The Waupaca Historical Society was one of the $2,500 grant winners in the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region’s “25 for 25 Charity Challenge.”
Twenty-five nonprofits of varying missions, sizes and service areas shared in $187,500 in grants and endowment funds thanks to their supporters voting for them online in the “25 for 25 Charity Challenge.”
It was part of the foundation’s 25th anniversary celebration, and representatives of the Community Foundation and Charity Challenge funding partners traveled across the Fox Valley to deliver the news in person to representatives of the charitable organizations selected by the public.
The 157 nonprofits on the online ballot were grouped into size categories based on their IRS-reported annual expenses so they were competing with other nonprofits having similar resources.
A total of 69,559 votes were cast from Oct. 16-25.
“It was fun to see the looks of surprise and excitement as we delivered the news,” Community Foundation President/CEO Curt Detjen said. “We are pleased with the choices the voters made and encourage people to add their own support for these and the many other deserving organizations during the holiday giving season.”
The endowments – to be invested as charitable funds within the Community Foundation – will provide long-term support and grow with investment gains and any additional contributions.
Each year, 5 percent of the endowment fund’s assets will be distributed to the nonprofit organization.
The $187,500 total was provided by the Community Foundation and five funding partners: the Robert and Patricia Endries Family Foundation, Mielke Family Foundation, Lyle and Victoria Reigel, Doug & Carla Salmon Foundation and the Mowry Smith Charitable Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley.
“We chose the Charity Challenge for our 25th anniversary celebration as a way to involve the community in awarding the grant dollars and to give nonprofit organizations a chance to generate some excitement among their supporters. We think the challenge succeeded on both counts,” Detjen said.
The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region manages more than 1,100 charitable funds established by individuals, families, businesses and organizations. It was founded in 1986 with a $5,000 gift from Walter L. Rugland, former Chairman and CEO of Aid Association for Lutherans.
As of the end of its last fiscal year – June 30, 2011 – the foundation has awarded more than $150 million in grants and had assets of $206 million.
Learn more about the Community Foundation and view photos and videos of the Charity Challenge winners at www.cffoxvalley.org