(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation recently announced the recipients of its first grant cycle of 2025. A total of $47,150 is going to 37 local nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving lives across Dodge County.
Foundation officials say this year’s first round grant recipients represent a diverse group of organizations meeting critical needs in areas such as food security, early childhood development, shelter, and access to essential services.
They add that their mission is to foster a thriving community by connecting philanthropic resources with projects that make a lasting impact. Over the past five years, the Foundation’s bi-annual granting cycles have awarded $309,640.
Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation President Tom Heffron notes that they are thrilled to support these inspiring organization’s as they address some of the most pressing needs in the community.
Click HERE for more information about the Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation.
The following organizations were awarded funding from the Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation Community Fund:
- Beaver Dam Loaves & Fishes, LTD — $2,500 to support a weekly free hot meal program for community members in need.
- Watertown Family Connections — $1,000 for the Baby Shower Program, benefiting 20 expectant families with essential items and support.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul Council of Dodge County — $2,000 for new National Safe Food Requirements-compliant equipment at the Beaver Dam Food Pantry.
- Living Hope Food Pantry, Inc. — $2,500 to help meet increased demand and offset costs due to federal food accountability changes.
- Central Wisconsin Community Action Council — $2,000 for New Beginnings Homeless Shelter enhancements to better support individuals transitioning to stable housing.
- Safe Families for Children Wisconsin – $500 to host volunteer training events.
- The Gathering Source – $2,500 for the pantry program which provides food and personal care items on a weekly basis.
- Community Pantry Wisconsin – $1,000 to defray monthly food distribution expenses.
- Playground Movement Beaver Dam – $1,000 for the Food is Free-Beaver Dam program, which provides education, access, skills and resources for community members to grow their own food.
- Horicon Phoenix – $1,500 for the baby pantry to provide diapers, formula, and other essentials to parents in need.
- St. Vincent de Paul Council of Dodge County – $1,000 for the St. Katharine Drexel Conference which serves Beaver Dam, Fox Lake, and Randolph citizens who encounter hardships related to living expenses.
- Mayville Open Door – $2,000 for three programs focusing on strengthening the academic, behavioral, and socioemotional well-bring of local students
- People Against a Violent Environment (PAVE) – $2,500 to match PAVE’s funding of the volunteer coordinator position for six months.
- Bo William Hartwig Foundation – $2,000 for the 2025 Bereaved Mother’s Spa Day.
- Diverse Options – $1,000 to support their work with disabled individuals.
- Opportunities Inc. – $1,000 to develop a volunteer mentor program focused on social, financial, and vocational life skills.
- The Arc of Dodge County – $700 for the Spring Dance.
- Wayland Academy – $500 for the Culture Convention.
- Friends of Dodge County Parks – $1,000 toward the design and engineering phase of the Gold Star Trail project.
- Friends of Horicon International Education Center – $1,000 to redo a large painted map of the Horicon Marsh.
- Dodge County Fair Association – $1,000 to purchase six televisions and brackets to be installed in buildings at the fairgrounds.
- Beaver Dam Community Library – $500 toward the Storybook Trail.
- Rock River Coalition – $1,000 to implement a proactive approach to preventing further spread of aquatic invasive species.
- Trinity Church United Methodist – $500 to help Trinity Church’s Allies – Gay and Straight group to participate in local events.
- Horicon Historical Society – $1,000 for Horicon Living History Days.
- Lost Lake Randolph Historical Society – $1,500 to assist with roof repairs.
- Friends of Clausen Park – $2,000 for creating an accessible playground that welcomes children of all abilities.
- Waupun City of Sculpture – $1,000 for the rotating sculpture collection.
- Dodge County Concert Association – $1,000 for the free Student Enrichment Program. This grant was funded by the Donald J. & Mary D. Geddeis Charitable Fund.
- American Association of University Women (AAUW) – $1,000 for a residency by award-winning author John Noltner.
- Dodge County Historical Society – $1,000 toward a projector and a laptop for public educational programs.
- Waupun Fine Arts – $1,500 for display tables and hanging artwork display grids.
- Paddle City Big Band – $1,000 toward the Beaver Dam Area Community Choir’s May 31 concert.
- Dodge County Conservation KAMO – $1,000 for the Punt, Pass, and Kick event.
- Badgerland Youth for Christ – $1,000 for youth center upgrades.
- Beaver Dam Unified School District – $500 to expand the Hall of Fame display.
- Church Health Services – $2,500 to expand service capacity to school districts in Horicon and Beaver Dam.
