Star Journal Staff

The Rhinelander Community Foundation (RCF) has announced which organizations will receive funding in 2021.

Grants totaling $21,300 were awarded to 11 qualified organizations based on projects narrated in their submitted applications.  Projects could be new or on-going but grant requests could not include funding for the organization’s operational expenses.

RCF aims to promote area progress and respond to current needs by hosting an annual grant application process.

Qualified organizations eligible to apply were 501c3 non-profits, units of governments, churches, schools and hospitals.  Applications were evaluated in the areas of RCF mission alignment, community need, population scope, visibility, community impact and financial management.

2021 grants awards include:

– $4,300 for the Northwoods Garden ADA accessibility, a joint venture with Nicolet college and Art Start in which 48 plots, training and demonstrations are provided to interested residents aiming to grow their own healthy, organic produce.

– $2,500 to the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry for community garden and greenhouse upgrades and the GROW pilot program with two-fold goals of maximizing amount of produce provided to pantry customers as well as providing tools and support for growing produce at home.

– $2,500 to Lights of the Northwoods for holiday lighting display supplies and materials.

– $2,500 to the Rhinelander District Library for upgrading local plats, repairing historical materials and providing needed shelving to house and convenient locate the materials.

– $1,000 to the Personal Essentials Pantry for the purchases of paper products for distribution to area households in need.

– $2,000 to the Northern Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), Northern Lakes Center aimed at reducing isolation and mental health crises while increasing community involvement.

– $1,000 to the Rhinelander Police Department for a recovery coach program recently initiated, providing valuable, non-clinical guidance to achieve and maintain recovery from a substance use disorder.

– $1,000 to the Hodag Soccer Club for soccer training equipment specific for artificial turf use.

– $2,000 to Rhinelander Girl Scouts troops for programming, supplies and camp access as part of the Girls Scout Leadership Experience

– $1,500 to the YMCA of the Northwoods as seed money for the sixth grade access program, providing all sixth graders a free membership to the Y, giving them safe, engaging surroundings while encouraging community service engagement.

– $1,000 for Habitat for Humanity, should a home build in the Rhinelander area go forward.

In a press release, members of the RCF thanked donors for allowing it to encourage and support organizations and their impactful works.

The mission of the Rhinelander Community Foundation is to facilitate charitable giving and, together with donors, enhancing the quality of living in the Rhinelander community now and for future generations.  For more information on the Rhinelander Community Foundation, visit www.rhinelandercommunityfoundation.com or follow RCF on facebook and linkedIn.  RCF envisions the Rhinelander area realizing its full potential through philanthropy.