The Loop

Hello! I’m Annette Look and I’m the newest friendly face at the Community Foundation. My first day as Community Engagement Associate was Sept. 26 and since then I’ve been busy learning about databases, web portals and different types of charitable funds. In my opinion, there is nothing more rewarding than working for an organization whose […]

Chad Hershner and Jeff Amstutz don’t sit on the sidelines when needs arise for their favorite causes – giving of their time, their money and their considerable talent. Only in their early 40s, they have already outlined in their estate plan how their philanthropy will live on after them. Those plans include a gift to […]

More than 5,600 students from 39 area high schools will witness the harsh realities of drinking and driving at the 18th annual PARTY at the PAC today and Friday, with support from a Community Foundation Community Education grant and grants from several other funds. Students attending the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth presentation hosted by ThedaCare and […]

Linda Dums, For USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin (Published in The Post-Crescent on Oct. 8, 2016) For the last 16 years, Kaukauna students in third, fourth and fifth grades have been experiencing cultural arts, thanks to the Walsh Family Fund. And even though Marian Walsh died last fall, her husband Joe is continuing the mission they began. […]

The 2016 Fox Cities Leading Indicators for Excellence (LIFE) Study resulted in what clearly are community priorities for improving the quality of life in the Fox Valley region. A cross-section of more than 200 Fox Cities residents gathered before the release of the statistical study to review the data and vote on the top priorities. […]

The traveling version of the “(In)Visible: Homelessness in Appleton” exhibit from the History Museum at the Castle is getting around. Its most recent stop was at the Fox Valley Warming Shelter’s fifth annual Grateful Plateful fund-raiser at the Grand Meridian in Appleton Wednesday, Oct. 5th. The exhibit — an outgrowth of the Project RUSH survey […]

The Waupaca Area Community Foundation awarded $44,800 in grants to local nonprofit organizations at its annual Celebration of Giving Tuesday, Oct. 4. The grant money, awarded through the Waupaca Area Community Fund, comes from the WACF’s annual gala and other contributions. These grants were awarded: CAP Services – General operating support to Ministry Dental Center for dental care and […]

There’s nothing like a two-for-one deal to make you feel good about a shopping trip. Charitable giving has its own version of a two-for-one deal with challenge grants. For a challenge grant, a lead donor offers a given amount to support, but only if others contribute an equal amount. Contributors are motivated by knowing their […]

John Felker, who made it his mission to make sure area elementary students could experience a live performance, received one last thank you from the kids he helped. A display at his funeral today included a variety of awards he received and a banner from grade schoolers that said, “Thank you Mr. Felker for all […]

With a performing arts center dominating downtown Appleton and restored opera houses and high school theaters scattered across its counties, Fox Cities residents may view the area as being fairly strong in the arts. The numbers say otherwise. There were 6.85 creative jobs per 1,000 in the Fox Cites region in 2014, compared to 10.80 in Wisconsin […]