FUNDS FOR GOOD. The Eau Claire Community Foundation (ECCF) announced its 2024 Community Grant Cycle awarded a record-setting amount. (ECCF staff pictured, photo via Facebook)

The Eau Claire Community Foundation (ECCF) awarded more than $280,000 to over 50 area nonprofits during its 2024 Community Grant Cycle – a record-setting total for the organization.

In an announcement on Monday, May 6, ECCF noted this year’s cycle will be funding initiatives spanning an array of areas, including education, healthcare, arts and culture, social services, and environmental initiatives.

“This year marks a remarkable achievement for the Eau Claire Community Foundation as we continue to increase the amount awarded in our Community Grant Cycle,” stated Wes Escondido, president and CEO. “We are immensely grateful to our generous donors and partners whose unwavering support makes these grants possible.”

More than $66,000 in funding – the largest chunk of the record-setting cycle – was awarded to educational initiatives by a dozen organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club Greater Chippewa Valley, Children’s Museum of Eau Claire, Literacy Chippewa Valley, and others.

About $64,000 was awarded to more than a dozen organizations to support programs that fill basic needs like food, shelter, basic health services, and more, including Bolton Refuge House, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse, Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity, and others.

Another roughly $64,000 was awarded to nonprofit operations expenses for nine organizations, including Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild, Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association, Fierce Freedom, and others.

Ten organizations were awarded more than $50,000 in funding for environment-related programming, including Bob’s House for Dogs, Landmark Conservancy, YMCA of Chippewa Valley, and others.

And about $35,000 in funding was awarded to eight organizations for arts-related programming, including Chippewa Valley Museum, Chippewa Valley Symphony, and the Pablo Center at the Confluence, among others.

For more information about the Eau Claire Community Foundation and its grant programs, visit eccfwi.org.