Help right now! Fund a Need in our Community
Mabel Tainter Theater
Arts, History and Humanities
The Mabel Tainter Theater, a historic Victorian-era jewel box theater in Downtown Menomonie, is raising funds to restore the large Tiffany stained glass windows that honor Andrew and Bertha Tainter, the couple who built and gifted the theater to the Menomonie community. The lead came and support for the glass has degraded over time, and the windows need restoration in order to maintain their integrity.Given the intricate nature of the windows, their large size, their historical significance, and the extensive work that needs to be done to fully restore the windows, the cost of restoration is expected to top $110,000. Thanks to a generous grant from the Royal Credit Union Foundation, we have raised more than half of the funds needed to complete this very necessary project and are seeking funding from others in the community. Restoration of these windows is more than just the restoration of some of the most beautiful elements of our historic building, it is a preservation of beautiful artistry and an investment in keeping this magnificent theater at the center of our community's past, present, and future.
United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys, Inc.
Basic Human Needs such as Food and Shelter
United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys (UW Valleys) was formed on July 1, 2024, through the merger of United Way St. Croix Valley and Dunn County United Way. Serving Burnett, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties, our mission is to fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Western Wisconsin. While our primary focus is to support nonprofit partners financially in these three key areas, we also help to identify the needs of the community and work to connect people to available resources. If those resources or programs do not exist, United Way seeks to fill that gap.
UW Valleys Diaper Bank Program
The UW Valleys Diaper Bank aims to provide diapers and wipes to all families requesting assistance. We partner with local food pantries and other community partners to ensure that all parents who request diapers receive a monthly supplemental supply.
In 2022, a gap in services was identified showing that not all Wisconsin counties provided diaper resources to families in need. UW Valleys responded by launching diaper pantries in partnership with local food pantries in both Polk and Pierce counties. These partnerships continue to operate, serving an average of 100 children monthly between the two. Community partnerships have also made it possible for diapers to be delivered to families facing transportation barriers.
Many organizations, including Early Head Start, Birth to 3, and Family Resource Centers, provide their services in-home and deliver diapers as part of their program.
Expansion to Dunn and Pepin Counties
In 2025, UW Valleys will expand its existing diaper bank model to include Dunn and Pepin counties. A partnership has already been established with Stepping Stones in Menomonie. Our Dunn County Diaper Bank Coordinator, Krystal Groninger, has been hired to manage these efforts. Krystal has extensive experience and is well-respected in the field of early childhood and family education in Dunn County. These connections will be valuable in identifying families most in need of assistance.
We plan to distribute diapers by March 1 and are seeking support to launch and sustain this new program.
Meeting Critical Gaps in the Community
UW Valleys has often been the organization that identifies gaps in communities. When critical gaps are identified, United Way provides resources where there once were none and/or supports programs or services that already exist to address those gaps.
In Dunn County, 12% of all households are at or below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Additionally, 25% of all households fall into the ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) category—working families who struggle to afford basic needs. Together, 37% of Dunn County households are struggling financially. These are the families who will be the primary beneficiaries of the diaper bank.
Why Diapers?
Why is diaper assistance such an urgent need? The main reasons include:
- Lack of Existing Resources: Many families in our region cannot access diaper resources due to transportation barriers. UW Valleys has established partnerships with food pantries and early childhood organizations to ensure diapers reach those in need.
- Health and Early Childhood Development: When diapers are rationed, children are at greater risk of diaper rash and infection. Children in discomfort or pain are less able to learn and engage in early development activities.
- No Government Assistance for Diapers: Diapers are not covered by Food Stamps or WIC, leaving families to find alternative means to meet this basic need.
- Maternal Mental Health: Research from Yale University shows a link between diaper need and increased postpartum depression in mothers. The stress of running out of diapers can have serious mental health effects on parents.
- Workforce Development: Licensed childcare centers require parents to provide diapers. The National Diaper Bank reports that 25% of parents experiencing diaper need have missed work or school due to an inability to provide diapers.
Future Plans and Community Impact
In 2025, UW Valleys plans to continue supporting existing diaper pantries and expand services in Dunn and Pepin counties. A partnership with Stepping Stones is already in place, and staff are working closely with local professionals in food distribution and early childhood education.
Based on community input, we anticipate at least 100 families seeking assistance in the first month of distribution. Preparations are already underway, and we are seeking financial assistance from the Dunn County Community Foundation to help launch this program.
Thank you for considering this request. Your support will help us ensure that families in Dunn and Pepin counties have access to this essential resource.
West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency, Inc.
Basic Human Needs such as Food and Shelter
Grant Proposal: Shopping Cart Replacement Project for West CAP Food Pantry
Submitted to: Dunn County Community Foundation
Submitted by: West CAP Food Pantry
Requested Amount: $2,000
Project Overview
West CAP Food Pantry, located in Boyceville, Wisconsin, serves as a vital resource for low-income families and individuals in Dunn County. Our mission is to alleviate poverty and hunger while promoting dignity and self-sufficiency among our clients. To enhance the experience of our clients and improve the functionality of our pantry, we are seeking funding to replace our aging and mismatched shopping carts with eight new, high-quality carts.
The new carts, costing $215 each, represent an investment in providing a welcoming and respectful shopping experience for those we serve. By offering clients access to sturdy and uniform carts, we can better meet their needs, reduce the need for costly repairs, and uphold the dignity of those who depend on our services.
Statement of Need
The shopping carts currently in use at the West CAP Food Pantry were generously donated over the years but are now outdated, worn, and inconsistent in size and functionality. While they have served our community well, their condition detracts from the overall client experience and hinders the pantry's operational efficiency.
For many clients, visiting the pantry is not just about accessing food; it is also about feeling respected and valued during a time of need. Our goal is to create an environment that mirrors the quality and functionality of a traditional grocery store. We believe this is critical to restoring and maintaining the dignity of our clients.
Additionally, some clients without access to transportation use the carts to carry food home and then return them to the pantry. Ensuring the carts are durable and reliable will further support this practice, reducing the risk of inconvenience or embarrassment for those relying on this service.
Project Goals and Objectives
- Enhance Client Experience: Provide clients with safe, functional, and uniform shopping carts to improve their experience while using our services.
- Support Transportation Needs: Allow clients without vehicles to transport groceries home securely and with dignity.
- Increase Pantry Efficiency: Reduce staff time and resources spent on repairing outdated carts, enabling a greater focus on food distribution and client support.
- Foster Dignity: Create a shopping environment that respects the worth of every individual, aligning with our mission to combat poverty holistically.
Proposed Use of Funds
We are requesting $2,000 from the Dunn County Community Foundation to purchase nine new shopping carts, each priced at $215, for a total cost of $1,935.
The carts will be:
- Durable and High-Quality: Designed for long-term use, reducing the need for frequent replacements or repairs.
- Uniform in Design: Providing a professional and organized look to the pantry.
- Accessible: Easy to maneuver and appropriate for clients of varying physical abilities.
Impact and Community Benefits
The new shopping carts will directly benefit the hundreds of families and individuals who utilize the West CAP Food Pantry each month. By offering high-quality carts, we can improve the shopping experience and uphold the dignity of our clients, reinforcing the idea that everyone deserves access to quality services, regardless of income.
Moreover, the improved functionality and reliability of the carts will allow our staff and volunteers to focus on what matters most: addressing hunger and food insecurity in our community. Over time, this small but meaningful enhancement will contribute to our broader mission of solving poverty.
Budget
| Item | Cost Per Unit | Quantity | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Shopping Carts | $215 | 8 | $1,935 |
| Total | $1,935 |
Conclusion
The Shopping Cart Replacement Project represents a modest yet impactful step in enhancing the West CAP Food Pantry’s ability to serve low-income families with dignity and respect. By funding this initiative, the Dunn County Community Foundation will directly support our mission to alleviate poverty while strengthening the sense of community and care within our pantry.
Your generous donation will allow us to direct more of our resources toward addressing food insecurity and supporting those in need. Together, we can ensure that every client who walks through our doors feels valued and empowered.
Thank you for considering this request. We are grateful for your continued commitment to making a difference in Dunn County.
Landmark Conservancy Inc
Environment
Landmark Conservancy Grant Request
Background
Landmark Conservancy envisions a future Wisconsin with wild and scenic places conserved and accessible to people for generations to come. As a non-profit land trust, we seek to deepen a land ethic among those who value the unique resources of northwest Wisconsin, creating an engaged community that strengthens and sustains the stewardship of natural areas and special places in our care.
We are committed to protecting significant ecological features, natural communities, and habitats that will continue to host biodiversity as our climate changes. Landmark has prioritized new protection utilizing climate science in coordination with conservation partners. Our long-term focus is creating connectivity across protected landscapes, preserving intact forests, and providing needed corridors for wildlife to adapt to a changing environment.
,p>Your support for Landmark Conservancy creates meaningful connections for people and the natural world. Every donation received directly funds programming that inspires environmental stewardship and personal well-being.Program Description
While land protection is the focus of our work, our foundation is built with people. We work with landowners who wish to conserve their land in perpetuity, and also with local municipalities, state, and federal entities to create public preserves and trails for all to enjoy. As a result of our conservation work, more than 16,000 acres in northwest Wisconsin are protected forever with varying levels of public access. We regularly host hikes on protected land to educate the public about our work.
Disconnection from nature is increasing as are physical and mental health challenges. According to a 2018 Nielsen study, the average American spends 11 hours daily in front of screens and interacting with digital media. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, we spend 90% of our lives indoors. To make meaningful progress on environmental issues, a renewed connection between people and the Earth is critical and that cannot happen unless we have outdoor experiences.
Guided Events on the Land
Our community engagement programming is growing across our region. Examples of past and upcoming events in Dunn County include:
- Winter Fun Day & Snowshoe Hike: A free family-friendly event offering snowshoes, guided hikes, bonfire, cocoa, and s'mores.
- Candlelight Snowshoe Hike in partnership with the Friends of the Red Cedar State Trail.
- Invasive garlic mustard removal workdays at Kiel Birch Creek Preserve State Natural Area.
- Prairie restoration workdays at Meridean Barrens and the Devil's Punchbowl.
- Wildflower and bird walks at Elk Creek Bottoms.
- Geology talk at the Devil's Punchbowl.
- Invasive Buckthorn & Honeysuckle Forest Restoration Workdays at Elk Creek Bottoms and Meridean Barrens.
- Fall Hike with a Naturalist.
- Beginner Fungi Discovery Hike.
Impact
Landmark serves as a bridge for individuals to deepen their relationship with the natural world. As conservationist Aldo Leopold said, "When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." Fostering a land ethic through community engagement is one way to influence the current and future stewardship of our natural resources, which supports not only the health of the land but also individuals and our communities.
The Free Clinic of the Greater Menomonie Area
Health
The Free Clinic of the Greater Menomonie Area serves individuals who are uninsured or underinsured and have no other healthcare options. Approximately 50% of our patients report a history of smoking. Many of these patients express a desire to quit but lack the necessary resources.
Common medical diagnoses at our clinic include mental health concerns, hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Nicotine addiction often exacerbates these conditions. Financial barriers prevent many uninsured or underinsured individuals from seeking regular healthcare, leading to late diagnoses, poorer treatment outcomes, and missed opportunities to address tobacco-related risk factors early on (Source: CDC).
Program Description
The goal of this grant is to provide a 28-day supply of nicotine patches, valued at $80, to patients who commit to quitting smoking. Patients will be enrolled in the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line, a free online service, and receive one month of nicotine patches funded through this grant.
Implementation Plan
- Enrollment: Patients who commit to quitting smoking will be enrolled in the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line. An iPad is available at the Free Clinic to assist in enrollment.
- Initial Supply: Patients will receive a 28-day supply of nicotine patches.
- Monthly Follow-Up: Patients will return to the clinic monthly for a progress check with the RN clinic coordinator. During these visits, successes will be celebrated, and challenges will be discussed.
- Continued Support: Patients will receive their next 28-day supply of nicotine patches after each follow-up visit.
This program aims to support our patients in their journey to quit smoking, ultimately improving their overall health and well-being.
This grant amount will provide 36 single-month smoking cessation supplies for patients committed to quitting smoking. At a cost of $80 per month, this funding will support three patients for a full year (36 months of supplies).
SDMA Nutrition Angel Fund
Youth
Family Resource Center, Inc.
Youth
D
Dolly Parton Imagination Library – Expanding Access in Dunn County
The Family Resource Center of Eau Claire is seeking funding to expand the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Dunn County. This beloved program provides free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, fostering early literacy and a love of reading.
Why It Matters
- Early literacy is crucial: Children who are read to regularly are more likely to succeed in school and develop strong language skills.
- Dunn County families need access: This program ensures that all children, regardless of income, have books in their homes.
- A lifelong impact: Receiving a new book each month builds excitement around reading and creates positive family bonding experiences.
Funding Need
The Family Resource Center is requesting support to expand enrollment in Dunn County, ensuring more children can benefit from this transformative early literacy program.
Urgent Need – No New Registrations Without Support
$15,000 per year would fully fund the program, supporting all currently enrolled children until age five and allowing new families to register.
Right now, due to lack of funding, no new children can enroll. Without additional support, more families in Dunn County will miss out on this vital early literacy opportunity.
Your gift can change that. Help bring books into the hands of every child who wants them!