Make a difference in the Eau Claire area.

Since its founding in 1997, the Eau Claire Community Foundation has facilitated over $2.5 million in funding to more than 140 community organizations as of June 1, 2010. We have provided critical support for major community initiatives and managed endowment funds for community non-profit organizations.

Here are some examples of how the Eau Claire Community Foundation strengthens our community through the Women's Giving Circle fund:

AIM Court
The Eau Claire County AIM (Alternatives to Incarcerating Women) Court will enhance their current programming by creating an alumni group and providing incentives and additional educational programming to both participants and alumni. Participants in AIM court are single mothers who have committed a felony or misdemeanor that does not require a pre-sentencing investigation. Instead of serving a lengthy jail sentence the women are referred to AIM Court and spend an average of one year participating in a variety of treatment and case management services. The AIM court provides support, education, direction and encouragement to these women so that they can be empowered to establish healthy crime free life styles and stronger families. This program helps the participants stay connected in their community and avoids out-of-home placements for their children.

Empowering Women Through Savings and Leadership
Literacy Volunteers Chippewa Valley will expand the program that the WGC funded last year (Empowering Women Through Savings). This new program will provide women living in poverty with knowledge about financial literacy and training and experience with financial functions, business and leadership. Women who have acquired sufficient literacy skills will receive opportunities for training in leadership and business and will form a Women’s Leadership Council. These leaders will develop a governing charter for the Council, manage Council business matters, attend leadership and business trainings, share acquired knowledge with other program participants, mentor newer students, and gain experience raising funds.

From the Garden, to The Community Table, to The Family Table
The Community Table will help connect low-income families with local and nutritious food resources and educate them about how to access available resources to make nutritious meals at home. The Community Table will provide samples of produce and recipes during serving time, provide transportation vouchers to the St. Francis Food Pantry where guests can “shop” for necessary ingredients, teach families how to preserve food and complete meals, and launch a marketing campaign to educate families about other available community resources and assistance. This program will also enable The Community Table to expand collaboration with hunger and social service agencies and to connect with local gardeners and the local food movement.

Soles for Special Souls
Trinity Lutheran Church will provide vouchers to children in need that will enable them to select and receive a free pair of shoes. Trinity Lutheran Food Pantry guests with children will be offered a voucher redeemable at Kmart in Eau Claire for one pair of shoes for each child. Each child will then be able to select a pair of shoes and purchase them with the voucher.

WHO WE HAVE SUPPORTED IN 2011

In 2011, the Eau Claire Community Foundation granted $178,600 to the following non-profit organizations.