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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 $390,000 through over 175 grants to the Lancaster community.
Get To Know Us
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
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
On December 13, 2018 11 grants totaling $62,600 were presented from the Charles “Sonny” Tiedemann Charitable Fund as follows:
- Winskill Elementary:
- In support of the ‘bookroom’ project and specifically for the purchase of books for the bookroom ($5,000)
- To purchase 15 document cameras for the early childhood through 2nd grade classrooms ($5,000)
- Wisconsin Badger Camp to purchase a griddle for the camp kitchen ($2,000)
- Matching grant to the Lancaster Public Library Foundation to purchase equipment and install technology in the Community Room ($5,500)
- Grant County Historical Society for the purchase of presentation equipment needed for increased outreach and to support historic programming ($1,105)
- Lancaster Community Band for the purchase of percussion equipment as well as a sound system for the performance plaza at the public library ($4,000)
- Lancaster EMS for the purchase of protective clothing for the new EMT’s ($2,500)
- Southwest Opportunities Center:
- To purchase equipment for the shredding room operation ($415)
- One-time startup funding to support the relocation of the Grant County Holiday Project ($5,000)
The final two grants from the Tiedemann Charitable Fund were presented simultaneously to St Clement School $18,000) and the Lancaster School District ($14,140). In announcing the grants that support the purchase and installation of the WAVE Critical Incident Notification System in the schools Krantz noted, “We are hopeful that these systems will NEVER be used but, in the event that there is a need – we are confident all of our staff will be informed and ready to respond.”
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, ChairKevin Raisbeck, Vice Chair
Crysti Prange, Secretary
Susan Hermsen
Amara Hoffman
Sam Jonas
LuAnne Pink
Megan Slane
Kyle Vesperman
Rod Roggensack, Community Liaison
Ken Klaas, CFSW Board Member
