More than $75,000 awarded to 21 organizations
For over 30 years, the Waukesha County Community Foundation has awarded grants to causes and nonprofit organizations throughout the region. Grants are made to organizations focused on Education, Arts and Culture, Health and Human Services, the Environment, and other areas.
Funding for these grants is possible through the generosity of local donors, as well as fund holders that are part of the Community Foundation. Typically, the recipients would be announced at our annual Giving Forward Breakfast, however we unfortunately had to cancel the event due to COVID-19.
WCCF is pleased to announce the distribution of the 2020 Community Grants totaling $75,500 to 21 recipient organizations. The recipients are all 501(c)(3) organizations serving Waukesha County, and all went through the WCCF’s annual competitive grant process.
2020 Grant Recipients
For 2020, organizations that were awarded grants by WCCF are:
- Best Buddies Wisconsin – Support for the operation and expansion of Waukesha County School Friendship Program which helps create friendships between students of all ages, with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Milwaukee, Inc. – Funding for school and community-based mentoring programs for Waukesha County youth.
- Broadscope Disability Services – Support for programs providing respite services to caregivers of children and adults with disabilities.
- Carroll University – Support for on-line, interactive COVID-19 Contact Tracer Training Program.
- Family Promise of Waukesha Co. – Funding for the Path to Family Independence program which helps prevent families from becoming homeless and assists them to return quickly to a home with ongoing support.
- Lake Area Free Clinic – Support for the Medication Program allowing low-income patients to be compliant in taking prescribed medications and helping them avoid potential complications from untreated chronic disease.
- Lifestriders – Expand the range and scope of free services to at-risk youth and families in need of crisis intervention, family counseling, mental health care, work readiness programs and adjunct therapies.
- Literacy Services of Wisconsin, Inc. – Funding for Operation Waukesha Literacy which will provide low-cost, high-quality adult education and training services to help meet labor force needs.
- Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan – Support for the construction of the LSS Aspen Center, a residential treatment program for those struggling with addiction.
- NAMI Waukesha – Funding for Projects for the Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH). PATH programs provide services to individuals experiencing homelessness who also have persistent mental illness and connects these individuals to resources to help move them to stability and wellness.
- Oconomowoc Silver Streak – Assist in the purchase of a newer vehicle to provide safe transport to low income elderly and disabled residents in the Oconomowoc area.
- Pewaukee Area Arts Council – In support of the 2021 Showcase of Art, a month-long exhibit of 2-D and 3-D art at a free public venue.
- Seniors on the Go Taxi Service – Maintain and expand affordable transportation services for seniors and disabled individuals.
- Sharp Literacy, Inc. – Funding for STEAM-based literacy program providing workshops and educational tours to K4-3rd grade students, helping the students discover a love of learning.
- The Wildlife in Need Center – Support for education programs for children and adults that promotes an understanding and appreciation of Wisconsin wildlife and the best ways to interact with it.
- Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic, Inc. – To provide comprehensive, compassionate dental care to uninsured and underinsured children from low-income families.
- Waukesha Choral Union – In support of choral performance of Joseph Haydn’s “Creation” to the Waukesha Community.
- Waukesha County Land Conservancy – Funding to protect and restore the Meyer Preserve oak woodland and improve water quality of Mukwonago River.
- Waukesha Free Clinic – Support for Diabetic Clinic services; purchase of diabetic medication & salary for nursing staff to result in healthier lifestyles
- WisHope Inc. – Provide cost-effective housing and support to adults in substance abuse recovery programs while they learn to maintain a recovery lifestyle.
- Zachariah’s Acres, Inc. – Continue collaborative services in partnership with schools, businesses, churches, retirees, and others to connect children with special needs to nature through environmentally-based opportunities.
Carl J. Patrinos and Audrey Z. Patrinos Charitable Endowment Fund Grant
The Foundation also annually distributes the Carl J. Patrinos and Audrey Z. Patrinos Charitable Endowment Fund Grant, which went to Catholic Memorial High School.
The Patrinos grant, also a competitive grant, is awarded annually to a Catholic school in support of educational scholarships.
