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Lancaster Community Fund
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 1999, the Lancaster Fund, along with its Family of Funds listed, has given back more than $1,100,000 through 323 grants to date.
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Your Community. Your Vision.
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(Click on the postcard below for a direct link.)
The Lancaster Community Fund is a permanent unrestricted charitable endowment dedicated to serving the Lancaster community. The Fund provides means for individuals, organizations, and businesses to support their charitable interests. Annually, a portion of the Fund’s earnings are given back to the community in the form of grants that support the elderly, historic preservation, the arts, the environment, and education.
A nine-member volunteer advisory board is responsible for fundraising and the grant distribution process.
Family of Funds
Following is a listing of funds, many of which have been established by individuals or organizations to support their charitable goals for the community:
- Lancaster Community Fund Endowment
- Merlet Family Endowment
- Morse Family Endowment
- Schacht Family Endowment
- Charles “Sonny” Tiedemann Charitable Endowment
- Winskill School Scholastic Endowment
- Roggensack Family Endowment
- Randy Dudler Kid’s Courtyard Endowment
- Gillilan Family Community Fund
- Josephine Morris & Mary Marm Wilson Memorial Endowment
- Douglas and LuAnne Pink Family Charitable Fund
- Making a Difference for Lancaster Youth
- Josephine Pebworth Legacy Endowment Fund
Learn About Our Grants
The Lancaster Fund accepts grant applications in the spring from non-profit organizations, the local school district, and/or local government agencies providing charitable programs or projects that better the community. Awards are made in July at the annual Night on the Square event.
Check Out Our Impact: Grant Awards
- City of Lancaster – 1994 Bath House Improvements – $89,000.00
- City of Lancaster – Fishing Pier Refurbishing – $11,235
- City of Lancaster – Handicapped Accessibility Project – Memorial Trail to City Ball Diamond – $3,162
- City of Lancaster – Night on the Square – $400
- City of Lancaster – Summer Recreation Baseball and Softball Equipment – $7,038
- Grant County Historical Society – Signs for the Times – $4,300
- Lancaster Community Schools – “Fit 4 Life—Safe for Life” – $945
- Lancaster Community Schools – Lancaster HS Tech Ed Equipment – $13,000
- Lancaster Community Schools – Pubic Sitting Chairs – $5,235.92
- Lancaster Public Library Foundation – Schreiner Memorial Library’s Ryland Park Upgrade – $49,991
- Maple Street Kids Daycare Center, Inc. – Storage Shed – $4,325
- Southwest Opportunities Center, Inc. – Environment Modifications to Improve the Safety & Wellbeing of
Adults with Disabilities – $790 - Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Foundation – Charger Dream Fund – $1,000 (Lancaster Students)
Spring 2020 TOTAL: $190,421.92
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 Lancaster 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.
Lancaster Community Fund
P.O. Box 294
Lancaster, WI 53813
P.O. Box 294
Lancaster, WI 53813
Advisory Board Members
The Fund is advised by a committee of community volunteers who initiate fundraising activities and determine grant awards:
Joe Krantz, ChairKyle Vesperman, Vice Chair
Megan Slane, Secretary
Daniel Glass
Susan Hermsen
Amara Hoffman
Sam Jonas
LuAnne Pink
Dana Straka
Kyle Vesperman
