Community Foundation awards $585,000 in Visionary Grants to local groups

By Patrick Lynn

STEVENS POINT — The Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin has awarded $585,000 in Visionary Grants to 13 organizations across Portage and Waushara counties, with funding set to span the next five years.

The grants, designed to support long-term sustainability and transformative projects, target a range of initiatives including youth development, environmental conservation, and historical preservation.

“Our grants committee selected organizations with diverse budgets, staff sizes, and operational histories,” said Sarah Ross, director of community grants for the foundation. “We’re eager to see how multi-year funding can spark innovation and bring lasting improvements to these valuable organizations.”

Recipients in Portage County include the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County, CREATE Portage County, and the Portage County Historical Society, among others. The grants will support projects ranging from weatherizing rural homes to expanding literacy programs.

In Waushara County, the Pine River Library of Leon-Saxeville and the Wild Rose Historical Society are among the grantees. Funding will go toward expanding library access and enhancing museum visibility.

“Many people think of Operation Bootstrap as just a place to get help with rent or food, but we do much more,” said Roseann DeBot, executive director of Operation Bootstrap, one of the grant recipients. “We strive to break the cycle of poverty and give families the support they need during tough times.”

The foundation’s Visionary Grants are designed to help recipients integrate new initiatives into their own budgets and operations after the grant period ends.

For more information on the Community Foundation’s grant programs or to learn how to give back, visit cfcwi.org.