As we close the chapter on 2025, the Fond du Lac Area Foundation is filled with gratitude for a year defined by generosity, community partnership, and meaningful progress. Together with our donors, fundholders, nonprofit partners, and supporters, we strengthened our mission of enhancing the quality of life in the Fond du Lac area today and for generations to come.

Expanding Our Impact Across the Community

In 2025, the Foundation awarded $3,703,611 in grants, supporting a wide range of programs that addressed community needs in areas such as education, the arts, health and human services, youth development, and environmental stewardship. From advancing mental health initiatives to bolstering food security efforts to supporting local arts organizations, these grants directly improved the lives of individuals and families throughout Fond du Lac County.

Education continued to be a cornerstone of our work. Thanks to the generosity of donors who believe in the power of learning, we distributed 297 scholarship awards totaling $409,528 to students pursuing their educational goals. Each award represents a young person taking an important step toward their future and a community standing behind them.

Welcoming New Funds and New Possibilities

This year, we proudly established 32 new funds, each one representing a donor’s vision for strengthening our community. These funds span a wide range of interests, including memorial scholarships, designated community grants, and donor advised opportunities that will support evolving needs for years to come. Every new fund enhances the Foundation’s long-term ability to respond, support, and uplift.

Growing for the Future

Our total assets grew to $88,461,223 in 2025, which reflects both the trust of our donors and the strength of our stewardship. Alongside this growth, we received $4,515,645 in gifts, demonstrating the generosity and commitment of those who believe in the Foundation’s mission. Because of this growth, we can continue to expand opportunities and increase our ability to create positive change for years to come.

While 2025 saw slightly fewer donations than the previous year, it was also a year of increased grantmaking, increased scholarship support, and meaningful long term fund growth. Each number tells a story of giving, service, and lasting impact.

Celebrating 50 Years of Community Philanthropy

One of the most significant highlights of 2025 was the celebration of our 50th anniversary, which allowed us to honor our past while envisioning our future with renewed purpose. Since 1975, the Fond du Lac Area Foundation has been dedicated to improving lives through philanthropy. What began as a vision shared by a small group of community leaders has grown into a regional movement of giving supported by thousands of donors who believe in the power of collective impact.

Our anniversary celebrations created opportunities to reflect on five decades of stories. These stories include donors who gave from the heart, nonprofits who uplifted others, and countless individuals whose lives were changed through community generosity. Events throughout the year brought together fundholders, community partners, nonprofits, and families to celebrate how far we have come and to recommit ourselves to the work ahead.

Marking 50 years was not only a moment of reflection. It was also a reminder of why our mission matters. Strong communities are built through intention, compassion, and sustained commitment. For half a century, our community has demonstrated all of these qualities through consistent generosity and collaboration.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to move through 2026, we carry forward the momentum built in 2025 and the legacy of the five decades behind us.