News

Important Year-End Giving Dates

The end-of-year is quickly approaching! Here are the last dates to initiate gifts to ECCF to ensure your 2023 tax deduction:   December 20 - Last day to submit a grant recommendation from Donor Advised Funds. December 22 - Last day to initiate a stock transaction. December 29 - Last day to initiate a wire transfer. December 31 - All donations must be postmarked by this date.    THE ECCF OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON DECEMBER 25 and 26.   For wire and stock delivery instructions, contact info@eccfwi.org or 715-552-3801.…

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ECCF Welcomes Wesley Escondo as New President & CEO

New President and CEO Wesley Escondo ECCF is pleased to announce the appointment of Wesley Escondo as its new President and CEO effective August 7, 2023. Escondo brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to community development, making him an ideal choice to lead ECCF into its next phase of philanthropic impact. Escondo succeeds Sue Bornick, Executive Director. ECCF has prospered under Bornick’s leadership. Since she became Executive Director in 2009, ECCF’s assets have more than quadrupled, dozens of new funds have been opened,…

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In Memoriam: Sheriff Ron Cramer

Sheriff Ron Cramer ECCF honors the life and contributions of Sheriff Ron Cramer, a longtime pillar of the Eau Claire community. Although he passed away on Sep. 13, 2022, his positive impact on the community will be felt for years to come.  Funeral services for family, close friends, and law enforcement will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, Sep. 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. Public visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Monday, Sep. 19, at Chippewa Valley Cremation…

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2021 Autumn Social Highlights

This year we held our 2021 Autumn Social event on September 27th.  Each year at this event, the Board of Trustees gives special recognition to a leader or leaders who have made a significant impact at the Eau Claire Community Foundation. This year, we recognized Dan and Debbie Market, whose commitment and support have been invaluable to the Eau Claire Community Foundation. They will join the previous Leadership Award recipients whose outstanding work has made our foundation what it is today. Dan Market served on ECCF’s Board of Trustees from…

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Create Culture Grant Catalog Bonus Grants Announced!

The Eau Claire Community Foundation is thrilled to announce the results of its first ever Grant Catalog, a new crowdfunding platform that allows community members to contribute directly to requests from local nonprofits. In celebration of ECCF’s upcoming 25th anniversary, there will be four Grant Catalog cycles taking place over the coming year, one for each of ECCF’s four giving categories: Create Culture, Form Futures, Give Green, and Offer Opportunities. The first category is Create Culture, which supports music, literature, visual and performing arts, and museums. Seventeen local nonprofits took…

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ECCF Launches a Year of Celebration and Welcomes New Board Members

ECCF's Annual Meeting on June 3 was an event to remember. (Click here and enter your name to watch a recording of the Annual Meeting.) Not only did we celebrate ECCF's year of accomplishments, but we launched a year of celebration--including an online Grant Catalog--in honor of our upcoming 25th Anniversary. (See the 25th Anniversary page for more information.) During the Meeting, we also said farewell to outgoing Board of Trustees members Dr. Phil Happe, Tom Toy, and Laura Talley.  We're incredibly grateful for their dedication, and we wish them…

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Ken Vance Motors Fund Distributes $50,000 to Chippewa Valley Nonprofits

Ken Vance Motors is making a big difference in the Chippewa Valley using a Fund it established at the Eau Claire Community Foundation. It’s distributing $50,000 in grants to ten Wisconsin nonprofits. The grantees are: • Catholic Charities Sojourner House • Chippewa Valley Free Clinic • Chippewa Youth Hockey Association • Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association • Eau Claire Community Foundation • Eau Claire County Humane Association • Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley • Junior Achievement of Wisconsin North and West Central Region • Lutheran Social Services…

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Press release: PESI, Inc. Makes Major Gift to the Quick Response Community Fund

PESI, Inc. is helping to jumpstart the second phase of granting from the Quick Response Community Fund with a $40,000 donation. In Phase 1, the Quick Response Community Fund, established by the Eau Claire Community Foundation and United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley, supported Eau Claire area nonprofits that serve community members suffering due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It also addressed urgent operational needs caused by the pandemic. Phase 2 will continue supporting local nonprofits in their service to community members impacted by the ongoing crisis. “As a company,…

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