Community Foundation celebrates 40 years of philanthropy
By Patrick Lynn
The Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin is celebrating its 40th anniversary of inspiring philanthropy and connecting people and resources.
Since its inception, the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin has grown to an asset size of over $32 a million with nearly 300 funds. Each fund allows the Foundation to partner with donors to support students, causes, and well-loved programs in our community.
“Honoring our past and celebrating the present inspires all the possibilities the future holds,” said Jenny Riggenbach, chief executive officer. “We are celebrating 40 years of philanthropy because of the partnerships we have created over the years with so many people, businesses, and nonprofits.”
Riggenbach said her favorite definition of philanthropy is “love of humanity.”
“Every donor and every act of philanthropy is an important part of our history, and we are eager to see what comes next,” she said. “We see that here in Central Wisconsin every day because of all the wonderful people who live in our community.”
On April 15, 1982, a time when there were few community foundations in Wisconsin, the Stevens Point Area Foundation was established by a small group of local visionaries led by Mark Makholm, Gil Oelke, Jack Butler, and John Holdridge.
Forty years later, the vision held by that group has helped create a trusted resource for donors to achieve their philanthropic goals and provide opportunities for people to give back to their community in more ways than they ever imagined.
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the Foundation will be sharing 40 stories over the next 40 weeks to honor the past, celebrate the present, and welcome to the future. The group is also asking community members to share their stories, which can be sent to Jessica Hoerter at [email protected].
To read the stories, visit the Foundation’s website at www.cfcwi.org/40 or stay connected on their social media channels Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
“This anniversary is a celebration for our entire community,” Riggenbach said. “This anniversary celebrates all of you.”