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Wausau • Marathon County Fund Grants

The Wausau•Marathon County Fund is the Community Foundation's most flexible resource in providing funding for innovative projects that enrich our community.

Grant Guidelines and Application Procedure

The Foundation favors innovative proposals that:

  • Promote collaboration and reduce service duplication
  • Originate in the private sector and demonstrate strong volunteer involvement
  • Strengthen the ability of our community to respond more effectively to needs
  • Help people help themselves
  • Build upon the strengths of our community
  • Apply the Foundation's resources where they will make a tangible difference in meeting important community needs

We attempt to understand both the specific objectives of a request and the long-term benefits that will be derived by the community if the project is funded. Consideration is given primarily to those organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.

Grants from the Wausau•Marathon County Fund are generally made to organizations for programs that will directly impact the quality of life in Marathon County.

Groundbreaking for Bridge Community Health

Bridge Community Health Clinic building expansion project

We do not generally fund:

  • Annual campaigns
  • Debt retirement
  • Direct support of individuals
  • Endowments
  • Lobbying
  • Operating expenses or losses
  • Sectarian causes
AIDS resource center food pantry

AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin food pantry project

The Community Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of ancestry, color, age, familial status, handicap, sexual orientation, marital status, or lawful source of income; we expect grant applicants to hold similar standards.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their idea with Foundation staff or submit a brief letter of intent describing the project for which funding is sought prior to submitting a complete application. Our Distributions Committee, appointed for their broad knowledge of community issues, reviews proposals for funding from the Wausau•Marathon County Fund on a quarterly basis.

Unrestricted Fund Grants Awarded in 2008

Through the generosity of our donors, the following grants have been awarded to date in 2008 from the Wausau·Marathon County Fund, the George L. Geisler Trust Fund, the Caroline S. Mark Legacy Fund, the Orville E. & Geraldine L. Peterson Family Trust Fund, and the Clarion G. & Irene B. Sternberg Fund for programs that positively impact the quality of life in Marathon County.

 

Balloons on the square

SquareUp – 400 Block enhancement project

WAUSAU•MARATHON COUNTY FUND

AIDS Resource Center–$4,000
Provided for construction and necessary equipment to open a regional food pantry to meet the unique nuturitional needs of HIV positive clients and their families

Beyond Pencils and Crayons Grants–$24,954
Benefitted thousands of K-12 students in Marathon County through innovative programming initiated by teachers in their classrooms

Bike Trails Project Fund–$20,000
Explored the development and creation of a bicycle and pedestrian trail that would connect communities in north central Wisconsin

Community Arts Grants–$5,000
Supported vrious visual and performing arts programs in north central Wisconsin

Good News Project–$300
As part of their 25th anniversary, the Good News Project sponsored a community forum that focused on the Christian and Jewish traditioins of mission and the significancestore that provides a creative and social outlet for area senior citizens

Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin–$12,150
Development and implementatioin of a business and transitioin plan to allow for the long-term stability of The Talent Shop, a unique retail store that provides a creative and social outlet for area senior citizens 

Kids Voting USA of Wisconsin–$2,500
Students throughout Marathon County shared the excitement of the 2008 presidential race by learning about the electoral process and excercising their right to vote with the Kids Voting ballot

The Neighbors' Place–$15,000
"Help Thy Neighbor" capital campaign, supported the long-term stability of the organization and improved the building's energy efficieincy

VFW Burns Post #388 and Ladies Auxilliary–$1,000
An American Veterans Traveling Tribute, which was on display at the VFW in July of 2

Wausau Kayak/Canoe Corporation–$10,950
Enhanced the usability, functionality, spectator accessibility, and esthetics of the course at Whitewater Park, making it an improved venue for training, recreation, and competitive events

The Women's Community–$50,000
"Unearthing the Beauty" capital campaign supported a community-wide effort to build a new shelter facility to meet the needs of victims of domestic violence

 

GEORGE L. GEISLER TRUST FUND

Aging & Disability Resource Center of Marathon County–$4,500
A rapid response search and rescue proram utilized radio technology to reduce the search time of missing persons

  

CAROLINE S. MARK LEGACY FUND

American Red Cross Marathon County Chapter–$2,500
Implemented a county-wide disaster preparedness education program

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin–$7,700
Provided adult mentors for children currently on the waiting list for a match

Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area–$3,000
Professional staff offered structured activities for Club members in the areas of visual and digital arts

Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area–$3,000
A mentoring program paired younger students with 5-8th grade tutors to help improve their reading skills 

Wausau Area Hmong Mutual Association–$20,000
The Wausau Fresh Start replaced its crew van, which is used to transport at-risk youth to employment training sites 

Wisconsin Public Television–$20,000
A 60-minute documentary about the history of the Wausau area was produced and broadcast statewide; the project included the development of a companion website and online curriculum to be used in schools

YWCA of Wausau–$2,500
"So...You Want a Job?" workshop provided teens with job-readiness skills and information

 

ORVILLE & GERALDINE PETERSON FAMILY TRUST FUND

Madison Community Foundation–$3,000
Annual fund allocation in memory of Orville E. and Geraldine L. Peterson

 

CLARION G. & IRENE B. STERNBERG FUND

No grants awarded in 2008