During our most recent Community Lunch Hour, we heard from two organizations doing incredible work with a little help from local grant support.
The Jensen Community Center in Amherst and the Waushara County Animal Shelter are the 2024 recipients of our Major Project Grants. And both are proving that strategic investment, matched with deep community roots, can spark lasting change.
Expansion in the Works: Jensen Community Center
For over 35 years, the Jensen Community Center has served as a cultural and social hub in Amherst. From hosting high school musicals to community meetings, the Center brings neighbors together in meaningful ways. But like many longstanding facilities, updates were needed to meet the needs of a changing community. That’s where the idea for a “Three-Stage Expansion” emerged.
With leadership from board members like Sandra Lynne Schmutzler and community businesses, this phased project is making backstage improvements, adding outdoor gathering space, bringing the building up to modern fire safety standards, and expanding much-needed storage and stage access.
What started as a conversation about cramped wings and tight prop space evolved into something larger, a vision for the future. And that vision is drawing attention.
“In 2024 alone, we had more than 28,000 people come through our doors,” Sandra Lynne shared. “This expansion invests in the future of Amherst and ensures the Jensen Center remains a destination for arts, events, and connection in our region.”
Providing Shelter and More at the Waushara County Animal Shelter
In neighboring Waushara County, the Animal Shelter team faced a different challenge: how to meet rising demand for animal care without overextending their resources.
Jane Pfaller, treasurer of the shelter’s board, outlined the reality: they had the heart and the volunteers, but they lacked the space.
Thanks to support from the Community Foundation, the shelter was able to convert an underused garage into a new kennel wing. This allowed them to take on a county contract for stray animal services and nearly triple their intake of dogs in just a few months.
The $25,000 grant not only helped close the funding gap and signaled community trust. That trust and publicity unlocked new donations from other supporters. “It got the ball rolling,” Jane said. “This was our first grant and it opened so many doors.”
But their vision doesn’t stop there.
Plans are already underway for expanded cat rooms, therapeutic programs for children on the autism spectrum, and converting an adjacent farmhouse into a meet-and-greet space for adoptions.
Why It Matters
Both organizations spoke to the ripple effects these grants have created: more engagement, more visibility, and more community pride. As Sarah Ross, our Director of Community Grants, reminded attendees, “These grants are meant to support one-time projects with long-term impact. But what we’re seeing is that they also spark new ideas, fresh energy, and even deeper connections.”
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Major Project Grant application opens May 15, and we’re eager to hear from organizations across Waushara and Portage Counties with innovative ideas and bold plans.
Whether you’re a nonprofit leader planning your next project or a community member cheering from the sidelines, there are plenty of ways to get involved:
- WATCH this Community Lunch Hour to hear directly from the Waushara County Animal Shelter and Jensen Community Center
- LEARN more about our Major Project Grant cycle
- APPLY when the cycle opens May 15
- GIVE to support future projects in your community
- SHARE this story with someone who loves local impact as much as you do
With your support, we are building a stronger and more resilient community that celebrates the values of compassion, connection, and commitment.