What is a Community Fund? A Community Fund allows individuals and groups to contribute time and money toward the betterment of a specific community. Each community fund has a volunteer advisory board comprised of local members who encourage the growth of the fund and oversee distributions in the form of grants. These grants are awarded to community projects and programs based on the changing needs of that community. The Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin oversees 16 community funds in its nine-county service area.
- Since its founding in 2008, the Crawford County Community Fund has given back over $164,500 to the area.
About the Fund
The Crawford County Community Fund was established in 2008 as a permanent endowment for the benefit of the County. The Fund’s mission is to support economic development in the County. Once per year, a portion of the Fund’s earnings are returned to area communities in the form of grants for projects consistent with the Fund’s mission.
The Fund is led by a volunteer advisory board who initiates fundraising activities, promotes the Fund’s mission, and determines the annual leadership and grant awards to the greater Crawford community.
Family of Funds
The following charitable funds have been established to support the charitable goals of the donors for the community:
- Crawford Community Fund
- Crawford Markets Care Funds
2025 CRAWFORD COUNTY LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS:
- De Soto Area Lions Club
- Ray Saint
- Jay McClosky
- Kari Sanding
- Great River Roadhouse
- Ryan & Seth Adams- Adams Auction & Real Estate
About our Grants
Once per year the advisory board awards grants to non-profit organizations, area school districts, and/or local government agencies providing charitable programs or projects advancing economic development in the county. Grants are presented at a ceremony in November.
Recent Grant Awards
2025 Grants:
- Village of De Soto, Crawford County, WI
- De Soto Mural Project
- REACH-A-Child
- Children’s Books and Backpacks for the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office
- CESA 3
- Brad the Book Guy – Hooked on Books
- Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter
- Spay and Neuter Assistance program for cats (SNAP-CAT)
- Wisconsin Badger Camp, Inc.
- Campership Fund- Crawford County Campers
- Scenic Bluffs Health Center, Inc.
- Building Resilient Communities: Training Social Service Providers in Mental Health & Wellness
- Couleecap, Inc.
- Homeless Prevention Program
- International Association of Lions Clubs
- Fort Fun Renovation Project
- Christmas for Kids- Southwest WI
- 2025 Giving Season
Total Grants Awarded in 2025: $13,100.00
Grant Guidelines
Tips and tools for you to use as you prepare your application. Print out this PDF as you prepare your grant for a quick checklist of your progress.
Invest In Your Community
Donations to the Crawford County Community Fund are welcome at any time of the year. All gifts are tax deductible. Mail a check to this address, or click the button to donate online.
Crawford County Community Fund
P.O. Box 81
Platteville, WI 53818-0081
P.O. Box 81
Platteville, WI 53818-0081
Advisory Board Members
The Fund is advised by a committee of community volunteers who initiate fundraising activities and determine grant awards:
Kile Martz, ChairCassie Hubanks, Vice-Chair
Julie Check, Secretary
Scott Gelzer
David Gibbs
Patrick Kelly
Mark Lee