Blog

2023 Summer Grant Award Announcement

August 21, 2023

By Megan Pierce, Donor Services Director

This quarter’s grant cycle was HOT! It’s inspiring to see the incredible, creative, and generous service in the La Crosse area. We are continually in awe of what happens in our community.

After much brainstorming on impactful and unique ways to celebrate and acknowledge the life-changing philanthropy happening throughout the region, we are excited to roll out our big idea! La Crosse Community Foundation has officially implemented a yearly theme! This year, we are Wild About Philanthropy!

Our work with the quarterly competitive grant cycle is just one way we are WILD ABOUT PHILANTHROPY! Applications closed on July 15 and there were 19 local nonprofits seeking support. Because of the incredible generosity of donors, grant committee and board members, the foundation awarded $328,054 this quarter!

There is still plenty of time to jump in the jungle, and participate with LCF! If your organization would like to apply for a grant, the next deadline is October 15. Click here for more information!

Check out the full list of summer grant recipients!

Standard and Mini Grant Awards

Organization NameProject DescriptionAmount AwardedFund
RHYMES (Runaway & Homeless Youth Mediation and Emergency Shelter)Continuity of Service for Runaway & Homeless Youth$88,000Community Giving Fund

Gerald W. and Elizabeth M. Ostreng Endowment Fund

La Crosse Bridge Builders Fund
Independent Living ResourcesILR Homelessness Street Outreach Program$69,991Robert & Eleanor Franke Charitable Fund

Johns, Flaherty Collins- Michael Stoker Memorial

Norman L. Gillette, Sr. Family Fund
Cia Siab Inc.Hmoob Housing First Program Expansion Bridge Funding$55,888Robert & Eleanor Franke Charitable Fund

Gerald W. Elizabeth M. Ostreng Endowment Fund
Hope Restores CorporationSupport Groups$41,640Community Giving Fund

Sandy Castek Fund for Empowering Women

R.J. Reinhart Fund for Mental Health

Rudy and Jean Schnurrer Fund

Snowflake Ski JumpOperation Plastic Matting$25,000Community Giving Fund

National Youth Sports Program Fund
Coulee Council on AddictionsCoulee Recovery Center Marketing Plan$7,500Norman L. Gillette, Sr Family Fund
Onalaska Enhancement FoundationOnalaska/Holmen Thanksgiving Day Dinner$7,500Harold E. Lemke Fund
La Crosse Symphony OrchestraYouth Intern Package$7,000Community Giving Fund
Pump House Regional Art CenterArte Popular Mexicano: Mexican Folk Art Collective Exhibition & Dia de los Muertos Ofrenda$6,940Community Giving Fund
HorseSense, IncHorse Mounting Ramp for Disabled Riders$6,350Norman L. Gillette, Sr Family Fund
Adult & Teen Challenge of Western WisconsinBring Ozzie Home!$5,995Erickson Sisters' Fund
EveryBody Can Dance, Inc.EveryBody Can Dance dance$3,000Erickson Sisters' Fund

Community Giving Fund
La Crosse Public LibraryDriftless Region Read$2,500Community Giving Fund
UW-La CrosseLuxembourg HS Summer Program$750Magerus-McKinney Fund
TOTAL AWARDED$328,054