Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) is pleased to announce that 21 students from Kandiyohi County received $47,925 in academic scholarships for the 2020-2021 school year.

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) announced today the election of Pat Solheid and Arfon Mohamud to serve on the board of directors.

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that they, in partnership with CommunityGiving, have recently approved the "Commitment to Our Community" resolution. The "Commitment to Our Community" resolution was a collaborative effort between CommunityGiving and its partner foundations' boards of directors and will be used as an organization-wide guiding principle as the situation continues to evolve with the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery.

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) is pleased to announce that they, in partnership with CommunityGiving, have recently received a grant of $22,900 through the Minnesota Disaster Recovery Fund (MDRF) for coronavirus relief. This funding, along with contributions to the Willmar Area Response Fund, will be used to support local relief efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic which will include wide-scale initiatives to help meet critical basic needs as well as sustaining local organizations providing critical services through recovery. The Willmar Area Response Fund has raised $77,415 as of April 1st.

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) today initiated their support of the Willmar Area Response Fund with a grant of $50,000. The purpose of the fund is to support the local community in times of crisis, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. The Fund will focus on wide-scale community initiatives to help meet daily needs of our community and help to sustain our local non-profit organizations with post-emergency calls of action. To make a contribution to the fund, visit https://www.communitygiving.org/donate/willmar-area-response-fund.

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) announced today the establishment of the Willmar Area Response Fund. The purpose of the fund is to support the local community in times of crisis, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. To make a contribution to the fund, visit https://www.communitygiving.org/donate/willmar-area-response-fund.

New London & Spicer, MN – The New London-Spicer Area Fund (NLSAF) announces investments totaling $15,100 in their recent grant round. NLSAF awarded grants to five local programs in the Northern Kandiyohi County area that support their focus areas of arts, healthy communities and lifestyles, environment, large-scale and sustainable initiatives, and special collaborations. “Our committee continues to be honored to support projects and programs that not only strengthen our community, but create opportunity for everyone” says NLSAF board chair, Clark Vollan.

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) announced today the opening of their annual grant round. The WACF seeks to fund programs that focus on three different areas this year: addressing the achievement gap for youth, increasing community connections and welcoming diverse populations, and supporting productive aging. Eligible organizations must be a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, school, or government entity who serve residents of Kandiyohi County. The WACF General Grant Round will be open for applications from November 15th, 2019 to January 15th, 2020. For additional information and the online application, visit www.communitygiving.org/grants and select "WACF General Grants".

Willmar, Minn. - The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) invites you to join in on basking in the glow of gratitude at their Awards in Philanthropy Celebration on Thursday, October 10^th, at 5:30pm at the Willmar Conference Center. This year WACF shines light on Roger and Ruth Gauquie with the 2019 Award in Philanthropy for their inspiring generosity and volunteerism which continues to help strengthen our community and create opportunity for the Willmar area. The 2019 Community Builder will be presented to West Central Sanitation for engaging employees with community building and stewarding principles that helps support each Kandiyohi County community and beyond. Lastly, the spotlight hits Dorothy Brown with the Marv Otto Award for her legacy estate gift that has now become the largest Willmar Civic Scholarship Association and WACF scholarship available for Willmar High School seniors pursuing an elementary education major.

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Women’s Fund (WAWF), an initiative of the Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF), announces it has exceeded its fundraising goal to help the efforts to deter sexual exploitation and trafficking in Kandiyohi County. Through generous community donations and the efforts of 37 campaigners, the Fund exceeded its goal of $50,000 and raised a total of $70,741. This annual campaign began on June 10, 2019, and the final total was revealed at the Caring for Women Campaign Luncheon on September 26, 2019.