The Eau Claire Community Foundation (ECCF) will join more than 700 community foundations across America celebrating Community Foundation Week from Nov. 12-18.
Since former President George H.W. Bush created the observance in 1989, this effort has raised awareness about the increasingly important role of these philanthropic organizations in fostering local collaboration and innovation to address civic and economic challenges.
“Community foundations impact lives, solve problems, and improve futures,” said ECCF Executive Director Sue Bornick. “As many residents grapple with limited resources and a growing need for services, we are more determined than ever to bring our community partners together to find innovative and effective solutions for some of our most challenging social problems.”
Community foundations are independent, public entities that steward philanthropic resources from institutional and individual donors to local nonprofits that are the heart of strong, vibrant communities. The ECCF currently holds over 170 funds — including the Women’s Giving Circle — and has allowed donors to distribute over $360,000 in grants to Eau Claire area nonprofit organizations so far in 2015.
Community foundations are one of the fastest-growing forms of philanthropy. according to the ECCF. It said that every state in the United States is home to at least one community foundation—large and small, urban and rural—working to advance solutions on a wide range of social issues.
More information about the Eau Claire Community Foundation is available at www.eccommunityfoundation.org.