FOR THE COMMUNITY. The Community Foundation of Chippewa County has been working together since 2001 to fund local, community-focused nonprofits and causes. Its Community Funds applications just opened up for the year. (Photo from the Foundation's social media)

The Community Foundation of Chippewa County celebrated its 20th year in 2021, but they aren’t losing steam any time soon in their mission to support local charities and nonprofit organizations. Its annual Community Needs Grant Fund applications opened up on Aug. 29 and will remain open for submissions until 4pm on Oct. 6.

Alongside the Community Needs funds available, the Northwestern Bank Mini-Grants opened up on Aug. 29 as well, set to close on the same date. That funding is open to the county’s public and private school educators teaching third through eighth grade, to be put towards innovative and motivational education projects and activities. 

The Community Needs fund has been helping local organizations since 2007 (previously called the Board Grant Fund), and in the 2020-21 fiscal year disbursed nearly $13,000. This particular fund is unique due to its status as a non-endowed, unrestricted pass-through fund, meaning any Chippewa County nonprofit or public charitable organization serving arts and culture, community development, education, health and human services, or environment and animal welfare causes can apply for the grant money.

The grant funding is secured through those who created unrestricted and field of interest endowed funds throughout the organization and from contributions made directly to the Community Needs Grant Fund.

The Community Foundation as a whole, however, manages more than 200 different funds and had a milestone year in 2020-21, awarding upwards of $3 million in grants and distributions. Since its creation in 2007, the organization has disbursed more than $16 million in grant funding.

To learn more about the Community Needs Grant Fund, Northwestern Bank Mini-Grants, and the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, visit its website at www.yourlegacyforever.org.

Keep up with the Community Foundation of Chippewa County on Facebook (@cfcclegacy), their website, or email them at grants@yourlegacyforever.org.