Nonprofits in Vilas, Oneida counties benefit from 2024 Packers Foundation grant cycle

Nonprofit groups in Vilas and Oneida counties received help from the Green Bay Packers Foundation’s annual grant giving that took place last month.

The foundation distributed $1.5 million in funding to 398 civic and charitable groups throughout the state. Locally, grants went to a number of groups supporting the arts, outdoor learning and recreation, athletics, economic growth, homes for veterans, and public radio.

In Vilas County, recipients included the Land O’ Lakes Artisans (LOLA), The Warehouse Arts Center, Trees For Tomorrow, Vilas County Economic Development Corp. (VCEDC), and the Eagle River Recreation Association (ERRA).

Some groups shared their enthusiasm for the funding online, with LOLA stating the grant would support its “Community Through Creating Winter Programming 2025.” Treasurer Kathi Schultz and Executive Director Jennifer Anderson represented LOLA at the luncheon that was held for recipients Nov. 21 at the Lambeau Field Atrium, hosted by the Packers.

“We deeply appreciate how the Packers, a team built on community support, continue giving back and uplifting communities across Wisconsin. Your generosity helps us bring creativity, connection and joy to our community,” LOLA said in a Facebook post.

Accepting the check for Trees For Tomorrow, a nonprofit organization in Eagle River that provides outdoor education to students from across the Midwest and beyond, were Operations Director Mandy Gingerich and Education Director Kim Feller. TFT said it was “honored” to be among the nearly 400 awardees receiving funds in 2024.

Kathy Schmitz, executive director for VCEDC, gave a special thanks to the Green Bay Packers Foundation for its support of the corp’s Business Consulting and Education programs. 

In Oneida County, the Campanile Center for the Arts, Girls on the Run of North Central WI, Northwoods Veterans Homestead Ltd., Rhinelander Area Community Band, Inc., and WXPR Public Radio also received funding.

Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy said the foundation was proud to award $1.5 million through its annual Packers Foundation grants this year.

“We are incredibly grateful for the work the recipient organizations carry out each and every day. The Packers are honored to recognize and support their dedication to positively impacting their communities,” Murphy said.

This year’s grant cycle focused on organizations that will direct the funds toward the needed areas of arts and culture, athletics and education. Grants were awarded to organizations located in 55 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, with 143 grants going to arts and culture, 66 to athletics and 189 to education.

The grants awarded by the foundation are not recurring and must be used for the specific program or initiative for which the organizations applied.

To learn about where each organization will be focusing the grant dollars, and for more information on the grant cycles, visit packers.com/foundation and navigate to Project/Program Focus Area.

The Foundation now has distributed more than $25,797,000 for charitable purposes since it was established in 1986 by Judge Robert J. Parins, then president of the Packers Corporation, “as a vehicle to assure continued contributions to charity.” Including $1.5 million in annual grants and a total of $1.5 million in impact grants and other miscellaneous grants, more than $3.5 million has been awarded through Packers Foundation grants this year.