West Bend Insurance Company, through its charitable fund at the West Bend Community Foundation, is dedicated to improving the greater West Bend area and the lives of its citizens. This grant program, managed by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, aligns with the mission to support charitable organizations and causes within its hometown. The program is specifically designed to address local needs and foster community development through strategic investments.
The program's grantmaking focus is broad, prioritizing, but not limited to, applications in arts and culture, education, family, youth, and elderly services, health and human services, community development, and historic preservation. The target beneficiaries are residents of the greater West Bend area, served by 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The impact goals are to better the community and improve the lives of its citizens across these diverse areas, fostering a more vibrant and supportive local environment.
Eligibility criteria stipulate that grants are made to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, with both standard and capital applications being considered. Evaluation criteria emphasize the clarity of the application, the project's significance to the West Bend area, the agency's capacity (governing body, staff, financing) to address the identified problem(s), and the potential for new or expanded projects or programs. Additionally, agencies with active involvement from a West Bend Insurance Company associate are given priority.
While specific measurable results and a formal theory of change are not explicitly detailed, the program's emphasis on "bettering the greater West Bend area and improving the lives of its citizens" implies a strategic priority on tangible community upliftment. The evaluation criteria, such as the significance of the project and the capacity of the agency, suggest an outcome-oriented approach where successful projects are expected to demonstrate clear benefits to the community. The involvement of company associates further highlights a hands-on, community-integrated strategic approach.
