JANESVILLE — The Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin (CFSW) announced it received a Rural Collaboration Project grant from Compeer Financial as part of the cooperative’s commitment to rural vitality. Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin will direct the funds to support its Community Impact Fund to support regional initiatives across communities and counties throughout southern Wisconsin.
“This investment from Compeer Financial deepens our capacity to serve rural communities across southern Wisconsin. Through the Community Impact Fund, we are able to direct support toward collaborative, region-wide initiatives that address challenges no single community can solve on its own,” said Wyatt Jackson, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin.
Compeer Financial, a Farm Credit cooperative, has committed more than $1.4 million to 14 foundations across Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin through its Compeer Giving Rural Collaboration Project. Selected community and initiative foundations will disperse funds to organizations aligned with the long-term strategic vision for community vitality.
“As a rural lending cooperative, Compeer Financial understands the importance of empowering rural communities to be active, strong and economically vibrant,” said Karen Schieler, manager of Compeer Giving at Compeer Financial. “These qualities are essential to creating a high quality of life for rural residents, which helps retain and attract residents. How each community achieves this will be different, which is why we have the Rural Collaboration Project. It allows us to collaborate with foundations that best understand the needs within their communities and disperse funds where they will make the greatest impact.”
The Community Impact Fund is a permanent endowment of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin. Through the fund’s grant program, awards of up to $10,000 are available for large-scale projects, programs, and services with lasting influence across the region. Eligible efforts include program, technology, or facility expansion; organizational and program viability; and multi-community collaborations that address systemic challenges. Priority is given to projects that reach areas not currently served by a local community fund, and to initiatives whose size, scope, or long-term impact extends beyond the funding capacity of local or regional resources. As a permanent endowment, the fund’s assets grow over time, expanding grant-making capacity as the needs of southern Wisconsin communities evolve. The Community Impact Fund application period is currently open through June 1st, 2026.
Community foundations supported through the 2026 Compeer Giving Rural Collaboration Project grants in Wisconsin include:
● Community Foundation of Chippewa County
● Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin
● Fond du Lac Area Foundation
● Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation
● Viroqua Area Foundation
To be eligible for a Rural Collaboration Project grant, communities must be within Compeer Financial’s 144-county territory and demonstrate that community leaders are working together on enhancements and improvements focused on short- and long-term vitality. In addition, the community population should be under 10,000; represent a regional, rural micropolitan area of 50,000 residents; or represent a regional initiative foundation.
