Giving Back 365

Program Focus: Community member-directed grants to local nonprofits

Mission: Allow donors to support local nonprofit organizations and participate in grant-making process

Geographic Scope: Watertown area, Wisconsin

Membership Structure:

• Members donate $365 annually ($1 per day)
• Members participate in voting to determine which organizations receive grants
• Member base includes ages from grade school to 100+ years old

2023 Program Results:

• Total donations: $53,000+
• $26,500+ placed into Giving Back 365 endowment fund
• $26,500+ plus $7,600+ in endowment earnings available for immediate granting
• Total grants awarded: $34,000+ to 15 organizations

2023 Grant Recipients and Awards:

• 4 the Kids SD: $2,500 (healthy snacks for students)
• Boys and Girls Club of Watertown: $2,500 (warming oven)
• Brothers & Sisters Behind Bars: $2,500 (educational assistance)
• Codington County Historical Society: $2,500 (storage container)
• Community Transit of Watertown/Sisseton: $2,128.34 (transportation)
• East-Central CASA: $2,470 (computers for advocates)
• Friends of the Goss Opera House: $2,035 (Beads on One String event)
• Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership: $2,500 (60's Plus Dining)
• Joy Ranch of South Dakota: $2,000 (horse stall updates)
• Lake Area Zoological Society: $2,147.50 (Wildlife Warriors Program)
• Sandwich Ministry Program: $2,500 (food costs)
• Watertown Area PACH: $2,500 (food costs)
• Watertown Area Snow Queen: $1,000 (Girl Power)
• Watertown Fire Rescue – PAD Program: $2,500 (Public Access Defibrillators)
• Watertown Hockey Association: $2,500 (jerseys)

Contact:

• Watertown Area Community Foundation
• 211 East Kemp Avenue, PO Box 116
• Watertown, SD 57201
• Phone: 605.882.3731
• Email: development@watertowncommunityfoundation.org