Making an Impact

Pictured from left to right: Nancy Brown and Tom Wynn. The Winona Community Foundation hosted their 3rd Annual Charity Golf Outing on June 23rd, 2023 at the Bridges Golf Course. 22 teams teed off to support the Foundation’s Community Grant Program, which directly benefits non-profit organizations in the Winona area. The event raised more than $31,000 from its collective 38 sponsors which will go back to the community through [...]

Winona Friendship Center Activity Council, Inc received a $6,300 Cycle 1 Community Grant from the Winona Community Foundation in 2022. This grant supported their PEARLS program that offers a free and comprehensive program that empowers individuals and enables them to lead fulfilling lives. In an effort to provide accessible mental health support to older adults in Winona County, the Program to Encourage Active and Rewarding Lives (PEARLS) emerged as a [...]

Elder Network received a $4,500 Cycle 2 Community Grant from the Winona Community Foundation in 2022. This grant supported their in-person counseling and virtual support groups for mental health needs provided to the seniors and their caregivers. The Elder Network's mission to prevent a decline in their clients' quality of life involves addressing emotional well-being, enhancing coping abilities, and increasing community engagement. Through annual surveys, the organization sought to assess [...]

The Winona Daily News and the Winona Community Foundation joined forces in 2021 to establish the Above and Beyond Scholarship Fund. This fund aims to provide annual scholarships to high school seniors in the Winona area who have demonstrated exceptional resilience, overcome obstacles, or shown outstanding dedication to serving others. The collaboration between the media group and the Foundation enables the program to have a greater impact by longevity and [...]

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (Saint Mary’s) received a $4,350 Cycle 1 Community Grant from the Winona Community Foundation in 2022. This grant supported their 10-week summer youth theatre experience and performance. Funding removed participant fees and will allowed the organization to hire a production coordinator. The goal was to help students develop their knowledge of the artistic and professional sides of theatre, confidence, self-esteem, and teamwork abilities. The [...]

Winona Community Foundation Awards $55,240 to Local Nonprofits An important part of the Winona Community Foundation’s mission is realized though awarding community grants to meet the ever-changing needs of the community through a competitive process. Since the program’s inception, it’s become an essential asset for local Winona area nonprofits. By the March 1st deadline, the Foundation received 29 applications requesting more than $188,000 in funding. The grants committee was tasked [...]

SEMCIL received a $10,000 Grant from the Winona Community Foundation’s United Way of Olmsted County Fund in December of 2021. This grant supported their transition program for ages 14-24, all of whom identified as having a disability. This program offered a variety of services including permit classes, 8 on-going classes (i.e. focused on housing, employment, social skills, and health education), healthy cooking, explaining the Soar program, improving financial literacy skills, [...]

The Southeastern Minnesota Multi-County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (SEMMCHRA) received a $7,500 Cycle 1 Community Grant from the Winona Community Foundation in 2022. This grant assisted in the piloting of a Homebuyer Club for 12 households in the Winona area. This program was designed to assist low to moderate income households, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher patients, and Public Housing tenants. The goals of the Homebuyer Club were to provide [...]

“The families are always grateful for the help as back-to-school can be expensive." – Mandi Olson, Ready Set School Director Ready Set School received a $4,900 Cycle 1 Community Grant from the Winona Community Foundation in 2022. This grant supported their voucher program that provides school supplies and clothing to low-income Winona County K-12 families and students during the back-to-school time period. The amount will provide $70 vouchers [...]

"The Donna Helble Fund of the Winona Community Foundation has had an immensely positive impact on our organization since the onset of our partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. With nearly 1,000 active children and over 400 graduated children, we have seen over half of the county's children under give participate." – Emily Tipton, Board Member at the Friends of Winona Public Library The Friends of Winona Public [...]

On December 1, 2022, the Winona Noon Lions Club, Winona Rivertown, Winona Sunset, and the Celanese Community Foundation accomplished their Phase 2 fundraising goal for the Every Child's Dream Park Fund, which supports an ability-inclusive playground. The Winona Lion's Club raised $103,388.68 to donate to the City of Winona for this special project. The Winona Community Foundation served as the fiscal sponsor for this special project. Their phase project goal [...]

In December of 2022, a community partner, Altra Federal Credit Union, donated a gift of $2,500 to the Winona Community Foundation. Altra was selected to be one of the ten credit unions given a $10,000 donation from the SCU's Credit Union Give Back Sweepstakes to give charities of their choice. Winona Community Foundation was one of the four organizations selected to receive this a gift. When you give the Winona [...]