March 17, 2020

Beginning today, the Eau Claire Community Foundation (ECCF) office will be closed to the public, although staff will still be working there. For your convenience, there is a mail slot next to our second entrance for donations, etc. We appreciate your patience and support of these efforts to limit direct contact.

Should the need arise for ECCF to close its office, the staff will work remotely and will be available to check voicemail. ECCF can also be reached via its cell phone at 715-210-4446.

Nonprofit Update:
Because of this unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, we know many nonprofit organizations are struggling financially and are unable to run business as usual—including grant-funded programs. For this reason, ECCF is extending the normal July 1 report deadline for ECCF grants received in 2019; grantees can now submit their grant reports until August 1 with no effect on their eligibility for future granting.

If 2019 grantees have unspent grant funds that can't be used for their original purposes due to restrictions on social gatherings, or if they now have more urgent funding needs, they can contact ECCF to discuss possibly re-directing the remaining funds.

These exceptions are intended as short-term efforts to reduce stress on our grantees and are NOT intended to establish a precedent.

Donor Opportunity:
ECCF has established a “Quick Response Community Fund.” These dollars will support an emergency grant cycle for local nonprofits, especially those that are suddenly facing increased demand for their services because they support basic needs like food and health care. This fund provides a great option for donors who want to support the community’s greatest needs but aren’t sure where to direct their funding. If you are a Donor Advisor and would like to recommend a grant to support this extra initiative, please contact ECCF.

Click here to donate online to the Quick Response Community Fund.

We also encourage donors to connect with nonprofits that are important to them and find out what help the organizations might need to weather the crisis.

ECCF Event Update:
The Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation (ECPSF) Golden Apple Awards event on April 16 is canceled. However, this elite group of Honorees is making a difference in the lives of our children, and we want to congratulate them in a meaningful way. ECPSF will still disburse the sponsored and awarded grant funding to Honorees and Schools. Honorees will receive their awards, and sponsors will be publicized and thanked on the ECPSF website as well as through social media and other venues.

The WGC Spring Gathering on May 4 at the Eau Claire Golf and Country Club has been moved to June 15. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and adjust as needed.

Protecting the Health of Our Community Together
The constant uncertainty of this health care crisis is causing a great deal of anxiety. As you cope with the ever-changing situation, take comfort in the fact that we’re all in this together. Through action, compassion, and common sense, we can and will weather this storm.

Many thanks for all you do for the community.

Sincerely,

Sue Bornick
Executive Director