Health & Human Services – $111,000

Athens Community Strength & Fitness Center | $20,000 for Construction to Solve the “Fitness Desert”
This project looks to solve the “fitness desert” challenge in the region with the nearest gym is a 40-60 mile round trip, and harsh winters limiting outdoor exercise. Athens Community Strength & Fitness Center, Inc., an all-volunteer nonprofit, is building a 4,000 sq. ft. climate-controlled fitness center on donated land, offering affordable, year-round programming for all ages and abilities, with at least 10% of memberships sponsored for low-income households. The $950,000 project has secured pledges from the Kraemer Trust, Forward Bank, and Progress Athens Foundation, with additional grants pending. The debt-free facility will sustain itself through membership dues, keeping fitness accessible long-term.

Boys & Girls Club | $25,000 for Growth and Sustainability Project
This program will strengthen the long-term sustainability of the Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area by supporting the addition of a Director of Development position and staff wage adjustments to retain high-quality employees. Serving more than 1,500 youth annually, the Club has experienced significant growth in attendance, transportation, and meal services as families increasingly rely on affordable afterschool and summer programming. Funding will help expand fundraising capacity, diversify revenue sources, improve staff retention, and ensure continued access to mentorship, transportation, meals, and youth development programs for children and teens throughout the greater Wausau area.

Open Door | $7,000 for Safety and Technology Upgrades
This project will strengthen a trusted resource for individuals who are homeless or recently released from jail or prison. Open Door of Marathon County will make key safety and technology improvements, replacing a worn entrance mat, adding a security camera, and rewrapping bullet-resistant film on a rear door damaged years ago. Five new desktop computers will give guests a reliable place to search for jobs, build resumes, and access benefits and housing resources in a welcoming, supportive setting. Expected to serve 200 people, the project will help remove barriers to employment and support long-term stability for some of the community’s most vulnerable neighbors.

St. Vincent de Paul | $50,000 for Weston Thrift Store Capital Campaign
St. Vincent de Paul, Cabrini Conference in Wausau is undertaking a capital campaign project to build a second Thrift Store in Weston, on 3.1 acres near the Schofield Avenue Aldi. Strong donations and revenue growth at the existing Thomas Street store, up 39 percent this year, have created capacity to open a new location, which is projected to add 12 jobs and turn a profit by its second year. Proceeds fund direct aid such as rent, utilities, and car repairs for neighbors in need. In FY25 the organization assisted nearly 400 individuals and families with over 215,000 dollars in support, and aims to double that reach by 2029.

Wausau Area Veterinary Assistance | $9,000 for Accessible Veterinary Care
This project will provide essential veterinary care, including exams, vaccinations, spay and neuter procedures, and medically necessary surgery, for low-income pet owners in the greater Wausau area. Wausau Area Veterinary Assistance, a new nonprofit organization, accepts pets referred through partners such as North Central Health Care after financial need is verified, while Metro Animal Hospital donates professional time and supplies materials at only 10 percent over cost. Since 2021 the program has turned $9,720 in direct costs into an estimated $33,429 of veterinary services. The grant will fund care for about 40 pets, helping prevent needless suffering or surrender and keeping pets safely with the families who love them.