11 Organizations Are Impacted
Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation announced today the recipients of $79,500 in grants to support seven key programs and organizations in Kandiyohi County. WACF also awarded an additional $5,200 to support local arts initiatives.
The largest grant awarded was to the Willmar Area Food Shelf for $50,000 to support their remodeling and expansion project. Key aspects of this project include remodeling and re-purposing the current space as well as paving the parking lot, adding a receiving bay and offices as well as enlarging the lobby, expanding the shopping area and installing floor scales. Sara Carlson, Executive Director of the Willmar Area Community Foundation states, “Organizations like the Willmar Area Food Shelf play an important role in our communities. We are grateful for the work they do and are pleased to help them better meet the needs of Kandiyohi County residents with this expansion”.
The Willmar Area Community Foundation does two grant rounds per year and focuses its grant making primarily on proposals from organizations providing service in the following areas: Youth Initiatives, Productive Aging, Diverse Communities and Vision 2040 endorsed projects.
General Grants:
| Organization | Project Name | Amount |
| Kandiyohi County Area Family YMCA | YMCA Mentor Program | $5,000.00 |
| Lutheran Social Services | Lutheran Social Service Senior Nutrition Program | $5,000.00 |
| Willmar Area Food Shelf | Willmar Area Food Shelf Remodel & Addition Project | $50,000.00 |
| The Salvation Army | Getting Ahead | $10,000.00 |
| Presbyterian Family Foundation | Enhanced Technology for the Guardianship/Conservatorship Programs of the Presbyterian Family Foundation | $5,000.00 |
| Roosevelt Elementary | Roosevelt Family Nights: A Time to Talk and Learn | $1,500.00 |
| ARC Kandiyohi County | General Operating Support | $3,000.00 |
Arts Grants:
| Organization | Project Name | Amount |
| Willmar Community Theater Inc | The Barn Theatre Hayloft Production- | $1,400.00 |
| Willmar Community Education and Recreation | Willmar Senior High Art Club | $800.00 |
| Prairie Winds Concert Band | Prairie Winds Concert Band 2015-2016 Concert Season | $1,000.00 |
| Willmar Area Arts Council | Studio Hop and Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee! 2016 | $2,000.00 |
The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) in affiliation with CommunityGiving, is a public charity that attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the local community. Since 1998, WACF has grown to over $16 million in assets and awarded $4 million in grants to local nonprofits. CommunityGiving is a partnership of four community foundations, including Alexandria Area Community Foundation, Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, Central Minnesota Community Foundation and Willmar Area Community Foundation. CommunityGiving administers more than 650 funds totaling more than $115 million. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org/Willmar.