Quick Response Fund Has Given Nearly $300K to Nonprofits, And Now They’re Planning a New Phase

V1 Staff, photos by Andrea Paulseth |

The Eau Claire River in downtown Eau Claire.
The Eau Claire River in downtown Eau Claire.

In only four weeks, the Quick Response Community Fund is approaching the milestone of delivering almost $300,000 to Eau Claire-area nonprofits facing challenges because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The fund was created in late March by the Eau Claire Community Foundation and the United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley, and began making grants in early April. As of May 1, a total of $274,491 had been given to 42 local nonprofits, ranging from the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin to the UWEC Children’s Nature Academy.

“The fourth week of granting was made possible in large part through the generosity of Market & Johnson, which donated $15,000, as well as the M&J Employee Impact Fund, which contributed $10,000,” the Eau Claire Community Foundation said in a press release. “More than $50,000 was awarded to 13 nonprofits.”

As the pandemic continues, the organizations behind the Quick Response Fund say they intend to pivot to a new phase “with a primary focus on steps towards recovery for nonprofits serving populations disproportionately impacted by the pandemic’s economic consequences.” The press release continued:

Phase II will be supported by a matching grant challenge initiated by Royal Credit Union, the Dick and Marlene Cable Family Fund, the Larson Family Fund, and two anonymous donors. Special thanks go to Charter Bank for its $25,000 donation, which was doubled as a result of this match.

“Now, more than ever, we knew we needed to step up and do our part to support non-profit organizations throughout the Chippewa Valley,” states Paul Kohler, Charter Bank’s president and CEO. “And when we heard that this could be part of the Community Matching Grant Challenge, we knew this impact would double the people it could reach.”

Additional gifts to the Quick Response Community Fund are always appreciated. Because ECCF is covering administrative fees, 100% of donations will support local nonprofits. If you would like to make a gift, please visit www.eccfwi.org.