Incorporated on January 22, 1987 as the Wausau Area Community Foundation, the public foundation now known as the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, exists to enrich life for present and future generations .

Incorporated on January 22, 1987 as the Wausau Area Community Foundation, the public foundation now known as the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, exists to enrich life for present and future generations .

Community foundations are one of the fastest growing sectors of philanthropy in the United States today. "Donors of all means find that community foundations are an ideal vehicle for their philanthropy, offering people the opportunity to give back to the community," said Steve Gunderson, president and CEO of the Council on Foundations. "Community foundations are the face of philanthropy. Their strength and ingenuity have put them in financial positions that better serve their communities ."

Todd Nicklaus, president of the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin states, "We remain true to our initial intent of 20 years ago – to create a community endowment that will help shape and sustain our area's future, and to act as a leader in addressing the ever-changing needs of our community. Every donation we receive and every grant we award is an investment in that future."

The Community Foundation currently administers 257 funds, with combined assets exceeding $24.5 million – including unrestricted, donor advised, restricted, agency endowment, scholarship, and project funds. In the past 20 years, more than $35 million has been distributed from the various funds to nonprofit organizations and charitable causes throughout north central Wisconsin, devoting special emphasis in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, and the preservation of historical, cultural, and natural resources.

The Foundation has been involved in many major community improvement projects both as a fund administrator and funder. The list of projects includes the ArtsBlock project, the Boys & Girls Club building campaign, Tyler's Home for Kids, the Grandstand renovation project in Marathon Park, the current the Rothschild Pavilion preservation project, and the Humane Society of Marathon County capital campaign to build a new animal shelter.

Jim Lundberg, the Foundation's first president and chairman of the board, serving from 1987 to 1993, states, "Our original board was aware – and very proud – of our area's rich heritage. We understood the Community Foundation was a worthwhile undertaking and an important vehicle for individuals and organizations who wished to contribute to our area's future development. However, in our wildest dreams I'm not sure we could have imagined the evolution of the Foundation and its current role in this community and beyond. What started as a dream and a vision is now a reality – and it is here to stay. I am proud of our community for embracing and supporting the work of the Foundation."

By encouraging individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to create and contribute to endowment funds, the Community Foundation has succeeded in building "forever" into north central Wisconsin's charitable future.

To learn how you can partner with the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin to help the causes that are important to you forever, contact Jean Tehan, executive director, 715-845-9555 or jean@cfoncw.org or visit www.cfoncw.org.