In celebration of our 25^th Anniversary, ECCF has awarded more than a quarter million dollars to local nonprofits over the past 12 months. Thanks to the incredible generosity of many donors and sponsors, we're thrilled to continue that trend with an unexpected $20,000 in grants to local nonprofits to close our year-long celebration. These “You Care, We Share” grants were awarded at our combined Autumn Social/Annual meeting on Sep. 19.

Along with the grants, ECCF was honored to recognize the Roberta and Ken Vance Family with its Leadership Award for all they've done on behalf of ECCF and our community.  Other event highlights included keynote speaker Julie Novak, Chief Youth Protection Officer at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and leading expert on child safety, as well as Dr. Joe and Catherine Wildenberg, who shared the story of the fund they established at ECCF.

Three ECCF Board members who have concluded their terms presented $1000 grants to the nonprofits of their choice: Kim Bodeau selected Sculpture Tour, Tim Pabich selected Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin’s Chippewa Valley Child Advocacy Center, and Sarah Stokes selected Lutheran Social Services’ Fostering the Future Fund.   

The $20,000 in “You Care, We Share” grants were made possible by ECCF donors and sponsors whose gifts went above and beyond expectations. The grantees were selected by ECCF’s Board of Trustees. Recipients  were:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin
• Bob’s House for Dogs
• Carson Park Baseball Stadium Renovation Project
• Chippewa Valley Museum
• Evolving Wellness
• Girls on the Run of the Chippewa Valley
• JONAH (Joining Our Neighbors, Advancing Hope)
• Sculpture Tour
• Stand in the Light Memory Choir
• The Community Table
• The Hub Homeless Services

“We’re extremely grateful to all the donors and sponsors who made these extra grants possible,” said ECCF Executive Director Sue Bornick. “Their generosity is truly making an impact on the Eau Claire community.”

ECCF sincerely thanks the Founders, donors, and volunteers who have made our first 25 years of service to the community possible, and we  look forward to our next quarter century of service!