thousands of dollars in debt,” says Alex Aschenbrener, a Gresham High School student, looking ahead to his future. Now he doesn’t have to be. In this episode we revisit the fascinating story of how one small town in our area, Gresham Wis., is making dreams come true for […]

Did you know the Building for Kids Children’s Museum opened in downtown Appleton in 1992? Thirty years went by fast, and we are honored to celebrate being a part of “BFK’s” history! The museum gets around 120,000 visitors annually from all over the world, and is a cultural gem in the Fox Valley communities. Amy […]

Dental care is critical to a person’s overall health, especially in children. But the pandemic and financial constraints have been barriers to families trying to access proper care, causing decreases in visits. Organizations like volunteer-driven Tri-County Dental help fill the gaps and meet thousands of students where they’re at, offering preventive care to avoid emergencies […]