Left to right: Mandi Olson (WCF President/CEO), Rebecca Wolfe (Home & Community Options), Ann Gibson (WCF Grant Committee), Judy Davis (WCF Grant Committee), Janet Heukeshoven (Winona Symphony Orchestra), Emily Tipton (Friends of the Winona Public Library), Marcia Ratliff (Engage Winona), Dan Hall (Winona Symphony Orchestra), Mark Peterson (WCF Grant Committee), Jen Tepovich (Ampact/ServeMinnesota), Chris Allen (Winona County Dive/Rescue Team), Janneke Sobeck (Winona Family YMCA), Cea Louis (Heart of Winona), Kathy Sublett (Let’s Erase the Stigma), Mitch Auman (Winona County Dive/Rescue Team), Paul Appicelli (Winona County Dive/Rescue Team), Jamie Schell (Recreation Alliance of Winona), Bryce Reynolds (Winona County Dive/Rescue Team), Nick Nicholson (Winona County Dive/Rescue Team), Rebecca Sammins (Mid West Music Fest).

An important part of the Winona Community Foundation’s mission is realized though awarding community grants to local non-profits to help meet the ever-changing needs of our community. By doing so, a variety of interests are supported with the goal of enhancing local charities’ impact. The Foundation’s community grants for nonprofits are broad and inclusive to meet the current community needs in the Winona area. Since the program’s inception, it has become an essential asset for local Winona area nonprofits.

By the March 1st deadline, the Foundation received 18 applications requesting more than $115,000 in funding. The Foundation’s grant committee is always challenged to select grantees, as available grant requests far exceed available dollars.

This cycle, the Winona Community Foundation’s Board of Directors awarded $63,381.20 to 13 local nonprofits. The following organizations received funding from the Foundation’s Community Grant Program:

to support Winona Together programming this summer, a program that fosters civic participation and community well-being through meaningful dialogue.

Learn more about Engage Winona

to support Pridefest in June 2025 which creates an intentional event where individuals can connect, celebrate and find support.

Learn more about Heart of Winona

to improve accessibility to its central office for their clients, visitors, Apple Tree Dental services and delivery of supplies for their organization. They will use the funds to widen their ramp entrance and add railings and grab bars.

Learn more about Home & Community Options

to support on-going expungement services including purchasing essential supplies such as a laptop, printer and course materials.

Learn more about Let’s Erase the Stigma

to enhance their festival by supporting a new, free arts & engagement event open to all on May 10, 2025 called Create & Connect.

Learn more about Mid West Music Fest

to provide training for 40 mental health professionals who work with Winona area youth to incorporate nature-based therapy and activities during the 2025-2026 school year.

Learn more about Project Get Outdoors

to support the Prairie Island Adventure Club, a free outdoor summer day program designed to connect youth in from underserved communities with nature.

Learn more about Recreation Alliance of Winona

to expand their programming to add Early Learning Corps (ELC) to Winona Area Public School District pre-school programs to improve math and reading skills outcomes.

Learn more about ServeMinnesota

to replace and improve SCUBA gear used to assist in water related emergencies in and around Winona County.

Learn more about the Winona County Dive/Rescue Team

to support critical training and inspection services for their high ropes course at Camp Wenonah to provide a safe experience for the youth that use the course after a funding shift occurred.

Learn more about the Winona Family Y

to expand and launch their Power of Produce (POP) program in 2025 to include seniors. These funds will support a $2 voucher for food per visit and establish a designated area for seniors to rest and socialize.

Learn more about the Winona Farmers Market

to support and expand their free Music in Schools 2026 programming, which brings musicians into Winona Area Public Schools classrooms to provide hands-on music curriculum to students.

Learn more about the Winona Symphony Orchestra

Funding from Other Foundation Funds

Donna Helble Literacy Fund

As part of her will, Donna Helble made a specific gift to the Winona Community Foundation with the direction to establish a special interest fund for promoting literacy of youth in Winona. Donna is no longer with us, but her passion for education and literacy live on through her generous gift. The Foundation carries her torch forward, continuing to promote children’s literacy in Winona by awarding grants through this fund.

to continue partnering with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a non-profit that sends one free book every month to registered children age birth to five.

Learn more about Friends of Winona Public Library

Creating a Sustainable Future for our Community

These dollars come from people like you, who have a giving heart and a love for our community. By giving a gift to the Foundation, you are helping to build our community. The larger our community endowment gets, the greater impact we can have on our local nonprofits.

Funds to support the Community Grant program are made possible in part through estate gifts made by Ramona L. Jezewski English, Carol A. Orlowske and Wilmer & Beverly Larson. Community grants are also supported by individual donors and a percentage of board designated funds, including: the Thomas H. Laken Fund, the Sue & Jack Cornwell Fund, the Community Impact Endowment Fund, the Founders Endowments Fund and the General Trust Fund of the Winona Community Foundation. In addition to these funds, the annual Charity Golf Event proceeds are directed to the Community Grant program.