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Community Foundation For The Fox Valley Region Inc

Annual Giving
$41.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Community Foundation For The Fox Valley Region Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $41 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 2-4 weeks (inquiries) to 2-3 months (competitive cycles)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $20,000 (up to $2,500 for event sponsorship)
  • Geographic Focus: Calumet, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca counties and Neenah-Menasha area of Winnebago County, Wisconsin

Contact Details

Overview

Established in 1986 by Walter L. Rugland and local leaders including O.C. Boldt, Arthur Remley, Roger Baird, and Paul Groth, the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region is now the second-largest certified community foundation in Wisconsin. With $41 million distributed to nonprofits and scholarships in 2024, the foundation serves as a permanent community endowment managing charitable funds created by families, businesses, and organizations. In 2024, 1,610 nonprofits received grants from the foundation's diverse portfolio of charitable funds. The foundation recently strengthened its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism (DEIAR), adding it to their core values alongside Integrity, Respect, Teamwork, and Stewardship. Under President & CEO Curt S. Detjen's leadership, the foundation emphasizes being "committed and focused" on serving donors and "helping you make a difference in the lives of others" with the vision that "Together, We Flourish."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation administers grants through various charitable funds, each with its own focus and application process:

Community Vision Fund: $1,000 - $20,000 (average grant: $16,000 in 2023)

  • Permanent fund supporting community needs across five focus areas
  • Rolling application through Letter of Inquiry (LOI) process
  • Inquiries typically reviewed within 2-4 weeks
  • Must be submitted at least 60 days prior to when funds are needed

Fox Cares Foundation Fund

  • Supports emergency shelter programs, temporary/transitional housing programs, and projects assisting those experiencing homelessness
  • Specific deadlines vary

Capital Credit Union Charitable Giving Fund

  • Supports projects providing basic needs: food, shelter, clothing, and medical care

Mielke Family Foundation

  • Application deadline: August 15
  • Decisions by early November (approximately 2.5 months)

Violet and Ruben Laack Memorial Fund

  • Supports educational, library, speech, forensics, and theater programs in the Chilton area
  • Established 2014

Area-Specific Community Foundation Funds:

  • Shawano Area Community Foundation ($41,000 awarded to 19 nonprofits in 2024)
  • Waupaca Area Community Foundation
  • Brillion Area Family of Funds
  • Chilton Area Community Foundation (Application deadline: January 31; decisions in April)

Grant Types Supported: Programs, projects, events, planning, training, capacity building, operations (including technology), community event sponsorships, and systems-change work.

Priority Areas

The Community Vision Fund focuses on five key areas influenced by the Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being and Imagine Fox Cities' community vision:

  • Arts and Culture
  • Community and Neighborhood Development
  • Environment
  • Financial Stability and Well-being
  • Nonprofit Effectiveness

Strategic Funding Priorities (the foundation prioritizes requests that):

  • Invest in under-resourced and/or historically excluded communities and organizations
  • Invest in rural communities
  • Invest in systems change efforts and systems thinking
  • Invest in organizations or programs led by people with lived experience
  • Invest in efforts that foster a culture of belonging, remove barriers to opportunity, and strive towards fair and inclusive access to resources

What They Don't Fund

  • Previously Incurred Expenses: "The Foundation will consider funding requests only for programs or services that have not happened yet. Grants typically cannot be used to pay off debt." (Exceptions may apply in emergencies)
  • Organizations that discriminate: The foundation will not knowingly support organizations that discriminate based on race, color, religion/creed, gender/gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, veteran status, familial status, genetic information, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law
  • Activities contrary to mission and values: Grants will not be made to nonprofits that support or engage in activities contrary to the foundation's mission and values

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Officers:

  • Laura Meronk – Chair
  • Rayon Brown – Vice Chair
  • Christine Cousineau – Treasurer & Vice Chair
  • Beth Flaherty – Past Chair (2023 Board Chair)
  • Jim Prosser – Secretary & Vice Chair
  • Chuck Self – Vice Chair
  • Mike Van Asten – Vice Chair
  • Reg Wydeven – Vice Chair

Directors: John Brogan, John Davis, Bob Ellis, Steve Endries, Christine Faulks, Bill Gunckel, Amy Henselin, Dr. Pafoua (Pam) Her, John Kreul, Mike Mader, Melanie Miller, Michelle Schuler, Shipra Seefeldt, Brenton Teeling

Senior Staff

  • Curt S. Detjen – President & Chief Executive Officer
  • Michelle Weber – Chief Financial Officer
  • Lindsay Fenlon – Vice President of Community Engagement
  • Megan Schuessler – Vice President of Donor Services & Gift Planning
  • Mito Kudaka – Director of Strategic Initiatives
  • David Weiss – Director of Donor Services
  • Michelle Lippart Hardwick – Director of Gift Planning
  • Amy MacKenzie – Director of Marketing and Communications
  • Cindy Hoffman – Director of Database Operations

Supporting Organization Leadership

  • Julie Krause – Executive Director, Appleton Education Foundation
  • Hope Schaefer – Executive Director, Nonprofit Leadership Initiative
  • Julie Keller – Executive Director, Women's Fund for the Fox Valley Region

Leadership Quote

President & CEO Curt S. Detjen emphasizes that the foundation is "committed and focused" on serving donors and "helping you make a difference in the lives of others," with a vision that "our community will emerge strongly from the pandemic and we are prepared to do our part to ensure that Together, We Flourish."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Determine Eligibility: Organizations must be IRS-recognized public charities (501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, or organizations applying through a fiscal sponsor) and benefit people in the service area. Contact grants@cffoxvalley.org if uncertain about eligibility.

  2. Review Grant Policies: Carefully review the foundation's general grant policies, including nondiscrimination policy, faith-based funding policy, and values-aligned grant policy.

  3. Create Account: All applicants must create an account in the Grant Portal well in advance of deadlines to avoid last-minute issues.

  4. Submit Application:

    • For Community Vision Fund: Submit Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through the grant portal at least 60 days prior to when funds are needed
    • For Other Funds: Search for specific grant opportunities in the Grant Portal and follow individual fund guidelines
    • Stay informed by subscribing to the foundation's monthly e-blast for current grant opportunities

Decision Timeline

Community Vision Fund:

  • Inquiries typically reviewed within 2-4 weeks
  • Staff will respond regarding next steps, which may include invitation to submit a full application

Competitive Grant Cycles (varies by fund):

  • Approximately 2-3 months between application deadline and final decision
  • Example timelines:
    • June 10 deadline → mid-August decisions (2 months)
    • January 31 deadline → April decisions (2-3 months)
    • August 15 deadline → early November decisions (2.5 months)

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose application success rates or competitiveness statistics. In 2024, 1,610 nonprofits received $41 million in grants, with 536 scholarships awarded from 310 funds totaling $1.82 million.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not specify restrictions on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants in their general grant policies. Applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation to discuss unsuccessful applications and explore opportunities for future funding.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Strategic Priorities

Applications are strongest when they demonstrate alignment with the foundation's strategic priorities, particularly:

  • Investment in under-resourced and/or historically excluded communities and organizations
  • Investment in rural communities within their service area
  • Systems change efforts and systems thinking approaches
  • Leadership by people with lived experience to the issues being addressed
  • Efforts that foster belonging, remove barriers to opportunity, and strive towards fair and inclusive access to resources

Recent Funded Projects as Examples

SAC Developmental Disabilities Fund (2024): Awarded $22,340 to 17 nonprofits for inclusive and accessible programs including:

  • Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra Association ($725) - In Harmony program
  • GPS Education Partners ($725) - Menasha Ed Center Location
  • Innovative Services, Inc. ($725) - Together We Play program
  • SOAR Fox Cities and Special Olympics of Wisconsin-Fox Valley ($5,000 each) - general operating expenses

Shawano Area Community Foundation (2024): $41,000 to 19 nonprofits including:

  • The Salvation Army of Shawano County ($2,000) - school supplies
  • Trees For Tomorrow, Inc. ($2,000) - 3-day environmental education experience for students

First 5 Fox Valley: Received Community Foundation grants to develop a new Family Resource Center

Application Best Practices

Based on the foundation's scholarship application guidance (applicable to grant applications):

  • Start early: Create your account and begin applications well before deadlines
  • Be complete and thorough: Provide all requested information and look beyond the obvious to discuss relevant experience, community connections, and related successes
  • Be honest and authentic: "Don't embellish, but don't sell yourself short, either. There's a difference between highlighting the best parts and twisting the truth."
  • Maintain professionalism: Use proper spelling and grammar. Proofread everything and have others review for completeness
  • Submit at least 60 days in advance: For Community Vision Fund inquiries, ensure sufficient time for review and potential full application development
  • Be persistent: If unsuccessful with one fund, explore other opportunities within the foundation's diverse portfolio

Faith-Based Organizations

The foundation will fund faith-based organizations when:

  • Programs address important community needs and benefit the broader community
  • All members of the community can participate regardless of religious background
  • No requirement for religious participation or conversion
  • Benefits are available to all, not just organization members

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Multiple funding opportunities: With numerous charitable funds managed by the foundation, organizations should explore various grant programs beyond the Community Vision Fund to find the best fit
  • Equity focus is critical: Applications demonstrating commitment to serving under-resourced, historically excluded, or rural communities are prioritized
  • Long-term community resource: As a permanent endowment established in 1986, the foundation offers ongoing funding opportunities year after year
  • Systems change welcomed: The foundation explicitly prioritizes systems change efforts and systems thinking, not just direct services
  • Plan ahead: Submit Community Vision Fund inquiries at least 60 days before funds are needed; competitive cycles have 2-3 month timelines
  • Lived experience matters: Organizations led by people with lived experience to the issues they address are explicitly prioritized
  • Subscribe for updates: Monthly e-blasts provide timely information about newly available grant opportunities from the foundation's diverse fund portfolio

References

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