INSPIRING PEOPLE TO GIVE BACK TO SUSTAIN AND ADVANCE THE COMMUNITY WE LOVE.
It all begins with you. Charity is essential to our quality of life. It fills our lives with music and surrounds us with art, protects our environmental treasures and preserves our history, educates our children and cares for those in need.
All this is possible because of you.
The mission of the Door County Community Foundation is to inspire people to give back to sustain and advance the community we love. We do that by serving as a conduit for giving. We’re a charity whose purpose is to make giving simpler, easier, and more tax efficient so you can be as generous as possible to the charities and causes you care about.
We’ve published this Guide to Charitable Funds as a resource to help you with your giving. For a more complete listing of the nearly 400 non-profit and civic groups in Door County, visit us online at www.GiveDoorCounty.org – or just give us a call at (920) 746-1786.
Help us inspire people to give back to sustain and advance the community we love.
Jeff Ottum, Chair of Sturgeon Bay
Retired Senior Vice President Human Resources, Schreiber Foods, Inc.
Jim Vander Heiden, Vice Chair of Egg Harbor Retired Vice President/Principal, HGA Architects and Engineers
Sharon Lutsey, Secretary of Egg Harbor Waseda Farms
Stephen O’Hearn, Treasurer of Sister Bay Retired, Partner and Global Insurance Leader, PwC
Sally O’Brien, Past Chair of Clark Lake Retired Director of Benefits, Kimberly-Clark
Inge Alverson Bacon of Sevastopol Certified Public Accountant
Fred Anderson of Sister Bay Owner, Ashbrooke Hotel, Egg Harbor
Rob Davis of Ephraim Retired
Professional Staff
Bret Bicoy President & CEO
Jessica Holland VP of Philanthropic Services
Kacie Mueller Philanthropic Services Officer
John Herlache of Sturgeon Bay Retired Surgeon
Roger Johnson of Sister Bay Retired Psychologist, Kaiser Permanente
John McGinnis of Sturgeon Bay Retired Executive, Energy Industry
Keith Mutchler of Sevastopol Retired, Paper and Packaging Manufacturing
Barb Sajna of Baileys Harbor Retired Episcopal Priest
Donna Scattergood, RN, PhD of Sister Bay Serial Entrepreneur/Holistic Nursing and Functional Medicine, Healthcare Organizational Behavior Consultant, Educator
Vicki Wilson of Sturgeon Bay President-Founder, Door County Coffee
Dick Egan, Emeritus Director of Clark Lake Chairman Emeritus, Little Rapids Corporation
Julie Haen Senior Business Officer
Jean Gothberg Business Officer
Heidi Copiskey Administrative Assistant
The Door County Community Foundation’s Board of Directors has launched and/or endorsed several community efforts that operate as a project or initiative of the Community Foundation. Please consider supporting these important initiatives. Visit them online to learn more.
Baileys Harbor Open Space Preservation Fund
www.BaileysHarborOpenSpace.org
Alumni Door County www.AlumniDoorCounty.org
Mental Health Support Fund www.LittleEddieBigCup.org
Willie’s Cornerstone Foundation www.WilliesCornerstone.org
Door County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Foundation
www.SafeDoorCounty.org
Door County Civility Project
www.DoorCountyCivilityProject.org
DDC State Parks Challenge Funds
www.DoorCountyStateParks.org
Door County Food Pantry Coalition www.FeedDoorCounty.org
100+ Women Who Care Door County Charitable Fund
www.100WWCDoorCounty.org
Order of the Eastern Star Honor Chapter #1 of the State of Wisconsin Charitable Fund
www.sturgeonbayoes.com
Rotary Club of Sturgeon Bay Charitable Trust Fund
www.sturgeonbayrotaryclub.org
Jacksonport Women’s Club Charitable Fund
Rotary Club of Door County North Charitable Fund www.doorcountynorthrotaryclub.com
Henry S. Baird #174 F. & A.M. Charitable Fund www.HSBaird.com
Sturgeon Bay Breakfast Rotary Charitable Fund
www.facebook.com/sbbreakfastrotary
Community Opportunity Investment Network
www.InvestDoorCounty.org
Northern Door Children’s Center Essential Campaign
www.EssentialDoorCounty.org
GO BO! Foundation www.GoBoFoundation.org
The Ellie Helm Foundation www.EllieHelmFoundation.org
Door County Granary Fund
www.SturgeonBayHistoricalSociety.org/ Granary
Door County Scholarship Network
www.DoorCountyScholarships.org
Workforce Housing Lending Corporation
www.BuildDoorCounty.org
Muse Overture Initiative Campaign Fund
Augsburg University
Bellin College
Carroll University
Concordia University of Wisconsin
Fox Valley Technical College
Harvard College
Illinois Institute of Technology
Iowa State University
Lakeland University
Lawrence University
Luther College
Madison Area Technical College
Michigan Technological University
Minnesota State University, Mankato
New Mexico Tech
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Ripon College
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
South Dakota State University
Inspiring people to give back to sustain and advance the community we love.
St. Norbert College
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Mary
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
University of Notre Dame
University of Vermont
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse
University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
University of Wisconsin - Platteville
University of Wisconsin - River Falls
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
Yale University
115 Club Ltd.
350.Org
Abington Friends School
ACLU Foundation
Aging & Disability Resource Center of Door County
Algoma School District
The ALS Association, National Office
Altrusa Club of Door County Foundation, Inc.
Alzheimer’s Association Greater Wisconsin
Alzheimer’s Research Foundation
American Association of University Women
American Cancer Society
American Chemical Society
American Heart Association
American Lung Association in WI
American Museum of Natural History
American Red Cross
American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Amnesty International USA
Amundsen High School
Arm in Arm
Art and Nature Center
ArtBeet Inc.
Arthritis Foundation
Auricle Productions
Back Roads Church
Baileys Harbor Historical Society
Bay View Lutheran Church
Bethany Kids
Bible Study Fellowship
Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin Educational Foundation Inc
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Wisconsin
Birch Creek Music Performance Center, Inc.
Boys & Girls Club of Door County
Bradley University
The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law
Bright Focus Foundation
Brussels Wisconsin Lions Foundation Inc.
Burning Limb Foundation
Calvary and Zion United Methodist Church
Camp Manito-wish YMCA
Camp Zion
Campus Crusade for Christ Inc.
Capital Harmony Works
Carleton College
Carroll University
Carthage College
Casa Alba Melanie Hispanic Community Resource Center
CASA of Brown County, Inc.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Catholic Extension
Catholic Foundation
Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay
Catholic Relief Services
Center for Family Services
Centurion Ministries Development Dept
Chapel Heights United Methodist Church
Christ Child Society
Christ Church Episcopal
Christ the King Lutheran Church Church of Atonement
City of Sturgeon Bay Municipal Services
Civic 4, LLC
Clean Water Action Council of NE Wisconsin
The Clearing Folk School College Possible Colorado College
The Community’s Garden
Concordia University
Cool Effect Inc.
Corpus Christi Catholic Church
Crossroads at Big Creek, Inc.
Cycling Without Age
D & R Greenway Land Trust
Destination Sturgeon Bay
Diabetes Foundation Inc.
Doctors Without Borders
Door Cancer, Inc.
Door Community Auditorium
Door Community Child Development Center
Door County Charities, Inc.
Door County Economic Development
Door County Environmental Council Inc
Door County Fire Chiefs Inc
Door County Habitat for Humanity
Door County Historical Society Inc.
Door County Housing Partnership, Inc.
Door County Land Trust
Door County Learning in Retirement
Door County Library Foundation, Inc.
Door County Maritime Museum
Door County Master Gardeners Association Inc
Door County Medical Center Foundation
Door County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary
Door County Secret Santa
Door County Sheriff’s Department
Door County Toys for Kids
Door County YMCA
Door Kinetic Arts, Inc.
Door Peninsula Astronomical Society Fund
Door Shakespeare, Inc.
Door-Tran Inc.
Ducks Unlimited
East Maplewood Beavers 4-H Club
Easter Seals Wisconsin
Egg Harbor Historical Society
Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Environmental Defense Fund
Ephraim Fire-Rescue Association, Inc.
Ephraim Historical Foundation, Inc.
Ephraim Men’s Club
Ephraim Moravian Church
Faith Hope & Love
Family Promise of Waukesha County
Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin
Father Flanagan’s Boys Home
Feed & Clothe My People of Door County
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin
First Baptist Church
FISC Consumer Credit Counseling of Door County Inc
Florida Studio Theatre
Food for the Poor
Food Systems for the Future Institute
Francis Hardy Center for the Arts
Friends of PBS Wisconsin
Friends of Peninsula State Park
Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands
Friends of Princeton Open Space
Friends of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Friends of the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
Friends of the Pavilion, Inc.
Friends of Toft Point, Inc.
Friends of Wisconsin Public Television, Inc.
The Fuller Center for Housing, INC.
Gathering Ground
Gathering Waters Conservancy
Georgetown University
Giants of the Earth Heritage Center
Gibraltar Area Schools
Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes Inc.
Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star
Grand Circle Foundation
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative
Greater Delafield Community Fund
Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, Inc.
Greater Green Bay YMCA Inc
Green Bay Botanical Garden
Guest House of Milwaukee
H S Baird #174 Masonic Lodge
Habitat for Humanity
Hawai‘i Community Foundation
Heifer International
HELP of Door County, Inc.
Hope United Church of Christ of Sturgeon Bay
Hopeful Horizons
Horseshoe Bay Farms Inc
The Humane Society of the United States
Ice Age Trail Alliance
IEEE Foundation
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Interlochen Center for the Arts
JA Worldwide
Kahilu Theatre Foundation
Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation
Kirkwood Historical Society
Knock Publishing Company
Lakeland University
Lakeshore CAP, Inc.
Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership
Land Trust Alliance
Laurel House
Lawrence University
League of Women Voters Education Fund
The League of Women Voters of Door County
Literacy Door County
Lutheran Social Services
Maryknoll Lay Missioners
Mental Health America Lakeshore Inc.
Mercer Street Friends
The Michael J. Fox Foundation
Midsummer’s Music Ltd
Miller Art Center Foundation, Inc.
Miller Art Museum
Milwaukee Area Technical College Foundation-Milwaukee PBS
Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
Milwaukee Rescue Mission
Modern Day Missions
Money Management Counselors
Mote Marine Laboratory
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church
Mount Olivet Lutheran Church
Mukwonago High School Athletics
Booster Club
Museum of Wisconsin Art
Music on the Hill
Namur Belgian Heritage Center
National Audubon Society
National Geographic Society
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Organization for Women Foundation Inc.
National Park Foundation
National Parks Conservation Association
Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy - Wisconsin
The Naval Institute Foundation Inc.
Neighbor to Neighbor
New York Public Radio WQXR, WNYC, NJPR, NYPR
New York Times Communities Fund
Newark School of the Arts
Newport Wilderness Society
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Northeastern Wisconsin Antique Power Association Inc.
Northern Door Children’s Center
Northern Sky Theater
Northwoods Wildlife Center, Inc.
Norway House
Norwegian American Historical Association
Notre Dame de la Baie Academy
Ocean Conservancy
Open Door Bird Sanctuary
Open Door Pride
Open Wings Learning Community
Our Daily Bread Food Pantry
Our Savior’s United Methodist Church
OXFAM America
Parker School
Parkinson’s Foundation Inc
PATH of Door County
Peninsula Music Festival, Inc.
Peninsula Players Theatre, Inc.
Peninsula School of Art
Peninsula Symphonic Band
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
PFLAG Door County
Philadelphia Orchestra Association
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin
Preachers Aid Society and Benefit Fund
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
ProHealth Care Foundation, Inc.
Purdue Foundation
RBC Ministries
Ready Readers
Reins Inc.
The Ridges Sanctuary, Inc.
Rock of Ages Lighthouse Preservation Society
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Rogue Theater Inc
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin
Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
Sahuarita Food Bank & Community Resource Center
Saint John’s Communities Inc.
The Salvation Army
Salvation Army
New Jersey Division
The Salvation Army Philadelphia Corps.
Samaritans Purse International Relief
Scandia Village - Good Samaritan Society
Schwab Charitable
Sevastopol Education Foundation Inc
Sevastopol School
Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church
Shriner’s Hospital for Children
Sierra Club Foundation
Sister Bay Historical Society
Sister Bay Lions Club Foundation, Inc.
Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Firefighters Assoc.
Sisters of St Francis of the Holy Cross
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
Skylight Music Theatre
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Smithsonian Institution
Southern Door County School District
Southwest Florida Community Foundation
Special Olympics
St Anthony on the Lake
St John Bosco Catholic School
St Joseph’s Catholic Church
St Jude Children’s Research Hospital Inc
St Pauls Lutheran Church
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
St. Peters Lutheran Church
Stella Maris Parish
Sturgeon Bay Girls Front Court Club Inc
Sturgeon Bay Historical Society
Sturgeon Bay School District
Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church
Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club Sail Training Foundation
Sue Baldwin Fund
Sunshine Community Compost
Sunshine House, Inc.
Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Swarthmore College
Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Foundation Inc. GMRP
Third Avenue Playhouse
Town of Baileys Harbor
Town of Gibraltar
Town of Jacksonport Fire Department
Trenton Area Soup Kitchen
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
Trinity Lutheran Church
Tufts University, The Friedman School of Nutrition Science
Tunnels to Towers Foundation
Ukraine Partnership Foundation
Unbound
Unicef
Union Congregational United Church of Christ
Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County
United Service Organizations, Inc. (USO)
United Way of Door County
Unity Hospice
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Foundation
University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Foundation
University of Wisconsin Foundation
University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Foundation
University of Wisconsin Superior Foundation
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Urbanite Theatre Inc.
The UWO Fox Cities Foundation Inc.
Village of Egg Harbor
Village of Sister Bay
W. M. Keck Observatory
Wartburg College
Washington Island Community Health Program
Washington Island Foundation
Washington Island Government
Washington Island Music Festival
Washington Island Players
Washington National Cathedral
Washington University
We Are Hope, Inc.
WI Humane Society
Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.
Wild Ones Door Peninsula Chapter
Willet Hauser Company, LLC
Wisconsin Eastern Star Foundation
Wisconsin Parkinson’s Association
Wisconsin Public Radio
Wisconsin Public Television
Wisconsin Special Olympics
Workforce Housing Lending Corporation
World Central Kitchen, Inc.
World Food Program USA
World Wildlife Fund
Wounded Warrior Project
Write On Door County, Inc.
WUWM Milwaukee Public Radio
Yes Prep Public Schools Inc.
YMCA of the North
Zion Lutheran Church
Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church
Discretionary Endowment Funds offer you the best of both worlds – the opportunity to choose a broad area that interests you (such as children, the arts, or the environment) while relying on the Door County Community Foundation’s volunteer boards and committees to identify the organizations that will make the greatest impact on that issue. Your gift is endowed and will provide a permanent source of income to be granted to those organizations that are truly making a difference in Door County. We can even create a new Fund named in your honor or in memory of a loved one. Please consider donating today, or in your estate plans, to a Discretionary Endowment Fund.
www.GiveDoorCounty.org
We simply cannot know what issues or opportunities the future will bring, but we can be confident that the Community Foundation will be there to address it because of the For Good Forever Fund – the general unrestricted endowment for Door County. We’re here For Good. And we’re here Forever. This permanent pool of money is a flexible resource to fund our sustainability and advancement grants, invest in community projects, and support future programs of the Community Foundation.
www.WomensFundDoorCounty.org
The Women’s Fund of Door County builds, enriches, and nurtures the lives of women and girls through collective wisdom and philanthropy. The Women’s Fund invests in educational opportunities for women and girls and supports arts programs which enrich their souls. It makes grants to promote healthy activities for young girls and to provide support for seniors. It supports efforts to improve women’s health and invests in initiatives that promote equality. Because when she thrives, we all prosper.
www.CommunityInvestmentFund.org
The Community Investment Fund, created in partnership with Destination Door County, uses a portion of the room tax dollars paid by visitors to offer grants to projects that meaningfully improve the quality of life for those who live and work in Door County. The unique granting program illustrates how tourism can build a better life for the residents of Door County.
www.HealthyWaterDoorCounty.org
Door County’s unique geography makes our water vulnerable. As a peninsula situated on the Niagara Escarpment, our thin soil layer, combined with the vertical and horizontal fracturing common in our bedrock, makes protecting our water a priority. The mission of Healthy Water Door County is to protect our community’s human, environmental, and economic health by guarding against threats to our water.
Inspiring people to give back to sustain and advance the community we love.
www.DoorCountyGreenFund.org
Door County is blessed with an abundance of natural resources. From our lakeshore to the wetlands, our orchards to the meadows, the open spaces and our rural roads – there is something about the beauty of this place that keeps us here or calls us back each year. The Green Fund supports land acquisition projects in our community and also invests in environmental education, funds land preservation, eradicates invasive species, and supports other types of “green” projects.
www.GiveDoorCounty.org/arts
The “arts” describe a broad range of creative activities that can stimulate thought and inspire the soul. Therein lies the purpose of the Community Foundation’s Arts Fund. The Community Foundation supports creative charitable activities in Door County that use the arts to enrich the community and touch the lives of the people of Door County.
www.GiveDoorCounty.org/education
Education must go beyond traditional schooling and formal education. It should include informal modes of learning and extend beyond traditional settings. It must be integrated into the home and throughout the community – and education is not limited to children. The Community Foundation believes that learning is a lifelong pursuit – and nurtures its incorporation into the many aspects of life in Door County.
www.GiveDoorCounty.org/health
It’s difficult to appreciate the incredible beauty and quality of life here in Door County if the very basic needs of your life are not being met. The Community Foundation supports charities that are working to aid those who live in the shadows of society – those whose health or human service needs are not being adequately addressed.
www.GiveDoorCounty.org/history
People have been coming to Door County for generations, each bringing their unique culture and traditions to our community. Working in partnership with the Clifford and Clara Herlache Heritage Foundation, the Community Foundation’s Historic Preservation Fund supports the appreciation, enhancement, and preservation of historical landmarks and the cultural heritage of Door County, Wisconsin.
www.GiveDoorCounty.org/children
If the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams, then there is no greater gift to a child than to nurture their ability to believe in their own potential and promise. The Community Foundation supports charities that are working to ensure a brighter future for the community’s children – whether it be alleviating their burdens today or helping them realize the opportunities of tomorrow.
Many charities entrust the administration of their endowments and other funds to the Door County Community Foundation. It’s a safe and responsible way to manage endowed gifts, long-term assets, and operational reserves. The non-profit community also counts on the Community Foundation’s planned giving expertise to facilitate gifts into their funds. By aggregating these assets under the umbrella of the Community Foundation, economies of scale allow for a far more diversified investment portfolio and lower investment fees than any of the charities could achieve on their own.
As a donor, the Community Foundation makes it easy for you to leave a gift in your estate plans (or make a gift today) to as many of these charitable funds as you’d like. Simply name the Door County Community Foundation, Inc. as a beneficiary in your estate plans and designate the specific charitable fund (or multiple funds if you’d like) that should benefit from your generosity. If a charity you care about doesn’t have a fund at the Community Foundation, you can create one for them with your gift, or we can simply pass along your generosity to the charity directly. Our goal is to make it easy for you to give back to sustain and advance the community we love.
All contributions will be used consistent with the terms and conditions of the fund to which it was directed (if applicable). For more information, please contact us.
Since 1876, Bayside Cemetery has been a spiritual place, possessing a quiet dignity that honors and celebrates the lives of our loved ones. The Cemetery’s tranquil grounds offer not only finely sculpted monuments, but also an abundance of Mother Nature’s artistic handiwork. The natural beauty of these 27 acres imparts a serene feeling in all those who walk in this peaceful park-like setting.
Bayside Cemetery Charitable Fund
Bayside Cemetery provides families with comprehensive cemetery services of the highest quality. Just north of the Sturgeon Bay city limits, beautiful grave sites and professionally maintained grounds distinguish Bayside as one of the finest cemeteries in Door County.
The Bayside Cemetery Charitable Fund provides an opportunity for the community to support the maintenance of the chapel, grounds, and other facilities of this historic cemetery.
www.belgianheritagecenter.org
(920) 825-7319
Starting in the 1850s, groups of Belgians left the economic hardship of their homeland and ventured to northeast Wisconsin for better opportunity. Here, they faced the hardships of creating a new home in a harsh woodland. The Belgian Heritage Center aims to share the legacy of those more than 15,000 immigrants and their descendants who greatly influenced the culture of rural Door, Kewaunee and Brown Counties with a farming landscape and customs which included the Walloon language, unique architecture, ethnic Belgian foods and more.
Located in the heart of a rural district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Belgian Heritage Center offers programs, festivals, events, tours, traditional and interactive exhibits, as well as resources for genealogical and historical research. Oral history videos preserve stories in English and Walloon from Belgian descendants who have kept the language alive in Northeastern Wisconsin for more than 150 years. Belgian
Building for Tomorrow Fund
Lifetime for Education Fund
Now & Forever Fund
Scholarships Forever Fund
www.birchcreek.org
(920) 868-3763
Birch Creek Music Performance Center is a residential summer music academy. Founded in 1976, Birch Creek provides dedicated student musicians advanced training, mentorship, and the opportunity to perform publicly alongside top music professionals from the United States and abroad.
Four two-week academic sessions are offered in Percussion, Steel Pan & World Music; Symphony and Big Band Jazz. The Birch Creek “difference” is its student-to-faculty ratio of 2:1, ensuring personalized attention. To fulfill its mission, Birch Creek produces more than 70 summer concerts tied to its academic programs. World-class faculty artists and students showcase their talents before appreciative public audiences who have come to expect only the best from Birch Creek. Since its inception with an inaugural class of 12 students, 7,000 students have studied and performed at Birch Creek.
Boys & Girls Club of Door County Fund www.bgcdoorcounty.org (920) 818-1046
Crossroads at Big Creek Endowment Fund
www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org
(920) 746-5895
Door County 4-H Leaders Foundation (920) 746-2260
Door CANcer, Inc. Fund
www.doorcancer.com
(920) 743-8492
Door Community Auditorium Fund
www.dcauditorium.org
(920) 868-2728
Door County Folk Alliance Endowment Fund www.dcfolk.com
The Boys & Girls Club of Door County is dedicated to providing all kids a rich and meaningful childhood by immersing them in all that Door County has to offer. Our essential programs focus on Academic Success, Art & Culture, the OutDoors and our Community Table Project which addresses food security for families in need. The Boys & Girls Club is shaping the lives of our future generation with meaningful programs and activities that are year-round and throughout the Door.
The Boys & Girls Club is an essential asset to Door County where kids make memories and learn how to be responsible, productive and compassionate adults thereby creating a legacy of giving back to our community.
Once marketed as “an ideal place for a gas station,” Crossroads at Big Creek is a 200-acre nature preserve and learning center located within the city limits of Sturgeon Bay.
Crossroads’ mission is to inspire environmental stewardship through education, research, land restoration and outdoor recreation.
Support from the community helps us improve habitat for wildlife and people and allows our hiking and skiing trails to be open every day, all day at no charge for families, school groups and individuals.
4-H is the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization. The 4-H movement is committed to providing youth development opportunities and promoting positive change for young people. 4-H programming aims to engage youth in activities to increase their leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills. In Door County, the 4-H program is dedicated to providing Door County youth with opportunities to develop these skills and be involved with their community.
DOOR CANcer Inc. is a community based volunteer organization dedicated to help Door County families with cancer in times of financial need. They hope to alleviate some of the suffering through a financial aid program that is aimed to help families who are finding it a serious drain, not only in the areas of medical care but in other areas of their lives. DOOR CANcer assists with utility bills, food, gas, insurance, phone, and any other household expenses but does not cover any medical or doctor bills.
DOOR CANcer has given over a million dollars in assistance and it is because of the generosity of many people.
Door Community Auditorium (DCA) is Door County’s year-round, indoor venue for the performing arts, exhibits and community events presented by a diverse mix of professionals, regional performers and student artists. Recently, our stage has been graced by Lyle Lovett, Keb’ Mo’, Melissa Etheridge, Ira Glass, Ziggy Marley, Charlie Daniels and Joan Baez.
DCA is recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization and is supported by Door County visitors and residents alike through ticket sales, sponsorship, advertising, membership and volunteer labor. Annually, over 220 performances, events, rehearsals and school assemblies take place within DCA’s walls.
DCA is home to the Peninsula Music Festival which draws professional musicians from all over the country to perform nine symphonic concerts each August. The musicians, hailing from some of the country’s top orchestras, are conducted by Maestro Victor Yamplosky.
In 1995 a group of folk musicians and dance enthusiasts, led by Cy Rosenthal of Sturgeon Bay, came together to play music and hold barn dances, bringing together multiple generations for fun and fellowship. Cy saw local folk bands as a way for musicians to play together, support each other, and improve their skills. Cy died in 2010, but the all-volunteer organization he founded continues his goal of building community through music and dance.
The central activity of the alliance is a series of monthly barn dances – all open to the public – with live music provided by the Alliance band, Sugar on the Floor. The Alliance coordinates regular music “sessions” to provide local folk musicians with opportunities to learn new music and hone their skills, as well as supplying music and dance for community and special events. Donations to the Door County Folk Alliance are used to pay for dance callers, rental of the dance hall, the organization’s insurance, equipment, outreach and educational materials.
Door County Habitat for Humanity Assurance Fund
www.doorhabitat.org
(920) 743-2869
Door County Historical Society Endowment Fund www.doorcountyhistoricalsociety.org
(920) 421-2332
Door County Housing Partnership
Door County Housing Partnership Charitable Fund www.DoorCountyHousingTrust.org (920) 421-5090
Door County Land Trust Conservation Action Fund
www.DoorCountyLandTrust.org
(920) 746-1359
Door County Library Foundation, Inc. Fund www.doorcountylibrary.org (920) 743-6578
Since 1994, the mission of Door County Habitat for Humanity has been to provide a hand-up to help others acquire and own decent and affordable housing. We work with future homeowners to build new simple, safe, and decent homes to increase the inventory of affordable homes in Door County. We also work with existing homeowners to complete repairs they would otherwise be unable to afford or complete on their own. Our projects are done in partnership with the homeowners as they are required to both contribute time during the project and pay for material costs with a mortgage for home builds and a payment plan for home repairs. Door County Habitat for Humanity provides a hand-up, not a hand-out to current and future homeowners.
Founded in 1926, the Door County Historical Society (DCHS) keeps history alive for future generations. The Society operates two interpretive sites: Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park and the Heritage Village at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay, and hosts several historical programs throughout the year.
Since 1960, the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse consisted of the keeper’s house and tower, oil house, privy, summer kitchen, and barn. The Society will begin another restoration effort to replace the barn and summer kitchen.
Heritage Village at Big Creek demonstrates the story of Door County settlers, their lives and sense of community. The Village includes buildings from the era post-Civil War to pre-World War I including a school, church, granary, blacksmith shop, general store, fish house, privy, period homes, a Norwegian Homestead, and a tool museum.
The Door County Housing Partnership is an independent, nonprofit organization focused on providing permanently affordable home ownership opportunities for working households living year-round in Door County. We use a shared equity home ownership model, and work with the community to provide the subsidy that bridges the gap between what working families can afford and what it costs to purchase a decent home. Our homes are priced to be affordable to the working families that stable communities need, representing teachers, nurses, social workers, and municipal workers, to name a few. The DCHP’s unique approach allows us to create housing solutions that will stay affordable for generations.
Founded in 1986, the Door County Land Trust is dedicated to protecting Door County’s exceptional lands and waters...forever. The Land Trust’s work ensures that life thrives on the Door Peninsula, its islands, and surrounding waters. The Land Trust protects more than 9,400 acres which are home to rare and threatened plant and animal species. Through a county-wide network of nature preserves and nearly 30 miles of public hiking trails, these protected lands are a resource for people to experience, research, and connect with the most scenic and ecologically important landscapes that grace Door County. But there is more work to be done!
The Door County Land Trust Conservation Action Fund is the operational backbone of the Door County Land Trust, a nationally accredited and highly respected, not-for-profit, member-supported, local land conservation organization. Your contribution to the Door County Land Trust Conservation Action Fund, enables the Land Trust to apply your donation to the highest and greatest needs in land protection and stewardship throughout Door County.
The Door County Library is an integral, physical, and virtual gateway to access information, ideas, knowledge, and enrichment. Its eight locations provide a welcoming atmosphere and skillfully connect people with the resources they seek.
The libraries provide materials in a variety of media: books, newspapers, magazines, online databases, music, and films. Year-round informational programs for adults and youth foster learning and reading. Public access computers and free wireless connections are available at all eight locations.
The Door County Library Foundation supports the Door County libraries in a variety of ways, making its vision possible with funding for important community learning projects. For example, it has recently funded the digitization of almost 100 years of the Advocate and other early newspapers of Door County.
Door-Tran Operating Fund
www.door-tran.org (920) 743-9999
East Shore Industries Endowment Fund
www.eastshoreindustries.com (920) 487-3541
Ellie’s Fund Endowment
www.elliesfund.org (920) 497-8463
Charitable Fund • Endowment Fund
Aaron R. Moore Sailing Scholarship Fund
www.EYC.org (920) 854-7107
Door-Tran is a non-profit organization located in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin that is dedicated to connecting people to transportation services that are affordable, available and accessible. As an aging community it is important that there are options to keep people in their homes as long as possible. They provide volunteer transportation, half-price travel and fuel vouchers, no-interest vehicle purchase and repair loans, vehicle repair grants, referrals, and other services. Staff also offers transportation information and planning services in-person, by phone, online and in print through the Transportation Resource Guide.
Door-Tran partners with many transportation providers to ensure resources are shared and more trips are provided efficiently. They lead a 60-member Transportation Resource Improvement Partner (TRIP) committee and partner with over 40 volunteers to transport people to where they need to go. Funding from the Door County Community Foundation and others helps Door-Tran to continue its much-needed mission.
For over 50 years, ESI has served individuals with disabilities to obtain their personal independence and employment goals. ESI offers unique programs and services designed to meet the specific needs of each client. From employment opportunities to day services, the programs and services at ESI focus on developing life skills and fostering independence, allowing each individual the opportunity to contribute to his or her own well-being and the community in which they live.
Support from the community goes directly back into the programs and services offered to the individuals served. Together we are making a difference and changing lives.
The mission of the Egg Harbor Historical Society is “to make Egg Harbor history come alive for future generations through the collection, preservation, and sharing of the heritage of Egg Harbor.” Individuals and families have generously donated materials and oral histories for archiving and sharing. The Society’s immediate goals are two-fold: the digitization of these materials for storage and retrieval, and the restoration of Door County’s original bookmobile as a “history-mobile.” The history-mobile restoration is a long-term and expensive effort, but, as part of the mission of sharing Egg Harbor’s heritage, will facilitate bringing history to wherever people gather, in addition to the on-site displays and programs at the Kress Community Center in Egg Harbor.
Although she was just shy of two years old, Ellie was an incredible source of happiness for all who knew her. She was such a blessing to her family that they felt an obligation to carry on her legacy by spreading joy into the lives of others. That was the impetus for the creation of Ellie’s Fund, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity. The Fund provides grants to worthy projects to benefit the people of Northeast Wisconsin.
First, it provides assistance and opportunities to young people in Ellie’s memory. Whether it be providing enrichment activities or meeting human needs, Ellie’s Fund hopes to help. Second, celebrating Ellie’s love for the outdoors, Ellie’s Fund provides assistance to initiatives which celebrate and preserve the remarkable natural beauty of Northeast Wisconsin.
The Ephraim Yacht Club’s mission is to provide outreach programs, equipment, facilities, and funding for sailing education, training, and competition to help students learn the life skills and values important in being productive and active members of the community.
The Ephraim Yacht Club (EYC) was founded in 1906 and operates one of the oldest and largest sailing schools in the Midwest. EYC’s U.S. Sailing certified staff provides instruction to students from youngsters all the way up through senior citizens. Lessons are held mornings and afternoons, and races are held evenings and weekends so students can test and demonstrate their skills. Students learn teamwork and independence by sailing small and large boats. Instructors emphasize proper behavior, sportsmanship, racing etiquette and a Corinthian spirit during all activities. Since 1906, thousands of students have learned the sport of sailing at EYC as well as skills and behavior that will benefit them and their communities the rest of their lives.
Friends of the Pavilion Charitable Fund kresspavilion.org/donate
(414) 640-1240
For Now and for the Future Fund
Peninsula State Park Research Grant Fund www.peninsulafriends.org
(920) 868-6256
The Friends of Potawatomi State Park Endowment Fund www.RunWild.org
(920) 746-2890
Gathering Ground Charitable Fund www. gatheringgroundwi.org
The Friends of the Pavilion raises funds to strengthen and support the Kress Pavilion and Egg Harbor Community center located in the heart of Door County. This year-round facility hosts free and low-cost programming for all ages.
Since it opened in 2018, the facility has hosted over 500 free and open-to-the-public programs and nearly 200 non-profit fundraisers. It is also home to the Egg Harbor Seed Library, Egg Harbor Branch of the Door County Library and Egg Harbor Historical Society. Funds raised by the Friends of the Pavilion help to support the building’s programs and continue to offer a space for the Egg Harbor library and Egg Harbor Historical Society.
Although tax dollars and private event rentals are the main source of revenue, the extra funding from the Door County Community Foundation account will support the level of services we offer to all of Door County in perpetuity.
The Friends of Peninsula State Park support the interpretive, historical, educational, and visitor service programs of Peninsula State Park. Over 1.2 million people visit the 3,776-acre park each year. All funds raised go directly to providing park enhancements. The Friends are in the process of raising $700,000 for phase I of new mountain bike trails at the park, and $125,000 for expanded parking at the Nature Center. Past projects supported by the Friends include raising $750,000 towards the rebuilding of Eagle Tower, $360,000 for an addition to the Nature Center, $75,000 for the Nature Center amphitheater with accessible walkways, and $120,000 for an all-inclusive playground at Nicolet Beach. Proceeds from merchandise sales are used to fund a summer naturalist position and to defray the cost of removing invasive plants.
The Friends of Potawatomi State Park, Inc. is a nonprofit organization formed to raise the funds needed to maintain and improve Sturgeon Bay’s largest park programs and equipment. Projects that the Friends Group have accomplished include raising the funds to build the accessible fishing pier, upgrades and improvements on both the campground and the picnic shelters, new fire rings, new benches in the Park Amphitheater, maintenance of the playground areas and equipment, planting flowers in both the Park Office and campground flower beds, park and trail clean up, invasive species monitoring and control, assisting Park staff in maintaining the ski trails, and fully funding the Park Naturalist. Currently, they are fundraising for an accessible kayak launch and plan to apply for funds to construct an open-air shelter at the old Potawatomi Ski Hill site.
Gathering Ground blends agriculture and conservation on its 40-acre working and teaching farm. With a vision for thriving communities connected to the environment and their food through work and play, we focus on sustainable farming practices with our diverse fruit and nut orchards, vineyards, and grazing sheep. We promote biodiversity, community composting, and support our local farms through our farmers market.
Gathering Ground offers an educational internship, Ground School, for young people interested in agriculture, conservation, and environmentalism, as well as programs for all ages, including our annual Dinner in the Vineyard, a celebration of local food and drink among our vines. The Grounds are open for walking tours and picnics. Join us in Planting for the Future!
Gibraltar Area School District
Gibraltar Area Educational Endowment Fund (920) 868-3284 x231
The purpose of the Gibraltar Area Educational Endowment Fund is to provide a source of funding for Gibraltar Area School District. The intent of establishing this Fund was to provide an avenue for donors to make a tax deductible contribution to the district. Funds can then be used to support playground upgrades, technology upgrades, and grants that support the innovative, creative, entrepreneurial ideas of teachers. Funding can also be used to assist children and families in the district that are experiencing difficulty purchasing things like coats, hats, mittens, eyeglasses and school lunches. This list is not all inclusive, and consideration is given to where the funds are needed most.
As budgets get tighter and costs continue to increase, the need for a Fund such as this becomes extremely important. There is a need for this type of Fund to fill the gaps not provided by traditional funding.
Gibraltar Historical Association Endowment Fund
Gibraltar Historical Association Flagship Fund
Gibraltar Historical Association Operating Fund www.historicnoble.org
(920) 868-2091
Francis Hardy Center for the Arts Fund
www.thehardy.org
(920) 854-2210
Domestic Abuse Transitional Living Fund
Eliminating Domestic Abuse Endowment Endowment Fund Established by Connie & Bob Erickson
Thelma Windhauser Endowment Fund
Katie McConkey Memorial Fund www.helpofdoorcounty.org
(920) 743-8785
Hope United Church of Christ Fund Hope Memorial Gardens Foundation www.hopechurchdc.org
(920) 743-2701
Horseshoe Bay Farms Preservation Fund
www.PreserveHorseshoeBay.org
The Gibraltar Historical Association was established in 1984 to collect, research and preserve objects and archival materials which directly reflect or illustrate Gibraltar Township history; to pass on from person to person, to advance history, and to educate residents and visitors about this history; and continue to work towards preservation of historical buildings and green space in the community of Fish Creek, Wisconsin.
The GHA maintains the Alexander Noble house built in 1875, the oldest frame residence in Fish Creek and completely restored and maintained as a functioning museum and an audio tour of 23 historic buildings in our town to share with visitors and residents alike
Preserving the past by operating a museum, providing historic walks, scheduling seasonal events and presenting a Gibraltar Talks series helps keep our mission alive. GHA is a 501(c)(3) and relies on memberships, donations, grants and fundraising to continue its work.
Established in 1962 in honor of Francis Howe Hardy, Ephraim’s historic Hardy Gallery is solely dedicated to supporting Door County’s extensive and vibrant visual art community.
Hardy envisioned the existence of a gallery that would support the development of a growing Door County art community, fostering its growth, and furthering the understanding and appreciation of the visual arts and most importantly, the artists of the Door Peninsula. Upon his passing in 1960, Hardy’s vision became a reality thanks to his wife Helen’s energy and financial contributions.
Today, the Hardy Gallery, as it is still affectionately known, has programs and initiatives that address the needs of the local artist community, creative enrichment of local youth, and is focused more than ever on Hardy’s original vision of educating the public and promoting the visual arts and artists of the Door County Peninsula.
Since 1979, HELP of Door County has provided programs serving victims of domestic abuse –working to improve the well-being and dignity of individuals, families and intimate relationships. HELP works to reduce the incidence of violence and conflict within relationships by providing free and confidential victim services including: Crisis Intervention, Safe Homes, Legal Advocacy, Women’s Support Groups, Community Outreach (including workshops, training and speaking engagements), Prison Outreach, Older Adult Victim Services, Transitional Living Program, Violence Intervention Services, Visitation and Exchange, and Youth Advocacy.
Beyond Hope Church and its current vision, the Hope UCC Endowment Fund is today, tomorrow, and forever.
The Hope UCC Endowment Fund grants support to our community, both locally and worldwide. It has been used to support the “All Hands In” Destination Imagination team as it raised awareness of the GO BO! Foundation Family Assistance Program. The Endowment has provided care packages to local soldiers serving abroad and helped support conversational English language classes in Door County. It has supported food assistance programs, installed a hearing loop in its sanctuary, and refurbished the Hope Library.
Five percent of the total is granted annually while the balance is invested. Community needs today do not end when we move on. In your will, as a beneficiary of your retirement plans, life insurance, other accounts, or trusts – give back for today, tomorrow, and forever.
In 2018, a group of citizens joined together to save Horseshoe Bay Farms. Led by Lori and David Nicholas, Horseshoe Bay Farms became a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a mission to act as a responsible steward through preservation, rehabilitation, and activation of historic Horseshoe Bay Farms to secure its future for generations to come. With a dedicated and passionate board, a comprehensive Master Plan, and the hiring of its first Executive Director, Horseshoe Bay Farms, Inc is positioned for success well into the future. Our partnership with the Door County Community Foundation only strengthens our goals of serving our community while carrying the spirit of innovation and honoring the legacy of Horseshoe Bay Farms. With this partnership, Horseshoe Bay Farms is now open to the public for historic and educational tours, provides experiences for youth, and has begun the rehabilitation of its historic buildings.
Isadoora Theatre Endowment Fund
www.isadoora.com
(920) 495-2777
www.legalaiddoorcounty.org
(920) 743-3934
Miller Art Center Foundation, Inc. Fund www.millerartmuseum.org (920) 746-7124
Isadoora was founded in 2002 as a company where anyone from the community could gain experience producing, directing, and acting in theatrical productions not typically accessible to amateurs. Our alumni have gone on to professional roles with Northern Sky Theater, Door Shakespeare, Peninsula Players, and Stage Door Theatre Co.
From humble beginnings as friends gathering to read scripts, to fully staged, high-quality production of deeply emotional shows such as Wit and Painting Churches. Funny and heartwarming offerings like She Loves Me and Striking 12. Provocative perspectives in Side Man, Waiting for Lefty, and The Laramie Project Examinations of the darker side of human nature with Assassins,Why Torture Is Wrong and The People Who Love Them. To large-scale productions like Chicago, Isadoora has gone to theatrical places over the course of twelve years that few small, non-professional companies dare to go.
Legal Aid Society of Door County was founded in 1989 by a group of local attorneys and human service providers who recognized that there was a growing number of unrepresented, low-income clients who could not afford family law services.
The mission of LASDC is to coordinate and improve access to civil legal services for low-income individuals in Door County. Most of these services are provided by volunteer attorneys. LAS operates as a screening and referral organization for potential clients who face legal issues that involve family law, landlord-tenant disputes, benefit entitlements, and other civil matters. The organization contracts with a local attorney who provides intake, screening and referral of eligible applicants at the Sturgeon Bay office. Legal Aid Society is an unusual nonprofit organization, in that the majority of administrative cost and much of the client service are provided by volunteer efforts.
Nestled in the heart of Sturgeon Bay, the Miller Art Museum stands as a beacon of cultural enrichment and artistic exploration. Established in 1975, this dynamic institution has been a cornerstone of the local community, fostering creativity and appreciation for the visual arts. With a diverse collection of more than 1,500 works spanning historical to contemporary along with regularly changing exhibitions, visitors are treated to a compelling and diverse array of art. From powerful exhibitions highlighting regional and national talent to thought-provoking exhibits that explore the depths, joys, and complexities of our world, the museum offers something for art enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds. Beyond its exhibits, the Museum presents an array of educational programs, tours, performances, and events, engaging visitors in experiences that deepen their understanding and appreciation for art. With a commitment to excellence and accessibility, the Miller Art Museum continues to foster connections between artists and community through the creation of opportunities to explore, appreciate, and advance the visual arts.
Midsummer’s
www.midsummersmusic.com
(920) 854-7088
For over 30 years, Midsummer’s Music, Ltd. has brought world-class musicians to Door County to develop, enthuse and educate audiences of all ages. By creating the most powerful experiences highly professional performers can generate, Midsummer emphasizes chamber music’s strongest assets: intimacy, vitality, quality, variety, and portability. The Griffon String Quartet, presented by Midsummer’s, is a groundbreaking project geared to enrich the lives of children and adults throughout Northeastern Wisconsin through concerts, instruction, health and wellness programs, and community-embedded presentations. Midsummer’s Music and the Griffon perform virtually and in person. Venues include galleries, churches, schools, museums, hospitals, memory cafes, and private homes. Concertgoers hear classics, lesser-known composers, and world-premiers of commissioned works. Each concert is an exceptional experience! Concert ticket prices cover a small portion of our annual expenses, making tax-deductible donations and other forms of support critical to the organization’s sustainability. Join us and experience the magic of Midsummer’s Music, Northeastern Wisconsin’s only full-time, year-round professional musical organization.
NEW Audubon Society Endowment Fund www.newiaudubon.org
The Northeastern Wisconsin Audubon Society was incorporated in 1954 and is one of more than 500 local chapters of the National Audubon Society. We have over 800 national and local member families that live in the seven counties and 55 communities we serve throughout northeast Wisconsin. The Board of Directors, members and volunteers work to support bird conservation, research, education, and habitat protection across this region of the state. This includes projects such as the Oneida Bird Monitoring Program, Project SOAR (Snowy Owl Airport Rescue), and research in understanding the movement of red-shouldered hawks in our area through radio telemetry.
Open Door Bird Sanctuary Future Development Fund www.opendoorbirdsanctuary.org
(920) 493-2473
Peninsula School of Art Youth and Community Outreach Fund www.peninsulaschoolofart.org
(920) 868-3455
The Richard Mauthe Center for Faith, Spirituality & Social Justice Endowment Fund www.mcenter.org (920) 465-5133
The Open Door Bird Sanctuary raises avian awareness and inspires coexistence with the natural world of Door County, and wherever you call home. Founded in 2010 and situated on 33 acres, it’s the only facility of its kind in the area. A unique combination of environmental and wildlife education features live birds of prey both on and off site. Our Raptor residents are unable to be released into the wild and call ODBS their forever home.
The facilities consist of outdoor aviaries, multiple program areas, a Nature Center, and Bird Care Center, used by both birds and staff/volunteers. Contributions to our fund will help with the continued development of our Master Plan which includes a walk-through songbird aviary, large pavilion, advanced show area, Visitor Center and a second avian building.
Peninsula Players Theatre, founded in 1935, is America’s oldest professional resident summer theater located in a unique setting along the cedar-lined shores of Green Bay. The theater’s mission is to support, without reservation, the most exciting theater company possible; to preserve the Theatre in a Garden’s natural beauty; to provide artists the freedom, tools, and facilities they require to entertain, uplift, and inform our audiences; to foster future generations of theater professionals through the internship program; and to maintain fiscal policies that ensure the future security of the theater.
A contribution to the Peninsula Players Endowment Fund helps protect the theater’s past, while securing its future. Your gift will support a tradition of theatrical excellence and fundamental programming such as the internship program, educational workshops, free public seminars and staged readings. Help ensure the future of Peninsula Players Theatre for generations to come.
For 50 years, Peninsula School of Art has served the community through exceptional learning experiences in the visual arts. It provides workshops with nationally recognized artist-teachers; visual arts classes for children; educationally-themed exhibitions featuring the works of national, regional, and local artists; and free community outreach programs for over 3000 children and families.
The Youth and Community Outreach Fund provides critical support for free, accessible arts programming, including: ceramics arts education to 500 school age children; monthly Family Art Days; a participatory exhibition for 300 school children with no access to arts education in their schools; and partnership programs with local community organization and schools, like the Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Club of Door County, Habitat for Humanity, the Hardy Gallery, Northern Door Adult Day Care Services and many others to bring art to underserved populations and new audiences.
The Richard Mauthe Center for Faith, Spirituality and Social Justice is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus, but independent from the university system. Its mission is to provide opportunities for the UWGB community to explore faith, nurture their spiritual lives, and serve others.
Every year the Mauthe Center touches the lives of students by putting together events that inspire respect and peace, and promote justice. The purpose of its Endowment Fund is to ensure that the legacy of Rev. Richard Mauthe continues to flourish. Today, it is invigorated to work with the next generation of authentic leaders to write a new chapter – defined by an effort to find innovative ways to continue to transform the lives of students and community members we serve.
(920) 818-0816
Rogue Theater is Door County’s only year-round community theater, bringing quality productions to many locations throughout the county. Since 2013, the company has brought theater productions to many locations in Door County, including town halls, restaurants, churches, and schools. They also provide educational programs and theater camps for youth and young adults. Their vision is to have a space where all forms of entertainment and art can come together; including community and professional theater, music, dance and visual arts. With a new location in Sturgeon Bay, Rogue Theater is committed to creating an art center that can be used by the community for a multitude of events. Rogue Theater is currently renting the DC Arts Center in Sturgeon Bay. It is an 80-seat theater, including lobby, backstage area, dressing rooms, and storage. Rogue Theater’s capital campaign continues to fundraise to make this venue their permanent home, along with adding a set design area.
Ruth and William Merkey Fund
Sevastopol Education Foundation, Inc.
Sevastopol Education Foundation www.facebook.com/SevastopolEdFoundation sevastopoledfoundation@gmail.com
History Center Building Fund
Endowment Fund • Operating Reserve Fund
www.sisterbayhistory.org/museum/ (920) 421-0285
Athletes & Athletic Facilities Fund
Auditorium & Performing Arts Fund
Bleacher Reserve Fund • Booster Fund • Eagle Fund
Education Committee Reserve
Endowment Fund • Library & Technology Fund
Science & Agriculture Fund • Softball Fund
Football Fund • Volleyball Fund
www.southerndoorcommunityfoundation.org (920) 825-7373
Sunshine House, Inc. Fund
www.sunshinehouseinc.org
(920) 743-7943
The purpose of the Rushes Wilderness Foundation is to maintain, improve and provide access to the Rushes Wilderness Area while preserving its natural beauty. The Rushes Wilderness area is the 100-acre nature preserve adjacent to the Rushes on Kangaroo Lake.
Over the years the many volunteers and supporters of the Rushes Wilderness Foundation have accomplished this by; Maintaining and improving nearly five miles of trails in the preserve, planting and maintaining the Butterfly prairie, building the gazebo, planting and caring for memorial trees, maintaining the boardwalks, providing benches throughout the preserve, building and maintaining the observation deck, improved the area by removing invasive species.
This fund was started thanks to the generosity of long time Rushes owners Ruth and William Merkey.
The mission of the Sevastopol Education Foundation is to enrich the experiences of children for a stronger community! To provide support to the students, teachers, staff and programs of Sevastopol School.
Sevastopol Education Foundation, separate from the school, is a 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax deductible. By supporting Sevastopol Education Foundation Inc. (SEF) you are providing a foundation for many to thrive. Schools need reliable revenues separate from restricted public funding in order to keep pace with advances in technology and to provide an innovative high quality educational learning environment. SEF is only able to carry out its mission of enhancing the Sevastopol Schools through the generous support of individuals, businesses and organizations. Teachers, Parents, Coaches or others may request money for projects, equipment or donations from SEF by writing Grants within Focus Areas.
The Sister Bay Historical Society is building for the future with current fundraising for its new History Center, next door to its Corner of the Past and Old Anderson House Museum. Located at intersection of Hwy 57 and Fieldcrest Rd. The 1875 Anderson family farmhouse is completely renovated, featuring late 1800s furnishings and artifacts. The authentic, historically-restored farm buildings are all from Sister Bay-area residents. Features a barn, granary, machine shop, log cabins, migrant’s cabin, summer kitchen, sawmill, blacksmith’s barn, and early tourist cottages. Machine Shop photo gallery has enlarged images dating back to early settlers, the fire of 1912, berthed steamships, early logging, ice cutting. Knowledgeable, docent-led tours (with Discovery Pen audio for independent exploring) are enlightening and fun. Admission: $10 Adults, Children FREE. Opening Day: Memorial Day weekend, then open Tues–Sat, 10 am–4 pm, June-July-Aug-Sept. Closed in winter. Reserve your family’s tickets online: doorcountytickets. com.
The goal of the Southern Door Community Foundation is to build its community and surrounding communities by providing financial support to the Southern Door School District to provide students with the opportunities to be productive members of their community. The foundation can also assist other supporting organizations of the school by providing a safe and responsible way to manage funds and activities.
Each Endowment Fund allows a donor to target their gift to the issues most important to them. The Endowment Funds of the Southern Door Community Foundation include: the Eagle Fund, the Auditorium and Performing Arts Fund, the Athletes and Athletic Facilities Fund, the Science, Agriculture and Industrial Arts Fund, the Library and Technology Fund and the Southern Door Athletic Boosters Fund.
Sunshine Resources of Door County is a diverse community service provider with a mission to support meaningful lives and independence of our community members with physical and developmental disabilities. Since 1971 we have provided day service programming, employment services, life skill classes and socialization to promote inclusion. We also offer Senior Adult Day services for families needing support with loved ones living with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and dementia. Our Sunflower Cottage is also open to seniors looking for socialization and companionship.
As a community resource, we also provide a full transportation service to all participants to ensure the barrier of transportation does not prevent participation.
SRDC also operates a full production facility and a resale store that provides job skill experience to prepare participants for the workforce. Our Employment Services program also includes resume building, interview preparation and job matching, and job placement to ensure the highest opportunity for success.
TAP Endowment Fund
www.thirdavenueplayworks.com
(920) 743-1760
United Way of Door County, Inc. Fund
www.unitedwaydc.com
(920) 746-9645
Molly’s Fund
Door County Humane Society Charitable Fund
www.wihumane.org
(920) 746-1111
Door County Connection Fund
www.wpr.org (888) 909-4163
Third Avenue PlayWorks is Door County’s premiere year-round, professional theatre, located in historic downtown Sturgeon Bay. Having just completed a $2.5 million renovation of our building, our mission is to explore, share, and celebrate our humanity through the power of wide-ranging and intimate theatre. We see a future where TAP is a center for cultural production and community connection, where everyone, no matter their background (cultural, ethnic, socio-economic, gender expression, etc.), is welcomed and affirmed in cutting edge theatre art. We hold fast to the Wisconsin Idea, and will not rest until we have a meaningful impact on everyone in our state. We hold fast to the Wisconsin Idea and strive to be among the leading arts organizations in the Upper Midwest.
www.writeondoorcounty.org
(920) 868-1457
United Way of Door County forges strong partnerships, focuses resources on what matters, and creates measurable results. Its vision is of a community where: family and community wellness are promoted; childcare and early education are available to working families; basic needs such as food, shelter, transportation, and clothing are met; the lives of special segments of the population including elderly, disabled, and mentally ill are enhanced; healthcare is available to all; and youth are provided with opportunities for positive development.
Its aim is to use its expertise to add value by assessing community needs; collaborating with and ensuring accountability of partner organizations; and identifying and raising funds. It is a leader in Door County by facilitating, promoting, and ensuring the availability of services that meet the needs of the community as an effective and efficient conduit for philanthropic resources.
The Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) is a private nonprofit organization whose mission is to build a community where people value animals and treat them with respect and kindness.
Founded in 1879, the Wisconsin Humane Society has been saving the lives of animals in need for more than 140 years. WHS is a 501(c)(3) organization and operates animal shelters in Door, Brown, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Racine Counties. WHS annually serves 40,000 animals, receives no general government funding, and is not part of any national umbrella organization.
The WHS Door County Campus provides safe haven for lost and homeless pets while working to reunite them with their owners or place them with a new loving family. All animals in their adoption program have as long as it takes to find a new home. WHS relies entirely on the generous donations of individual donors.
Since 1917, Wisconsin Public Radio has been a pioneer in radio broadcasting, providing strong, independent and meaningful public radio in Wisconsin. Educating, informing and entertaining have been at the core of WPR’s mission since its inception. Today WPR’s 34 radio stations, seven regional bureaus, three networks, website, online streams, and user-friendly apps serve local, regional, and statewide audiences.
WPR’s commitment to community engagement inspires programming that reflects the people and issues that impact Wisconsin. From thought-provoking discussions, to local and statewide news, to classical, folk and world music, WPR presents the highest quality programming available. Major gifts for specific projects as well as endowment gifts for long-term support also play an important role in funding one of Wisconsin’s most valuable assets.
The mission of Write On, Door County is to facilitate and promote writing in Door County by nurturing the work of writers, supporting readers and audiences, and developing opportunities that encourage broad participation. Everyone has a story to tell.
Connecting people and connecting communities through writing, reading, and sharing stories is the core of its mission. Write On, Door County serves writers and readers of all ages and at all levels of development. It serves year-round and seasonal residents as well as visitors. Free peer critique groups support writers just starting out. Monthly book discussions connect readers. Classes with published authors help writers advance to the next level of their career. Author events bring together readers and writers in a relaxed setting. These programs take place in a variety of settings, including the Writing Center in Juddville and all places in between, from Southern Door to Washington Island. Write On’s Writing Center is a gathering space and resource center for all writers.
givedoorcounty.org • 920-746-1786
At the Door County Community Foundation, we help build and strengthen community. We bring people and organizations together that want to make a difference in our world.
The Community Foundation makes philanthropy easy. We help individuals and families establish a customized charitable Fund without being burdened by the regulatory requirements, tax liabilities and administrative and fiduciary hassles associated with setting up a private foundation. Our donors can self-direct their contributions to specific charities, invest in broader areas of interest, or provide unrestricted gifts to a Discretionary Fund to address emerging community needs.
As a 501(c)(3) public charity, our donors qualify for the maximum tax deduction as allowed by law.
Since our founding in 1999, the charities of Door County have benefitted from more than $38 million that has been disbursed from the family of charitable Funds at the Door County Community Foundation. Our assets have grown to $55 million today, with more than $9 million in contributions and pledges last year alone.
Give today or through your estate plan. Give however it’s right for you.
Just remember to Give Door County.
I am deeply committed to philanthropy, with a specific focus on advancing women’s causes, addressing children’s issues, promoting education, and championing sustainability. I am able to actively engage with the community through the Door County Community Foundation, gaining a firsthand understanding of our community’s needs. What sets the Community Foundation apart is its personalized approach, which strengthens my connection to the causes I support. Every interaction with the Foundation is more than a mere transaction; it feels like entering a comforting and familiar environment where I am surrounded by a sense of family. The Foundation’s professional staff, well-versed in the causes closest to my heart, instills confidence in me. I trust them to guide me in making informed decisions in the realm of philanthropy.
– Sharon LutseySharon Lutsey, a Green Bay native, grew up in a bustling household with her father running his own business, while her mother devoted herself to being a stay-at-home mom. As the eldest of six children, Sharon was given early responsibilities, including rotating chores which instilled a robust work ethic that continues throughout her life today. Sharon’s parents set a meaningful example by generously dedicating their time and talents to local organizations their children were involved in, such as hockey and the Girl Scouts.
After graduating from West High School, Sharon pursued a degree in education at UW-Stevens Point and spent four years teaching kindergarten before opting to stay home with her four children-Matthew, Nicholas, Jeffrey and Andrew. Despite leaving the classroom, Sharon remained committed to education by serving on the Green Bay School Board for 11 years, The Weidner Board for 13 years, including a term as President, and
the Libertas Board – an in-house program for addiction – for 13 years. Sharon actively volunteered for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Green Bay and played a key role in founding the Women’s Fund of Door County, where she also served on the Board for 12 years. Additionally, she participated in various committees in Green Bay, focusing on the city’s growth and development. She currently sits on the board of the Door County Community Foundation.
While visiting friends in Door County, Sharon was drawn to all that this beautiful place could offer. She knew this is where she wanted to spend her free time with her family and 25 years ago, in the mid80’s, the Lutseys purchased a cottage in Egg Harbor. They moved here full time and started Waseda Farms to have access to organic beef without exposure to harmful chemicals, antibiotics, or growth hormones. This led to Sharon’s love of gardening and inspired the organic gardens at the family-owned farm that is still thriving today.
“It is a true pleasure and honor to be part of all that makes this community a special place to work and live,” says Sharon. “Thank you to all the volunteers and people I have worked with throughout this incredible journey. It is by our example that our children and grandchildren will continue our giving for the future.”
Sharon’s philanthropy and generosity continues in Door County as she engages with the Door County Community Foundation, appreciating its personal touch and the opportunities to address all the local needs. Philanthropically, Sharon supports a wide array of non-profits, utilizing a Donor Advised Fund as the ideal vehicle for fulfilling her charitable intentions. Donor Advised Funds operate much like a private foundation, but without the administrative burdens, high operating costs or required tax filings. If you have a range of community interests, you may find that it’s an ideal vehicle for fulfilling your charitable wishes.
In 1948, Jim Hansen’s parents acquired a small cottage near Robert LaSalle County Park. He marked his third birthday there, initiating a tradition that continued for many years as he spent numerous summers in Door County. By the time he reached his teenage years, Jim was taking dates to Peninsula Players, creating cherished memories.
Barbara Fulton, a native of the East Coast, was born in Philadelphia and grew up in South Jersey. It was there that she embarked on her teaching career. She made a significant move to the Chicago area, where she eventually accepted a position on a 6th grade teaching team alongside a gentleman named Jim Hansen. Within a span of two years, their professional collaboration blossomed into a personal union; and Jim and Barb were married. Opting not to have biological children, they extended their love by adopting two siblings, David and John, aged 8 and 6, respectively, creating a supportive family.
Upon tying the knot, Jim and Barb purchased a humble cottage just south of Stoney Creek (not far from Jim’s
Door County has been deeply woven into the tapestry of our lives. Consequently, we want to give back to the place that has nurtured us so well. Because we believe in providing for the future, the idea of our estate benefiting Door County indefinitely through a Fund at the Community Foundation strongly appealed to us. The organizations we have included in our estate plans have significantly enriched our lives, and we trust they will continue to contribute to the well-being of this cherished community.
– Jim and Barb Hansenfamily cottage), establishing a weekend retreat in Door County that spanned 28 years. This routine nurtured a profound bond for them with the community, allowing them to experience the delights of Northern Sky and Birch Creek, enjoy performances at Door Shakespeare and Peninsula Players, savor live music, cultivate gardens, and indulge in the fun of boating, fishing, and golfing. Their active involvement made them integral members of the county.
In 2000, as they bid farewell to their professional lives, Jim and Barb transitioned into full-time residents of Door County, solidifying their commitment to the community that had become an intrinsic part of their identity. Jim and Barb have been active members of Hope Church for two decades, embodying a loyalty to their community. Additionally, Barb contributed her efforts to the Women’s Fund of Door County by serving on its board, furthering their dedication to philanthropy and community involvement.
The Hansens’ great love for Door County has only deepened since
Inspiring people to give back to sustain and advance the community we love.
becoming full-time residents. “The greatest thing my parents ever did for me was to buy the cottage in Southern Door because my whole life has revolved around it,” says Jim. Including the Door County Community Foundation in their Estate Plans is an easy way for the Hansens to transfer assets to charity and support the community they care about after they are gone. In doing so, Jim and Barb can leave a lasting legacy for Door County while enjoying the assets needed to maintain their current lifestyle.
Including the Door County Community Foundation in your estate plans is a straightforward way to transfer assets to charity. Through a gift in your estate plans, you can support general causes, create a scholarship in your family’s name, or, as the Hansens did, give back to specific charities. Plus, you can distribute some or all of your assets tax-free. Your gift – and all future earnings from your gift – can become a permanent source of community capital, giving back literally forever. A fund at the Community Foundation is an exceptional tool for giving to charity through your estate plan.
They possessed a remarkable openness and compassion, genuinely interested in others without a hint of judgment,” said Robert Davis, Bob and Nancy’s eldest son. “Despite our comfortable lifestyle, they firmly believed it didn’t make us superior to anyone else. And they lived that truth by regularly giving back to the community both financially and through volunteering. The Nancy and Robert Davis Charitable Fund now perpetuates that legacy by supporting projects and initiatives in the community that meant so much to them.
Robert Davis Sr., affectionately known as Bob, was born on April Fool’s Day in 1925. His family’s Door County connection dates back to his grandfather’s days working with the Goodrich Steamship based out of Chicago. Bob’s father, Warren, spent childhood Julys in Ephraim, eventually building the family cottage when Bob was just 4 years old.
Nancy Wilterding, born on All Saints Day in 1927, grew up in Menasha, WI. Her family began visiting Door County in the ‘30s, camping at Peninsula State Park. Bob and Nancy’s paths intertwined when he took Nancy’s sister, Gretchen, on a date. Described as love at first sight, Bob and Nancy married in June 1951 and raised five children Rob, Martha, Cole, Sarah, and Laura, as well as foster daughter, Sabina.
Bob, a Carleton College graduate, joined The United Educators, his father’s publishing company, working until retirement. In 1965 Bob and Nancy Davis built a cottage in Ephraim, and eventually began spending summers here rather than in Lake Bluff, Il. During
their 40 years in Lake Bluff Bob was an active leader of the community, including village mayor and founder of the Lake Forest Rotary Club.
A passionate sailor and Ephraim Yacht Club member, Bob’s love for the water expanded to hiking in Door County. Both actively involved in various organizations, Bob and Nancy joyfully gave their time and raised funds for projects close to their hearts. Upon retirement, Bob continued his philanthropy behind the scenes, always acknowledging Nancy’s crucial role in their accomplishments. Bob was also actively involved in Rotary, the Ephraim Historical Foundation, The Clearing, and the Door County Land Trust. Nancy actively supported the Ephraim Historical Foundation as a docent and through her work on the Buildings and Grounds Committee. She was involved with PEO and taught classes at The Clearing. Bob and Nancy were honored as the 2015 Door County Philanthropists of the Year.
In 2017, Bob passed away at 92, followed by Nancy in 2020 at 93. Yet, their legacy lives on through the Nancy
and Robert Davis Charitable Fund, established to perpetually support the organizations they held dear. While some donors prefer to remain anonymous, the Nancy and Robert Davis Charitable Fund was created to honor and publicly celebrate their family’s legacy literally forever.
Through a gift in your estate plans, you can give back to specific charities, support general causes or even create a scholarship in your family’s name. A Fund at the Community Foundation is an exceptional tool for giving to charity through your estate plan.
The Community Foundation is regularly asked to attend joint meetings with attorneys, accountants and investment professionals all of whom are serving the same client. We’d be honored to serve you as your philanthropic advisor.
INSPIRING PEOPLE TO GIVE BACK TO SUSTAIN AND ADVANCE THE COMMUNITY WE LOVE.
It all begins with you. Charity is essential to our quality of life. It fills our lives with music and surrounds us with art, protects our environmental treasures and preserves our history, educates our children and cares for those in need.
All this is possible because of you.