Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Corporation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $7.6M (FY 2024-25)
• Success Rate: Data not publicly available
• Decision Time: Approximately 12 weeks (90 days)
• Grant Range: $500 - $20,000 (varies by programme)
• Geographic Focus: Winnebago County, Waushara County, Green Lake County, and City of Ripon, Wisconsin

Contact Details

Address: 230 Ohio Street, Suite 100, Oshkosh, WI 54902
Phone: (920) 426-3993
Email: info@oshkoshareacf.org
Website: www.oshkoshareacf.org

Programme Contacts:

• Amy Putzer, Director of Programs (Nonprofit Grants)
• Cheryl Fowler, Director of Education (Education Grants & Scholarships) - Cheryl@oshkoshareacf.org

Pre-Application Support: The Foundation strongly encourages applicants to connect before applying to brainstorm ideas, strategise funding alignment, and discuss challenges.

Overview

Founded in 1928, the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation has been strengthening local communities for nearly a century. The Foundation manages 1,039 charitable funds and awarded $7.6 million in grants and $812,000 in scholarships during the 2024-25 fiscal year. The Foundation's mission is to "unite the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support projects that enhance quality of life" across its service region. The Foundation operates with the tagline "For Good, For Ever," emphasising its commitment to lasting community impact. The Foundation was named the 2025 Founders' Day recipient by Ripon College, acknowledging its philanthropic leadership in the region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Community Impact Grants (Multiple Application Cycles)

• Digital Marketing: Up to 45 hours of marketing services including brand audit and recommendations (Deadline: typically in early February)
• New Staff/Programming/Small Capital Needs: Up to $20,000 for new positions, programmes, or one-time capital expenses (Deadline: typically in June)
• Leadership Development: Nonprofit Leadership Institute cohort participation with $1,800 co-investment required (Deadline: typically in late January)
• Note: Organisations must have at least one paid staff member and $250,000+ annual budget for Leadership Development

Celebrate Education Grants (Deadline: typically in early January)

• $500 - $2,000 per grant
• For public and parochial school teachers (4K through grade 12) within Oshkosh Area School District
• Funds projects that enrich learning, inspire students, address specific needs, foster community, and are fun for kids
• In 2024, awarded $75,000 to 64 educators; since 2005, has awarded $743,690 total

Youth Development Grants (Deadline: typically in late January)

• Typically less than $3,000
• Supports charitable projects and programmes furthering youth development

Hiwela Youth Campership Grants

• Up to $5,000
• Provides scholarships for low-income children from Winnebago County to attend overnight camp

Women and Girls Fund (Deadline: typically in spring)

• Empowers women and girls in Winnebago County
• Supports causes addressing women's issues and fosters philanthropy

Community Arts Grants (Deadline: typically in May)

• Typically less than $5,000
• Supports arts programming and initiatives

Ladies Benevolent Society: Advocates for Older Adults Grants

• Up to $5,000, with occasional larger grants for capital projects
• Supports programmes benefiting older adults

Priority Areas

The Foundation prioritises proposals that:

• Promote efficiency and collaboration among organisations
• Provide for more efficient use of community resources
• Promote coordination, cooperation, and sharing among organisations
• Address emerging community needs
• Create lasting positive impact in the community

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation will NOT fund:

• Annual fund drives
• Debt reduction
• Religious programmes (with sectarian purposes)
• Political activities
• One-time experiences
• Research projects
• Software licences
• Vehicle expenses
• Grants to individuals (except scholarships)

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team:

• William Wyman, President & CEO: Wyman describes his passion as continuing "prosperity through increased collaboration with public, private and non-profit entities"
• Amy Putzer, Director of Programs
• Cheryl Fowler, Director of Education
• Director of Finance & Administration (position filled)
• Database Specialist (Elizabeth "Liz" Schroeder)

The Foundation employs approximately 11 staff members and is governed by boards of dedicated community leaders. The Foundation demonstrates strong governance practices, including formal orientation for new board members, written agreements regarding board roles and responsibilities, formal written assessment of the CEO, conflict-of-interest policies with annual disclosure statements, and an inclusive board member recruitment process ensuring diversity of thought and leadership. The Foundation has earned a 4/4 Star rating from Charity Navigator.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through the Foundation's website, with each grant programme having its own specific application form and guidelines.

Application Process:

1. Pre-Application Consultation: The Foundation strongly encourages prospective applicants to contact them before applying. According to their guidance: "Before applying, we encourage you to connect with us to brainstorm ideas, strategize funding alignment, and discuss your challenges."
2. Application Availability: Applications typically become available 1-2 months before deadlines
3. Submission: Complete the online application specific to your chosen grant programme
4. Follow-up: The Foundation welcomes questions throughout the process

Application Methods: Rolling basis for some programmes, fixed deadlines for others (see individual programmes above)

Decision Timeline

• Decisions are typically shared within 90 days of application submission
• For scholarship programmes, all applicants are notified by May 31st annually
• Notification methods vary by programme

Success Rates

The Foundation awarded $7.6 million in grants during the 2024-25 fiscal year. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly available. However, the Foundation's emphasis on pre-application consultation suggests they work to guide applicants toward programmes where they have the strongest fit.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation welcomes reapplications from previously unsuccessful applicants. There are no stated restrictions or mandatory waiting periods. Organisations are encouraged to connect with Foundation staff to discuss how to strengthen future applications.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Guidance

Pre-Application Engagement is Critical: The Foundation explicitly states: "Before applying, we encourage you to connect with us to brainstorm ideas, strategize funding alignment, and discuss your challenges." They further encourage nonprofits to "call to bounce ideas off of them, strategize on what initiatives to seek funding for, brainstorm possible program outcomes, or talk through challenges that are keeping your organization from operating at its peak."

Emphasis on Collaboration: The strongest proposals meet this criterion: "Promote Efficiency and Collaboration, provide for more efficient use of community resources and promote coordination, cooperation, and sharing among organizations."

Geographic Alignment: Applications must clearly demonstrate service to residents of Winnebago County, Waushara County, Green Lake County, or the City of Ripon, Wisconsin.

Programme-Specific Fit: Each grant programme has distinct priorities. For example:

• Celebrate Education grants should be "fun for kids" while enriching learning
• Community Impact grants emphasise organisational capacity-building
• Women's Fund grants must specifically address women's and girls' issues

Recent Success Stories:

• Ripon Public Library received a $50,000 grant for children's section renovation
• SEPO received funding for Building Literacy and Academic Confidence with Kids initiative addressing literacy equity for Black, Brown, African, Immigrant and Refugee (BBAIR) students in Oshkosh
• In 2024, 64 educators received Celebrate Education grants for innovative classroom projects

Key Quote from Leadership: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Director of Programs Amy Putzer identified that "Two frequently recurring words dominated the survey comments: technology and fundraising," demonstrating the Foundation's responsiveness to emerging community needs.

Practical Application Tips

• Verify your 501(c)(3) status through IRS written confirmation before applying
• Organisations without 501(c)(3) status can apply through a fiscal sponsor
• Review grant success stories on the Foundation's website for inspiration
• Subscribe to the monthly "Grantseeker Newsletter" for updates
• Ensure your organisation does not discriminate based on protected categories
• Programmes targeting specific populations must be open to all within those populations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Pre-application consultation is essential: The Foundation explicitly invites conversations before you apply—take advantage of this to ensure alignment and strengthen your proposal
• Collaboration is highly valued: Frame your project in terms of how it promotes coordination, cooperation, and efficient use of community resources
• Choose the right programme: With multiple grant streams, careful programme selection based on your specific needs (capacity-building, education, arts, youth, etc.) is critical
• Geographic focus matters: Clearly demonstrate how your work serves residents of Winnebago, Waushara, Green Lake counties, or Ripon
• Build relationships: The Foundation has served the community since 1928 and values ongoing connections—engage through their newsletters and community events
• Plan ahead: Applications open 1-2 months before deadlines; allow 90 days for decisions
• Consider programme restrictions carefully: The Foundation has specific exclusions (annual funds, debt reduction, vehicles, etc.) that are strictly applied

References

• Oshkosh Area Community Foundation official website: https://www.oshkoshareacf.org/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Apply For Grants page: https://www.oshkoshareacf.org/apply-for-grants/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Community Impact Grants: https://www.oshkoshareacf.org/apply-for-grants/community-impact-grants/ (Accessed January 2026)
• What You Should Know About Grants: https://www.oshkoshareacf.org/grants/what-you-should-know/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Celebrate Education Grants $75,000 to 64 Local Educators: https://www.oshkoshareacf.org/grant-stories/celebrate-education-grants-75000-to-64-local-educators/ (Accessed January 2026)
• GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/39-2034571 (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/392034571 (Accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/392034571 (Accessed January 2026)
• Ripon College Founders' Day announcement: https://ripon.edu/2025/01/29/oshkosh-area-community-foundation-named-2025-founders-day-recipient/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Charity Navigator Rating: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/392034571 (Accessed January 2026)