This evening is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together with gratitude, generosity, and a shared commitment to our community.
– Gala of Gratitude attendee
Join the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin for an evening of camaraderie, collective giving, and celebration of our community working together in the spirit of gratitude. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of our Keystone Endowment Fund and its vital role in uplifting our region and ensuring the Community Foundation can serve Central Wisconsin for generations to come.
Enjoy meaningful moments throughout the evening, including the recognition Louis Wysocki as the Keystone Awardees, the VIP Cocktail Hour, live auction items, and much more as we celebrate the heart and strength of our community together.
Evening Schedule
- 4:00 PM VIP Cocktail Hour at The Inn at SentryWorld (Located in The Gathering Rooms) – Exclusive opportunity
- 5:00 PM Cocktails and Mocktails with hand-passed hors d’oeuvres
- 6:30 PM Dinner
- 7:30 PM Program with Live Item Auction and Live Giving Experience
About the Keystone Endowment Fund
The Keystone Endowment Fund is an operational endowment fund dedicated to sustaining the long-term strength and impact of the Community Foundation. Sharing about the Keystone Fund celebrates our commitment to enhancing community leadership, fostering philanthropic goals, and building a stronger, more vibrant community for generations to come. By raising funds for the Keystone Endowment, we are investing in the Community Foundation’s ability to respond to emerging needs, lead with vision, and continue making our community the best place to live, work, and thrive.
Getting Ready for the Gala
Whether it’s your first time or you need a refresher, here’s what to expect:
Getting There: Ample parking is available at SentryWorld. Once inside, our staff and board will be on hand to welcome you. You’ll receive a name tag with your dinner choice, table number, and paddle number for Live Giving.
Dress Code: Cocktail attire, black tie optional.
What to Expect
Giving Opportunities: Enjoy the evening with no obligation to donate. If you feel inspired, you can give discreetly with a pledge card or join in the excitement of our raffle gifts, live artistry, and Live Giving events.
Live Giving Experience: Engage with the dynamic atmosphere of our gala through our Live Giving segment. Each guest will receive a unique paddle number linked to their seat. We kindly request you remain in your designated seat, which is personalized with materials for you.
When you’re ready to donate, simply raise your paddle to participate. We’ll warm up with some generous volunteers to demonstrate the process. The formal giving program will provide giving opportunities between $100 to $10,000. Whether you choose to contribute once or multiple times, the energy of our philanthropic community will make it an exciting part of your evening.
Magician: Experience the joy of magic! This elevated experience provides a fun and dynamic opportunity with James David.
Community Impact Table: Includes 8 tickets, 8 VIP cocktail hour tickets, recognition in the program, and a $400 donation to the Keystone Endowment Fund.
VIP Cocktail Hour: Limited tickets available for this VIP exclusive opportunity. Tickets include a drink, an exclusive auction item, and light hors d’oeuvres. This section of the evening is hosted by Quyen + Michael Hom, Leigh + Jason Kraemer, and Tina + Don Peters. Located inside The Gathering Rooms at The Inn at SentryWorld.
Live Music: Enjoy the evening with music by Lumonicity; a jazz-based saxophone and piano duo from Central Wisconsin. Expect the duo to play a mixture of original music, classic jazz standards, and their favorite cover songs.
Live Auction Items: Returning this year, Bryan Mergen will join us as our professional auctioneer. His high-energy presence will kick off the evening’s main program with an exciting live auction, featuring a curated selection of exclusive items and unforgettable experiences available for real-time bidding.
It’s inspiring to see generosity bringing our community together.
– Gala of Gratitude attendee
Food and Drink: Enjoy hand-passed hors d’oeuvres, and make sure to order a signature cocktail (non-alcoholic options also available) during the mingling portion of the evening. A special plated dinner will give you an opportunity for engaging conversations with others around your table.
Have Questions? Contact us at marlee@cfcwi.org. Remember to register early, as tickets sell out quickly every year!
Honoring the 2026 Keystone Award Recipient: Louis Wysocki
Louis Wysocki exemplifies the spirit of the Keystone Award through a lifetime of community leadership, generosity, and thoughtful philanthropy. As one of the founding board members of the Community Foundation in 1982, Louis helped establish a foundation built on the belief that local generosity can create lasting change, and lives as a powerful example of building a legacy that will benefit generations to come.
His generosity also extends to places that hold special meaning for him and his family including the St. Martin’s Church Maintenance Fund, Avis M. Wysocki Memorial Scholarship, and the Sacred Heart Church Beautification Project Fund. Together, these gifts reflect Louis’s approach to philanthropy: giving with purpose, gratitude, and love for the people and places that have shaped his life.
Louis established the Avis M. Wysocki Memorial Scholarship in memory of his late wife, Avis, providing scholarships for Central Wisconsin students pursuing degrees in nursing or as a physician assistant. Inspired by the compassionate care Avis received from nurses, Louis chose to honor her memory by helping future healthcare professionals pursue their calling.
As a founder of Wysocki Family Farms and a longtime community leader, Louis has helped build a legacy that extends beyond his own accomplishments. Through his children, grandchildren, and future generations, he continues to demonstrate the power of family, hard work, stewardship, and giving back.
Louis has also been a driving force behind the Community Foundation’s understanding of the power of an endowment. His own giving demonstrates how an endowment can transform personal values into a lasting source of support. Through the Keystone Endowment Fund, Louis is helping ensure that the Community Foundation remains financially strong and able to serve the community in perpetuity continuing the legacy he helped create when he helped found the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin. His belief in the work we do is so strong that he has committed to matching $25,000 in gifts made to the Keystone Endowment Fund during the Gala of Gratitude. It is a powerful reflection of Louis’s vision: investing today to ensure that the Community Foundation’s impact, and the values behind it, endure for generations to come.
We are honored to recognize Louis Wysocki with the Keystone Award for his enduring service, generosity, and commitment to building a stronger Central Wisconsin for generations to come.
Partners
We love our community partners and value their role in making all of this come to life:
A local photographer, Rachel Jensen Photography, will document candid moments throughout the event.
Sponsorships
Your generous sponsorship can make a significant impact in helping us reach our goal of raising $200,000. Your support will contribute to the growth of our Keystone Fund. We invite you to explore our sponsorship tiers, which offer a variety of options to fit your commitment. Your support can make a lasting difference.
Explore sponsorship opportunities here (LINK) and reach out to Marlee Samuels at marlee@cfcwi.org or 715-342-4454 for more information.
