The Loop

Our hearts are heavy as we warmly remember Larry Kath, president and CEO of the Community Foundation from 1997-2003, who died peacefully at age 76 Sunday after a short illness. While working at Aid Association for Lutherans (now Thrivent Financial), Larry helped its President and CEO, Walter L. Rugland, establish the Community Foundation in 1986. […]

With a single oil change you can further the training of women in a non-traditional trade and support survivors of abuse. The “Garage for Good” on the Grand Chute campus of Fox Valley Technical College supports programs at Harbor House in Appleton and the Christine Ann Center in Oshkosh. A $78,000 grant from the Basic […]

Patti Habeck, a former Community Foundation community engagement manager, has been named president of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, the organization announced today.  “Patti Habeck has been a tireless champion of our mission to solve hunger since joining the organization in 2011,” said William Bohn, board chairman of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. “She has been instrumental […]

The Community Foundation today is reluctantly saying good-bye to Vice President Development and Donor Services Bob Ellis today. Bob has taken a position as vice president with Fiduciary Partners Inc., a privately owned trust service in Appleton. “Bob has been a wonderful teammate and has served our donors so well. We are very sorry to lose him,” […]

A social and agricultural experiment called Riverview Gardens has now been in operation for five years. This recent article on the American Public Works Association website recounts its successes, in partnership with the City of Appleton and the Community Foundation. Founded in 1898, Riverview Country Club and golf course was Wisconsin’s oldest private country club […]

Linda Heckel’s current and former co-workers and other guests turned out Wednesday to congratulate her for her 13 years of service to the Community Foundation and an enviable career. Linda is retiring effective Friday, April 7, as executive assistant to Curt Detjen, president/CEO of the Community Foundation. The celebration was attended by about 40 people. The […]

A free tax preparation service for low- and moderate-income tax filers in Waupaca County is running well ahead of last year’s totals for people served and is putting substantial refund dollars in the hands of its clients. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program offered by CAP Services and supported by a $5,000 grant from the […]

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 […]

Before Bob and Mary Karisny’s five grandchildren could start tearing apart their presents this past Christmas Day, they had some charitable business to attend to. This has been the routine at grandma and grandpa’s house for their two children, their spouses and the grandkids for the past 10 or so years. The Menasha couple’s Bob […]

Jon and Becky Stellmacher say making their favorite charitable causes part of their estate planning through the Community Foundation has always been their intention, so that’s what they did as they updated the necessary documents over the past year. Describing the provisions they have made for their charitable family endowment fund – the Becky and […]