History & Mission

history2

Our Mission

The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to “enhance quality of life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures.”

A Brief Background

In 1995, a dedicated group of citizens wanted to provide a mechanism for high school students to receive scholarships for college. This group became the first Board of Directors for the Whitewater Community Foundation. Soon thereafter, the IRS granted the Whitewater Community Foundation 501(3)(c) status. In 1996 the organization received its first major contribution.

In addition to creating opportunities for scholarships, the Foundation has sponsored various community projects such as:

  • Restoration of the Birge Fountain
  • Restoration of the Stone Stable near Cravath Lake
  • Aquatic Center Family Assistance
  • Cravath Lakefront Arch
  • Starin Park playground – accessible for children with special needs
  • More than $200,000 in high school scholarships
  • Matching grants to the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library
  • Sponsorship for the WHS Music Parents to bring the UW-Madison marching band to Whitewater

In 2016, the board of directors voted to expand its vision and provide official grants for the community through a program called Community Action Grants. These include:

  • Funding for the Washington Elementary School playground mural
  • Help for purchasing chronic disease medications at Rock River Free Clinic
  • Funds for the Kettle Moraine Land Trust's environmental education seminars
  • Scholarships for local kids to attend Camp Invention STEM summer camp
  • Musician support for the Downtown Whitewater Tuesday City Market
  • Support for entertainment for the Whitewater Arts Alliance
  • Funds so that the nonprofit Whitewater MakerSpace could provide STEM and computer programming for local K-8 children
  • Funds for the purchase of Arduino components to the Wisconsin makers for educational workshops
  • Funds for Studio84 to provide disabled art students the opportunity to sell their creations at art shows and farmers markets
  • Providing funds for year-round adult fitness equipment at Starin Park

The Foundation has also participated in funding opportunities such as:

  • Providing fiscal sponsorship for programs such as the Whitewater Arts Alliance, Treyton’s Field of Dreams, LINCS Elementary School FTP, the Whitewater Makerspace and the Friends of the Whitewater Aquatic Center
  • Serving as a conduit for funds for the Rotary Club’s 2013 Wine Tasting Fundraiser
  • Awarding $380.00 to the Whitewater High School ESL program
  • Creating a new scholarship from the The Storck Trust, which committed 1/5 of the estate to the Foundation in 2012
  • Creating a Founder’s Scholarship in 2015 to recognize 20 years of service in the Whitewater Community Foundation and to give another scholarship opportunity to local high school graduates