A MESSAGE FROM LINDA DANIELSON, Chair of the Board of Trustees Eau Claire Community Foundation: The Heart of Our Community! The holiday season doesn’t just bring us together; it also reminds us to open our hearts to giving. For the past 24 years, you’ve done just that! Thanks to you, ECCF has been able to distribute more than $21 million in grants since we first opened our doors in 1997. In 2021 alone, we’ve sent out more than 400 grants totaling almost $4 million. Now THAT’S an impact! But none of this would be possible without your generosity. Your support made our online Grant Catalog a great success! We launched this new software, which allows donors to directly support funding requests from local nonprofits, to celebrate our upcoming 25th anniversary. So far, Grant Catalogs for two of our giving categories—Create Culture and Form Futures—have raised more than $110,000 in direct donations, AND we awarded $50,000 in bonus grants! Grant Catalogs for two more giving categories—Give Green and Offer Opportunities—will be launched in 2022. But that’s not the only 25th anniversary celebration going on right now. While we’re honoring our past, we’re also looking to our future by working to expand our Legacy Society. Members of this generous group help ensure ECCF’s future by designating it as a beneficiary in their estate plans. As part of this year’s celebration, we’re offering new Legacy Society members the opportunity to recommend $1,000 in grants to support the nonprofits they love! Become a 25th Anniversary sponsor! Your generous support will give us another opportunity to provide grants to our local nonprofits in the Chippewa Valley, now and for years to come. Mark your calendars for June 20, 2022, when we’ll hold our 25th Anniversary Celebration! Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities with the enclosed form. All of us at ECCF sincerely thank you for making 25 years of support for nonprofits possible. We look forward to working with you in the future as we continue to serve our community. For Good. Forever. Happy Holidays,
Linda Danielson Chair, Board of Trustees
Standing left to right: Riley Piket (intern), Erin Dayton, Emily Kuipers (intern), Rebecca White Body. Seated left to right: Cindy Fahser, Sue Bornick, Brenna Lindsey-Schrupp
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
(2021 - 2022)
Linda Danielson, Chair
Jason Beckermann, M.D.
Cody Filipczak
GIVE ONLINE!
Tom Larson, Vice Chair
Kim Bodeau
John Satre, Secretary
Greg Bremer
Click the orange “Make a Difference: Donate!” button on the top of our homepage.
Cindy Hangartner Jackie Rasmussen Julia Kyle, M.D. Sarah Stokes
Dale Wood, Treasurer
Amelia Daniels
Jeff Kowieski
Tim Pabich
Karl Murch, Past Chair
HEART OF THE COMMUNITY Giving today will help us build a better tomorrow Your support today will help our friends and neighbors forever. Consider an investment in our community through one of these easy giving options:
1. Give to our Community Fund, which meets our community’s most pressing needs through our annual Community Grant Cycle.
2. Give to another existing fund, like our new Opportunities for All Children Legacy Fund, which supports opportunities for children with disabilities, or the Royal CU and ECCF Nonprofit Professional Development Fund, which helps nonprofits attain trainings that they might not otherwise be able to afford.
3. Or start a fund of your own. Each of our 270+ funds is as unique as the donor who creates it, names it, and chooses its purpose.
ECCF works with Financial Advisors by providing resources to assist you in giving effectively while they help you receive maximum tax benefits. Please remember, December 31 is near, and it can take time to process different types of donations.
Important year-end giving dates: -
Now – December 15: Visit with your financial advisor to initiate your gift of stock or mutual funds. Don’t forget, ECCF can help you maximize your Qualified Charitable Distribution to meet the most important needs in our community.
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December 20 is the last day to submit a grant recommendation of more than $5,000 for approval from our Board of Trustees.
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December 30 is the last day to initiate a wire transfer to ensure a tax deduction in 2021.
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By December 31, all donations must be postmarked or received by ECCF.
ECCF’s primary focus is building a permanent funding source to benefit our community forever. Thanks to our donors, we have awarded over $21 million in grants since 1997. Your year-end gift will enable us to continue this good work. Thank you for your generosity and support!
2021 New Funds | January 1 - November 30 ECCF welcomes the newest additions to our Family of Funds: Alvin and Marcia Lechleitner Scholarship Fund
M. Vergin Family Fresh Start Fund
Ann Gunderson Thornburg Fund
Opportunities for All Children Legacy Fund
Ann Gunderson Thornburg Pass Through Fund
Pat and Sue Quinn 2025 Fund
Gene and Judy LaFave Fund
Priority Fund (American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation)
Kathy and Jeff White Family Fund
Richard J. Ziemann Fund
Ken Vance Foundation Fund
Rob and Laurie Giles Pass Through Fund
Ken Vance Motors Fund
Royal CU and ECCF Nonprofit Development Fund
Larry E. Fischer Scholarship Fund
Royal CU and ECCF Nonprofit Development Grants Fund
Lloyd and Patricia Everhart Pass Through
Steven B. Lange Memorial Fund
Lloyd and Patricia Everhart Fund
Stokes Herzog Family Fund
M&J Employee Impact Grant Fund
Wildenberg Family Fund
Grantee Spotlight | L.E. Phillips Senior Center Whether you look at national, state or local predictive demographic data, it is clear that society is aging. Updated US census statistics state that by 2034, there will be more “seniors” than children 18 and younger in America. That has never happened in our nation’s history, and communities everywhere, including Eau Claire, will be looking for ways to effectively and efficiently engage with the growing number of aging adults. The L.E. Phillips Senior Center has been and will continue to be a valuable community asset that provides significant benefit to older adults and their families.
NON PROFITORG
U. S . P O S TA G E P A I D PERMITNo.1557 EAUCLAIREWI
306 S. Barstow St. Suite 104, Eau Claire, WI 54701
SNAPSHOT: Jan. 1 - Oct. 31, 2021 TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS OVER:
$3,253,434 TOTAL ASSETS OVER:
$37,332,591 TOTAL AWARDED GRANTS:
$3,959,493 438 Grants 22 NEW FUNDS 9 NEW LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERS
Happy Holidays!
Thank you for all you give! We wish you the happiest holiday season and look forward to the New Year … From the Staff at the Eau Claire Community Foundation
Our Mission
We strengthen our community by offering donors opportunities to establish charitable legacies, by making grants, and by serving as a catalyst to address community needs.