BOW BEFORE THE KING OF THE GRANT CYCLE! The Eau Claire Children's Theatre staged a production of the much-loved tale The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe last spring. Recently, they received a $10,000 grant from the Eau Claire Community Foundation.

The Eau Claire Community Foundation – a community resource dedicated to promoting philanthropy, collaboration, innovation, and building endowments in the Chippewa Valley – is celebrating its 25th anniversary by offering four grant opportunities to a slew of area nonprofits in its first-ever Grant Catalog: a crowdfunding platform that allows community members to contribute directly to needs from local nonprofits. 

On Tuesday, Aug. 10, the ECCF announced the recipients of its first grant category, “Create Culture” – which recognizes area organizations that enhance life and culture through the arts with a $10,000, $7,000, and $5,000 grant, as well as three $1,000 bonus grants. 

Seventeen local nonprofits took part in this cycle, and together raised almost $60,000. 

“We were just thrilled,” Executive Director Sue Bornick said on a Facebook Live event announcing the grant recipients.

The $5,000 grant was awarded to the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, which raised an additional $6,275. A $7,000 grant was awarded to the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, which raised an additional $14,310. The $10,000 grant was awarded to the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre, which raised an additional $17,265. 

The Stand in the Light Memory Choir, Chippewa Valley Railroad Foundation, and the Eau Claire Municipal Band each received a $1,000 bonus grant.

ECCF invites you to join them in October to support education and training through the Form Futures Grant Catalog. 

Here's a bit more information on all of the grant opportunities offered this year: 

1. Create Culture 

This grant awards programs and organizations that enhance the quality of life in our community through music, visual and performing arts, and museums. It was awarded on Aug. 10 to the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, and the Eau Claire Children's Theatre. 

2. Form Futures 

This grant awards programs that provide instruction for children and adults offered by established institutions or non-profit organizations, as well as programs that offer learning or community development opportunities.