ABOUT US

Founded in 1926 as a tax-exempt public charity, we are a collection of endowed and donor-advised charitable funds established by individuals, families, organizations, and businesses.

To establish these charitable funds, we accept gifts of any size to advance civic, cultural, educational, health, and welfare organizations and initiatives in Kenosha County.

From these charitable funds, we allocate grants to local not-for-profit organizations, award scholarships to deserving area students, and sponsor Kenosha area cultural and social initiatives and events.

We are a member of the Council on Foundations and operate in compliance with the Council’s National Standards for Community Foundations.

We proudly #GiveLocalKenosha.

Our Mission:
Helping people to enhance the present and insure the future of the Kenosha Community.

News from the Foundation

GivingTuesday 2020 – the Local Need is Real

Click here to read the commentary by Foundation Interim Executive Director Jane Hartrington-Heide from the in November 29 edition of the Kenosha News which provides information about GivingTuesday, the current needs of Kenosha’s non-profit organizations, and a reminder to consider giving #300before2020ends.

Now Accepting – Applications for 2021 CBK Small Grant Program

The Foundation is now accepting applications for 2021 awards from our CBK Small Grants Program.

CBK stands for Creativity by Kids (of all ages) – grants from this program target projects/initiatives in one or more of the following areas: the arts, culture, nature, and the environment. For the 2021 CBK grant program:

● Not-for-profit organizations, government agency, and/or educational institution can apply,
● The award can be used as a contribution to an existing project/initiative OR to help start a new program/initiative.
● The Foundation plans to award at least three grants of $500 and/or $1,000 – more grants may be awarded if additional donations from the community are received.

All applications must be submitted through an on-line Google form.

The deadline for applications is January 15, 2021.

Highlights of Community Foundation Week 2020

To celebrate the week, the Foundation organized a number of events and announements that took place November 12-18 – here’s a recap:

  • A “Courageous Conversation” on building diversity in local government, organized by the Coalition for Dismantling Racism. The event took place on November 12 – click here to view a video of the discussion.
  • A virtual performance by the Fleeing Artists Theatre – “Theatre without Context” which will include selections from Shakespeare and other classics by members of the company; November 13 (at 7 pm), 14 (at 7 pm) and 15 (at 2pm) – view the production on the Fleeing Artists Theatre’s YouTube channel.
  • Click here to view an aerial video that showcases the 2019-2021 Sculpture Walk-HarborPark exhibition with drone photography by Kevin Poirier, former head photographer at the Kenosha News. The Sculpture Walk is a project of the Foundation’s Kenosha Arts Fund.
  • The Wisconsin Prints 2 virtual and curbside exhibition of works by printmakers from Wisconsin’s colleges and university’s – organized and curated by Anchor Press, Paper, and Print running from November 15 through mid-January. Click here to view the Wisconsin Prints 2 on-line exhibits.
  • Continue the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, the Foundation’s Women’s Fund will honor the “WE VOTE” – a collaborative exhibit sponsored by Lemon Street Gallery and the Kenosha Public Library. For “WE VOTE,” artists were given old library card catalog drawers and created art pieces that represented some aspect of the Suffrage Movement. The traveling exhibit can be view at Kenosha’s Northside Library through the month of November.

    • Additionally, during the week, the Foundation issued a call for proposals for the 2021 CBK Small Grants Program, announced the creation of the Rizzo Family Memorial Fund – a new scholarship fund, and shared a special “Thank You” to Robert Schneider – our now-retired Executive Director – for his years of service to the Foundation and the community.

    Our Interim Executive Director Jane Harrington-Heide joined Kenneth Fellman, President of the Foundation’s Board of Directors and Tom Clark, a Foundation donor, on WGTD Radio’s “Community Matters” program on November 14 at 11:15 am to discuss the Community Foundation’s programs and charitable giving options.

    Something to Consider: #$300before2020ends


    The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides increased tax incentives for charitable giving for both individuals and corporations, signifying an intent to stimulate philanthropy throughout America.

    For 2020 only, all taxpayers can claim an additional, “above-the-line” deduction for charitable gifts made in cash of up to $300 to not-for-profit organizations.

    Please consider donating #300before2020ends to the not-for-profit organizations that you believe in.

    Some details:

  • Donations must be in cash – including checks and credit card payments.
  • Keep proof of cash receipts – all gifts exceeding $250 will need to include the receipt when filing.
  • Donations to a non-operating private foundation, a political organization or a donor-advised fund do not qualify for the deduction.

    • Please Consider Supporting Kenosha Recovery Efforts

    To help Kenosha address the aftermath of recent incidents, please consider supporting recovery efforts in our Downtown and Uptown neighborhoods as organized by Downtown Kenosha, Inc. (DKI). Please visit www.downtownkenosha.org for details and a link to DKI’s GoFundMe campaign.

    We are #OneKenosha and #KenoshaStrong. #StaySafe and #StayInvolved.

    ON DISPLAY IN DOWNTOWN KENOSHA

    The 2019-2021 Sculpture Walk-HarborPark Exhibition
    Click on the logo above to see photos of the current exhibition.
    Sculpture Walk-HarborPark is presented by the Foundation's Kenosha Arts Fund.