October 2021

Happy Fall Everyone! We are excited to bring you updates about new funds at the Foundation as well as emerging needs in our area. We would love to hear from YOU! Please feel free to reach out to us via a phone call or email. We’re working hard to make an impact in our community so it helps to know the causes you feel most passionate about. Also, I wanted to share a great gift idea as we approach the holidays. I recently listened to a podcast, ‘Giving Done Right’, where it suggested families start philanthropy at an early age by giving each kid/grandkid $25 at Christmas to give away however they would like. The only stipulation is they have to report back to the grand/parents how it was spent. The grand/parents put together a summary so everyone can see how each person gave back to their community.

New This Quarter

We had a busy quarter with new funds developed at the Foundation. In August the Graham Olson Youth Baseball Fund was developed. Graham was a long time supporter and board member at the Foundation so we were pleased Mike Nicksic opened this fund in Graham’s name. September brought us two new funds…the Stars & Stripes Forever Fund and the Marshfield Monarchs Fund! The Stars & Stripes Forever Fund will work to develop enough funding to ensure the Pittsville Fireworks can continue year after year. The Marshfield Monarchs is a Fiscal Sponsorship fund meaning this is a small group doing great work in our area so we want to help them gain support and eventually become their own non profit!

While we still consider this year a success with more than 150 scholarships being awarded, we are keeping an eye on the number of students deciding to take a semester off. We had a number of students stating they were re-evaluating when they will start school. We want to make sure students are supported as they navigate their future. Scholarship funds make a tremendous impact for students. We continue to work with scholarship fund holders to make scholarships available to a wide range of students as well as working with scholarship committees to help make their process efficient and stress free.

Community Updates

COVID-19 Relief Fund Committee continues to fund organizations impacted by the pandemic.

The COVID-19 Fund is a Marshfield Area Community Foundation collaboration with the Marshfield Area United Way and a fund holder. This fund has disbursed over $55,000 to over 22 grant applications. Food security has certainly been a focus but funds have also supported increased mental health needs, technology needs, and rental assistance. We are proud of our community supporting those most in need during these uncertain times.

Grants given in 2021 include:

• South Beach Chamber Ensemble for a concert August 7th at Chestnut Ctr. for the Arts

• Raised beds for the Wood Co. Master Gardener Volunteers

• Cultural Fair Fund support for programs

• Rails to Trails for Neillsville Improvement Corporation

• Sleep in Heavenly Peace for the Spencer Area Project

• Spay/Neuter program for Marshfield Area Pet Shelter

• Hub City Days DJ for teens to Main Street Marshfield

• Emergency Communications Trailer for the Heart of WI Amateur Radio Group,Inc.

We enjoyed seeing many of you at the many recent ribbon cuttings. It was appropriately HOT for the Vandehey Waters grand opening. Many thanks to community members whose donations helped make this project a reality. Many people have reached out to us with an interest to support funding passes to Vandehey Waters so income isn’t a barrier for kids wanting to attend. Give us a call for more info on how you can help. If you haven’t visited MAPS put that on your to-do list. The entire facility is impressive and the back yard running area for dogs is so impressive! And finally, United Way opened the doors to their new office, a home donated by the Heckel family. Such a great space for a great organization. Click below to donate to these funds or any other funds with the Foundation which may appeal to you.