c22026 - Winona Community Foundation

Left to right: Katie Van Eijl (Project FINE), Craig Putz (Semcac), Carol Ehlinger (Benedictine Living Community), Michelle Repinski (Benedictine Living Community), Shella Schneider (Winona ORC), Michelle Monerson (Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center), Isabel McNally (Engage Winona), Mandy Hansel (Storm Sporting Events), J.C.  Wagner-Romero (Big Brothers Big Sisters: 7 Rivers Region), Jen Tepovich (Ampact),  Phillip Huerta (Winona County Dive & Rescue),  Mandi Olson (Winona Community Foundation).

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’ impacts. Since the program’s inception, it has become an essential asset for Winona area nonprofits.

By the September 1st deadline, the Foundation received 23 applications requesting more than $200,000 in funding. The Foundation’s grant committee is always challenged to select grantees, as available grant requests far exceed available dollars. This granting cycle, our Board of Directors awarded $70,000 to 11 local nonprofits:

Capacity building support to purchase electronic recliners for their temporary care units serving patients in short-term recovery

Learn more about Benedictine Living Community

Sustaining support for their community-based youth mentoring program in Winona County

Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters: 7 Rivers Region

Sustaining support for their Lived Experienced Leaders program, a 9-month program that prepares Winona residents to take active roles in community life

Learn more about Engage Winona

Capacity building to expand trauma therapy treatment capacity for patients through therapist training

Learn more about Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center

Capacity building support to create a Bridges to Outdoors program which aims to improve mental health and stress of immigrants through nature-based group activities

Learn more about Project FINE

Capacity building support for an event within their Family Readiness and Outreach Groups (FROGs) to mitigate trauma effects for first responders in the Winona area

Learn more about Salt & Light Partners

Capacity building support to build a portable health clinic to expand access to healthcare for Winona County residents who face barriers to preventative care

Learn more about Semcac

Sustaining support for their high-impact AmeriCorps tutoring services offered to preschool to middle school students attending schools throughout Winona

Learn more about ServeMinnesota

Sustaining support for Trinona and Trinona Kids to make the triathlon event accessible to participants, encouraging healthy lifestyles and supporting mental health initiatives

Learn more about Storm Sporting Events

Capacity building support for a rescue sonar system which will improve scanning capabilities for their team operations to aid in water-related rescues and searches

Learn more about Winona County Dive & Rescue

Capacity building support to fund supplies and curriculum for SPARK and Step Forward programs, which build pathways to independence and community-based employment for people with disabilities

Learn more about Winona ORC

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.