West Bend Insurance Company's Charitable Fund - Cycle 2
Background
Like many businesses, West Bend Insurance Company generously supports charitable organizations and causes in its hometown. Its charitable fund at the West Bend Community Foundation was established to better the greater West Bend area and improve the lives of its citizens.
Area served
The fund primarily awards grants to nonprofits within the greater West Bend area or otherwise serving residents of the greater West Bend area.
Who can apply
Grants are made to 501(c) (3) nonprofit organizations. Standard and capital applications are open to all organizations.
Annual support applications are restricted to agencies authorized by fund advisers.
Grantmaking focus
Priority is given, but not limited, to applications in the following areas:
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Family, youth, and elderly
- Health and human services
- Community development
- Historic preservation
Evaluation criteria
- Clarity of the application and significance of the project to the West Bend area
- Capacity of the agency (governing body, staff, financing) to respond to the problem(s)
- New or expanded projects or programs
- Agencies where a West Bend Insurance Company associate is actively involved
In addition, the fund encourages collaborative projects that improve the organizational capacity of the participating agencies and which lead to enhanced community service.
Collaborative projects may include:
- Sharing management, financial, informational technology, and other administrative functions or staff
- Joint purchasing of supplies, insurance and other products and services where quantity buying reduces costs and affords access
- Sharing facilities or co-locating offices
- Joint marketing, public relations and promotion activities
- Joint program planning, client outreach, and service delivery in common fields
- Joint fundraising efforts or events
Grant amount
The fund awards grants for new programs, capital projects or operating support. Multiple-year projects may be made for capital projects or projects requiring several years of development.
Timeline
The fund’s advisers meet two times per year to determine grant awards. Only under extraordinary circumstances will the advisers consider grant requests outside the normal funding cycles.
First cycle 2025
March 17: Application opens
May 30: Application closes
July 15: Meeting to make grant decisions
Second cycle 2025
Sept. 8: Application opens
Oct. 10: Application closes
Dec. 2: Meeting to make grant decisions