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Eau Claire Community Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.7M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M
Decision Time
4mo
Success Rate
80%

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Eau Claire Community Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Founded: 1997
  • Annual Giving: $1.7 million (2025 year-to-date in grants and scholarships)
  • Total Assets: $43 million
  • Total Funds: 360 funds
  • Grant Range: $500 - $15,000 (depending on program)
  • Geographic Focus: Eau Claire County and greater Eau Claire area, Wisconsin
  • Historical Impact: Over $30 million distributed to organizations in the Chippewa Valley since founding
  • Charity Navigator Rating: 4/4 Stars (100% score)

Contact Details

Address: 306 S. Barstow Street, Suite 104, Eau Claire, WI 54701

Phone: 715-552-3801

Fax: 715-552-3802

Website: www.eccfwi.org

Application Support: The foundation welcomes questions about their organization, the giving process, or grant applications via phone, email, or in-person visits.

Overview

Founded in 1997 following a transformative gift from an Eau Claire couple, the Eau Claire Community Foundation (ECCF) has grown from 64 founding members pledging over $1 million to a community asset with $43 million in net assets and 360 endowed funds. The foundation's mission is "to establish endowed funds that will benefit the Eau Claire community today and in the future." Since inception, ECCF has distributed over $30 million to 740 different nonprofits throughout the region. In 2023 alone, the foundation contributed $1,645,427 through 68 grant awards.

The foundation received its largest-ever gift in recent years—a $4.75 million bequest from William A. Bingham's estate to establish an unrestricted endowment fund. ECCF operates with exceptional efficiency, with audited operational expenses of just 1.36% of total assets in 2022, leaving 98.64% to directly impact area nonprofits. Under the leadership of President & CEO Wesley Escondo (appointed in August 2023), the foundation has been expanding its grantmaking programs and strengthening its commitment to empowering the local nonprofit sector. ECCF earned a perfect 4/4 star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong financial health and commitment to accountability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grant Cycle (Annual)

  • Program Grants: Fund programs and services that meet important community needs
  • Asset Grants: Fund specific purchases (e.g., equipment, computers) and improvements (e.g., website upgrades)
  • Operations Grants: Up to $10,000 to help nonprofits meet operating expenses during times of transition, unexpected revenue loss, or unusually high expenses
  • Recent cycle awarded $213,259 to 50 nonprofits
  • Application method: Annual cycle with online application

Women's Giving Circle Grant

  • Grant Amount: Up to $7,500
  • Focus: Programs that benefit women and/or children in Eau Claire County
  • Timeline: Applications available in April, deadline in June, recipients announced in early to mid-November, checks distributed in December
  • Impact: Exceeded $500,000 in total grant impact since founding in 2007
  • Recent cycles: $63,239 awarded in 2024, $47,169 in 2025

Physicians' Community Impact Fund

  • Grant Amount: $15,000 per award
  • Focus: Local nonprofit organizations addressing health needs (rotating yearly focus, beginning with preventive health)
  • Created by local physicians from all healthcare organizations
  • Supports programs and asset purchases

William A. Bingham Family Endowment Fund

  • Grant Range: $43,680 - $100,000 (based on recent awards)
  • Focus: Unrestricted endowment supporting community needs
  • Larger awards from this special endowment fund

Royal Credit Union and ECCF Nonprofit Professional Development Fund

  • Grant Amount: Up to $500
  • Focus: Professional development for nonprofit staff

Priority Areas

ECCF awards grants to organizations whose programs address needs in four main categories:

  • "Create Culture" (Arts and Culture): Supports programs that enhance quality of life through music, visual and performing arts, and museums
  • "Form Futures" (Education): Supports instruction for children and adults offered by established institutions or nonprofit organizations, plus learning and community development opportunities
  • "Give Green" (Environment, Recreation, Animals): Supports programs that engage children and adults in activities improving or sustaining natural resources, plus opportunities for sports, fitness, health, and recreational activities
  • "Offer Opportunities": Addresses social services, accessibility needs, and needs of elders

The foundation favors innovative proposals that:

  • Promote collaboration and reduce duplication of services
  • Build upon community strengths to respond more effectively to local needs
  • Apply ECCF's resources optimally to meet important community needs

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not extensively documented in available sources, the foundation requires that most of the grant's impact must be in Eau Claire County, indicating they do not fund projects outside their geographic focus area.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Wesley Escondo, President & CEO (appointed August 7, 2023)

  • Succeeded Sue Bornick, who transitioned to a part-time role focused on development and planned giving
  • On his vision: "I look forward to collaborating with ECCF's dedicated staff, Board of Trustees, fund holders, donors, and community partners to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of the people we serve."
  • On expanding grantmaking: "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."
  • On nonprofit impact: "The real story here is the incredible work being done by our local nonprofits. These organizations are on the front lines, meeting essential needs everyday."

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees comprises community leaders dedicated to making Eau Claire a better place to live.

Officers:

  • Jeff Kowieski, Chair - Partner and General Counsel at Wipfli LLP
  • Katie Murphy, Vice Chair - President at RB Scott Company
  • John Satre, Treasurer - Retired CPA from Bauman Associates & Advisors
  • Cindy Hangartner, Secretary - Attorney at von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

Additional Board Members:

  • Grant Beardsley - EVP-Chief Legal Officer at Royal Credit Union
  • Jason Beckermann, M.D. - General Surgeon at Mayo Health System
  • Mike Conner - Executive Director at PESI, Inc.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility:

  • Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity status, or tax-exempt governmental agencies, educational institutions, or religious organizations
  • Organizations must serve the greater Eau Claire area
  • Most of the grant's impact must be in Eau Claire County
  • Applicants must submit evidence of 501(c)(3) or 509(a)(1), (2), or (3) tax status, or another qualified 501(c)(3) organization must agree to serve as fiscal agent

Application Method:

  • Online application through the ECCF website (eccfwi.org)
  • Applications are available on the foundation's website when grant cycles open
  • The foundation welcomes questions about applications via phone (715-552-3801), email, or in-person visits

Application Cycles:

  • Community Grant Cycle: Annual cycle (recent cycle had applications due January 21, 2026, at noon)
  • Women's Giving Circle: Applications available in April, deadline in June
  • Physicians' Community Impact Fund: Check website for current cycle dates

Decision Timeline

Evaluation Process:

  • Applications are carefully evaluated before funding is recommended for approval by ECCF's Board of Trustees

Notification:

  • Women's Giving Circle grant recipients are announced in early to mid-November, with checks distributed in December

Reporting Requirements:

  • A final report on all funded grant proposals is required within 30 days of the grant period's end

Success Rates

The 2026 Community Grant Cycle received 62 grant applications requesting more than half a million dollars in total. In 2023, the Community Grant Cycle awarded $213,259 to 50 nonprofits, suggesting that a significant portion of applicants receive funding, though not necessarily at their full requested amounts.

In 2023, ECCF made 68 grant awards totaling $1,645,427 across all programs. With 62 applications in the most recent community cycle alone, plus additional applications through other programs, the foundation demonstrates a commitment to funding a substantial number of local nonprofits annually.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Organizations seeking clarity on reapplication should contact the foundation directly at 715-552-3801 or visit their website for complete guidelines.

Application Success Factors

What ECCF Values

Based on the foundation's stated preferences, successful applications should:

  1. Demonstrate Innovation and Collaboration: ECCF explicitly favors "innovative proposals that promote collaboration and reduce duplication of services." Consider how your project works with other organizations or takes a fresh approach to community needs.

  2. Build on Community Strengths: The foundation wants to see how proposals "build upon the strengths of the community so it may respond more effectively to local needs." Connect your work to existing community assets and capabilities.

  3. Optimize Resource Impact: Show how your proposal will "apply ECCF's resources optimally to meet important community needs." Be specific about outcomes and how the grant will create meaningful change.

  4. Focus on Local Impact: Remember that "most of the grants' impact must be in Eau Claire County." Make the local benefit crystal clear in your application.

Leadership Perspective

CEO Wesley Escondo emphasizes that ECCF's expanded 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." Applications that clearly articulate how they address documented community needs and strengthen the nonprofit ecosystem will resonate with the foundation's current strategic direction.

Escondo also highlights that "these organizations are on the front lines, meeting essential needs everyday," suggesting the foundation values practical, on-the-ground work that directly serves community members.

Recent Funding Examples

Recent grant recipients include:

  • Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse ($100,000 to keep Sojourner House homeless shelter operational)
  • The Wellness Shack (Bingham Fund recipient)
  • Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office (Bingham Fund recipient)
  • Eau Claire Police Department (Bingham Fund recipient)
  • American Red Cross of Northwestern Wisconsin ($71,000 for blood collection vehicle)
  • Chippewa Valley Free Clinic (Women's Giving Circle)
  • Feed My People Food Bank (Women's Giving Circle)

These examples demonstrate the foundation's willingness to fund diverse needs, from emergency shelter to public safety to healthcare access.

Practical Tips

  • Choose the Right Grant Type: ECCF offers three distinct grant types (Program, Asset, Operations). Operations grants are capped at $10,000, while other programs may offer more. Select the category that best fits your need.

  • Engage Early: The foundation explicitly states they welcome questions and encourage organizations to "call, email, or stop by." Use this openness to clarify questions before applying.

  • Understand Timing: With only one Community Grant Cycle per year, timing is crucial. Plan ahead to meet the annual deadline.

  • Consider Multiple Opportunities: If your work benefits women and/or children, consider the Women's Giving Circle. If you address health needs, explore the Physicians' Community Impact Fund.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Local focus is paramount: ECCF requires most grant impact to be in Eau Claire County. Applications must demonstrate clear, measurable local benefit.

  • Collaboration and innovation matter: The foundation explicitly favors proposals that collaborate with other organizations and bring innovative approaches to community challenges. Highlight partnerships and unique strategies.

  • Multiple funding streams available: Beyond the main Community Grant Cycle, explore the Women's Giving Circle (up to $7,500) and Physicians' Community Impact Fund ($15,000) if your work aligns with their specific focus areas.

  • Strong community support: With 360 funds and $43 million in assets, ECCF is a significant and growing resource. The foundation is actively expanding its grantmaking under new leadership.

  • Operational efficiency creates trust: ECCF's 1.36% operational expense ratio and 4-star Charity Navigator rating demonstrate exceptional stewardship, suggesting they value similar fiscal responsibility in grantees.

  • Accessibility is a priority: The foundation welcomes questions and pre-application contact. Use this opportunity to strengthen your proposal before submission.

  • Think beyond traditional grants: With 50 organizations funded in a typical Community Grant Cycle and only 62 applications, your odds may be better than at many foundations. Don't self-select out of applying.

References

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