Ažuriranje Impact Grantsa – ožujak 2026.

About the Grants

Strong communities are built through thoughtful investments that meet critical needs while creating opportunities for connection, safety, and growth. This quarter, community impact grants totaling $167,896 support initiatives that uplift vulnerable children, expand access to arts and education, improve public safety, and enhance access to nutritious food and outdoor spaces. From advancing innovative advocacy for children in the justice system to revitalizing cultural and educational programs, these projects reflect a deep commitment to the well-being of all ages and experiences. Investments in infrastructure, including safer community spaces and life-saving emergency equipment, ensure residents can thrive in environments that are accessible, resilient, and secure. At the heart of this impact is the generosity of donors, whose philanthropy enables community visions to become meaningful and lasting change.

Grant Allocations

Health and Social Services – $44,896

• CASA of Marathon County | $20,000 for the pilot training program

  This program will establish the first CASA model in Wisconsin serving child victims of crime. A pilot project is already underway in Marathon County, with volunteers supporting 13 children across five active cases. The program recruits and trains volunteers in trauma-informed court advocacy, collaborates with judges and prosecutors, evaluates outcomes, and researches legal guidelines. This initiative addresses a critical gap, ensuring children’s voices are heard while fostering healing, stability, and long-term well-being.

• Vivent Health | $8,000 for refrigeration infrastructure

  Replacing outdated refrigeration and freezer units with larger-capacity, commercial-grade units will allow Vivent’s food pantries to safely store a greater variety and quantity of nutritious food, reducing food loss and service disruptions. This investment supports growing client demand and ensures consistent access to health-supporting food for medically and economically vulnerable populations.

• Wausau Fire Department | $16,896 for new thermal imaging cameras

  The Wausau Fire Department is upgrading life-saving equipment by replacing outdated thermal imaging cameras with three new, state-of-the-art models. These cameras help firefighters see through smoke and darkness to locate people and hazards more quickly during emergencies. With recent budget cuts, this support ensures frontline fire vehicles remain fully equipped with reliable tools, improving safety and response times for both firefighters and the community.

Arts – $110,000

• Central Wisconsin Children’s Theatre, Inc. | $10,000 for parking lot improvements

  The Central Wisconsin Children’s Theatre is enhancing safety and accessibility at its Wausau rehearsal facility by renovating its parking lot, where deteriorating asphalt has created challenges for families, volunteers, and young performers. Following recent building improvements, safe access to the facility is now a top priority to ensure a welcoming and secure environment. These upgrades will remove barriers to participation and support the long-term sustainability of the theater’s youth programs in Marathon County.

• Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. | $100,000 for the "Second Century Capital Campaign"

  In honor of its 100th anniversary, the Grand Theatre is undergoing a comprehensive transformation to preserve its historic legacy while preparing the facility to serve the community for the next century. The $17 million "Second Century" campaign addresses long-deferred infrastructure needs and will fund major renovations to the theater, lobby, Grand Hall, and backstage areas, improving accessibility, comfort, and production capabilities. With strong community support, this investment ensures the arts and culture in downtown Wausau will continue to thrive in a premier space for decades to come.

Resource Conservation – $3,000

• North Central Conservancy Trust (NCCT) | $3,000 for the Big Cain Creek Preserve – Community Access and Ecological Enhancement Project

  The Big Cain Creek Preserve is a recently donated 30-acre property that will become a publicly accessible natural space for community enjoyment. The grant will help build trails, seating areas, and an informational kiosk while supporting efforts to manage invasive species and protect the land’s ecological health. This project creates more opportunities for outdoor recreation in an area with limited access to nature and ensures the preserve’s long-term care for conservation, education, and public enjoyment.

Education – $10,000

• Wausau School Foundation | $10,000 for drum equipment replacement at Wausau East

  Music programs play a vital role in student success by supporting academic achievement, cognitive development, resilience, and social connection while strengthening school culture and community pride. At Wausau East High School, years of deferred maintenance have left more than a third of the school-owned instruments unusable, limiting student access and instructional quality despite strong participation and national recognition. Strategic investments in instrument replacement will preserve the program’s ability to deliver meaningful educational, developmental, and social benefits to current and future students.

How Grants Are Funded

The generosity of hundreds of donors makes these community impact grants possible. All gifts help realize visions for a better Marathon County. Anyone can donate directly to the Wausau Area Community Foundation or establish their own impact fund, called a Named Fund for the Wausau Area. Both giving options are invested for growth and designed to accept gifts of cash, stocks, retirement assets, or bequests.

Named Funds for the Wausau Area

• Otto S. and Esther M. Holmskug | Silver | 1994
• Clarion G. and Irene B. Sternberg | Bronze | 2002
• Orville and Geraldine Peterson Family | Bronze | 2004
• Caroline S. Mark | Platinum | 2005
• Marvin C. and Ruth (Rudie) J. Schuette | Platinum | 2009
• Nils Folke Jr. & Jean B. Becker | Platinum | 2013
• Edward & Lois Drott | Platinum | 2016
• James and Susan Lundberg | Gold | 2017
• Tom and Marilyn Kraemer | Silver | 2023
• William and Juliana Franzen | Silver | 2024
• Wausau Business Fair | Granite | 2024
• Harvey H. Scholfield Jr. Family | Granite | 2024
• Jim and Jan Kemerling Family | Silver | 2025
• Sue Nelson Legacy Fund | Granite | 2025
• Mark and Rita Yaeger | Granite | 2025
• Mary and Bill Mahony | Granite | 2025
• Dennis and Bonnie Mealy | Quartzite | 2025
• Robert A. and Angela M. Kucirek | Gold | 2025
• Bill and Kathy Drengler | Granite | 2025

Giving Levels

• Diamond | $2,000,000 or more
• Platinum | $1,000,000 to $1,999,999
• Gold | $500,000 to $999,999
• Silver | $250,000 to $499,999
• Bronze | $100,000 to $249,999
• Quartzite | $50,000 to $99,999
• Granite | $10,000 to $49,999

Get Involved

Have you ever dreamed of achieving something meaningful but needed more resources to make it happen? Seeing nonprofit leaders dream big but lack the resources to bring those dreams to life was the catalyst for establishing the Wausau Area Community Foundation. Nonprofits in our community address a wide range of tangible needs and have been applying for grants from the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin for decades to help realize their visions for a brighter community. Anyone can donate at any time—every gift is significant and helps create a better place for everyone in the community.