By Rick Flugaur – Special to the Gazette

This year, 2017, marks a milestone for the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin; the Foundation has been supporting the community for 35 years.

In 1982, a group of visionaries established the Stevens Point Area Foundation to create a local educational endowment. Over the past 35 years, the Foundation grew to issue grants, scholarships and other support to local programs. This growth was in partnership with local individuals who strive to make a difference in their communities.

The Foundation’s geographic region grew to encompass Portage County and eventually Waushara County, creating a Community Foundation for central Wisconsin. Thanks to the generous communities, the Foundation continues to grow and change to meet the communities’ needs.

The Foundation looks forward to sharing its growth and change with the community over the coming months. This summer, the group introduced an electronic grants process and online Donor Fund Portals were introduced. This winter will see online scholarship applications. These changes would not be possible without the visionary, strategic leadership of the Board of Directors and a committed Foundation staff.

Three new community leaders are welcome additions to the Board of Directors.

Dan Kinsella grew up in central Wisconsin and has made it his home. He is vice president of Continuous Improvement at Pointe Precision and is looking forward to helping the community through grants and scholarships.

Jami Gebert is a community organizer who believes in the power and value of people coming together and organizing around a common goal. She is executive administrative assistant to the Portage County Executive. She appreciates the Foundation’s focus on central Wisconsin.

Joan Laabs serves the Community Foundation Board of Directors as a representative from Waushara County and brings a passion for community to all she does. Joan is retired but tirelessly serves her community by fundraising for local organizations.

Joan, Dan and Jami bring diverse talents and experiences to the Community Foundation. The Foundation looks forward to their leadership during these times of change.

The Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships, grants and opportunities to make central Wisconsin a better place to grow, to work, to play and to retire.

For more information, contact 715-342-4454 or visit www.cfcwi.org.

Editor’s note: Rick Flugaur is President of the Board of Directors for the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin.