By Amber Kiggens-Leifheit

MACF Executive Director

MARSHFIELD — Marshfield and the surrounding area have a reputation for being a caring community that is generous in helping those in need. The mission of the Marshfield Area Community Foundation (MACF) is to “connect people who care with causes that matter to enrich the quality of life in the Marshfield area.”

MACF has given back over $4 million to the community in its 20 years of existence. As new needs have emerged, MACF has responded through community grants, senior grants, and the Women’s Giving Circle. These grants are awarded on a competitive basis.

Last year 12 groups submitted grant requests, asking for over $26,500 in funding. The MACF Board of Trustees voted to fund the Clark County Bookworm Project, Central Wisconsin Literacy Council, Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service, The Marshfield YMCA, the Marshfield School District, and Keep Kids Warm.

Over the years MACF has supported grants from multiple nonprofits. Pathway Partners, Personal Development Center, Marshfield Area Coalition for Youth, United Way, Friends of the Meade, Marshfield Area Respite Care, Historic Preservation, UW-Marshfield/Wood County, Hannah Center, St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry, New Visions Gallery, and the Palm Sunday Chorus are a few of those MACF has supported.

In addition, MACF has supported the Loads of Love program, Nutrition on Weekends, home delivered meals, student tours at New Visions, meals for the Marshfield Area Coalition for Youth parent meetings, heating assistance to keep women and children warm, and many more worthy projects.

Those that are part of a nonprofit and have a need for a new program may consider submitting a grant request to the Marshfield Area Community Foundation. The deadline for submitting grant applications for the current round of funding from the community or senior grants is June 1, 2015. The application and guidelines are available on our website, marshfieldareacommunityfoundation.org. Once on the home page, you will find a link down the left side of the page that says “Community Grants Guidelines and Application.”

If you have questions, call Amber Kiggens-Leifheit at 715-384-9029 or email her at amber@marshfieldareacommunityfoundation.org.