The Loop

Three years ago, I was “the new kid in the cube” at the Community Foundation. Today marks my last day and with that a time for thoughtful reflection as I would ask of any grantee. When I first was asked about the executive director position at the J. J. Keller Foundation, I was cautious, simply […]

Most Fox Cities residents can say truthfully that their children are above average. Graduation rates are higher here than the averages statewide, and are improving. Wisconsin ranks third nationally in graduations. Competencies in math, reading and science, also exceed state averages in the Fox Valley, all according to the 2016 Fox Cities Leading Indicators for […]

We are proud to have partners like the good people working with the U.S. Venture Fund for Basic Needs within the Community Foundation and the J. J. Keller Foundation. They have made it their mission to move the needle on poverty in northeast Wisconsin, and their strongest weapon in this battle against the root causes of […]

We’re getting bigger. Not just in population, but in sheer mass. The 2016 Fox Cities Leading Indicators for Excellence (LIFE) Study reports 70% of Calumet and Outagamie County residents are overweight or obese, about 5 percentage points higher than in 2011. Winnebago County is a little better at 58%. Included in the fallout of that […]

Several statistics in the 2016 Fox Cities Leading Indicators for Excellence (LIFE) Study suggest the number of working poor in our region is on the rise. The review of available statistics shows a steady increase in Wisconsin Works and food stamp recipients in Outagamie, Calumet and Winnebago counties. Beyond that, monthly rent is rising faster […]

The Community Foundation is looking to fill a new position for a Community Engagement Associate. The full-time job will become available September 2016 and will require the successful candidate to provide the full range of administrative support for the Community Engagement staff. The position reports to the Vice President Community Engagement. Job duties include providing support for competitive grant programs […]

When ultralight pilot Joe Duff spoke June 17 at Navarino Nature Center to mark its 30th anniversary, he was a hit with the crowd of nature center regulars, leading to a desire by naturalist Tim Ewing to make presenting speakers a regular practice in the future. “The guest speaker informed us on the trials and tribulations of working […]

After Project RUSH sent 125 volunteers into the streets to interview 600 people who were homeless or on the verge, the Fox Cities Housing Coalition had their own story to tell. A grant from the Community Foundation’s Basic Needs Giving Partnership allowed them to tell it widely and well. A $10,000 grant made to the […]

The story of the local economy told in the 2016 Fox Cities Leading Indicators for Excellence (LIFE) Study is no mystery, though no one can predict what the next chapter will bring. We knew these things already: Manufacturing jobs have declined. Unemployment spiked during the Great Recession. Wages and employment are better in the Fox […]

The Leading Indicators for Excellence (LIFE) Study is intended to help us decide as a community what areas of life here are good as is and what about our quality of life has room for improvement. We will explore that in posts each week here, but for starters, let’s see what the LIFE Study says […]