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Creating a charitable fund or supporting organization with us may meet your goals better than creating a private foundation. You can also transfer a private foundation into the Community Foundation. Here’s a comparison of options.
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Personal Service
Community Leadership
The Robert & Patricia Endries Family concentrates its giving on the needs of the Brillion community, where Bob and Pat built their successful businesses Endries International Inc. and Professional Plating.
They formed a private family foundation in 1985 to share their business success with the community. The family foundation distributed more than $5 million in grants from 1985-2005, including fully funding the $3.6 million Endries Performing Arts Center at Brillion High School.
After the sale in 2005 of the Endries International, a supplier of a broad range of fasteners, their family foundation became a supporting organization of the Community Foundation, retaining its grant-making authority and governance by its own board of directors, but turning investment and administrative duties to the larger foundation. In 2015, they surpassed $8 million in total grants awarded over the 30+ years since joining with Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region in 2005.
Bob & Pat also established a charitable fund in the Brillion Area Family of Funds within the Community Foundation in 2014, have awarded well over $10,000 in grants through that entity, mostly in Brillion and for projects important to their employees.
“As a lifelong resident of the Brillion Area, my and I family have directly benefited from Bob and Pat’s enormous, biblical generosity,” said Steve Klessig, co-owner and vice president of architecture and engineering for Kaukauna-based Keller Inc. “I do not know anyone in the Brillion area who has not been touched positively, in some way, by two people with the largest of hearts, strategic community purpose and the greatest of giving spirits.”
“We have had successful businesses. It’s our turn to give,” Bob Endries said.
Bob Ellis, vice president development and donor services for the Community Foundation, said that converting from a private foundation to an entity within the Community Foundation allows donors greater flexibility in making gifts, while receiving the maximum tax benefit available for gifts to a public charity.
“A supporting organization is able to maintain its unique identity, while accessing the experience, resources and services of the Community Foundation in support of its administration and mission,” Ellis said.
In addition to many projects in Brillion, the Endries’ foundation also has provided major support to:
The Mielke Family Foundation is one of the most active philanthropic foundations in northeast Wisconsin. It was established in 1963 by Dr. Edward F. Mielke and his wife, Beulah (Bea), together with sisters Ruth and Sarah Mielke. A native of Shawano, Wisconsin, Dr. Mielke practiced medicine in Appleton for 60 years. Ruth presided over the library at Appleton West High School for 40 years, and Sarah taught advanced mathematics at Shawano High School. In 1996, the Foundation reorganized to become the first supporting organization within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. Residents of Appleton and Shawano serve on its Grants Committee and Board of Directors. Members of the second and third generations of the Mielke Family are active participants in the work of the Foundation and, through the establishment of funds within the Foundation, perpetuate the philosophy of giving back to the community in which one lives.
Contact us if you need any assistance.
4455 W. Lawrence St.
Appleton, WI 54914
(920) 830-1290
Monday-Friday:
8:00am – 11:30am,
Noon – 4:00pm
Confirmed in compliance with national standards for U.S. community foundations.
