From an Idea to $35,000: The Women’s Fund for Marathon County Awards Its First Grants
September 17, 2026
When women thrive, communities rise. Yet according to Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, just 1.8% of philanthropic support nationally goes to organizations serving women and girls. The Women’s Fund for Marathon County exists to change that math here at home, and today, it has the first grants to show for it.
A little over a year ago, this fund was just an idea. Could our community sustain a permanent fund dedicated to uplifting women and girls by investing in their potential? After months of research, conversations with local nonprofits and donors, and a full year of fundraising, we have our answer.
The Women’s Fund for Marathon County, a fund of the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, has awarded its first round of grants: $35,000 to eight local programs working to strengthen the lives of women, girls, and families right here at home.
Meet the First Grantees
Among this round of grants is one that works differently from the rest. The Women’s Fund Community Leadership Grant is an unrestricted award given to a nonprofit that has shown outstanding leadership in lifting up women and girls in our community. Rather than an application, the grant committee nominates and selects a leader whose work deserves recognition and support.
Women’s Community| $1,000 for Jane Graham Jennings, Executive Director
For more than three decades, Jane has been a fierce advocate for victims of abuse, most of them women. Under her leadership, Women’s Community has grown into a nonprofit known for strong governance, stellar services, and a robust fundraising plan. She has built lasting partnerships across the community, shared her expertise at events and conferences, and advocated with policymakers on behalf of the people she serves.
Childcaring, Inc. | $5,000 for Good Start Grants
These grants help working ALICE families in Marathon County afford high quality child care, covering 55 to 65 percent of weekly costs so parents can stay employed or keep pursuing their education while their kids get access to regulated care.
Childcaring, Inc. | $7,500 for Foundational Training Scholarship Program
This program clears the financial barriers standing between people and a career in early childhood education, pairing entry level training with local employer connections. Since launching in January 2025, it has enrolled 34 individuals, helped open two new family child care programs, and supported nine group centers in retaining qualified staff, sustaining care for 352 children and 277 families.
St. Vincent de Paul Cabrini Conference | $7,500 for Home Visits with Single Moms
Through this project, Volunteers meet single mothers facing financial hardship where they are, offering both direct assistance and genuine companionship. In just the first six months of 2026, they met with 50 single moms and provided nearly $40,000 in help with rent, utilities, groceries, and vehicle repairs. This grant will let them reach about 20 more families.
The Neighbors’ Place | $5,000 for The Babies’ Place Expansion
This grant extends program impact through its Head Start partnership and outreach in Abbotsford, funding diapers, potty training kits, and the outreach materials and fuel it takes to bring supplies directly into the communities that need them.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of NCW | $5,000 for Strengthening Families through Mentorship
This program matches youth, many of whom are being raised by single mothers, grandmothers, and other female caregivers, with adult mentors who build confidence and school engagement for kids while easing stress and connecting caregivers to resources that support stability at home.
Woodson YMCA | $2,000 for The Y is Where Girls Rise, Girls Flag Football
This program provides scholarships, equipment, and accessible programming so that every girl, regardless of financial circumstances, can join a team, build confidence, and develop leadership skills on and off the field.
Girls on the Run North Central Wisconsin | $2,000 for Girls on the Run
This program pairs physical activity with lessons on life skills and emotional wellbeing over a 10 week season, ending in a community service project and a noncompetitive 5K. In 2026, GOTR served 53 girls at three Marathon County sites, nearly half of them needing full or partial scholarships. This funding helps up to 50 girls in 2027 and supports expansion to more schools.
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