Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin

What Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin does

The Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin (CFCWI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1982 and headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It serves Portage and Waushara counties by managing charitable assets on behalf of donors and disbursing grants to community organizations. As of June 2026, the foundation held over $50 million in total assets and administered more than 300 funds, including donor advised funds, designated funds, scholarship funds, field of interest funds, agency funds, fiscal sponsorship funds, and Seed-A-Future endowments. The foundation operates several grant cycles including Community Grants, Visionary Cycle, Partner Cycle, Major Project Cycle, and the Copernicus Foundation Music Grant Program, alongside the Women's Fund of Portage County component fund.

CFCWI's revenue model is structured around three streams: donor contributions (which flow through to grants and endowments), administrative/management fees on funds, and investment returns on its professionally managed $50M+ asset pool. Pricing is structured by fund type with minimum thresholds ranging from $500 (Fiscal Sponsorship) to $50,000 (Field of Interest) and a $600 annual Seed-A-Future commitment. Distribution is community-led through professional advisor referrals, monthly Voices of Impact events, a YouTube channel, email newsletters, and direct online giving through the foundation's website and the fcsuite.com portal. Technological infrastructure is limited to third-party platforms; no proprietary technology or AI capabilities are present.

The foundation is governed by an independent board of directors and led by CEO Jenny Riggenbach (since 2021), with a small operational staff of 1-10 employees. It is accredited by the Council on Foundations. Notable programmatic milestones include 1,082 students supported through scholarships over five years, 44 organizations helped build endowments, and a $1 million gift from the Copernicus Cultural Foundation to establish an endowed music grant program. CFCWI has no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no venture or private equity funding.

Name

Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin

Legal name

Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin

Website

https://cfcwi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1982 that manages over $50 million in charitable assets and 300+ funds for donors, nonprofits, and students across Portage and Waushara counties in Central Wisconsin.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation and Philanthropic Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA), Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE)

Keywords

• Community foundation services
• Charitable fund management
• Endowment administration
• Grantmaking programs
• Scholarship administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Stevens Point

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donor Contributions: The foundation receives charitable gifts from individuals, families, and organizations. Donors establish various types of funds (donor advised, designated, scholarship, field of interest, agency, fiscal sponsorship) with minimum thresholds ranging from $500 to $50,000 depending on fund type.
2. Administrative Fees: The foundation charges administrative/operational fees for fund management. The Keystone Fund supports operating and administrative costs of the foundation.
3. Investment Returns: Funds are professionally invested with returns used to support foundation operations and grantmaking activities. Total assets exceed $50 million.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin is a 501(c)(3) public charity that manages charitable funds for individual donors, families, and nonprofits, and redistributes those assets as grants and scholarships across Portage and Waushara counties in Central Wisconsin. Its core offerings are seven fund types (donor advised, designated, scholarship, field of interest, agency, fiscal sponsorship, and seed-a-future) plus competitive community grant programs and organizational endowment building services for nonprofits.

Product overview

The Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin is a philanthropic organization (not a technology company) offering a portfolio of charitable fund types and grant programs. The core offerings include Donor Advised Funds, Designated Funds, Scholarship Funds, Field of Interest Funds, Agency Funds, Fiscal Sponsorship Funds, and Seed-A-Future Funds—each with specific minimums and purposes. These are complemented by competitive grant programs (Community Grants, Visionary Cycle, Partner Cycle, Major Project Cycle) and the Copernicus Foundation Music Grant Program. The Foundation also manages the Women's Fund of Portage County, runs the Voices of Impact educational series, and provides Organizational Endowment Services to help nonprofits build permanent savings. The organization connects donors in Portage and Waushara counties with causes they care about, managing over 300 funds dedicated to enhancing community life.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Women's Fund of Portage County: A component fund of the Community Foundation dedicated to supporting issues important to women of Portage County, with an endowment over $1 million providing over $40,000 annually in grants.
• Voices of Impact

Products and services

• Donor Advised Funds A fund type that allows individual donors and families to remain actively involved in recommending grants to charitable causes they care about, with a $10,000 minimum to establish. It is a flexible alternative to a private or family foundation for individual donors and families.
• Designated Funds A fund type that provides annual support to specific favorite charitable organizations or programs in perpetuity, with a $10,000 minimum to establish. It is designed for donors who want ongoing income for chosen nonprofits.
• Scholarship Funds A fund type that helps students achieve educational goals and is customizable to honor a loved one, support students in specific fields, or graduate from alma maters. Minimum to establish is $25,000.
• Field of Interest Funds A fund type that allows donors to fund projects in a specific focus area through a competitive grant application process, with a $50,000 minimum to establish. Designed for donors who want to direct giving to a cause without managing individual grants.
• Agency Funds A fund type that offers nonprofit organizations a permanent source of income for long-term sustainability, with the foundation managing investments so nonprofits can focus on their mission. Minimum to establish is $25,000.
• Fiscal Sponsorship Program A service program that extends the foundation's 501(c)(3) status to community-led projects, allowing groups to receive tax-deductible donations and apply for grants without forming their own nonprofit organization. Provides tax-deductible donations, grant eligibility, operational resources, and mission focus support.
• Seed-A-Future Funds A fund type that allows donors to build an endowed fund over time through consistent annual giving. A fund can reach endowed status in 10 years with a minimum $600 annual gift.
• Community Grants Program A competitive grant program supporting nonprofit organizations through the foundation's mission areas in Portage and Waushara counties.
• Visionary Cycle Grants Multi-year strategic grants supporting nonprofit organizations with innovative, sustainable plans that demonstrate measurable community impact.
• Partner Cycle Grants A grant cycle supporting one-time needs for Portage County youth-focused programs.
• Major Project Cycle Grants A grant cycle supporting capital campaigns and major projects for nonprofits in the foundation's service area.
• Copernicus Foundation Music Grant Program A $1 million endowed grant program established through a gift from the Copernicus Cultural Foundation to enhance and expand music opportunities for Portage County residents. Grants of up to $10,000 support music activities, instrument availability, youth exposure to music, and local musician support.
• Organizational Endowment Services A service program that helps nonprofit organizations build permanent endowments for long-term sustainability, with 44 organizations having established endowments through the foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Crossed $50 million in total assets
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Plainfield Public LibrarycoreOthers · 1 January 2026Plainfield Public Library awarded $45,000 Visionary Grant over 5 years to transform into inclusive community hub. Strategic partnerships with ADRC, CAP Services, and YMCA mentioned for programming.
• CAP ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Featured at January 2026 Voices of Impact session. Long-standing mission to transform people and communities for social and economic justice in Portage and Waushara Counties. CFCWI supports through organizational endowment and grant programs.
• Camp HOPEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Featured at February 2026 Voices of Impact session. Provides grief support camp for children and families. CFCWI supports through organizational endowment fund.
• The Connection Co.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Featured at March 2026 Voices of Impact session. Provides employment access and advocacy for people with disabilities. CFCWI supports through scholarship fund for individuals passionate about empowering people with disabilities.
• Boys & Girls Club of Portage CountycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Featured at April 2026 Voices of Impact session. Mission to inspire and empower youth. CFCWI supports through endowment fund.
• Copernicus Cultural FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025The Copernicus Cultural Foundation (now concluded) made a $1 million gift to establish the Copernicus Foundation Music Grant Program at CFCWI. This endowed fund continues the legacy of Edmund and Kathryn Bukolt, supporting music opportunities in Portage County through grants up to $10,000.
• Rosholt Fair Grounds Building ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Fiscal sponsorship fund for $1.7 million capital campaign to build Community Event Center and Venue at Fair Hill. Represents community-led effort with CFCWI providing 501(c)(3) status and administrative support.
• Women's Fund Grant RecipientscoreOthers · 1 January 2025Women's Fund of Portage County awarded $15,500 to 8 organizations including: Central WI Hmong Professionals, CAP Services, Childcaring Inc., UW-SP Women's and Gender Studies, Family Crisis Center, Evergreen Community Initiatives, Boys & Girls Club, and Amherst's Own Childcare.
• Community First BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Community First Bank Scholarship Fund will award $1 million total in scholarships to graduating seniors of Pacelli, SPASH, and Rosholt High Schools through 2034.
• Hmong Sib Pab Sib QhiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Hmong Sib Pab Sib Qhia (Help Together, Teach Together Fund) partnered with CFCWI for Hmong Week celebrations and provides scholarships for traditional and non-traditional students.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Direct peers

• Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region: Wisconsin community foundation serving the Fox Valley region with similar grant cycles, scholarship funds, and donor-advised fund offerings. Comparable structure and operational model to CFCWI.
• La Crosse Community Foundation: Wisconsin-based community foundation serving the La Crosse area. Similar scope of services including donor-advised funds, scholarships, and community grantmaking in a small-city Wisconsin market.
• Fond du Lac Area Foundation: Wisconsin-based community foundation serving Fond du Lac County and surrounding area. Highly comparable to CFCWI in mission, fund structure (DAFs, scholarships, agency funds), and rural Wisconsin service area footprint.

Others

• Council on Foundations: National membership organization for foundations that grants the accreditation seal held by CFCWI. Comparable as the standards-setting body governing community foundation accreditation across the U.S.
• Central Wisconsin Community Action Council: Regional community action agency operating in Central Wisconsin. Comparable geographic footprint and partner ecosystem with CFCWI, though operates as a direct service provider rather than a grantmaker.

Regional players

• Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation: Community foundation serving the Twin Ports area of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Comparable as a regional community foundation managing endowed funds, scholarships, and competitive grant programs in the Upper Midwest.
• Greater Milwaukee Foundation: Wisconsin's largest community foundation serving the greater Milwaukee region. Directly comparable as a regional community foundation offering donor-advised funds, grantmaking, and scholarship programs, though at significantly larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Schwab Charitable Fund: National donor-advised fund sponsor operated by Charles Schwab. Competes for DAF dollars at national scale and represents the incumbent alternative to community foundation donor-advised funds.
• Fidelity Charitable: Largest national donor-advised fund sponsor in the U.S. Represents a key competitive alternative for donors considering CFCWI's DAF offering.

Emerging players

• Wisconsin Foundation for School Music: Wisconsin-focused foundation supporting music education that intersects with CFCWI's Copernicus Foundation Music Grant Program. Operates in the same geographic space with overlapping thematic focus on music access.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCztR1LGkCUJQ
• Xx.com/CyprusNewspaper
• Facebookfacebook.com/cfcwi

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin