Beyond Pencils and Crayons Grants Update 2025
October 30, 2025
At the heart of every thriving community is a passion for learning and creativity. The Beyond Pencils and Crayons Grants celebrate that spirit by empowering local educators to bring innovative, hands-on experiences to their classrooms.
This year’s grants are helping students explore the world through art, music, reading, sustainability, and global awareness — from recycled art murals and imagination centers to multicultural learning and literacy initiatives. Together with the generous support of donors, these projects are transforming classrooms into dynamic, inspiring spaces where curiosity grows and learning comes to life.
Here’s a list of Beyond Pencils and Crayons Grants that your belief, passion, and generosity made possible.
St. Peter Lutheran School & Key to Life Childcare | $1,000 for Imagination Centers
As part of the daily reading block, students will rotate in small groups through six interactive learning stations. One of these stations will be the Imagination Center, where students can play, act, build, and create using hands-on materials that connect directly to the month’s reading curriculum. This center will encourage students to deepen their comprehension through imaginative exploration, collaborative play, and creative expression.
Riverside Elementary | $2,000 for Books for Kids (#RiversideReads)
The purpose of this school-wide reading initiative, #RiversideReads, is to instill in students an excitement and love of reading, encouraging students to develop a habit of daily reading, and creating lifelong readers.
Wausau Area Montessori Charter School (Wausau School District) | $500 for Montessori Model United Nations
Montessori Model United Nations offers students an opportunity to study and create solutions to critical global issues. Classrooms are assigned a few different countries and topics to research and represent, allowing a deepening of our study and understanding of the world.
Marathon County-based Schools (hosted by the Edgar School District) | $5,000 for “The Melody of America”
“The Melody of America” is designed to enhance both education and overall well-being for all participants.The program will showcasw the beautiful culture and history of our Hmong neighbors, friends, and allies. With three programs throughout the year, each experience will help students grow as a school community by broadening their knowledge, deepening our appreciation for diversity, and fostering greater understanding of people’s differences.
St. Peter Lutheran School & Key to Life Childcare | $5,000 for Interacting with History
Students will venture to Willow Springs, where they will explore history in an interactive and memorable way. During the visit, they will learn about the 250th anniversary of the Army and participate in a hands-on activity to create Christmas decorations inspired by the past. These decorations will be displayed in a replica of a 1950s classroom located in the Round Barn’s basement, giving students a unique opportunity to experience history come to life.
Rib Mountain Elementary | $1,100 for Inspiring Positive Change
Rib Mountain Elementary fourth graders will lead a schoolwide project that encourages all students to grow in the Leader in Me lifelong habits that are practiced every day. This initiative will also explore sustainability and creative ways to repurpose trash, connecting directly to the Agriculture in Wisconsin unit. Through this project, students will have the opportunity to take ownership of their learning, inspire positive change, and make a meaningful impact on our school community and the environment.
Edgar School District | $2,000 for Protecting the Earth Through Recycled Art
Local artist Stephanie Kohli will be partnering with the Edgar School District to create five vibrant murals using recycled materials, such as colorful bottle caps. These collaborative art pieces will be displayed throughout the schools as a daily reminder to honor and celebrate Earth Day—not just once a year, but every day. This project will inspire students to think creatively about sustainability, environmental responsibility, and the power of community art.
What makes these grants possible?
The generosity of hundreds of donors! All gifts help bring to life more community-brightening visions for Marathon County.
Anyone can give directly to the Wausau Marathon County Fund or establish their own impact fund, called a Named Fund for Wausau Marathon County. Both options of gifts are invested for growth and are designed to accept gifts of cash, stock, retirement assets, or bequests.
Named Funds for Wausau Marathon County:
- Otto S. & Esther M. Holmskug | Silver | 1994
- Clarion G. & Irene B. Sternberg | Bronze | 2002
- Orville & Geraldine Peterson Family | Bronze | 2004
- Caroline S. Mark | Platinum | 2005
- Marvin C. & Ruth (Rudie) J. Schuette | Platinum | 2009
- Nils Folke Jr. & Jean B. Becker | Platinum | 2013
- Edward & Lois Drott | Platinum | 2016
- James & Susan Lundberg | Gold | 2017
- Tom & Marilyn Kraemer | Silver | 2023
- William & Juliana Franzen | Silver | 2024
- Wausau Business Show | Granite | 2024
- Harvey H. Scholfield Jr. Family | Granite | 2024
- Jim & Jan Kemerling Family | Silver | 2025
- Sue Nelson Legacy of Service Fund | Granite | 2025
- Mark & Rita Yaeger | Granite | 2025
- Mary & Bill Mahony | Granite | 2025
- Dennis & Bonnie Mealy | Quartzite | 2025
- Robert A. & Angela M. Kucirek | Gold | 2025
Giving Levels:
Diamond | $2,000,000 or more
Platinum | $1,000,000 to $1,999,999
Gold | $500,000 and $999,999
Silver | $250,000 and $499,999
Bronze | $100,000 to $249,999
Quartzite | $50,000 to $99,999
Granite | $10,000 to $49,999
How can you get involved today?
Have you ever dreamed of accomplishing something important but needed more resources to make it happen? Watching nonprofit leaders dream big but lack the resources to make their dreams come true was the catalyst for establishing the Wausau Marathon County Fund. The nonprofits in our community meet a variety of tangible needs, and for decades now, they have been able to apply for grants from the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin to help make their visions for a brighter community come to life. Anyone can donate at any time! Every gift is meaningful and is important for making the community a better place for all.
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