The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation turns charity to passion 

OSHKOSH, Wis (WISS) -The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation (OACF) uses donations, endowments, and the passion of people to fund everything from scholarships and camperships, to housing and basic needs, to community facilities like the Leach Amphitheatre and more.

It does so by awarding grants, managing endowments, and growing the community. As it has done for almost 100 years. 

Humble beginnings to stellar support

The Oshkosh Foundation was established on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1928. It was the second community foundation in Wisconsin. In 1953, the first grant from the Foundation was awarded to the Oshkosh Public Museum to purchase original contemporary American Art. 

Other funds were used in various ways:

• Established Scholarships
• Granting $147,000 for the construction of the Alberta Kimball Auditorium at Oshkosh West High School
• A grant for capital improvements at the Pain Ars Center & Gardens
• Created Community Impact Fund Grants 
• Created the Women’s Fund in 1998 
• Expanded coverage area to include Green Lake County and the Ripon Community Foundation
• Funded the construction of the Leach Amphitheatre in 2004
• Raises $7.4 million for the Pollock Community Water Park
• Funds $1 million renovation of the Oshkosh Convention Center
• Plant 2000 trees in Oshkosh
• Creates the Winneconne Area Community Foundation
• Grants more than $1.1 million to nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Purchases a 70-bed facility and partners with COTS to operate a transition housing program.
• Raised over $300,000 to replace trees in Oshkosh damaged by the emerald ash borer.
• Grants $900,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of the Tri-County Area for their new site in Ripon

Oshkosh Area Community Foundation now.

“ Over the years, what’s really changed, I think, is the amount of health and human services that we do – the basic needs type stuff,” said Bill Wyman, Executive Director and CEO of OACF. “It’s everything from homeless to not only shelter, but food, and I even classify some educational things into that too. So we’ve really directed a lot more of our total giving towards that area.” 

Kate Stel, Marketing and Communications manager of OACF, said the programs the foundation works with that help reduce and prevent homelessness are critical for the area. As are the over 250 scholarship funds the foundation manages for high school and college students. The Hiwela Youth Fund awards grants and camperships to allow kids who may not otherwise have the chance to attend summer camp.

“That’s the thing about the community foundation, is the things that we do run the gamut because we are here to unite the passion of our donors with projects that are needed and are meaningful,” Stel said. “ Everybody has a specific passion for a different area of need in our community, and that’s what we’re here for. That’s why we don’t just focus on one issue area; that would be a disservice to the passionate people in this community.”

Give to OACF

If you have a passion project or an idea that will help make a difference in the community, contact the OACF. Stel said those passion projects can take many forms, as long as they help the community in some way.

“Recently, we just started a fund from an estate that just goes to keep seniors, older adults, with their beloved cats – Just cats, not dogs, cats – in their homes. So it supports organizations that like the Humane Society that has programs so that cats don’t have to be surrendered. So that older folks can keep their cats,” said Stel.

The OACF provides grants to nonprofit organizations, educators, and more. To support the OACF mission of “For Good. For Ever” there are many ways to donate to the foundation. Visit their website for more information.