The Kenosha Community Foundation has awarded 22 grants totaling over $45,000 to nonprofit organizations
that serve Kenosha County residents. The grants are made possible through the following Field of Interest
Funds: LaFave Family Fund, OMC Legacy Fund, Women’s Fund, and Arts Fund.
“Together with the staff and Board of Directors of the Kenosha Community Foundation, I am so pleased to
announce grant awards that will expand quality programming and critical services locally. KCF proudly
delivers our mission through partnership: To lead, serve and collaborate with donors to create enduring
philanthropy. So, we extend to grant recipients heartfelt congratulations, while likewise expressing sincere
appreciation for the varied contributions of so many who have made possible these financial awards,” says the
Foundation’s Executive Director, Amy Greil.
A highlight from this year’s grantmaking is the successful application by Kenosha Public Library Foundation to
open “KPL Kids @ Uptown.” The power and promise of the Uptown Library are immense and KCF
enthusiastically supports those engaged in bringing a catalytic development project to fruition, forever
impacting math and reading skills of local students.
The full list of grants awarded is posted online at the Community Foundation’s website, kenoshafoundation.org
and on the Foundation’s Facebook page.
The Kenosha Community Foundation, organized in 1926 as a tax-exempt public charity, actively manages
permanent endowments established by individuals, families, and business organizations. The KCF manages
over 14 million in endowment funds and each year awards over $800,000 in grants, scholarships and
sponsorships to Kenosha area nonprofit organizations and students.
Successful 2024 KCF Field of Interest grant recipients
From the LaFave Family Fund, 8 grants were made to organizations for programs that further education –
particularly to promoting the humanities, the arts, tolerance, and communication:
• Providing youth an alternative to gang involvement through positive social interactions, strengthened
family support, and alternative activities. Awarded to Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha.
• Building the CUSH Justice Library within an LGBTQ+ youth space in collaboration with the LGBT Center
of SE Wisconsin. Awarded to Congregations United to Serve Humanity (CUSH).
• Expanding special education and therapeutic coaching for caregivers of infants and toddlers with special
needs. Awarded to Kenosha Achievement Center.
• Supporting “Amplifying Community Missions and Voices,” which offers communication tools and media
outlets to nonprofit organizations. Awarded to Kenosha Community Media.
• Providing experiential learning opportunities to students and their families through “Adventures in Family
Literacy.
” Awarded to Kenosha Literacy Council.
• Strengthening artists and communities in today’s art economy. Awarded to Kenosha Public Museums
Foundation.
• Providing children with disabilities opportunities to be socially active and fostering community tolerance
through volunteer service. Awarded to Kenosha YMCA, Miracle League.
• Increasing outreach to local schools and organizations. Awarded to Peace Learning Circles.
From the Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) Legacy Fund, 6 grants targeting programs and activities
designed to improve the general welfare and enhance the quality of life for youth in the Kenosha community:
• Providing students with lessons in financial literacy and work readiness. Awarded to Junior Achievement
of Wisconsin.
• Increasing accessibility at the “Sprouts Playgroup.
” Awarded to Kenosha Achievement Center.
• Offering free books to preschool children in Kenosha County’s “Head Start”
program. Awarded to Kenosha
County Association for Home and Community Education.
• Supporting the opening of “KPL Kids @ Uptown,
” a new public children’s library focused on reading and
math literacy. Awarded to Kenosha Library Foundation.
• Fostering social emotional learning (SEL), educational support, and transportation 5 days per week, to
students in need. Awarded to Kenosha YMCA.
• Granting support for safe spaces for youth attending LGBTQ+ youth group events. Awarded to LGBT
Center of SE Wisconsin.
From the Foundation’s Women’s Fund, 4 grants to programs supports programs and organizations that create
opportunities for women and children.
• Offering girls opportunities to embark on a transformative journey through the world of gymnastics in
“Flipping into Fun: A New Gymnastics Adventure.
” Awarded to Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha.
• Providing special education and therapeutic coaching for caregivers of infants and toddlers with special
needs. Awarded to Kenosha Achievement Center.
• Contributing toward a dedicated space for student-athletes of UW-Parkside’s new women’s golf team.
Awarded to UW-Parkside Foundation.
• Expanding health and community knowledge to English language learners while increasing their
conversation skills through “Women in Focus.
” Awarded to Kenosha Literacy Council.
From the Foundation’s Kenosha Arts Fund, 4 grants were made to:
• Covering material costs for art programs provided to individuals with developmental disabilities. Awarded
to Kenosha Achievement Center.
• Supporting the “Youth Media Club” at Washington Middle School. Awarded to Kenosha Community
Media.
• Purchasing supplies to support community clay classes and enable students to work with multiple materials
and techniques. Awarded to Lemon Street Gallery.
• Sponsoring the “Beach Front Arts Fest” that unites artists, musicians, and thousands of attendees