ECCF is proud to announce the distribution of $136,000 in grants from the William A. Bingham Family Endowment Fund to three local nonprofit organizations. Recipients were selected after careful evaluation by a panel of ECCF grant reviewers. These grants reflect the Fund’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the Chippewa Valley community.

The following organizations received grants in support of their missions:

• Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity – $25,000 to support volunteer coordination.
• YMCA of the Greater Chippewa Valley – $66,000 to support renovations at the YMCA Eau Claire South facility.
• Friends of Beaver Creek Reserve – $45,000 to support renovations at Beaver Creek Reserve.

YMCA President & CEO Derek White shared his excitement about the impact of this grant: “This grant will help us make transformational changes to the lobby of the Eau Claire South YMCA – from expanding our childcare services to creating spaces for socializing and building the vital connections that keep us healthy in spirit, mind, and body. We are deeply grateful to ECCF for their generous support.”

Since its inception in 2023, the William A. Bingham Family Endowment Fund has provided over $280,000 to local charities, empowering them to address critical needs and enhance the quality of life for all residents in the Chippewa Valley.

“The generosity of the William A. Bingham Family Endowment Fund is a shining example of the power of philanthropy,” said Wes Escondo, ECCF President & CEO. “These grants will enable our grantees to continue their vital work, from fostering stronger families and supporting youth development to preserving our natural environment.”

ECCF is proud to steward funds like the William A. Bingham Family Endowment Fund, which exemplify the spirit of giving and the impact it can have on the community. These contributions help create a more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.

 

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Nonprofit staff and volunteers are invited to ECCF's free nonprofit grant training sessions, which will introduce attendees to ECCF grant cycles and processes.  Topics covered include:  ECCF Grantmaking Guidelines Grant options available through the Community Grant Cycle Other available ECCF grant cycles Guidance for filling out ECCF's grant application forms Tips and strategies for effective grant writing Grant training sessions will be offered on three dates; each session will cover the same information, so it's not necessary to attend more than one. All sessions will be offered virtually through Microsoft…

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Access Eau Claire Fund Holder Dr. Katherine Schneider and her canine companion Calvin explore REACH's new Community Green Space, which is designed to be accessible to people with disabilities. ECCF joins the Eau Claire community in celebrating the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.). Signed into law by President George H. Bush on July 26, 1990, the A.D.A. is a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination in employment, purchasing goods and services, and participating in state and local government programs and services.…

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We at ECCF are thrilled to announce $282,238 in Community Grant awards this year. Not only is this a new record grant total, but it exceeds the previous record by over $60,000! We sincerely thank all the donors whose generosity made this grant support possible. We also thank the members of our Grants Committee, whose hard work and dedication are vital to the Community Grant Cycle. And last but not least, we thank all the outstanding nonprofits whose staff and volunteers are doing so much to make our community a…

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The Women's Giving Circle will be accepting grant applications until 4:00 pm on Monday, June 3. Nonprofits that serve women and/or children in Eau Claire County are welcome to apply. For more information, please visit the Women's Giving Circle Grant Cycle page.

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Local businesses play a vital role in supporting philanthropy, and Market & Johnson  is prominent among them. M&J has always encouraged its employees to become personally involved in the communities where they live and work. To help further this goal, they created the M&J Employee Impact Fund, held at ECCF, in which employees pool their contributions to support organizations in the communities where they live and work. Market & Johnson then matches 50% of employee contributions. 

Each year, M&J employees recommend recipients for grants from the M&J Employee Impact Fund; their recommendations are reviewed by the Impact Fund Committee and approved by Market & Johnson’s Board of Directors and ECCF’s Board of Trustees.

In January 2024, the M&J Employee Impact Fund distributed $70,800 in grants to 18 nonprofits throughout their service area. Together, M&J employees are making a lasting difference in the communities they serve!

2024 M&J Employee Impact Fund Grantees

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the 7 Rivers Region

Bolton Refuge House

Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse

Boys and Girls Clubs of the Greater Chippewa Valley

Drug Endangered Children

Fall Creek School Booster Club

GATEWAYS Fund of the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation

Joshua’s Camp

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin North and West Central Region, La Crosse and Eau Claire chapters

La Crosse Area Veterans Mentor Program

River Valley Charities

Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Chippewa Valley Chapter

St. Croix Valley Food Bank

St. Croix Valley Foundation, Sterbenz-Ryan Scholarship Fund

Valley Outreach

Winona Community Foundation, Dive and Rescue Fund

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