Women’s Giving Circle awards $22,000 to local nonprofits at 2025 Fall Grants Gala

By: The Community Foundation of Dunn County

The Women’s Giving Circle (WGC) of Dunn County celebrated its 2025 Fall Grants Gala on October 14 at Jake’s Supper Club in Menomonie, where they awarded $22,000 through their annual grant process to 10 local non-profit organizations that support women, children, and families.

A panel of five individuals, including representatives from UW–Stout, the School District of the Menomonie Area, and Stepping Stones, explored strategies for enhancing safety for youth experiencing homelessness or in foster care, the services available to assist them, and opportunities for community involvement.

The WGC of Dunn County is a fund of the Community Foundation of Dunn County (CFDC), which focuses its efforts on women, children, and families in Dunn County through education, grantmaking, and other community-based activities. The WGC brings together women from diverse backgrounds with the common goal of improving the lives of disadvantaged women and families in Dunn County.

The following nonprofit organizations received grants from the WGC in 2025:

Arbor Place, Inc. - $2,500 - Creating Comfort and Connection: Furnishing bedrooms for women and children in recovery to provide safe, comfortable, and supportive living spaces, helping women and their children heal and rebuild their lives in a nurturing environment.

The Bridge to Hope - $4,000 - Bridging the Gap: Support for survivors, helping them access essential resources, guidance, and services to rebuild their lives and navigate challenges on the path to safety and stability.

Colfax Public Library - $1,000 for their ‘Story Time Play & Learn’ program, providing children with fun, interactive experiences that foster literacy, social skills, and cognitive development through stories, games, and hands-on learning activities.

Dunn County Human Services Birth to 3 - $2,000 - Dunn County Playgroup: An early intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or special needs. Certified staff work in partnership with families to set individualized goals that promote growth, learning, and communication, while providing opportunities for peer interaction and connecting families with additional community resources.

Hoof Beat Therapeutic Healing Center - $1,000 Disabled Rider Horse Saddles and Helmets: Offering disabled riders the opportunity to connect with Standardbred horses through therapeutic riding. With new saddles and helmets funded by this grant, the program continues to support healing, emotional growth, and confidence through these special equine partnerships.

Mabel Tainter Theater - $2,000 Art for Youth: Fourth graders will attend a performance at the Mabel Tainter Center in April 2026, providing them with an enriching arts experience that supports learning, creativity, and cultural exposure.

Menomonie Police Department - $3,500 Cops 4 Kids, Shop with a Cop: Building Positive Relationships Between Kids and Cops provides local children with an opportunity to connect with law enforcement in a supportive and positive environment. Through this program, children engage with officers in a compassionate, shared experience that helps reshape perceptions and build lasting trust.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace - $2,500 No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town: Providing beds for children who otherwise don’t have one, ensuring every child has a safe and comfortable place to sleep. To date, the organization has delivered 281 beds locally, with 5 more children still waiting for a bed.

Stepping Stones of Dunn County - $2,400 Restock of Feminine Hygiene Products: Ensuring that women and girls in the community have access to essential items that support health, dignity, and well-being.

Wisconsin Foster Closet - $1,100 Dignity Starts with the Basics: Providing essential socks and underwear to children and young adults in the foster care system, helping ensure basic needs are met while promoting stability, comfort, and dignity.

The WGC of Dunn County’s next event will be their Membership Meeting in the spring of 2026. This event is an opportunity for current members to come together and reconnect after the winter months. Guests of members are encouraged to attend and join the WGC for an annual donation of $250. Women between the ages of 18 and 40 can become a member for $125.

Those interested in learning more or becoming a member, please visit the Women's Giving Circle website.