History

 

Despite changes over the years, one thing remains constant: the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin seeks to provide people of all means an opportunity to make significant and lasting gifts to their community. Philanthropy is our only business.

 

 

History Timeline

 

1982 – 1990 Highlights

1982 – Stevens Point Area Foundation established by a small group of visionaries led by Mark Makholm, Gil Oelke, Jack Butler and John Holdridge. Election of officers held June 30, 1982.

 

1983 – First major gift to the newly formed Foundation given in memory of Heidi Evenson. The Heidi Evenson Memorial Scholarship Fund is established.

 

1988 – Stevens Point Area Foundation receives a large gift of stock of $103,000. Fund One is created to "feed the poor of Portage County."

 

 

1991 – 1999 Highlights

1996 –Stevens Point Area Foundation changes name to Community Foundation of Portage County and hires Ann Shannon as first Executive Director. The Foundation manages 12 funds and awards $11,000 in grants.

 

1998 - The Community Fund, the Women’s Fund, Green Circle Fund and Environment Funds are established growing the Foundation to 21 charitable funds. $46,000 distributed back to the community.

 

1999 – Seed-A-Future Funds are established giving donors a new way of giving through smaller gifts over time. Foundation assets reach $1 million with 42 funds under management.

 

 

2000 – 2009 Highlights

2002 – Community Foundation establishes 11 new funds and collects $850,820 in new gifts in one year. $73,000 is awarded to the community through grants from Foundation funds.

 

2003 – John Jury named Executive Director. Foundation assets grow to $3 million with 85 funds under management.

 

2005 – Community Foundation of Portage County receives State and National recognition by meeting the National Standards for Community Foundations Documentation of Compliance.

 

2007 – Community Foundation assets are now over $6 million with 150+ funds under management. Looking forward to the next 25 years . . .

 

2008 – Terry Rothmann named Executive Director. Foundation changes it's name from the Community Foundation of Portage County to the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin to help promote our expansion into Waushara county.

 

2009 – Part-time staff increased to 4. Gifts exceed $2 million while grants and scholarships exceed $431,000. We have changed the names of our Field of Interest Funds to Mission Funds to help better promote their growth in the future as they reflect our overall goal of our Mission Statement.