2026 Community Grant Cycle Distributed Over $235K To Local Nonprofits Posted on May 27, 2026 by Eau Claire Community Foundation ECCF was thrilled to distribute over $235,000 to an array of outstanding nonprofits that serve the Eau Claire area through our annual Community Grant Cycle. Grantees by giving category are listed below: ARTS & CULTURE Total Granted: $20,769 Arts & Culture grants support programs and organizations that enhance the quality of life in our community through music, visual and performing arts, literature, and museums. Chippewa Valley Museum Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild Eau Claire Children's Theatre Eau Claire Jazz, Inc. Immanuel Lutheran Church Ski Sprites Water Ski, Inc. EDUCATION Total… Read More »
Physicians’ Community Impact Fund Awards First Grant to CVTC Foundation’s Summer Dental Clinic Posted on May 5, 2026 by Eau Claire Community Foundation The Eau Claire Community Foundation is honored to announce the first grant awarded through the Physicians’ Community Impact Fund (PCIF), a fund created by practicing and retired physicians who share a commitment to improving the health and well-being of the Eau Claire area.The fund’s first grant, in the amount of $15,000, will support Increasing access to dental care for children through the CVTC Dental Clinic’s Summer Clinic. This funding will help expand the clinic from two days per week to three, allowing more low-income children to receive preventive dental care during the summer months, when they do not have to worry about missing school.Over the course of six weeks, dental hygiene students, supervised by licensed faculty and a dental preceptor, will provide exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, oral health education, and electric toothbrushes to 108 children who may otherwise go without care. The clinic also maintains a weekly waitlist of approximately 50 individuals, demonstrating the ongoing need for accessible dental services in the community.PCIF is made up of practicing and retired physicians who support the fund through annual contributions and vote on grant recipients each year. Together, they are helping address local health needs in thoughtful and meaningful ways.“This first grant is a wonderful reflection of what can happen when people come together around a shared commitment to community health,” said Dr. Susan Rowe, Chair of PCIF. “Improving access to preventive dental care for children is an investment not only in their health today, but in their well-being for the future. We are grateful to the physicians who made this possible and to the CVTC Dental Clinic for the care they provide to children and families in our community.”The Eau Claire Community Foundation is grateful to the members of PCIF for their generosity and vision, and to the CVTC Dental Clinic for helping meet an important need in the Eau Claire area.“This grant speaks to the heart of what the Physicians’ Community Impact Fund was created to do,” commented Wes Escondo, President and CEO of Eau Claire Community Foundation. “It is a meaningful way to support children, strengthen community health, and help make care more accessible for families who need it most.”Learn more about the Physicians’ Community Impact Fund at www.pcifund.org. MDs, DOs, and their families are invited to join the 65 other physicians who are part of the inaugural founders and members of this fund to create an even larger impact on health and well-being in the Eau Claire area. Read More »
Congratulations to the 2025 Women’s Giving Circle grant recipients! Posted on November 11, 2025 by Eau Claire Community Foundation The members of the Women's Giving Circle voted to fund $47,169 in grant awards at their Annual Meeting on Nov. 3, 2025. Each grant recipient helps to fulfill the WGC’s mission of supporting women and children in the Eau Claire area. The organizations and programs the WGC has voted to fund are: Chippewa Valley Free Clinic: "Addressing Health and Social Inequities in Women Living in Disadvantaged Conditions" Christ Church Cathedral: "Needful Things Personal Care Pantry" Feed My People Food Bank:"Project FEED School Markets" Friends of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public… Read More »
Free Grant Writing Workshop for Nonprofits! Posted on September 17, 2025 by Eau Claire Community Foundation We at ECCF are excited to partner with Ann Kaiser of AMK Nonprofit Coaching to offer a free two session workshop series to help Eau Claire area nonprofits improve their grant writing processes. Read on for a detailed description of the series: Grant Writing Workshop Series: Setting Your Nonprofit Up for Funding Success Strong grant proposals can open the door to new funding opportunities—but for many nonprofits, the process feels overwhelming and time-consuming. This two-part workshop series is designed to help Eau Claire area nonprofits develop more efficient, effective grant… Read More »
ECCF Awards Over $70,000 to Local Nonprofits Through Inaugural Community Health Grant Cycle Posted on August 19, 2025 by Eau Claire Community Foundation The Eau Claire Community Foundation (ECCF) is proud to have completed its inaugural Community Health Grant Cycle, awarding over $70,000 to local organizations whose programs improve community well-being and promote health equity in the Eau Claire area. This new grant cycle is funded through the Community Health Endowment Fund.The Community Health Endowment Fund was created through the consolidation of specific funds geared towards addressing local health needs and reducing health disparity. These funds, which represent a portion of a larger gift, were entrusted to ECCF following the departure of HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s hospitals from the region. For decades, these hospitals strengthened the Chippewa Valley — this grant cycle helps keep that legacy alive and at work in our community.“The Community Health Grant Cycle is a brand-new funding opportunity we’ve introduced this year,” shared ECCF President & CEO, Wes Escondo. “Expanding our grantmaking is a direct response to the needs we see in our community and a reflection of our commitment to empowering the local nonprofit sector.“By ensuring these organizations have the resources they need to carry out their missions, we are building not only a healthier Eau Claire, but a stronger and more resilient one as well.”Through the Community Health Grant Cycle, all applications were carefully reviewed by ECCF’s grant committee to ensure they met community health priorities and the fund’s mission. We are proud to award over $70,000 in grants to the applicants below:Chippewa Valley Free ClinicEau Claire Tenant-Landlord Resource CenterEau Claire Youth Cycling IncFeed My People Food BankNational Alliance on Mental Illness Chippewa Valley (NAMI)NorthLakes Community ClinicThe Community TableUnited Cerebral Palsy of West Central WisconsinNonprofits seeking funding, and community members wishing to support or launch new health initiatives, can find more under the Grant Opportunities tab at www.eccfwi.org, email [email protected], or call (715) 552-3801. Watch the Full WQOW Coverage Read More »
William A. Bingham Grant Cycle Update Posted on July 1, 2025 by Eau Claire Community Foundation William A. Bingham ECCF is excited to announce that almost fifty nonprofit organizations submitted applications to the William A. Bingham Grant Cycle! These high-impact grants of up to $100,000 will support initiatives that improve the Eau Claire area’s quality of life. This grant cycle is supported by the William A. Bingham Family Endowment Fund, which was established thanks to an unprecedented legacy gift from lifelong community member William “Bill” A. Bingham. Funding decisions will be announced in November. We thank all the wonderful nonprofits that participated… Read More »
2025 Community Grant Cycle Results: Over $230K Distributed! Posted on March 5, 2025 by Eau Claire Community Foundation ECCF was thrilled to distribute over $230,000 to an array of outstanding nonprofits that serve the Eau Claire area through our annual Community Grant Cycle. Grantees by giving category are listed below: CREATE CULTURE Total Granted: $37,305 Create Culture grants support programs and organizations that enhance the quality of life in our community through music, visual and performing arts, literature, and museums. Chippewa Valley Museum Chippewa Valley Symphony Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association Eau Claire Children's Theatre Eau Claire Municipal Band Eau Claire Public Access Eau Claire… Read More »
AnnMarie Foundation Brings $11 Million in Assets to Become ECCF’s Newest Affiliate Posted on February 6, 2025 by Eau Claire Community Foundation The Eau Claire Community Foundation (ECCF) is proud to welcome the AnnMarie Foundation as its newest Affiliate Fund. This transformative partnership solidifies a shared commitment to fostering meaningful community impact and ensures the AnnMarie Foundation’s legacy of generosity will continue to inspire for generations to come. As an independent philanthropic organization, the AnnMarie Foundation has dedicated itself to enhancing the quality of life in Wisconsin communities. Through monetary awards to schools and non-profits, the foundation promotes educational, humanitarian, cultural, and recreational initiatives. Additionally, its scholarship programs empower high school graduates to pursue higher education and achieve their goals.Established in 1973 by Bob Cervenka and Louie Vokurka, founders of Phillips Plastics Corporation, the AnnMarie Foundation has been a pillar of philanthropy in Wisconsin. Named in honor of the founders’ mothers, Ann and Marie, the foundation was initially funded by Phillips Plastics Corporation. After the company was sold in 2010, the foundation became independent, carrying forward its mission to enrich communities through grants and scholarships. To date, the AnnMarie Foundation has awarded more than 6,200 grants and scholarships, totaling over $12 million in support of educational, humanitarian, cultural, and recreational activities—a testament to its enduring impact and commitment to improving lives.The AnnMarie Foundation remains deeply connected to the communities that were home to Phillips Plastics Corporation and its employees, including Eau Claire, Hudson, Medford, Menomonie, New Richmond, Phillips, and Prescott. Its mission extends to neighboring areas, further emphasizing the founders’ vision of community enrichment and inclusivity.“The AnnMarie Foundation’s legacy of making a meaningful difference aligns seamlessly with ECCF’s focus to connect donors with causes that matter,” said Wesley Escondo, President & CEO of the Eau Claire Community Foundation. “We are honored to partner with them as an Affiliate Fund and to uphold their tradition of transformative philanthropy.”This partnership brings approximately $11 million in assets to the Eau Claire Community Foundation, ensuring the AnnMarie Foundation’s resources and vision are sustained and amplified. With ECCF’s robust administrative support and grantmaking expertise, the AnnMarie Foundation will continue to serve its communities while maintaining its unique identity and priorities.“Becoming an Affiliate Fund strengthens our ability to serve our mission and extend our impact,” said Ron Bakken, Advisory Board Chair of the AnnMarie Foundation. “We are confident that this collaboration will enhance the lives of those in the communities we cherish.”Together, the Eau Claire Community Foundation and the AnnMarie Foundation are committed to building a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient community—honoring the past while striving toward a brighter future. This partnership exemplifies the enduring impact of collaboration and community-based giving. Read More »
Women’s Giving Circle grant impact now exceeds half a million dollars! Posted on November 6, 2024 by Eau Claire Community Foundation The members of the Women's Giving Circle (WGC) have now exceeded half a million dollars in grant impact since the group was founded in 2007! They voted to fund $63,239 in grant awards at their Annual Meeting on Nov. 4, 2024. Each grant recipient helps to fulfill the WGC’s mission of supporting women and children in the Eau Claire area. The organizations and programs the WGC has voted to fund are: Altoona Boys and Girls Club: "Youth Education Technology Access Program” Big Brothers Big Sisters of NW WI: “A Day… Read More »
Nonprofit Grant Training Posted on October 17, 2024 by Eau Claire Community Foundation Grant Writing Workshop by AMK Nonprofit Coaching, Session 1 Topics covered include: Understanding the Reviewer's Lens Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them Breaking the Grant Writing Process into Manageable Tasks 2025 Grant Writing Workshop, Session One Video Workshop Supplementary Materials: AMK Grant Training Session 1 Packet 10.13.25 AMK Grant Intake Form PDF AMK Grant Intake Form Spreadsheet PowerPoint Slides from the Session One Presentation Grant Writing Workshop by AMK Nonprofit Coaching, Session 2 Topics covered include: Build a compelling case for support using strong data Develop a… Read More »
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