Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) is pleased to announce awards of $189,000 to 13 local programs. 11 of these programs were awarded from the 2018-2019 WACF General Grant Round. The three focus areas of the grant round were for projects that addressed the achievement gap for youth, increased community connections or welcoming diverse populations and to support productive aging.

New London & Spicer, MN – The New London-Spicer Area Fund (NLSAF) announces investments totaling $14,000 in their recent grant round. NLSAF awarded grants to eight 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 organization is pleased to support projects and programs that continue to strengthen Northern Kandiyohi and benefit our neighbors” says NLSAF board chair, Clark Vollan.

Willmar, Minn. – Four local arts organizations will receive funding to enhance and maintain programming via the Willmar Area Community Foundation Arts Fund grant round. A total of $5,600 was awarded to programs ranging from supporting local artists to experiential musical experiences for youth. Sara Carlson, executive director of the Willmar Area Community Foundation stated, “Having creative and artistic opportunities for everyone in our community fosters a stronger and more vibrant home for all. It reminds us that we’re all creative beings – and that whether we’re making art or music, telling stories or sharing in the experience, we’re all connected.”

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, 2018 to January 15th, 2019. For additional information and the online application, visit www.communitygiving.org/grants and select "WACF General Grants".

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 support prevention and intervention activities aimed at youth homelessness and human trafficking efforts in Kandiyohi County.

Willmar, MN – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) invites the community to join their 20^th Anniversary and Awards in Philanthropy celebration on Thursday, October 11^th, at 5:30pm at the Willmar Conference Center. This year WACF will recognize their Founding Board of Directors with the 2018 Award in Philanthropy for increasing community philanthropy to benefit Kandiyohi County communities. The 2018 Community Builder Award will be given to Marcus Construction for its extensive support to our community vitality through corporate support, partnerships, and employee engagement. In addition, WACF will honor Chad and Angie Koosman for “Celebrate the Light of the World” with the second Innovative Impact Award noting their dedication and creativity in raising awareness and donations in the local Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. The Marv Otto Award will be given to the late Dorothy Timm Meili to honor her charitable legacy.

New London & Spicer, MN – The New London-Spicer Area Fund (NLSAF) announced the annual opening of their grant round. The NLSAF seeks to fund programs that fit within the categories of arts, healthy communities and lifestyles, environment and large-scale and sustainable initiatives. Eligible organizations must be a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, school or government entity who serve in the 12 northern townships of Kandiyohi County. The deadline for grant applications is November 1st. For more information about the grant round and to apply, visit www.communitygiving.org/grants and select “WACF - New London Spicer Area Fund Grant”.

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF), in conjunction with CommunityGiving, is pleased to announce that 21 students from Willmar and the surrounding areas received $39,925 in academic scholarships for the upcoming 2018-2019 school year.

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) announced today the election of Andrew Lindquist to serve on the board of directors. Lindquist is the Director of Project Management at Marcus Construction. His wife, Jen and three children, live in rural Kandiyohi. He is a part of the Vision 2040 Leadership Design Team and program graduate, and was on the Willmar Playground Executive Team, a Construction Captain and Build Captain.

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) is pleased to announce today the grant recipients of their 2017-2018 grant round. Ten projects were chosen to receive a total of $129,450 in funding. The three focus areas of the grant round were for projects that addressed the achievement gap for youth, increased community connections and welcoming diverse populations and to support productive aging.