Community Foundation for the Fox Valley
The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region is a public charity and community foundation based in Appleton, Wisconsin. Established in 1986, it is the second-largest certified community foundation in Wisconsin. The organization manages charitable funds created by families, businesses, and organizations, functioning as a permanent community endowment that accepts and professionally manages philanthropic assets while awarding grants to strengthen the Fox Valley region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$536.6M
+6.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$32.4M
+55.0% YoY
Grant Count
448
+22.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$72K
+26.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: We strengthen our community for current and future generations by helping people make a difference in the lives of all.
The foundation identifies itself through four core operational approaches:
- Accepting and professionally managing financial charitable gifts for the long term in flexible, easy, and efficient ways
- Partnering with people to help them engage in giving that fulfills their charitable dreams
- Awarding grants that achieve results and sustain a vibrant community for all, forever
- Using knowledge of community needs to lead and convene people around solutions
Primary Funding Areas: Arts and culture, education, community improvement, health care, human services, the environment, and religion.
Core Values: Integrity, Respect, Teamwork, Stewardship, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (DEIAR).
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** $1,000 to $20,000, with up to $2,500 available for event sponsorships.
Review Cycle
.
Grant Types
How to Apply
** The foundation accepts grant inquiries and manages competitive grant cycles. Applicants can contact the grants team at grants@cffoxvalley.org or call (920) 830-1290.
Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation for the Fox Valley?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily serves Calumet, Outagamie, Shawano, and Waupaca counties, as well as the Neenah-Menasha area of Winnebago County, Wisconsin. Grant-making also extends to Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $502.4 million (2023); $536.6 million (most recent filing)
Total Liabilities: $71.4 million (2023)
Total Revenue: $50.1 million (2023)
Total Expenses: $29.4 million (2023)
Annual Giving: $41 million (2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $536,637,618 | $502,430,788 | $441,252,982 |
| Revenue | $60,589,648 | $50,139,028 | $46,500,809 |
| Expenses | $40,809,733 | $29,369,270 | $37,931,392 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $32,338,474 | $18,417,445 | $9,110,393 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
74 open opportunities from Community Foundation for the Fox Valley
Bear Paw Resort Scholarship Grant
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE FOX VALLEY
Amount
US $1,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Brillion Area Family of Funds Endowment Fund Grant
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE FOX VALLEY
Amount
Up to US $4,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Business & Accounting Scholarship Grant
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE FOX VALLEY
Amount
US $2,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President & CEO: Curt S. Detjen
Founders: The foundation was established in 1986 by Walter L. Rugland and local leaders including O.C. Boldt, Arthur Remley, Roger Baird, and Paul Groth.
Staff: The organization employs 50 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BETH FLAHERTY | DIRECTOR & CHAIR | 2 | — |
| CHUCK SELF | DIRECTOR & VICE CHAIR | 1.5 | — |
| GREG PAWLAK | DIRECTOR | 1.5 | — |
| JIM PROSSER | DIRECTOR & VICE CHAIR | 2.5 | — |
| LAURA MERONK | SECRETARY & VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| MELANIE MILLER | TREASURER & VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| RAYON BROWN | DIRECTOR & VICE CHAIR | 1.5 | — |
| BILL GUNCKEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRENTON TEELING | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTINE COUSINEAU | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTINE FAULKS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| FRITZ MERIZON | DIRECTOR (LEFT DURING 2024) | 1 | — |
| JOHN DAVIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MANNY VASQUEZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHELLE SCHULER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MIKE MADER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MIKE VAN ASTEN | DIRECTOR & VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| REG WYDEVEN | DIRECTOR | 1.5 | — |
| SHIPRA SEEFELDT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BOB ELLIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STEVE ENDRIES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN KREUL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANN ENGELHARD | VP DONOR SERVICES THRU 8/24 | 40 | $115,369 |
| CURT DETJEN | PRESIDENT/CEO | 40 | $363,603 |
| TAMMY GEENEN | VP COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | 40 | $140,944 |
| MEGAN SCHUESSLER | VP DONOR SERV/GIFT PLAN AS OF 8/24 | 40 | $120,201 |
| MICHELLE WEBER | CFO | 40 | $181,826 |
| MICHELLE LIPPART HARDWICK | DIRECTOR OF GIFT PLANNING | 40 | $100,202 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region was named Pillar's Community Partner of the Year for 2024
Fox Valley Literacy Releases Region\u2019s First-Ever State of Literacy\Over $2 million in grants were awarded to improve the community in a recent funding cycle
Over $2 million in grants awarded to improve the community - Community FoundationMore than a quarter million dollars in new grants were distributed through the foundation
Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley awards more than a quarter\Fox Valley Literacy released the region's first-ever State of Literacy Report with foundation involvement
Fox Valley Literacy Releases Region\u2019s First-Ever State of Literacy\Contact Information
Address: 4455 W. Lawrence Street, Appleton, WI 54914
Phone: (920) 830-1290
Email: info@cffoxvalley.org (general); grants@cffoxvalley.org (grant inquiries)
Website: www.cffoxvalley.org
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM, Noon - 4:00 PM; Friday Summer Hours: 8:00 AM - Noon
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Community Foundation for the Fox Valley on Grantable?
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