Your Community Foundation » Annual Report

Letter from the President and Executive Director

Who is the Community Foundation for, anyway? Oftentimes, people consider philanthropy to be for the wealthy; something beyond the means of "the rest of us." That simply does not ring true at the Community Foundation. Our goal is to make it possible for anyone with a giving heart and a "pay it forward" spirit to make a difference. We offer more than 300 funds that you can contribute to as well as the expertise to help you establish a fund of your own. Either way, you will be a part of making the greater Wausau area an extraordinary place to call home.

Staying the course. As an organization dependent on endowment earnings to meet community needs, we are pleased to report that we significantly exceeded performance benchmarks in 2009 earning a 31.5% return on our investments. Keenly aware of our responsibility as financial stewards, we are also pleased to report that our operating budget remained consistently low.
The continued faithfulness of our donors and prudent management of our assets enabled us to award grants totaling more than $2.1 million to support programs that enhance our vibrant community, including the arts, classroom enrichment opportunities, health initiatives, and a $25,000 grant to the 400 Block development in downtown Wausau.

New home, same mission. In March, the generosity of several donors enabled us to move our operations to the second floor of the Dudley Tower at 500 First Street, in downtown Wausau. Our new location is more cost-effective and in closer proximity to many of our philanthropic partners to better serve you. Looking ahead. Being fiscally responsible means refining our vision, budgets, and core values—key areas examined by our Strategic Planning Committee in 2009. We will continue to stay on this course for the well-being of the greater Wausau area—for everyone, forever.

Sincerely,


Linda E. Prehn
President


Jean C. Tehan
Executive Director