The Clyde F. Schlueter Foundation Grants are administered through the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin. Originally established on October 10, 1977, the Clyde F. Schlueter Foundation was a private foundation guided by Mr. Clyde F. Schlueter himself, who served as its first president. Over a 30-year span, the foundation awarded over $1 million in grants to more than 100 distinct organizations. In 2016, the assets of the original foundation were transferred to the Community Foundation, which continues to honor the founder's philanthropic goals through an advisory board that reviews grant applications annually.
The purpose of the Clyde F. Schlueter Foundation Fund is to promote the growth in character and service of young men and women in the greater Wausau, Wisconsin area. Its mission is realized through support for projects that provide physical, social, intellectual, and mental development opportunities. The fund also encourages civic improvements and has historically supported civic health initiatives, educational projects of general interest, and organizations such as the YMCA, YWCA, Scouts, Wausau Hospitals, and the University of Wisconsin Foundation. The scope of the fund remains narrowly defined to ensure alignment with Mr. Schlueter’s original philanthropic intent.
Grants are typically awarded in the range of $1,000 to $10,000, although capital campaign proposals may be considered at higher funding levels, with the possibility of multi-year payments. Applications are accepted through an online grant management system, which also allows the fund to track grant recipient progress and manage final reporting. The online application portal is accessible via the Community Foundation's website.
The Foundation's advisory board—currently composed of Tom Mack, Harry Colcord, Byll Hess, Jim Van Eyck, and Bob Weirauch—meets annually to review applications and make funding recommendations. Applications must be submitted electronically by the first business day of September. Applicants will typically be notified of their application status by the end of September, within 45 days of the deadline.
The fund does not generally support endowment funds, operating expenses, debt retirement, school-related athletic programs and projects, or initiatives that are better suited for public or tax-based funding. These restrictions help maintain the grant's focus on transformative and mission-aligned community improvements.
For additional inquiries, applicants are encouraged to contact Program Officer Sue Nelson via email at sue@cfoncw.org or by phone at (715) 845-9555. Applicants are also asked to acknowledge receipt of funding as a grant from the Clyde F. Schlueter Foundation Fund in any public communications or reports.
