Thirty years ago, the Volunteer Action Council, a network of a dozen volunteer administrators, formed the Volunteer Center of East Central Wisconsin. Their goal was to find a way to help local nonprofit organizations address critical needs in the Fox Cities.

Kimberly-Clark employees work on tie blankets that were donated to the Appleton Police Department

With funding from Aid Association for Lutherans and United Way Fox Cities, the Volunteer Center began in a one-room office at the former Thompson Community Center in Appleton.

It soon became a clearinghouse and resource for those seeking volunteers, including schools, businesses and civic groups, along with governmental programs and nonprofit agencies.

With support from many private and corporate foundations, including more than $336,000 from 37 different funds within the Community Foundation, it continues its mission today as Volunteer Fox Cities.

Volunteer Fox Cities was named the 2022 Nonprofit of the Year by the Heart of the Valley Chamber

We continue to connect volunteers to more than 100 nonprofit organizations and offer a variety of volunteer programs to businesses and corporations seeking large-group projects for employees.

We look forward to what the future has to offer in community engagement.

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What does a Community Foundation do? Glad you asked! Learn more here.