In 2008, the Community Foundation of Portage County became the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin as they started growing their community partnerships and donor outreach in Waushara County. The Community Foundation was honored to welcome Wild Rose, Wautoma, Plainfield, and other Waushara County communities to their family of funds through the creation of multiple funds, as well as a generous bequest from an estate.
In 2007, Wild Rose was a community of 700 people and numerous visionaries who realized the importance of building a foundation for future generations. The Patterson Memorial Library Fund was established in December 2007. Shortly thereafter, the Wild Rose Kiwanis Club established an endowment fund to support youth and families, cultural and artistic events, and enrich the Wild Rose area community as a whole. Additionally, the Wild Rose School District created a partnership and asked the Foundation to manage their scholarship funds.
Additionally in 2007, Waushara County received a generous bequest from the late Geraldine E. Hartford. Geraldine made arrangements in her estate to support causes she cared about most and directed her estate to be used for educational, charitable, and environmental endeavors to benefit the residents of Waushara County. This gift was the creation of the Hartford Fund. Ten years later, her daughter, Natalie Hartford passed away and also left a generous gift to that fund. After reviewing Geraldine Hartford’s intent for her legacy gift and the goals of the Hartford Fund, the Foundation decided to recognize the Hartford Fund as a Mission Fund for Waushara County and the Hartford Waushara County Mission Fund was established.
Each year, a group of committed Waushara County volunteers work with the Community Foundation to issue grants from Hartford Waushara County Mission Fund. This fund has granted over $225,000 to programs and projects in Waushara County. This mission fund is pivotal to fulfilling Geraldine’s charitable intent and the mission of the Foundation inspire charitable giving and enhance Waushara County now and for future generations.
Donors are encouraged to invest in the Hartford Waushara County Mission Fund knowing their gift will help grow the fund and ultimately enable more grants to fund programs that support all residents of Waushara County. You can make a gift to this fund by clicking here.
The Community Foundation is grateful to the generosity of all the Waushara County visionaries whose passion and commitment to support their community is truly inspiring.
2010 photo of Diane Reid, Scott Sommerfeldt, Anthony Mariwack with Plainfield Tri-County Schools, Sharon Jakusz with Big Brothers / Big Sisters, Dave Williams – CFCWI Board Representative, and Terry Rothmann – 2010 CFCWI Executive Director