The Winona Community Foundation joins in a nationwide celebration, November 12-18, 2021, to recognize the increasingly important role these philanthropic organizations play in fostering local collaboration and innovation to address persistent civic and economic challenges.

For more than a century, community foundations have served as a trusted partner and resource whose effect can be seen in the lives of millions and in the vibrant neighborhoods that continue to thrive through their mission-driven work. During this time, community foundations come together to share and reflect on the stories of impact over the past year.

“The work of community foundations’ spans beyond the practice of giving. There is a tangible impact that can be seen in the lives of those these selfless organizations serve,” said Nancy Brown, President/CEO. “We are more determined than ever to bring our community partners together to find innovative and effective solutions for some of our most challenging social problems and advance the most promising of opportunities to benefit our residents.”

Community foundations are independent, public entities that steward philanthropic resources from institutional and individual donors to local nonprofits and represent one of the fastest-growing forms of philanthropy.

From November 12 to 18, we celebrate Community Foundation Week, a time when we can share and reflect on the stories of impact over the last year. Though you may not yet know your local community foundation, you’ve likely felt its impact. With the help of our donors in 2021, we were able to accomplish:

Granting out $1 million to eligible, 501(c)3 nonprofits through Donor-Directed Grants to community causes important to them.

$154,280 awarded through Community Grants to 18 local nonprofits to move their essential work forward at this critical time.

$130,000 granted to individuals in need of support through our Emergency Assistance Fund.

The Winona Community Foundations works to find solutions for our community – but it is the collective work of community that has the most profound impact.

As we enter the giving season, millions of people from every background will be looking to give back to the communities that have supported them. They’ll also look to ensure that their heartfelt giving—however they choose to give—will have the most impact. That’s why so many of them will choose to give to a community foundation.

A gift to your local community foundation is an investment in the future of your community. We like to say that community foundations are “here for good.” At Winona Community Foundation we don’t think about the next election or business cycle, we think about the next generation and the next after that.

That can seem a daunting task, but it’s one that we all share. During Community Foundation Week, I hope you’ll join us in recognizing our collective impact and the difference we can make together.

Community Foundation Week was created in 1989 by former president George H.W. Bush to recognize the work of community foundations throughout America and their collaborative approach to working with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to address community problems.

A community foundation is a tax-exempt, independent, nonprofit organization that provides support — primarily for the needs of the geographic community or region where it is based — from funds that it maintains and administers on behalf of multiple donors. They are governed by a volunteer board of directors of community leaders and most employ professional staff.

Community Foundations are a type of hybrid nonprofit possessing the characteristics of both a public charity and a private foundation. Like a public charity, community foundations seek support from the general public, and like a private foundation, they also provide grants for charitable purposes.

The common mission of every community foundation is to enhance the quality of life in the local area. They carry out this broad mission by building permanent endowment funds as well as non-endowed funds established by local individuals, families, businesses, or charitable institutions.