WINONA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC

The Winona Community Foundation seeks to expand its ability to invest back into the community by growing its assets under management, increasing the number and diversity of funds it holds, and increasing the dollars granted back into the community. It does so with the goal of building and strengthening the community.

This will be accomplished by educating the public about philanthropy, connecting people with needs, and collaborating with other charitable organizations, working with professional advisors to increase their comfort level with talking to their clients about philanthropy.

In 2018, the board of directors more than doubled the dollars available for its community grant program. In order to continue growth, it will be vital that the executive director, in collaboration with the board, will increase giving directly to the foundation as well as increase the number and diversity of funds held by the foundation. This will be accomplished through personal contacts and diverse communication channels as outlined in the strategic plan.

In 2021, the Foundation grew its assets under management by more than $2 million while simultaneously increasing its community grants to more than $130,000 and overall grants to more than $1.7 million.

The Foundation is leading a collaboration among the Winona-area nonprofits to build a workplace giving initiative that will allow employees to contribute to their preferred charities via payroll deduction.