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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 $1,554,573
About the Fund
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
- The Klaas Family Fund
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.
Recent Grant Awards
Charles “Sonny” Tiedemann Charitable Fund
- City of Lancaster: Preserving the Past, Planning for the Present, and Focusing on the Future
- City of Lancaster: Ice Rink Expansion
- Grant Regional Health Center Foundation Inc.: Addition of a third Operating Room
- Lancaster Fire Department Fund Inc.: New turnout gear
Douglas and LuAnne Pink Family Charitable Endowment & Lancaster Community Fund
- Lancaster EMS, Inc. Communications-Portable Radios
Josephine Pebworth Legacy Endowment Fund & Charles “Sonny” Tiedemann Charitable Fund
- City of Lancaster Night on the Square Band
Lancaster Community Fund
- Day Center Window Coverings
Merlet Family Community Endowed Fund
- Grant County Tree Removal and Replanting at the Grant County Fairgrounds
Morse Family Fund
- Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Foundation Fuel A Charger Program
- Maple Street Kids Daycare Center, Inc. Bicycles
Morse Family Fund & Charles “Sonny” Tiedemann Charitable Fund
- Southwest Opportunities Center Inc The SOC Gardening Project
Schacht Family Fund
- Lancaster Community Schools Fit 4 Life – Safe for Life
Supporting Our Youth – The Braeden Bausch Fund & Lancaster Community Fund
- City of Lancaster LYBSA Batting Cage
2022 TOTAL: $63,993
Lancaster EIE Grants
Lancaster Community Schools:
- Fourth Grade STEM Club
- Hillery Auditorium Stage Lighting Upgrade (up front)
- Instructional Media Center Collaboration Space
- Opera for the Young – Barber of Seville
- Professional Camera for Photography & Publications Students
Saint Clement School:
- 3D printers & support materials for Instructional Media Center
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 81
Platteville, WI 53818
P.O. Box 81
Platteville, WI 53818
Advisory Board Members
The Fund is advised by a committee of community volunteers who initiate fundraising activities and determine grant awards:
Amara Hoffman, ChairKyle Vesperman, Vice Chair
Dana Straka, Secretary
Tom Driscoll
Daniel Glass
Susan Hermsen
Carey Howard
Lee Rupnow
Steve Walker
