GO, PACK, GO. The Green Bay Packers Foundation (technically a separate entity from the Packers football team) held its annual luncheon for grant recipients on Dec. 17, pictured. 12 Chippewa Valley organizations received funding from the foundation. (Photo by Madison Morris / Packers.com)

The Green Bay Packers Foundation has announced $1.5 million in annual grants benefiting nearly 400 organizations across the state, including a dozen Chippewa Valley groups. 

The latest grant cycle's areas of focus encompassed animal welfare, homelessness and human services initiatives. Among those local awardees are the Chippewa Valley Museum and YMCA of the Chippewa Valley, each organization receiving $3,000 awards from the Packers Foundation.

Chippewa Valley Museum on the big screen at the Dec. 17 Lambeau luncheon! (Photo submitted by Carrie Ronnander)

Chippewa Valley Museum Executive Director Carrie Ronnander said the funding will go toward its  “The U.S. at 250” exhibit, slated to open in May 2026, as well as related programming.

The Packers Foundation held its annual luncheon for grant recipients on Wednesday, Dec. 17, in the Lambeau Field Atrium. Ronnander was on the road back to Eau Claire by late afternoon (“spent too much time enjoying the Packers Hall of Fame,” she said) and sent Volume One some photos from the event.

The YMCA of the Chippewa Valley was also awarded a $3,000 grant, which will support the expansion of several programs into the Menomonie area.

“For years, our donors have been enabling us to provide health intervention program(s) in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls for people living with cancer, dementia, Parkinson's Disease, or a substance abuse disorder,” Mission Advancement Director Suzie Slota said. “This grant ... will enable us to begin expanding some of these programs to Menomonie, which came into the YMCA family last spring.”

Chippewa Valley organizations awarded by the Packers Foundation as part of latest grant cycle:

• Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley – Menomonie Center (Dunn)
• Landmark Conservancy, Inc. (Dunn)
• The Bridge to Hope (Dunn)
• Wisconsin Milkweed Alliance, Inc. (Dunn)
• Bob’s House For Dogs (Eau Claire)
• Chippewa Valley Free Clinic (Eau Claire)
• Chippewa Valley Museum (Eau Claire)
• Eau Claire Community Humane Association (Eau Claire)
• Fierce Freedom, Inc. (Eau Claire)
• Friends of Beaver Creek Reserve (Eau Claire)
• Grace Lutheran Communities (Eau Claire)
• YMCA of the Chippewa Valley (Eau Claire)

Beginning in 2026, the Packers Foundation will disperse awards through a four-year cycle; each year will have varying focus areas.

Looking ahead, the Packers Foundation will accept new grant applications – the focus areas for the 2027 cycle include arts and culture, environmental and hunger related initiatives – from Feb. 2, 2026 through April 1, 2026. Eligibility and other information can be found online at www.packers.com/community/packers-foundation.

View the Green Bay Packers Foundation's Dec. 17 media release on its latest grant distributions online.