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. By doing so, a variety of interests are supported with the goal of helping local charities make a difference in the Winona area. Our 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 28 applications requesting more than $168,000 in funding. The Foundation’s grant committee is always challenged to select grantees, as available grant dollars are limited and many applicants served the diverse needs and opportunities in our community.

This cycle, the Winona Community Foundation’s Board of Directors awarded $57,601 to 12 local nonprofits. The following organizations received funding from the Community Impact Fund.

A Call to Care grant to purchase an adjustable height occupational therapy table and other furniture that will be used Benedictine Living Community’s renovated therapy area.

Click here to more about Benedictine Foundation.

Expanding Mentoring grant to expand the youth mentoring program in Winona by training more mentors.

Click here to more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of the 7 Rivers Region.

Leadership is for Everyone grant to host a series of educational block parties with the goal of increasing civic participation in Winona.

Click here to more about Engage Winona.

Impacting Winona’s Youth grant to purchase equipment needed to support the free after-school program that provides a safe space for children to do homework and engage in activities.

Click here to more about IMPACT Center.

Expungement Workshop & Clinic grant to enable the expansion of their expungement program in order to offer workshops year-round.

Click here to more about Let’s Erase the Stigma.

Increasing Nature-Based Wellbeing Opportunities for Underrepresented Communities in Winona grant to increase awareness of the importance of connecting people to nature for wellbeing, and to offer childcare provider trainings.

Click here to more about Project Get Outdoors.

Ready Set School Voucher Program grant to continue providing school supplies and clothing to children of families who are unable to afford back-to-school items.

Click here to more about Ready Set School.

Old Home DIY Education Series grant to host free classes in Winona that teach skills and tools needed to take care of their older homes.

Click here to more about Rethos.

Summer Children’s Storytelling Programming grant to partner with the Winona Public Library and East End Rec Center to teach children the craft of storytelling.

Click here to more about Sandbar Storytelling Festival.

Learn to Skate Program grant to continue to provide protective equipment and skates to participants free of charge.

Click here to more about Winona Area Youth Hockey Association.

Bee Keeping grant to purchase bees as part of a new beekeeping program which aims to create more jobs for ORC’s clients.

Click here to more about Winona ORC.

Funding from Other Foundation Funds

Connect People to Nature Fund

This endowment fund supports environmental land, plant, and animal/bird conservation issues. The purpose of this fund is to provide grants for sustainable agriculture; establishing, maintaining and improving pedestrian access to public land; related education; and acquiring property of permanent easements for public benefit.

Prarie Island Adventure Club Mental Health Team grant to supplement the youth summer camp with mental health practitioners who provide one-on-one emotional and behavioral support to participants.

Click here to learn more about the Recreation Alliance of Winona.

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 and Wilmer & Beverly Larson, and sponsors of our annual Charity Golf Outing. 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, and the General Trust fund of the Winona Community Foundation.

For more information, visit our Grants page or contact our team directly at (507) 454 – 6511 or wcf@winonacf.org.