Greater Green Bay Community Foundation celebrates record year of grantmaking

Nearly $20 million awarded during fiscal year 2023

October 10, 2023 – The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation awarded a record $19.8 million last fiscal year to support the work of nonprofit organizations, bringing the Foundation’s 32-year grantmaking total to more than $190 million.

“This grantmaking milestone is the result of decades of investments in the success of our community,” said Dennis Buehler, President and CEO of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. “And it is proof that we can accomplish far more together than we can alone. Generosity fuels intentional, meaningful, and lasting impact in every corner of our community.”

The Community Foundation and its fundholders awarded 3,489 grants to more than 1,300 nonprofit organizations during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2023. The grants impact a broad range of needs in sectors including arts and culture, basic needs, education, environment and conservation, health and wellness, human services, community improvement, youth development, and more.

Highlights of fiscal year 2023 include the first grants awarded through a $50,000 investment and partnership with Brown County United Way to provide capacity-building dollars to local organizations whose leaders are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Community Foundation fundholders also co-invested more than $188,000 during the fiscal year to expand available grant dollars to meet the evolving needs of our community.

“Our efforts go beyond grantmaking,” said Amber Paluch, Senior Vice President of Community Impact for the Community Foundation. “We collaborate to build community and provide worthwhile opportunities to be a part of solutions to the challenges we face. Collaborating with the Community Foundation is much more than making a donation, it’s investing in the well-being of our community today and for the future.”

The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation’s mission is to inspire and encourage charitable giving in Northeast Wisconsin. Each year, it hosts Give BIG Green Bay to raise awareness of community needs and connect nonprofits with new donors. This past year, the annual community giving day raised a record $2.46 million dollars from 3,828 donors to support the important work of 45 nonprofit organizations serving Brown County.

The Community Foundation will host a private Celebration of Community celebrating its impact on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at the Legends Club at Lambeau Field.