Eleven Organizations Impacted by Grants
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. Programs that received funding include:
- $20,000 to the Bethesda Foundation to support the launch of Elevate 360 Employment Services program which will provide employment opportunities for under-employed persons such as individuals living with disabilities, mental health concerns, or in recovery.
- $20,000 to Miles4Mentors to support their Summer Fun Run series and provide opportunities for youth to be involved in sporting activities.
- $20,000 to support The Village Children’s Museum merger with the United Way of West Central Minnesota as they continue to provide educational programming for children.
- $20,000 to assist with the MNyou Mobile Mini-Market which will educate and provide fresh produce to those communities who are experiencing food insecurity.
- $20,000 to the Fortress to support the capital project of roof repairs as they continue to address the needs of men transitioning back to the community following treatment or incarceration.
- $20,000 to support the Glacial Ridge Curling capital campaign to build a curling facility in Willmar.
- $15,000 to Goodwill-Easter Seals in support of the expansion of the School to Work Transition program that provides in-class employment readiness, job coaching and career planning assistance with work experiences.
- $14,400 to Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center for the purchase of an enclosed trailer to transport various equipment and introduce new community members to healthy, outdoor activities at local events.
- $13,350 to support the Central Minnesota Leadership Group of Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services which engages local youth in community interaction, career exploration, and business and college tours to prepare them to enter the workforce.
- $10,000 to ServeMinnesota’s Early Learning Corps to support a local literacy tutor for early learning students in Willmar.
- $8,000 to Advocacy & Inclusion Matter to increase programming, classes and events for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- $7,500 to Woodland Centers for a community mural at their headquarters to build community connections and educate on mental health awareness.
Sara Carlson, Executive Director of the Willmar Area Community Foundation stated, “These investments will impact our entire community as we strive to make them more vibrant and vital places to live, work and play. We believe that each of these programs plays a key role and we are honored to support their work.”
The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the local Willmar area. Since 1998, WACF has grown to over $24.6 million in assets and awarded nearly $10.8 million in grants to nonprofits. The WACF is governed by a local board of directors and is a partner of CommunityGiving, which is a collaborative of community foundations united under a single framework to create efficiencies that maximize the impact of our donors. Collectively, CommunityGiving administers over 900 funds totaling nearly $201 million. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org/Willmar.