Author Archives

Professional advisors help clients create a legacy

Posted on Sep 1, 2020, by Amy Spreeman

Appleton professional advisor Paul Bonikowske has encouraged his clients to explore charitable giving options and create funds within the Community Foundation. The Community Foundation has enjoyed longtime partnerships with legal and financial advisors across the Fox Valley. This year we launched new online resources to help professional advisors tailor a gift or a charitable fund […]

$204,157 from COVID Fund Provides Critical Support to 15 More Nonprofits

Posted on Aug 27, 2020, by Amy Spreeman

The F.R.E.S.H. Project at the Shawano County Farmer’s Market. Large sections of Shawano County are “food deserts,” areas with low household incomes and limited access to food. A grant from the COVID-19 Community Response Fund will help the nonprofit establish a new food pantry. Thanks to gifts generously donated to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund […]

How Big Brothers Big Sisters Fought Isolation during Safe at Home

Posted on Aug 24, 2020, by Amy Spreeman

Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Wisconsin found innovative ways to be together and have fun during the Safe At Home restrictions. Now that those are lifted, most “Bigs” and “Littles” are safely together again.   By Johnna Van Deurzen, Development Coordinator, Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Wisconsin When COVID-19 first started, […]

Fox Cities LIFE Study: Suicides increased in Wisconsin and locally 

Posted on Aug 12, 2020, by Amy Spreeman

According to the most recent data available in the Fox Cities LIFE Study, the suicide rate has increased in Wisconsin and across all three counties of the Fox Cities region. In 2018, the rate of death by suicide (completed suicides per 100,000 population) was higher than the rates in 2014 and 2016. The rate in Calumet County […]

U.S. Venture hosts first-ever media-thon amidst COVID-19 to end poverty

Posted on Aug 10, 2020, by Amy Spreeman

In 1986, Bill Schmidt, youngest of the Schmidt brothers, started the first golf outing originally called the U.S. Oil Open for Diabetes. The money raised stayed in the community and a fund was set up at the newly formed Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. It was our very first fund established at the […]

COVID Response Fund Reaches $1 Million in Grants to Local Nonprofits, $1.5 Million in Donations

Posted on Jul 30, 2020, by Amy Spreeman

LEAVEN Fox Cities is among the latest local nonprofits to receive a grant from the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, established by the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and United Way Fox Cities. In an incredible show of charity and selflessness during a time of challenges, hundreds of generous individuals, businesses and foundations have […]

The Durkee Family: A Generous Path to a Lasting Legacy

Posted on Jul 28, 2020, by Amy Spreeman

The Durkee family: Top: Jane, June, Nancy, Todd (Nancy’s husband). Bottom: Ray and Mary. Like many of us, Mary Durkee is watching the world change and adapting to a new way of doing things. She probably won’t be taking her annual trip to Europe with her three daughters this fall. Instead, she might take walks […]

2,300 students in the Fox Valley still need school supplies amidst COVID-19

Posted on Jul 27, 2020, by Amy Spreeman

This academic year may look a little different with some students attending in person full, part-time or from home, but school supplies are still essential for successful learning. The annual Backpacks for Kids Campaign, sponsored by your Community Foundation and the Post Crescent, are helping children in the Fox Valley get set for a successful […]

Grant to NEW Water Allows for Improved Watershed Efforts

Posted on Jul 22, 2020, by Amy Spreeman

By NEW Water “Dead zones” and blue-green algae impair waterways throughout Northeast Wisconsin, from Lake Winnebago all the way to the Bay of Green Bay, and beyond. Excess levels of phosphorus and sediment running off the land from a variety of sources are contributing to this problem. Healthy land means healthy water, and many efforts […]

You are here: Grant supports History Museum exhibition

Posted on Jul 21, 2020, by Amy Spreeman

The David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region has awarded a grant of $600,000 to Appleton’s History Museum at the Castle to support the new You Are Here exhibition. The grant will help fund the new core exhibit dedicated to telling the history of the […]