‘One Community Fund’ awards first $150,000 to address community needs

Initial commitments focus on youth mental health and childcare solutions

October 31, 2024 – The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation has committed an initial $150,000 in grants from the newly launched “One Community Fund,” aimed at addressing critical community challenges. These early grants will support programs focused on youth mental health and childcare, both critical needs the Foundation has identified alongside housing, diversity and equity, and poverty and financial stability.

A commitment of $50,000 will support the School-Based Mental Health Initiative, a partnership between Bellin and Prevea health systems, all eight Brown County school districts, and a number of nonprofits including Foundations Health & Wholeness, Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin, and Innovative Counseling. Over eight years, the initiative has grown to provide thousands of therapy sessions to children and teens and expanded to 37 school clinic sites. With funding set to expire in 2025, the One Community Fund grant will allow the partners to evaluate and create a sustainable plan for its future.

“The One Community Fund is another strong example of how the Foundation is able to work closely with donors and local leaders to meet evolving needs across our community,” said Dennis Buehler President and CEO.

Additionally, a $100,000 commitment over three years will support the YWCA, Family and Childcare Resources of N.E.W., and COMSA, a resource center serving refugees and immigrants, in launching a unique childcare center in Green Bay. This center will increase critically needed childcare slots and provide culturally centered childcare for Somali children and families, enabling Somali parents to fully participate in the workforce.

“These initiatives have layers of solutions to intersecting issues, including mental health, childcare, equity, and financial stability,” said Amber Paluch, senior vice president of community impact. “Organizations are coming together and using their individual strengths to collaboratively tackle some of the most pressing issues in our community in an innovative way. And this sets the stage for learnings and growth that can continue to build on that impact.”

The One Community Fund was established to provide a new pathway for everyone in the community to invest in solutions to complex community issues. Anyone can contribute, at any level, to help meet needs and be part of community-wide impact here.

The Community Foundation encourages everyone to deepen their understanding of the critical, escalating, and unique rural needs identified and join in collaborative efforts to produce meaningful results.

For more information about the identified community needs and supporting local data, visit ggbcf.org/community-needs.