The Loop

Reprinted from The Post-Crescent, March 14, 2014 Very similar to a student applying for scholarships to pay for college, nonprofit organizations must rely on grants to help fund a portion of their budget each year. And, like that student sweating over the essay questions and lists of their accomplishments, nonprofits devote much time and energy […]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKgFfwplUZY&w=400&h=198] High school seniors are enjoying their final semesters and making plans for what comes next. For many, this involves searching for scholarships. Your Community Foundation is a focal point for much of this, providing nearly $1 million in scholarships to hundreds of students each year. This year, we are honored to add a […]

Personally, I’m not a procrastinator, but in my role at the Community Foundation I interact with many people who are. I’m talking about college-bound high school seniors. They’re so busy that applying for scholarships often falls to the bottom of their “to-do” list until they feel the pressure of a deadline … or their parents.

Look at the paperweight-shaped glass buttons that Portland, Ore., artist Greg Hanson creates and it’s not hard to trace his inspiration. The Appleton native was highly influenced by the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass in Neenah. “The people of the Fox Valley don’t know what a gem they have,” Hanson said. He was in town for […]

We used to use the scientific term “catalyst” to describe our grants made from discretionary funds. In chemistry, a catalyst is a substance added to create a reaction between other materials. Catalyst grants have been replaced by new goals in a program I would compare to a concept borrowed from biology — symbiotic relationships. That’s […]

It wasn’t too long ago that my perspective of the Community Foundation reflected the general public’s.  What I knew about the Community Foundation was it was a very well respected place.  I knew the staff worked with some wealthy individuals and companies, and they had a robust grant-making program.  Three months in, I can say […]

While we’re all coping with the frigid cold, I thought I’d share a few stories about caring people in our community that will warm your heart. Music to their ears Twice late last year, groups of local musicians took it upon themselves to organize fundraising concerts to help where they knew help was needed.  One […]

Those of us working in the nonprofit sector often bemoan the difficulty of staying on the cutting edges of the information and approaches that will help us be more effective in serving our communities. Lack of time and limited funds often seem like difficult barriers to overcome.

The Community Foundation used the occasion of its annual fall celebration of giving on Nov. 19 to shine the spotlight on a compelling initiative growing right here in our community, the Fox Valley Memory Project. (view full program)

We have welcomed two new members to the Community Foundation staff. Heidi Dusek joins the staff as a community engagement manager. She will administer grant programs including capacity building grants for improving the effectiveness of nonprofits and arts and culture grants. She also will work with the Foundation’s affiliates in Chilton, Clintonville, Shawano and Waupaca. […]