Category: In the News

Photo of Cindy Reffke courtesy of The Post-Crescent. Cindy Reffke has used her family’s painful loss to make others aware of suicide in our community. Reffke is the Celebrating Volunteers winner of the 2019 Janet Berry Volunteer of the Year award, sponsored by The Post-Crescent. Our Celebrating Volunteers community partner NBC 26 is profiling several […]

Your Community Foundation doesn’t often proactively reach out to express its opinion to legislators. We have federally imposed rules as a nonprofit entity. Last summer we saw an issue of high importance and about which we have a great story to share.  When state legislators started talking about ending the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, we knew our […]

With achievements beyond expectations, the Community Clothes Closet wrapped up its Pajama Hero project in early December with remarkable results. A total of 704 brand-new pajamas were donated, and $24,915 was raised to provide over 3,000 sets of pajamas to individuals and families in need this winter. These donations, which surpassed the initial goal of […]

Our Waupaca Area Community Foundation partner awarded grants totaling $102,300 to 17 area nonprofit organizations from its Waupaca Area Community Foundation Fund to help enhance the quality of life in the greater Waupaca area.  “After 21 years of giving back to the community, the generosity of our donors never ceases to amaze me. These grants […]

The Waupaca Area Community Foundation has awarded grants totaling a record $170,822 to 18 area nonprofit organizations from the Waupaca Area Community Foundation Fund to help enhance the quality of life in the greater Waupaca area. “We’re grateful for the continued support from members of the Waupaca area community since their generosity allows us to […]

The Waupaca Area Community Foundation started two decades ago with an idea Jack Rhodes brought with him from Ohio after he retired and moved to Waupaca. He had served for many years on a foundation board. He was talking to Dr. Roy Holly and wondered why Waupaca didn’t have one. They agreed it was a […]

Our Waupaca Area Community Foundation affiliate partner celebrated its 20th year of improving the quality of life in Waupaca area communities last year, and its recently released 2023 Community Report highlights examples of its impact. Last year 15 scholarship awards totaling $108,000 helped area students further their education. Grants of $748,937 were given to 50 […]

Hurricanes Helene and Milton have caused mass destruction in areas of Florida, western North Carolina, and other areas of the southeastern part of the country. Knowing that many communities are without power, accessible roads, and basic needs such as food, water, and shelter, they need our help. The devastation is unimaginable, and funds are needed […]

The diversity, equity, and inclusion journey begins with each one of us listening and learning from one another to strengthen and enrich our communities together. By Jon Stellmacher, Community Foundation Board Chair Our nation has certainly experienced historical events unlike our nation has seen in over 50 years: a once-in-a-century pandemic and social justice issues […]

Yesterday, Derek Chauvin, a former Minnesota police officer, was found guilty of all three counts against him in the murder of George Floyd, a Black man. Floyd’s death last May, the protests and rallies that followed, and the ensuing trial inspired discussion about anti-Black racism and criminal justice reform in our country. Through our Diversity, […]

Walter S. Rugland, a caring, influential community leader loved by many, including those of us at the Community Foundation, passed away March 8. He was 86 years old. For nearly 25 years, Walt was a long-time advocate and friend of the Community Foundation. He was appointed to the Board of Directors in 1999 and was […]

你好，很高興認識你! means “nice to meet you” in Mandarin Chinese! I’m Kyle (he/him), a prodigal Neenah farm boy who has taken a winding path back home. After finishing my Bachelor’s of Fine Art in graphic design from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2016, I went to Taiwan to serve as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. […]