Ažuriranje Impact Grantsa – Više od olovaka i bojica 2024.

About the Grants

Beyond Pencils and Crayons grants provide funding to empower local educators and create dynamic, inclusive, and inspiring learning environments for students. These grants support initiatives that enhance academic success, promote diversity, and foster hands-on learning experiences in classrooms.

Grant Recipients – November 2024

• Lutheran School of St. Peter | $400 for Farm & Food Exploration

  Educating children about agricultural innovations and sustainability through experiential learning, fostering a deeper connection between the food we eat and its origins in Wisconsin.

• Everest Area School District (Washington) | $3,400 for Playful Rugs

  Incorporating intentional play to further engage students in the ELA curriculum, balancing socio-emotional learning with complex themes.

• St. John the Baptist Catholic School | $750 for Translation Headsets

  Providing translation technology via headsets for Spanish-speaking students to improve classroom communication, promote inclusivity, and create a supportive environment for all learners.

• Everest Area School District (Washington) | $4,286 for Clear Solutions

  Engaging elementary students in designing and testing water filtration systems to address water pollution, including PFAS. The program aims to encourage critical thinking, teamwork, and environmental stewardship while raising community awareness about water safety and sustainability.

• Lutheran School of St. Peter | $500 for Playaway Audiobooks

  Providing access to Playaway audiobooks for 5th–8th grade students to support those with lower reading levels or learning difficulties, enabling them to engage with the same texts as their peers in class novels and reading groups.

• Marathon School District | $2,000 for CNC Milling

  Enhancing the high school workshop curriculum by integrating a CNC milling machine for metalworking.

• Edgar School District | $4,000 for Overcoming Barriers to Inspire Success

  A focused initiative to bring untold and unheard stories to life by inviting authors, survivors, and individuals who have lived those experiences to share them. Four programs throughout the year will highlight Southeast Asian community members in Wausau, the story of service in Vietnam, John Carlos’s incredible Olympic journey, and an exploration of women in aviation and space.

• Wausau School District | $4,999 for Music Production II – Audio Engineering

  Creating a fully functional recording studio and providing the necessary tools for live sound production for students enrolled in Music Production II.

• Everest Area School District (Washington) | $800 for Friday Friendship Activities

  Providing toys for special education students to use during Friday Friendship activities to practice social skills.

• Wausau School District | $660 for Learning Through Productive Play

  Implementing an innovative program to support neurodiverse students through dramatic play and sensory exploration.

• Athens School District | $2,700 for Educational Tools and Team Building

  Supporting the Second Step social-emotional learning curriculum by building positive relationships, fostering a positive school culture, and encouraging collaboration and communication skills through Team Extreme team-building experiences and tools.

• Athens School District | $800 for Multisensory Learning Tools

  Providing students with tools and resources to help them focus and achieve academic success.

Funding the Grants

These grants are made possible by the generosity of hundreds of donors. Every contribution, whether $20 or $10,000, helps generate more funds for awarding grants. Donors who give $250,000 or more to the Wausau Marathon County Impact Funds establish a Named Unrestricted Fund for Marathon County, supporting community needs for generations.

Named Unrestricted Funds for Wausau Marathon County

• Otto S. and Esther M. Holmskug | Silver | 1994
• 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

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

How to Get Involved

The Wausau Marathon County Community Fund was established to help nonprofits turn big dreams into reality by providing the resources they need. Nonprofits in the community have been applying for grants from the fund for decades to fulfill their visions of a brighter future. Anyone can donate at any time—every gift makes a meaningful difference in creating a better community for all.