Western Dairyland's Fresh Start Program

A total of $181,931 in grants to local organizations is the new all-time record of giving that the Eau Claire Community Foundation (ECCF) reached in 2018. The Foundation will distribute grant checks to the 44 organizations at its annual meeting on Thursday, June 7, at the Holiday Inn Eau Claire South.  

“We are thrilled to be able to reach this milestone in our 21^st year of philanthropy in the Chippewa Valley,” ECCF executive director Sue Bornick said. “For the first time, we are also giving grants of $10,000 or more to five area organizations.” 
 
The five organizations are: 

•  Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse – for a Bed Bug Heating Machine that will be used to kill bed bugs in temporary homeless shelters. Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, and Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley will share the machine.

• Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity – for a Used Donation Box Truck and Storage Trailer to help meet donation demands, especially for those who have no way to transport their donations to the ReStore store on North Clairemont Ave.

•  Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley – for Rental Assistance to help homeless individuals transition from temporary shelters into more permanent homes.

• Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council (ECO) –for the Fresh Start Program for at-risk young adults ages 17-25, focused on employability skills, career direction, education, and life skills.

• Workforce Resource, Inc. – for the Pilot of Career Readiness Boot Camp for 100 unemployed and underemployed individuals to attain a National Career Readiness Certificate. 

Since its founding in 1997, the ECCF has donated more than $11.2 million to nonprofit groups in the Eau Claire area. The ECCF currently has 260 active charitable funds and holds $20 million in assets.