Willmar, Minn. – An Anonymous Fund of the Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) donates $10,000 to the Kandiyohi County Food Shelf (hereafter known as Food Shelf), a nonprofit hunger relief organization serving residents in Kandiyohi County. “This generous donation was made by longtime supporters of the WACF who wished to remain anonymous,” said Sara Carlson, Executive Director of the WACF. “They recognized the increased and ongoing need in the Willmar Lakes Area community and hope this acts as a catalyst for others to provide financial support to the Food Shelf, especially during the March Food Share campaign. Their gift is inspirational for all of us to support local food shelves and food pantries right now.”

New London & Spicer, MN – The New London-Spicer Area Fund (NLSAF) announces investments totaling $17,000 in their recent grant round. NLSAF awarded grants to nine 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.

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Women’s Fund (WAWF), a signature initiative of the Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF), announces it has exceeded its fundraising goal to expand trauma informed care trainings reaching over 1,100 professionals in Kandiyohi County including law enforcement professionals, emergency medical technicians, fire department volunteers/personnel, and the public defender’s office as well as other professionals that work directly with families impacted by trauma.

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) announced today the opening of their annual Community Impact Grant Round. The WACF seeks to fund programs that focus on three different areas: addressing the opportunity 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 Community Impact Grant Round will be open for applications from November 15th, 2022 to January 15th, 2023. For additional information and the online application, visit www.communitygiving.org/grants and select "WACF Community Impact Grant Round".

Willmar, MN – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) invites the community to join their 24^th Anniversary and Awards in Philanthropy Celebration on Thursday, October 13^th, at 5:30pm at the Willmar Conference Center. This year WACF will recognize Dr. Jim and Marilynn Tiede with the 2022 Award in Philanthropy for their contribution to Kandiyohi County communities. The 2022 Community Builder Award will be given to Duininck Companies for its support to our community through corporate support, partnerships, and employee engagement. In addition, WACF will honor Ken Warner with the Innovative Impact Award noting his nearly 40 years of community leadership to the Willmar Lakes area.

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) is pleased to announce that 25 students from Kandiyohi County received $56,000 in academic scholarships for the 2022-2023 school year.

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) announced today the receipients of their annual Community Impact Grant Round. Eleven organizations will be receiving grants that total $188,250. The Community Impact Grant Round funds programs that focus on three different areas: addressing the opportunity gap for youth, increasing community connections and welcoming diverse populations, and supporting productive aging.

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) announced today the opening of their annual community impact grant round. The WACF seeks to fund programs that focus on three different areas: addressing the opportunity 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 Community Impact Grant Round will be open for applications from November 15th, 2021 to January 15th, 2022. For additional information and the online application, visit www.communitygiving.org/grants and select "WACF Community Impact Grant Round".

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Women’s Fund (WAWF), an initiative of the Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF), has raised $57,240 in their 2021 Willmar Area Women’s Fund Campaign.

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) announced today the election of Dion Warne to serve on the board of directors.