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REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS – Released September 19, 2023   GLOBAL AWARENESS FUND CLASSROOM GRANT Attention all K-12 staff in La Crosse County schools! If you would love to bring a special multicultural experience to your students, but need the funds to do it, this grant opportunity is for you!  The Global Awareness Fund Classroom Grant […]

A look at the misconceptions and realities of community foundations When it comes to community foundations, misunderstandings and misconceptions are common. Community foundations, which play an essential role in promoting local philanthropy, are often misunderstood, even by those within the nonprofit sector. Here are some of the most common misconceptions—and the realities. Misconception 1: Community […]

Channeling Philanthropic Gift Requires Thought Nicholas Padesky had always considered himself fortunate. When his parents, Tim Padesky and Tara Johnson, informed him of their intention to commemorate his Central High School graduation with a gift to the La Crosse Community Foundation, Padesky was overwhelmed with gratitude. The news was heartwarming, yet it also presented Padesky […]

GearUp Inc. fills void in education funding When Unity Vang starts classes at the University of Wisconsin–Stout next week, she’ll represent the first generation in her family to attend college. It’s an entirely new experience for all of them — so many preparations and so many unknowns. But with help from GearUp Inc., she’ll be […]

Disaster philanthropy brings out the best…and worst in humanity In the aftermath of the heart-wrenching wildfires that tore through Lahaina, we’ve witnessed the outpouring of love, support, and a global yearning to help. The bustling town of Lahaina, a jewel on the shores of Maui and home to 12,000 people, has been hit hard by […]

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 […]

Nonprofit programing versus nonprofit overhead Before donating to charity, many donors want to know what portion of their donation the nonprofit will spend on programs versus overhead. Programs meaning actual delivery of its mission-related work and overhead meaning the organization’s administrative costs. Most nonprofits are required to file some version of an IRS Form 990 […]

Support your favorite charities with ONE donation What if, with just one donation, you could support all your favorite charities? A donor advised fund allows you to do just that! With a ten-year average growth rate of 20%, donor advised funds, or DAFs, are the fastest-growing vehicle for charitable giving in the United States. According […]

The La Crosse Community Foundation is excited to have Paige Hageman as our new fellow for the upcoming year, joining us through the Community Engaged Fellowships initiative at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. The Community Engaged Fellowships program was established last year by longtime La Crosse educators Ron and Jane Rada. Its purpose […]

The La Crosse Community Foundation has appointed a new senior donor services coordinator. Megan Pierce will fill the role, serving as the primary stewardship advisor for the foundation. In the position, Pierce will manage all designated, scholarship, and non-committee-advised field of interest fund donor relationships. Pierce brings communication, fundraising, community engagement, and administrative experience, having […]