Making an Impact

Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center Grant “We truly appreciate this partnership… capitol purchases such as these are often delayed due to a lack of accessible funds, but are essential to the health, safety, and well-being of those we serve.” Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center received a $3,800 Cycle 1 Community Grant from the Winona Community Foundation in 2022. This grant supported external safety monitoring at their four group home locations. The addition [...]

The Winona Daily News partnered with the Winona Community Foundation in 2021 to establish a new fund, the Above and Beyond Scholarship Fund, to provide annual scholarships to Winona-area high school seniors who have overcome obstacles or provided exemplary service to others. “We’re proud of our ongoing determination to recognize local high school students who inspire and motivate all who know their stories of strength and perseverance,” said Paul Pehler, president of River Valley [...]

The Winona Community Foundation Announces New Affiliate: Goodview Community Foundation The Winona Community Foundation is excited to announce a new Affiliate community foundation - the Goodview Community Foundation. This newly formed partnership will continue our efforts to be catalyst for igniting generosity. As an affiliate of the Winona Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, the Goodview Community Foundation will benefit from centralized professional services, including financial, administrative, marketing, and community insights [...]

Islamic Center of Winona Grant "We are pleased to report that all feedback from the guests was very positive. Many of them made donations on their way out to help the refugees," stated by council member Ahmed El-Afandi. The Islamic Center of Winona received a Winona Community Foundation Community Grant Cycle 1 in April of 2022. The organization received $1,500. The grant supported a hosted dinner on April 30th that introduced new [...]

The Winona Daily News partnered with the Winona Community Foundation in 2021 to establish a new fund, the Above and Beyond Scholarship Fund, to provide annual scholarships to Winona-area high school seniors who have overcome obstacles or provided exemplary service to others.WNB Financial is supporting the Above and Beyond Scholarship program with a challenge contribution of $10,000. This contribution will help fund some of this year’s scholarship recipients and will also contribute to future scholarships [...]

Home and Community Options Grant “With this grant, HCO was able to supply our programs with the necessary tools that allowed us to continue to perform daily routines safely. Just knowing we have that added layer of protection from these PPE's helped to decrease the underlying stress of the unknown." Home and Community Options received the WCF Community Grant Cycle 1: Mission Critical in April of 2021. The organization received $10,000. The grant supported two [...]

Community Grant Program Awards The Winona Community Foundation awards grants to causes and organizations that support the vibrant and enduring Winona area community. The Foundation received a record number 29 applications by the March 1 deadline requesting more than $237,031.50 in funding. The grant review committee was challenged to award grants that would serve the diverse needs and opportunities in our community. An important part of the Winona Community Foundation’s mission is realized though [...]

Let's Erase the Stigma Grant “I knew there was a need in the community… I’d anticipated the budgeting classes to be the greater need but the demand for the expungement workshop has far exceeded the expectation.” Let’s Erase the Stigma received the WCF Community Grant Cycle 1: Mission Critical in April of 2021. The organization received $3000. The grant was utilized to purchase a computer, printer, office equipment and supplies needed to start programs. [...]

Winona Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation $7,500 Grant ”Winona County income is about 35% less than the rest of Minnesota, and local employers struggle to find skilled employees." In April of 2021, the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation received a $7,500 grant from the Winona Community Foundation’s community grant program. This grant supported their REACH program. This program was designed to prepare local high school students for careers at local employers, bridging [...]

Elder Network Grant ”Your contributions enabled us to be a vital link to the community” Elder Network received a grant from the WFC Community Grant Cycle 1: Mission Critical in April of 2021. The organization received $7,000. The grant supported the Winona Mental Health Programming facilitated at the Elder Network. This program provides services directly to seniors at affordable rates. These funds enabled seniors to stay living at home for longer, [...]

National Standards Accreditation Affirms Our Commitment to Excellence Winona Community Foundation has recently been accredited with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®—the highest standards for philanthropic excellence. Winona Community Foundation is pleased to announce that we have recently received accreditation with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®. This accreditation, signified by the Seal shown here, indicates that Winona Community Foundation meets the highest standards for philanthropic excellence. "This is a significant accomplishment," [...]

The United Way of Olmsted County established a fund with the Winona Community Foundation to support Winona area programs and nonprofits. As a result of the United Way’s affiliation with national corporations, there are Winona County-based companies that participate in United Ways campaigns that participate in the United Way campaigns. UWOC leadership determined that partnering with the Winona Community Foundation would allow them to meet their donors’ expectations by facilitating [...]