Nonprofit Organizations Dedicated to Improving the Lives of People with Disabilities Awarded Grants Totaling $22,340

The SAC Developmental Disabilities Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region annually supports community organizations dedicated to improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities through education, independence, and social opportunities. 

Previous Project Purpose mural

The fund awarded $22,340 in grants to 17 nonprofit organizations to support inclusive and accessible programs from camps and clubs to mental health programming and musical therapy.   

The fund traces its roots to the Sheltered Activity Center (SAC), which was formed by concerned citizens and parents of children with developmental disabilities in 1964 and operated until 1989. Larry Abler and John Cumicek founded the SAC Developmental Disabilities Fund in 1990 to continue the center’s mission. The fund has awarded more than $889,000 in grants to community organizations since it was launched. 

The SAC Developmental Disabilities Fund awarded the following grants in 2024:  

Photo courtesy of VPI

• Community Alternatives, Inc. – $1,365 to support a social event for members.  
• Covey, Inc.- $1,000 to support Covey’s iCanBike camp.  
• Easter Seals Wisconsin– $725 to support the replacement of the front door at the Easter Seals Elks Respite Lodge.  
• Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra Association- $725 to support the In Harmony program, providing musical therapy.  
• GPS Education Partners- $725 to support the Menasha Ed Center Location. 
• Innovative Services, Inc. -$725 to support the Together We Play program at Janet Berry Elementary School.  
• Lakeside Packaging Plus– $725 to support weekly musical experiences for day service clients.  
• myTeam Triumph– $725 to support the Adaptive Athlete Program.  
• New Hope Center, Inc.- $725 to support recreational offerings for their residential services program.  
• Reach Counseling- $1,000 to support a Prevention Education Program for individuals with developmental disabilities.  
• Reflections of Grace Performing Arts School- $725 to support the Dance 4 All program in the Fox Cities.  
• SOAR Fox Cities– $5,000 to support general operating expenses.  
• Special Olympics of Wisconsin- Fox Valley– $5,000 to support general operating expenses.  
• The Trout Museum of Art- $725 to support Project Purpose, an annual mural initiative.  
• VPI– $1,000 to support their Kitchen Club, providing weekly cooking sessions for clients.  
• YMCA of the Fox Cities- $725 to support Camp Hope & Camp Inspiration.