You Care. We Care. Eau Claire.
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.
The Eau Claire Community Foundation will be widely recognized in the area as the leading community resource promoting philanthropy, collaboration and innovation, and building endowments.
Leadership Award
The Ken & Roberta Vance Family
There’s very little that the Vance family HASN’T done for ECCF: As Society of Founders members, Roberta and Ken Vance’s financial support helped ECCF open its doors, and as members of the Legacy Society, they’ve ensured that their support will continue for years to come. Both Ken and his daughter Suzanne Ashley served on ECCF’s Board of Trustees and on various Committees. Roberta is a Founding Member of the Women’s Giving Circle and has issued grants through her Pass-through Fund. Their son Jason established the Ken Vance Foundation Fund.
The Vances’ contributions to ECCF were already impressive, but in 2019, Roberta and Ken became fund holders as well. Their unrestricted Roberta and Ken Vance Fund addresses the community’s greatest needs by supporting ECCF’s annual grant cycle.
“There are more needs in this community than one person could possibly imagine,” Ken had explained when their fund was established. “If you have a penchant for giving but don’t know where the money should go, unrestricted funds are a great way to let the experts guide your giving.”
Although Ken passed away in 2020, his family is carrying on his legacy of generosity. ECCF is proud to give the 2022 Leadership Award to the Vance family, and we’re intensely grateful for everything they’ve done for ECCF—and continue to do.
“If you have a penchant for giving but don’t know where the money should go, unrestricted funds are a great way to let the experts guide your giving.”
- Ken Vance Roberta & Ken Vance Fund
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A Letter From Our Chair Ways to Give
Donate to a Fund
Support existing funds through a gift of any size. You can make your gift in honor of someone important to you. Visit www.eccfwi.org for a complete list of funds.
Create a Fund
Establish your own family fund with as little as $500. It will support the nonprofits you care about for years to come.
Learn About Our Committees
Volunteers strengthen ECCF’s role as a resource for our community by serving on our diverse array of committees.
Become a Women’s Giving Circle Member
WGC improves the quality of life for local women and children through collective philanthropy. Become a member with a $250 donation to the fund.
Dear Founders, Donors, Benefactors, and Friends, 25 Years, $31.6 Million endowed, over 362 funds, and more than $25 million in grants! None of this would be possible without the vision of our Society of Founders members; we thank them for having the foresight to establish ECCF, and we thank the donors who have invested in our community.
Over the past quarter century, ECCF has seen the needs change in our community and in our nonprofits, and we have worked to be responsive to those needs. As we move into our next 25 years, we will continue to help strengthen Eau Claire and its surrounding areas by following our mission of serving as a catalyst to address community needs.
As we celebrated our 25th Anniversary, we wanted local nonprofits to benefit from the celebration. We launched two initiatives: a crowdfunding campaign for our nonprofits and a Legacy Society initiative. Each new Legacy Society member was able to grant $500 to their favorite nonprofit which included a match of $500 to ECCF’s Community Fund. Through both initiatives, we gained 20 new Legacy Society members and created almost $350,000 of impact above and beyond the financial support from our annual grant cycles. ECCF’s 25th anniversary has been a celebration for the whole community!
But this isn’t the only anniversary we’re celebrating this year; we also congratulate our Women’s Giving Circle Fund on its 15th anniversary. Since 2008, the WGC has awarded over $451,000 in grants to support local women and children! More about their 15th Anniversary initiatives can be found on page 10 of the Annual Report.
Thank you to our generous donors, past and present, for 25 years of improving life in the Eau Claire area. We couldn’t have done it without you!
We look forward to our next 25 years of serving the community!
Linda Danielson Sue Bornick Board Chair Executive DirectorYear at a Glance
49%
FIRST-TIME DONORS
19%
42% 25
GIFTS LESS THAN $100
GIFTS IN HONOR OR MEMORY OF SOMEONE
554
NEW FUNDS ESTABLISHED
GRANTS ISSUED
Charitable Fund Options
We will work with you to establish the type of fund that best suits your charitable goals
A Starter Approach - Acorn Fund
A fund that will slowly grow over time. When the minimum balance has been reached, your fund will become one of the funds listed below.
A Flexible Approach
- Unrestricted Fund
This fund will give to the greatest ever-changing needs in our community forever
A Personal Approach
- Donor Advised Fund
Recommend grants for charitable causes that have special meaning to you
A Focused Approach
- Field of Interest Fund
Support a broad charitable area of interest by choosing areas that you are most passionate about
A Targeted Approach
- Designated Fund
Choose one or more charitable organizations to receive ongoing support
Creating a Charitable Fund
• Choose a fund name and purpose
• Select one of ECCF’s investment options
• Sign a fund agreement describing your charitable intent
• Make a gift of cash, securities, real estate, etc to establish a fund
• Watch your fund grow by investment and additional contributions
Provide
will benefit our community
The Eau Claire Community Foundation established the Legacy Society to recognize its members who have made provisions in their estate plans to provide a gift to ECCF for the causes they care about the most.
By including ECCF in your will, establishing a charitable gift annuity or remainder trust, or naming the Foundation as beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan distribution, you can join other Legacy Society members who look beyond the here and now to the future well–being of the greater Eau Claire area.
you
These Legacy Society members have included the Eau Claire Community Foundation in their estate plans:
Anonymous (5)
Helen & Karl Andresen*
Dr. David* & Joan Angell
Richard R. & Sara Solie Baer
Bob & Louise Barfknecht
Janet Barland
Thomas & Jill Barland
Jack & Carol Bartingale*
Jerry & Sue Bauer
Doris J. Bautch
Bill & Winnie Bean
Jason & Jennifer Beckermann
Priscilla Berry
Stephen & Kristine Bien
Preston & Mary Kay Bissell*
Bill & Beth Blackburn
Don & Kim Bodeau
Robert & Andrea Bodeau
Mel* & Leann Breed
Greg Bremer & Jennifer Hanson-Bremer
Daniel F. & Margaret J. Brown*
Susan J. Bruce
Thomas & Joyce* Bruckner
Jim Carter & Victoria Miller
David & Mary Ciresi
Carol Craig
Roger & Betty Davis
Paul Del Torto
Arnie & Lois Domer*
Don* & Jan Etnier
B.J. & Bea Farmer*
Jennifer & Joseph Fesenmaier
Cody Filipczak
Victoria E. Finstad
-Mary Ann and Dan Ogan (Daniel and Mary Ann Ogan Educational Fund)
Larry E. & Ida B.* Fischer
Heidi Fisher
Dr. Louis & Janet Frase
Roy & Janice Fuerstenberg
Richard T. Gannon
Leonard E. Gibbs* & Mary E.
(Betsy) McDougall Gibbs
Annie Grewe
Charles & Becky Grossklaus
Ann Gunderson Thornburg
Cindy L. Hangartner
Christopher & Julie
Hasenberg
Dick & Karen Hebert
Mark & Lois Helland
Lawrence Henkel
Dr. Eldon Hill*
Bernard & Karla Hoefgen
Jon N. & Maureen S. Homstad
Edna Hood*
Duane & Laura Hookom
Al & Peggy Jones
John Kaiser & Marcia Van Beek
Dr. David & Alice Katz
Betsy Kell
Dr. Daniel & Kerry Kincaid
Marianne & David Klinkhammer
Joseph Koehn*
Kathy Kovell
Carol Larson
Richard D. & Marcia D. Larson
Thomas G. Larson
John & Jane Lokken
Sherry L. Macaul
Melania Madis*
Keith & Alison Martin
Buzz & Mary Ann Minton
Thomas Misfeldt & Lisa Stark
Gregg & Emily Moore
Lois & Marlin Mueller
Jon & Erika Munger
Karl Murch
Charles D. & Sue E. Nyberg
Daniel & Mary Ann Ogan
Rick & Carol Olson
Tim & Carol Olson
Karen Overhulser
Tim & Denise Pabich
Jim & Kathy Pinter
Jack & Lois Postlewaite
Lyle & Karyn Quandt
Pat & Sue Quinn
Jackie & Ken Rasmussen
Molly Reijo
Duane & Ruth Sackett*
Andrew & Brenda Schlafer
Cindy Schlosser & Paul Wagner
William & Kathleen Schoener
Steve & Kaye Senn
Flo & Terry* Sheridan
Chuck Shoemaker Jr. & Lori John-Shoemaker
Bradley J. & Janet E. Smith
Vernon* & Jo Ann Smith
Jerry & Beth Speckien
Sarah Stokes & Chris Herzog
Jack Stromwall*
Robert J. and Carol Klun
Swanson
Don & Laura Talley
Amy Thurston
John Thurston*
Susan & Roger Tietz
Dr. Joseph M. & Jean M. Tobin*
Gary* & Sonya Tourville
Dr. Peter Ullrich & Susan Pittman
Kenneth* & Roberta Vance
Jan & Kathryn VerHagen
Ron* & Johanna Warloski
Paul & Cheri Weinke
Jeff & Kathy White
Bonnie Wright
Dr. Jack & Cleo Young
*Denotes deceased
New Member
“Through our work with Feed My People Food Bank and other charities, as well as Mary Ann’s work with the Eau Claire Community Foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle, we’ve seen how much good nonprofits do for the community. We’re joining the Legacy Society so our bequest can help that good work continue.”
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25th Anniversary Celebration
During our 25th Anniversary Celebration, artist Holli Jacobson created a painting. That painting now hangs in the ECCF office to commemorate 25 years of supporting the community!
Cheers to 25 Years!
In the year leading up to our 25th anniversary celebration...
IMPACTOF25TH ANN I VERSARYCELEBRATION
$349,857
IN GRANTS DISTRIBUTED ABOVE AND BEYOND NORMAL ECCF GRANT CYCLES!
181
61 GRANTS AWARDED
20
NEW LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERS NONPROFITS IMPACTED
Legacy Society Initiative
Legacy Society members help ensure ECCF’s continued strength by designating gifts to ECCF in their wills or estate plans.
As a special thank you to new Legacy Society members during the year leading up to our 25th Anniversary, they were able to recommend $1,000 in grants. These grants were made possible by the Founding Board of Trustees and their families.
Of each member’s $1,000 grant, $500 went to ECCF’s Community Fund to address our area’s greatest needs through our annual Community Grant Cycle. The remaining $500 went to a nonprofit of their choice.
New Legacy Society members together recommended $10,000 in grants to local nonprofits. Now THAT’S a celebration!
“The Eau Claire Community Foundation has made the Chippewa Valley Museum, and all of Eau Claire, a better place, and that is a legacy that needs to be celebrated.”
– Carrie Ronnander Chippewa Valley Museum
we care...
Women’s Giving Circle Fund (WGC)
Since 2007, the Women’s Giving Circle (a Fund of ECCF) has been fulfilling its mission to improve the quality of life for women and children in the greater Eau Claire area through collective philanthropy.
The WGC began as the vision of its Founding members, a group of 100 women who pooled their money to establish the Women’s Giving Circle Fund. Since then, the WGC’s membership has grown to more than 250 members, and it has awarded over $451,000 in grants to 43 local nonprofits.
In 2022, the WGC launched initiatives to recruit 25 new members and 15 new Lifetime Members. The recruitment initiatives were a resounding success! 40 new members joined, and 15 became Lifetime Members. These new members will help the group support local women and children for years to come.
Each year, WGC members organize a free Educational Event regarding an issue that’s important to the community. Topics have ranged from Alzheimer’s disease to homelessness. In 2023, the Educational Event featured a panel of experts who discussed childcare challenges and opportunities in the Chippewa Valley.
Together, the WGC members learn, collaborate, and empower to make the greatest impact in our community. Consider becoming a member today!
Celebrating 15 years!
$49,600
$451,021
TotalMem b ers 235
N ew Memb ers in202 2 40
Your Gifts at Work
Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley Lee & Mary Markquart Center
The Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley – Lee & Mary Markquart Center received a WGC grant to expand mental health resources to its members by creating a sensory room and providing sensory seating and tactile tools in each of the programming spaces.
The Club used the grant to convert an office space into a dedicated sensory room, which members utilize in times of need and for mental health focused programming. It allows kids to work through their emotions and gives them a quiet space to decompress if they’re overwhelmed by noise in the cafeteria or other loud spaces.
Sensory items have also been added to each of the programming spaces to aid members who are overwhelmed with emotion but want to remain where they are.
Thanks to this grant, young people at the Club are better able to manage their emotions so they can focus on academic success and healthy relationships.
2022 WGC Grant Recipients
Chippewa Valley Free Clinic
Advancing Women’s Health Services, Year 2
$7,500
Chippewa Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center Youth Engagement Initiative
$6,500
Professional Dental Hygiene Express Bright Smiles
$7,500
Family Resource Center
Reaching More Families with Triple P Positive Parenting Program
$7,500
Feed My People Food Bank Childhood Hunger Program Expansion
$7,500
“Read, Play, and Learn”
$5,600
Literacy Chippewa Valley English Language Learners Class with Childcare
$7,500
L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library Eau Claire Laundromat LibrariesCommunity Fund
Dozens of nonprofits work hard to improve Eau Claire’s quality of life. How do you choose which one to support? With the Community Fund, you don’t have to! A gift to this fund helps ECCF fund grant requests that address our area’s most pressing needs, whatever they may be.
The Community Fund supports grants to nonprofits in all four ECCF giving categories: Create Culture, Form Futures, Give Green, and Offer Opportunities. Because it’s unrestricted, grant reviewers can draw upon it to recommend grants to a variety of worthy organizations for approval by ECCF’s Board of Trustees during our annual Community Grant Cycle.
Gifts to the Community Fund not only help ensure that all Eau Claire residents have what they need to stay safe and healthy; they also help make Eau Claire the diverse and vibrant place we love.
Your Gifts at Work
Roundtable Revival
by Don Mowry, Roundtable Revival Board MemberThe evidence is in—if a community shifts its focus from controlling and sanctioning people who have served their time in jail or prison to extending needed supportive services, communities can aid reintegration and increase their odds of success.
Roundtable Revival is an emerging, reentry-focused nonprofit with this mission: To cultivate inclusive, accepting, and empowering spaces for people who face barriers due to a conviction history. We also believe that it’s critical to bring everyone to the table to create positive, supportive recovery and reentry solutions.
From the very beginning, we’ve made the integration of people who have lived experience with the criminal justice system a foundation for the board, staff, and volunteers who serve as peer mentors. In the fall of 2022, we’re starting our first program, an intensive, 13-week mentoring program that matches trained volunteer mentors and peer mentors with individuals who are trying to be successful after a period of incarceration.
We’re initially focusing on women because their reentry needs are often overlooked. We’ll be adding a second site for men in the spring of 2023.
“It’s critical to bring everyone to the table to create positive, supportive recovery and reentry solutions.”
(Since Inception)
25YEARS O F IMPACT COMMUNITY FUND $441,880
Total Donations Received $319,648 Grants Distributed
140 Grants to Nonprofits
-Don Mowry Roundtable Revival Board Member
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Your Gifts at Work
Western Dairyland E.O.C.
by Dale Karls, Communications Coordinator for Western DairylandWestern Dairyland E.O.C. is a non-profit community action agency established in 1966 to help the economically disadvantaged in west-central Wisconsin. Western Dairyland E.O.C. operates more than 20 unique programs providing short and long-term opportunities for children, teens, families, and seniors. With support from the Eau Claire Community Foundation, a food pantry was added to assist clients in two of these programs: Chippewa Fresh Start and Housing First.
Chippewa Fresh Start provides education, employment skills, and career direction for young adults, ages 16 to 25, by involving them in the construction of a new house. During the program, participants gain valuable skills, perform community service, and prepare for post-secondary education or careers. The most important goals of the program are to build self-esteem and help young adults become self-sufficient.
Housing First provides long-term housing and case management services for 25 chronically homeless individuals and families in the Eau Claire area. Anyone in the community experiencing homelessness is assessed by a case manager, and those who are deemed most vulnerable are placed directly into apartments. Once housing is provided, clients are offered help with mental and physical health, substance abuse, education, and employment. In both programs, clients often move into apartments of their own for the first time.
A readily accessible food pantry eases the financial burden and makes it possible for them to be successful as they transition to independent living.
we care...
“Our services are more robust and our clients are more successful thanks to the funding we received from the Eau Claire Community Foundation.”
- Anna Cardarella CEO, Western Dairyland E.O.CLois & Arnold Domer Fund
Unrestricted Fund Spotlight
Lois & Arnold Domer Fund
ECCF owes its existence to the vision, generosity, and dedication of many people. Among them are Lois and Arnold Domer, whose gift created a legacy that’s still enhancing the Eau Claire area’s quality of life.
Arnie Domer’s great financial success was no accident: Through hard work and perseverance, he went from delivering baked goods as a boy to owning Arnie’s Ski and Garden Center, a thriving business that was an Eau Claire landmark for years.
The Domers wanted their impact on Eau Claire to live on long after them. They made a one-million-dollar donation to what was then the Eau Claire Area Foundation because, as Arnie explained, “We made it here—we want to leave it here!”
Arnie passed away soon after making his gift, but his vision was fulfilled. Grants from this unrestricted fund address a variety of pressing local needs, with a special emphasis on the Domers’ passions: animals, the environment, and outdoor activities.
The Fund that Arnie and Lois created has already had an incredible impact on the community, and that impact will continue for years to come.
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“One couple, one gift, one Fund: That’s all it took to change hundreds of lives for the better. That’s the power of a legacy.”
- ECCF
239 Grants to Nonprofits
$716,000 Grants Distributed
$1.2 million Current Fund Balance
25YEARS O F IMPACT UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
(Since Inception)
$4,293,008 Total Donations Received $1,867,870 Grants Distributed 697 Grants to Nonprofits $3,861,956 Current Balance of Unrestricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
The needs of our community are constantly changing, and this type of fund allows ECCF the most flexibility to allocate the grant dollars to the greatest needs of our community through the competitive grant process.
B.J. & Bea Farmer Family Fund
Charter Bank Eau Claire Fund
Community Fund
Daniel F. & Margaret J. Brown
Memorial Fund
Dean & Susan Olson Family Fund
Ed & Judy Ramsey Fund
Gene & Judy LaFave Family Fund
Giving Traditions Fund
Goff Family Fund
Jack & Lois Postlewaite Family Fund
James H. Cupery Fund
Lois & Arnold Domer Fund
Mary Mills Falkner & Robert John Falkner
Memorial Fund
Paul & Cheri Weinke Family Fund
Phillip & Barbara Fey Fund
Preston & Mary Kay Bissell Fund
Richard T. Gannon Fund
Roberta & Ken Vance Fund
Royal Credit Union Fund
Susan & Roger Tietz Fund
T. Gordon & Gladys P. Keith Fund
The following grants were supported by Unrestricted Funds during the 2022 Community Grant Cycle:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin
Bolton Refuge House, Inc.
Children’s Museum of Eau Claire
Chippewa Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America
Chippewa Valley Museum
Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild
Eau Claire Children’s Theatre
Eau Claire County Humane Association
Eau Claire Jazz, Inc
Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley
Fierce Freedom
Flying Eagles Ski Club, Inc
Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes
Grace Lutheran Foundation Inc.
Hope Gospel Mission
Junior Achievement of Wisconsin North & West Central Region
Literacy Chippewa Valley
Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin & Upper Michigan, Inc.
Prevent Blindness Wisconsin
Roundtable Revival, Inc.
The Community Table
The Eastside Hill Neighborhood Association
Trinity Equestrian Center
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Incorporated
Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release, Inc.
ECCF Timeline
ECCF began with an ending: When a major local funder, the Hobbs Foundation, issued its last grant in 1995, our Society of Founders filled the void it left by starting their own community foundation. The rest is history…
Funds Established: 16
Grants Distributed: $ 263,289
Total Assets: $ 2,080,689
1997 - 2001
• The Founding Board of Trustees sets a goal to find at least 25 Society of Founders members willing to donate $10,000 or more to establish ECCF—by the end of 1998, the SOF has 64 members!
• The Richard D. Larson family establishes the first Family Fund with a portion of a $1 million gift.
• The Young family establishes first Charitable Lead Trust.
• The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library Endowment Fund is established—the beginning of the library’s long-term partnership with ECCF.
Past Chairs
• ECCF receives National Standards Certification through the Council on Foundations.
• Lois and Arnold Domer give $1,000,000 to establish their Unrestricted Family Fund, which has supported $715,996 in grants to local nonprofits.
• The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library Capital Campaign Fund is established.
• The Eau Claire Area Foundation officially changes its name to the Eau Claire Community Foundation.
• The Women’s Giving Circle, a fund of ECCF, is established.
2002 - 2006
Funds Established: 66
Grants Distributed: $ 971,592
Total Assets: $ 5,329,008
• ECCF celebrates its 10th anniversary!
• Sculpture Tour Eau Claire joins nonprofits in establishing funds.
• The Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation becomes the first Supporting Organization.
• Mary Kay Bissell is the first person beneficiary of her annuity.
25 Years of Being the Heart of the Community
• In 2012, ECCF celebrates its 15th Anniversary and WGC celebrates its 5th anniversary.
• Phyllis Goff establishes the Goff Family Fund by donating the first gift of real estate.
Funds Established: 143 Grants Distributed: $ 2,179,874
Total Assets: $ 6,317,263
2007 - 2011
anniversary!
joins many other local funds.
Schools Foundation (ECPSF) Supporting Organization. person to make ECCF the
• New laws allow donors to give IRA assets to charity.
• The Confluence Building Fund is established to build the Pablo Center at the Confluence.
• Draper Hills Financial Literacy Endowment Fund, established by Dr. Eldon Hill, grants close to $100,000 a year to support the Loyal, WI school district programs.
2012 - 2016
Funds Established: 230 Grants Distributed: $ 5,249,736
Total Assets: $ 20,363,973
Funds Established: 362 Grants Distributed: $ 25,208,049
Total Assets: $ 31,671,179
2017 - 2022
• In 2017, ECCF celebrates its 20th anniversary and WGC celebrates its 10th anniversary.
• The Story Builder Campaign for the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library Expansion is established.
• The Response and Recovery Fund distributes more than $612,000 in grants to area nonprofits struggling to cope with COVID-related losses and expenses.
• ECCF launches its first Grant Catalog crowdfunding software and Legacy Society Initiative.
• In 2022, ECCF celebrates its 25th anniversary and the WGC celebrates its 15th anniversary.
Excludes Agency Fund Grants of $4,264,542 Funds/Grants/Assets numbers include Supporting Organizations and Affiliates
Charles Graaskamp*
2007-2009
Field of Interest Funds
This type of powerful giving allows fund holders to support nonprofits that address their passions and interests, such as art, education, the environment, or medical care. They are broad in scope and encompass many of the needs in our community.
Anonymous Fund
After school program
Aubre’s Fund
Children & animals
Beckermann Family Fund
Family literacy, homelessness, and arts & culture
Children’s Legacy Endowment Fund
Children
Daniel & Mary Ann Ogan
Educational Fund
Form Futures programs
Denise Murch Memorial Fund
Basic needs in the community
Draper Hills Financial Literacy Endowment
Financial literacy education, Loyal, WI
Edna Hood Memorial Fund
Literacy & music programs
Education Fund
Form Futures programs
Fuerstenberg Family Fund
Form Futures programs
Jim & Kathy Pinter Mental Health Fund
Mental health
John & Jane Lokken Fund
Create Culture, Give Green & ECCF Operations
Junior League of Eau Claire Endowment Fund
Women’s and children’s programs
Laura & Duane Hookom Family Fund
Parks & recreation
Louis & Janet Frase Fund
Children’s programs
M&J Employee Impact Endowment Fund
Basic needs & education
Mayo Clinic Health System
Children’s Health Fund
Children’s health programs
Michael Lund Memorial Fund
Physical & mental health programs for children
Nellie & John I. Kaiser Memorial Fund
Children’s literacy programs
Opportunities for All Children
Legacy Fund
Children with disabilities
Royal CU and ECCF Nonprofit Professional Development Fund Education for nonprofits
S.S. Safari All-Star Fund For shelters, foster care, & cancer research programs for dogs
Victoria E. Finstad Fund
Nordic culture programs
Women’s Giving Circle Endowment Fund
Women & Children
FIELD OF INTEREST FUNDS
25YEARS O F IMPACT
(Since Inception)
$5,049,816
Total Donations Received $1,189,605 Grants Distributed
314 Grants to Nonprofits
$4,292,018 Current Balance of Field of Interest Funds
Edna Hood Memorial Fund & Aubre’s Fund
Field of Interest Fund Spotlight
Edna Hood Memorial Fund & Aubre’s Fund
Edna Hood was many things to many people: a beloved English professor, a passionate supporter of causes that were important to her, an enthusiastic traveler, and a dear friend. Her generosity touched countless lives, and its impact will continue through the Field of Interest Funds that she established.
This Field of Interest Fund supports two of Edna’s passions— music and literacy. During each annual Community Grant Cycle, ECCF grant reviewers recommend funding from the Edna Hood Memorial Fund for the grant applications that most closely match its mission. Previous grantees include Literacy Chippewa Valley, Stand in the Light Memory Choir, and the Eau Claire Municipal Band.
Edna also established Aubre’s Fund—a Field of Interest Fund that supports children and companion animals—in honor of her sister Aubre, who died as an infant. Like the Edna Hood Memorial Fund, Aubre’s Fund is a continuing source of support for grant applications that address its mission. Among other organizations, it has supported Bob’s House for Dogs, Girls on the Run of the Chippewa Valley, and the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire.
Although Edna passed away in 2014, her spirit of giving lives on. Thanks to her, children, animals, music, and literacy are flourishing in the Eau Claire community. we care...
“Although Edna passed away in 2014, her spirit of giving lives on. Thanks to her, children, animals, music, and literacy are flourishing in the Eau Claire community.” -
ECCFKen Vance Foundation Fund
Donor Advised Fund Spotlight
Ken Vance Foundation Fund
Ken Vance was—and is—a pillar of the Eau Claire community. Thanks to the thriving dealerships that he founded, his name appears on vehicles throughout the city. His business acumen was rivaled only by his generosity; not only did his community service greatly improve the area’s quality of life, but his award-winning collaboration on the Lowes Creek Watershed Project united public and private interests to protect the creek’s water quality.
Ken’s son Jason established the Ken Vance Foundation Fund to carry on that legacy of giving. He explained, “My father instilled in all of us kids that you get what you give. He loved Eau Claire, and he always made it a point to be very philanthropic when it came to charities in Eau Claire. When my father passed away in 2020, I wanted to create something that would ensure that he was never forgotten and that would be an arm of giving well after I’m gone.”
Because Ken and his wife Roberta had established the unrestricted Roberta and Ken Vance Fund in 2018, Jason decided to continue their legacy through ECCF. “I chose ECCF as that arm of giving because of the history that my father and mother have with the organization. I also think that Sue and the rest of the staff do an impeccable job of managing it.”
ECCF sincerely thanks Jason and his family for putting their trust in our Foundation. We’re glad we can play a role in carrying on the philanthropic legacy of a truly extraordinary man.
we care...
“I wanted to create something that would ensure that he was never forgotten and that would be an arm of giving well after I’m gone.”
- Jason Vance
25YEARS O F IMPACT DONOR ADVISED FUNDS
(Since Inception)
$13,860,461
Total Donations Received $5,120,313 Grants Distributed
1,817 Grants to Nonprofits $10,755,265 Current Balance of Donor Advised Funds
Donor Advised Funds
These Funds allow individuals, families, and businesses to be fully involved in their philanthropy. Fund holders have the flexibility to recommend grants to their charitable interests, while ECCF handles all of the paperwork.
Anonymous Fund (1)
5 Martin’s Family Fund
Access Eau Claire Fund
Anonymous Donor Advised Fund
Anonymously Fund
Babbette’s Seeds of Hope
Billie G. Macaul Memorial Fund
Bob & Louise Barfknecht Fund
Brotoloc North Mental Health Fund
Carlson Family Fund
Charles & Joanne Graaskamp Fund
Christopher J. & Julie A. Hasenberg
Family Fund
Chuck & Lori John Shoemaker Family Fund
Cindy Schlosser & Paul Wagner Fund
Clark Family Fund
Cody & Molly Filipczak Family Fund
Dan & Debbie Market Family Fund
David B. & Dorothy H. Owen Family Fund
David T. Bodeau & Family Fund
Dick & Marlene Cable Family Fund
Dr. Ronald & Patricia Lange Family Fund
Eau Claire Community Parks Association
Frederikson Family Fund
Grewe Family Fund
Jack & Carol Bartingale Family Fund
Janet Barland Fund
Jeffrey & Karen Jones Family Fund
Jerry & Sue Bauer Family Fund
John & Betsy Kell Family Fund
John & Tami Satre Family Fund
John Matthew Fesenmaier Children’s Fund
Jon N. & Maureen S. Homstad Family Fund
Karen Overhulser Fund
Katharine’s Wish - Everett/Rhoten
Family Fund
Kathy and Jeff White Family Fund
Ken Vance Foundation Fund
Kiwanis Club of Eau Claire Endowment Fund
Koehn Family Endowment Fund
Krause Family Fund
Kristo Family Fund
L & M Foundation, Lois & Marlin
Mueller Fund
Larry E. Fischer Fund
Larson Family Fund
Lasker Star of Hope Fund
Leonard E Gibbs Fund to Promote
Excellence in Evidence Informed
Research & Practice in the Helping Professions
Mattoon Family Fund
Mayer Family Fund
Michael & Jane O’Meara Family Fund
Mohr’s Eau Claire Ford Lincoln
Endowment Fund
My Dad - Milton & My Mom -
Elnora Siker Fund
Norm & Mary Ellen Keller Fund
O’Halloran Family Fund
Pabich Trust Fund 2004
Pat & Sue Quinn Recreational Fund
Paul & Jill Kulig Family Fund
Paul and Karen Kohler Family Fund
Paul Del Torto Fund
Philip & Janice Happe Family Fund
Phillip & Barbara Fey Family Fund
Public Gardens Fund
Richard J. Ziemann Fund
Robert R. Southard Memorial Fund
Scobie Family Fund
Stephen & Kristine Bien Family Fund
Talley Family Fund
Terry & Flo Sheridan Family Fund
Thomas & Jill Barland Fund
Thorpe Peltier Family Fund
The Thurston “It’s the little things” Family Fund (Amy E. Thurston & her parents, John R. Thurston & Helen Kroll Belongia)
Tim and Carol Olson Family Fund
Wildenberg Family Fund
William & Kathryn Bergman Fund
Young Family Fund
Designated Funds
These funds allow fundholders to select specific charities (nonprofits, churches, and schools) that their fund will grant to forever.
Buzz & Mary Ann Minton Fund
OutdoorMore, Inc.
Dean J. Arnold Endowment Fund
Chippewa Valley Museum, Eau Claire
Public Schools Foundation, Wisconsin
Logging Museum
Dr. Joseph M. & Jean M. Tobin Family
Designated Fund
Beaver Creek Reserve
Dartmouth & Mt. Holyoke Colleges
Dr. Michel & Cathy Sultan Fund
Chippewa Valley Free Clinic
Eau Claire, Dunn, & Pepin County Medical Society Fund
Chippewa Valley Free Clinic
Epilepsy Foundation of Western WI
ECPD Community Crisis Fund
Eau Claire Police Department
ECPD K9 Fund
Eau Claire Police Department
Gary & Sonya Tourville Family Fund
Augusta Area Foundation
Eau Claire YMCA
Helen & Karl Andresen Family Endowment for Special Needs Fund
Helen’s House at REACH, Inc.
Higbee Family Fund
Courte Oreilles Lakes Association (COLA)
Hoefgen Family Fund
Chippewa Valley Symphony
Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra
Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley
Feed My People Food Bank
Pablo Center at the Confluence
YMCA of the Chippewa Valley
Hubbard & Kathryn Robbins Family Fund
Robbins Elementary
Jeanne Richie Memorial Puddle Jump Endowment Fund
Longfellow Elementary
John & Lela Thompson Fund
Chippewa Valley Museum
L.E. Phillips Senior Center
Spirit Lutheran Church
Kyanna Joy Darnell Flutter Buster Fund
Elementary schools of Altoona & Owen-Withee
L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library
Endowment Fund
L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library
L.E. Phillips Senior Center Endowment
Fund
L.E. Phillips Senior Center
Lac Courte Oreilles Legacy Fund
Courte Oreilles Lakes Association (COLA)
Lloyd and Patricia Everhart Fund
Feed My People, Hope Gospel Mission, Boys & Girls Club of the Greater CV, and Bolton Refuge House, Inc.
Lyle & Karyn Quandt Fund
Special Olympics WI - Area 3
Ralph Owen Disaster Relief
Perpetual Fund
American Red Cross – CV
Roger & Betty Davis Fund
CV Symphony, CV Museum, EC Chamber Orchestra, CV Theatre Guild, UWEC Music Dept., Pablo Center at the Confluence
Sculpture Tour Eau Claire Endowment Fund
Sculpture Tour
Stromwall Family Student
Emergency Fund
CVTC Foundation
Thomas & Joyce Bruckner Fund
American Red Cross- CV Family Promise of the CV Feed My People Food Bank
Warloski Family Fund
Pablo Center at the Confluence
Chippewa Valley Museum
Chippewa Valley Symphony
25YEARS O F IMPACT DESIGNATED FUNDS
(Since Inception)
$1,650,148
Total Donations Received $650,822 Grants Distributed
375 Grants to Nonprofits
$1,383,279 Current Balance of Designated Funds
Hoefgen Family Fund
Eau Claire is home to dozens of worthy nonprofits, and Designated Funds like this one offer an excellent way to support them.
“Being a part of ECCF makes it possible to give to some of our area nonprofits forever,” explained Karla and Bernard Hoefgen.
“The stability of the fund is appealing, and we could not do this as individuals because of the costs associated with setting up such a fund. Eau Claire has been a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Establishing a fund allows us to give back to the community for future generations. And… it feels good!”
The Hoefgen Family Fund will issue annual grants to:
•Chippewa Valley Symphony
•Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra
•Feed My People Food Bank
•Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley—Beacon House
•Pablo Center at the Confluence
•YMCA of the Chippewa Valley (Annual Strong Kids campaign)
Thanks to the Hoefgen family’s vision, these nonprofits can count on a new source of ongoing support to help them meet local residents’ basic needs and ensure their access to a vibrant arts community.
we care...
Hoefgen Family Fund
Designated Fund Spotlight
“Establishing a Fund allows us to give back to the community for future generations. And… it feels good!”
- Karla & Bernard Hoefgen
L.E. Phillips Senior Center Endowment Fund
Designated Fund Spotlight
L.E. Phillips Senior Center Endowment Fund
The L.E. Phillips Senior Center in Eau Claire provides a place for seniors 50 years and up to age well and live well. They work every day to help their members, who reside in the City or County of Eau Claire, maintain independence, receive services, and develop skills which enhance the emotional, physical, and social quality of their lives.
National, state and local predictive demographic data make it 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.
Established by a generous legacy gift from an anonymous donor, this Fund provides financial support and assistance to the Senior Center for future growth. As an Endowment Fund, it can accept donations directly from the public. These gifts will help ensure that Eau Claire’s senior population will always have a place to learn, socialize, and get the most out of life.
we care...
“Support from this Endowment Fund will help us meet the needs of Eau Claire’s vibrant senior population for years to come.”
- Jackie Minor Executive Director
Society of Founders Fund
When Eau Claire residents saw the need for a community foundation to support local nonprofits, they met that need in a big way.
ECCF’s first Board of Trustees met in January 1997 and established a goal to recruit 25 Society of Founders members by the end of 1998. Each Founder would be asked to commit at least $10,000 to the new community foundation.
When the deadline arrived, a whopping 64 Founders had pledged more than $1 million. Their gifts established the Society of Founders Fund, which allows ECCF to sustain its operations without having to compete with other nonprofits for funding.
“This Fund is key to ECCF’s success,” explained ECCF Executive Director Sue Bornick. “Without it, we’d have to do ongoing fundraising for operations. The Founders’ generosity ensures that we can devote all our energy to serving donors and supporting nonprofits forever.”
As an Unrestricted Fund, the Society of Founders Fund can also issue grants to nonprofits. It supported $100,000 towards the four Grant Catalog cycles that distributed more than $300,000 to local nonprofits in the year leading up to ECCF’s 25th Anniversary.
Thanks to the Founders’ vision, ECCF has been able to help local nonprofits improve Eau Claire’s quality of life for a quarter century, and it will be there for them far into the future.
15 YEARS
25 YEARS
130
64 $350,541 Grants issued to nonprofits Members Total grants to nonprofits
eau claire cares...
ECCF’s first Board of Trustees set a goal to recruit 25 Society of Founders members. When the deadline arrived, ECCF had 64.
Agency
Endowment Funds
Agency Funds are established by nonprofits to provide ongoing operational support for their organizations. Contributions to these Funds must be made to the nonprofit Agency Fund holders rather than directly to ECCF.
Anonymous (1)
Beaver Creek Reserve
The Citizen Science Center Fund
Doug and Kate Lindsay Adventure Fund
The Henke Acres Fund
Jim Schwiebert Butterfly House Fund
Bolton Refuge House Endowment Fund
Boy Scouts of America CV Council Endowment Fund
Eau Claire Children’s Theatre Endowment Fund
Foundation for the Endowment of the American Birkebeiner, Inc.
Bidwell Engebretson Tusen Takk Volunteer Support Fund
Forerunner Fund
Priority Fund
Richard Pierce (Torstein) & Sandy Lampman Trail Support Legacy Fund
Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley Fund
Feed My People Endowment Fund
Flying Eagles Ski Club Endowment Fund
Giniigaaniiminaang! For Our Future
Goodwill Industries Fund
Hope Gospel Mission Endowment Fund
Landmark Conservancy Fund for Mary E Fitz Memorial Park
L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library Agency Fund
L.E. Phillips Senior Center Agency Fund
LV-CV Legacy for Literacy Fund
Mega Charities Foundation Fund
United Cerebral Palsy Endowment Fund
Wisconsin Logging Museum Endowment Fund
Young Men’s Christian Association of Eau Claire Endowment Fund
Acorn Funds
Donors can invest as little as $500 up front and add tax-deductible contributions for up to five years. Once the Fund matures into a permanent endowment fund, it can begin issuing grants.
Al & Peggy Jones Fund
Andrew & Brenda Schlafer Fund
Ann Gunderson Thornburg Fund
CV LGBTQ+ Community Center Endowment Fund
Fred & Kay Magadance Fund
Greg Fesenmaier Fund
James & Valerie Fedie Fund
John C. & Margaret M. Hagen Family Fund
M. Vergin Family Fresh Start Fund
Mark & Donna Faanes Family Fund
Mary Ryan-Miller & Thomas Miller Fund
Pablo Center at the Confluence Endowment Fund
Paul & Lynn Seipel Fund
Pets Are Family Fund
St. Mary’s Tutoring Fund
Steven B. Lange Memorial Fund
Stokes Herzog Family Fund
Pass-Through Funds
25th Anniversary Celebration Fund
Anonymous (1)
Ann Gunderson Thornburg
Cindy Schlosser & Paul Wagner
Cody & Molly Filipczak
Dan & Debbie Market
Dean & Susan Olson
Dr. James & Holly Iwakiri
ECPD Junior Police Academy Fund
Grant Catalog Fund
Jack & Lois Postlewaite
Lloyd & Patricia Everhart
Lois & Marlin Mueller
M&J Employee Impact Grant Fund
Michael & Jane O’Meara
Pat & Sue Quinn
Pat & Sue Quinn 2025 Fund
Presidents’ Anniversary Fund
Royal CU and ECCF Nonprofit Professional Development Grants Fund
Steve Kristo Family
Thomas & Kathleen Edwards
WGC 15th Anniversary Fund
Women’s Giving Circle Grants Fund
Fiscal Sponsorship Funds
Carson Park Baseball Stadium Renovation Fund
Confluence Building Fund
Story Builder Campaign for the L.E. Phillips Public Library Expansion
Supporting Organizations
Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation
ECCF Operational Funds
Operations Fund
Supports ECCF’s operations
Society of Founders Fund for Operations
Supports ECCF’s operational endowment
Women’s Giving Circle Operations Fund
Supports the operations of WGC
Designated Scholarship Funds
These Funds allow fundholders to support the post-secondary educations of students from a high school of their choice.
Altoona School District
Larry E. Fischer Scholarship
Talha Aslam Memorial Scholarship
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Ida B. Fisher Scholarship
Eau Claire Area School District
Alvin & Marcia Lechleitner Scholarship
Memorial High School Class of 60 Scholarship
Stromwall Family Scholarship
Elk Mound Area School District
Clarence & Isabel Berger Family Scholarship
Elk Mound High School Alumni Scholarship
Independence School District
Arnold & Marie Maliszewski Memorial Scholarship
Doris J. Bautch STEM Scholarship
Independence Public School Memorial Scholarship
Laura Graul Memorial Scholarship
Max Manuel Isaacs & Hannah Bernhardt Isaacs Memorial Scholarship
RAPS DOC Scholarship
Janesville Craig and Beloit High School
My Dad-Milton, My Mom-Elnora Endowed Scholarship
Loyal School District
Draper Hills Scholarship
South Shore School District
Cody & Molly Filipczak Scholarship
25YEARS O F IMPACT SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS
(Since Inception)
$1,788,866
Total Donations Received $388,813 Grants Distributed
231 Grants to Nonprofits
$1,732,915 Current Balance of Scholarship Funds
2022-2023 Board of Trustees
2022 Committees
Audit Committee
Tom Larson, Chair
Linda Danielson
Bill Brunner*
Karl Murch
John Satre
Dale Wood
Communications Committee
Amelia Daniels, Chair
Meghan Bauer
Stephanie Harvey*
BJ Hollars
Marianne Klinkhammer
Katie Murphy
Michael Strubel
Caitlin Suginaka*
Development Committee
Greg Bremer, Chair
Jason Beckermann, MD
Cindy Hangartner
Lynn Happe**
Jason Plante
Jack Postlewaite
Susan Rowe**
Andrew Schlafer
Paul Weinke
Gift Acceptance Committee
Tom Larson, Chair
Linda Danielson
Mark Faanes
Karl Murch
Jane Lokken
Jack Postlewaite*
Wayne Peters
Paul Weinke
Grants Committee
Jackie Rasmussen, Chair
Dave Anderson
Kim Bodeau
Julian Emerson
Lesley Frederikson**
Brad Grewe**
Gretchen Hudacek
Heather Johnson Schmitz
Courtney Kanz*
Allen Keniston
Marianne Klinkhammer
Laurie Klinkhammer*
Leslie Lyons
Donnie Magadance
James McDougall
Sue Mertens
Thomas Misfeldt
Jane O’Meara
Jessica Rauckman
Flo Sheridan
Caitlin Suginaka
Paul Wagner**
Investment Committee
Jeff Kowieski, Chair
Joe Fesenmaier
Cody Filipczak
Chris Hasenberg
Bill Hilgedick
Dave Pokrandt
Dan Shoemaker
Laura Talley
Dale Wood
Nominations Committee
Tom Larson, Chair
Linda Danielson
Mark Faanes
Jane Lokken
Karl Murch
Dan Market*
Jason Plante
Jack Postlewaite*
Laura Talley
Sue Tietz
Paul Weinke
Operations Committee
Dale Wood, Chair
Tom Dow
Paul Kulig
Julia Kyle, MD
John Satre
Sue Tietz
Personnel Committee
Linda Danielson, Chair
Tom Larson
Karl Murch
Deb Marshall
Laura Talley
Sue Tietz
Ex Officio ECPSF
Grant Beardsley
Front cover photos
L.E. Phillips Senior Center
Camp Manitou
Matt Lindsey-Schrupp
Layout & Design
Hannah Schierenbeck, Graphic Design Intern
Printed by Badgerland Printing USA, Inc.
Photography by Matt Lindsey-Schrupp (pages 5, 21, 27, 32)
Megan Zabel Holmes/Visit Eau Claire (pages 16-17)
Giving Categories:
Assets Held in Each Fund Type*
Create Culture
Supports programs and organizations that enhance the quality of life in our community through music, literature, visual arts, performing arts, and museums.
Form Futures
Enhances learning opportunities for children and adults in the Eau Claire area. Form Futures grants may also provide community development opportunities.
Give Green
Supports programs that engage children and adults in activities that improve environmental quality or provide fitness, health, and wellness opportunities. It also includes support for animals and wildlife.
Offer Opportunities
Provides children, adults, and families with basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, health services, veterans’ programs and disability assistance.
Grants Distributed in 2022 - $2,610,393
Financial Preparation
ECCF assets are in a balanced portfolio of pooled investments that maximize fund growth and encourages, facilitates, and manages long-term philanthropy. Both the Diversified Portfolio and the Socially Responsible Portfolio are managed by Morgan Stanley. The Intermediate Portfolio is managed by Badgley + Phelps Wealth Managers.
Financial Statements are prepared by CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, the Audit is completed by Olsen Thielen CPA’s and Advisors, LTD, and the 990 returns are prepared by Wipfli, LLP.
Financial Report
Statement of Financial Position (Audited)
Statement of Financial Activity (Audited)
Total Assets by Year
ECCF’s Operations Fund*
*In 2022, ECCF’s Operational expenses were at 1.36% of its total assets. That means 98.64% of your dollars support nonprofits.
THANK YOU for helping us accomplish so much during our first 25 years! We look forward to our next quarter century of promoting philanthropy, building endowments, and supporting local nonprofits.
We’re grateful for the many ways you give!
Together, we’ve created an impact: For Good. For Ever.
Looking ahead to 2023
March 27
WGC – Educational Event
May 1
WGC – Spring Gathering
Follow us!
September 18
Autumn Social
The Annual Meeting of ECCF
October 19
Professional Advisor Event
November 7
WGC – Annual Meeting
November 12-18
Community Foundation Week
December 5
WGC Gift of Giving Breakfast
ECCF Staff Members
Sue Bornick - Executive Director
Erin Dayton - Operations Director
Rebecca White Body - Program Coordinator
Brenna Lindsey-Schrupp - Development & Scholarship Coordinator
Cindy Fahser - Financial & Executive Assistant, Retired
Hannah Schierenbeck - Graphic Design Intern