Category: In the News

By Julie Krause, Executive Director, Appleton Education Foundation  The Appleton Education Foundation’s choice for its 2020 leadership honors is someone dedicated to improving education in our community – from the very youngest learners to students attending Fox Valley Technical College or Lawrence University. In nominating Sally Mielke for the annual Thomas G. Scullen Leadership Award, […]

Love doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t pick and choose. Love isn’t pro this or pro that, but proactive and protective. When there’s so much to fight against, love fights for. When others flee, love runs toward. And when darkness prevails, love remembers its strength. For 156 years, The Salvation Army has loved all who feel lost. […]

The Community Foundation has been closely following updates from the U.S. Department of Education regarding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. There have been multiple issues with the updates for the 2024-25 school year, including late opening for applicants, delays in producing Submission Summary documentation for applicants who have submitted their FAFSA […]

Since Alli Matzek was in first grade, she knew her career path: she wanted to be a veterinarian. Growing up with her parents, Joe and MaryBeth, and older brother, Michael, the family home was filled with pets, including cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters. Alli also loved taking care of friends’ pets, volunteering at local […]

By Curt Detjen, President and CEO Committed and focused. These two words describe your Community Foundation through 2020 and as we engage 2021 in this COVID-19 era. We’re committed to serving you, helping you make a difference in the lives of others, and are focused on improving so that together, we flourish. Here are a […]

Our Shawano Area Community Foundation affiliate partner has announced $41,000 in grants to 19 nonprofit organizations to improve the quality of life in Shawano and the surrounding area, awarded through its annual competitive grant cycle.  “We are excited to award $41,000 in grants to 19 local nonprofits working to enhance the quality of life in […]

Our Shawano Area Community Foundation affiliate partner recently released its 2023 Community Report celebrating charitable giving that’s making a lasting impact. In 2023, the Foundation awarded $428,870 in grants to 102 nonprofit organizations. This total includes $37,000 in grants from its Shawano Area Fund to 17 local nonprofits serving the Shawano area. Bridge the Gap‘s one-to-one […]

The Shawano Area Community Foundation has awarded $18,500 in grants through its annual competitive grant cycle to 11 nonprofit organizations to improve the quality of life in Shawano and the surrounding area! The grant money includes a gift of $2,500 to the Gresham School District for its accessible playground project and another $2,500 to SAM25 […]

The all-volunteer group Bridge the Gap was awarded a $2,500 grant by the Shawano Area Community Foundation to purchase equipment that will help parents and therapists communicate better with autistic children. The Shawano-based nonprofit helps families who are awaiting state support or are in immediate crisis related to a family member who has an autism […]

Cyber shopping this holiday season? Shoppers who do their gift gathering online have a great opportunity to benefit our communities in the Fox Valley. Amazon has a program called Amazon Smile that donates 0.5% of the price of all eligible Amazon Smile purchases to the charitable organization of the shopper’s choice. One of those choices […]

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming more lives than all cancers combined. In addition, women account for more than 57% of total stroke deaths. These staggering numbers highlight the importance of National Heart Month and initiatives like Go Red for Women. We’re so grateful for trailblazers like Gussie Balck and […]

Operation Cinderella of the Fox Valley has learned through its free prom event that a nice gown, a hairdo, makeup and feeling special even for one day does a lot for the self-esteem of girls who – because of low family income, poor performance in school or social awkwardness – just don’t feel like they fit […]