William A. Bingham Family Endowment Fund

The Eau Claire Community Foundation (ECCF) has opened its 2025 William A. Bingham Grant Cycle, accepting applications from July 1 through noon on August 27, 2025. This grant opportunity is made possible through the William A. Bingham Family Endowment Fund, a legacy established by the late William “Bill” A. Bingham, a dedicated lifelong resident of Eau Claire. This endowment supports high-impact projects designed to enhance the quality of life for residents in the Eau Claire area. The Bingham Family Endowment Fund is focused on empowering nonprofit organizations that serve the local community. The Foundation provides grants of up to $100,000 to a wide range of organizations, encouraging projects that demonstrate immediate and urgent need, promote innovation, and foster collaboration to reduce duplicated services. Grant funds are intended for current expenditures only and may not be used to cover previously incurred expenses. The Foundation emphasizes proposals that build upon existing community strengths to address important local needs. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit agencies located in or having a significant impact within the Eau Claire area. Preference is given to agencies physically located in Eau Claire. Organizations must have valid 501(c)(3) or 509(a)(1), (2), or (3) tax-exempt status, or apply with a qualified fiscal sponsor. Tax-exempt government and religious organizations may also apply, though sectarian programs requiring religious participation are ineligible. The Foundation does not fund annual campaigns, endowments, reserves, direct grants to individuals, lobbying, or projects administered through schools with affiliated foundations. Each organization may submit only one application per grant cycle. Previous recipients of this grant are ineligible to apply in the year immediately following their award. All applications must be submitted via ECCF's Grant Portal; no physical or email submissions will be accepted. A grant acceptance agreement, signed by an authorized officer of the recipient organization, must be submitted before any funds are released. If a grant recipient is unable to use funds as originally proposed, they must request approval from ECCF to reallocate the funds no later than 60 days before the grant period ends. The ECCF evaluation process involves an internal grant review panel whose recommendations are forwarded to the Board of Trustees for final approval. Grant recipients may be subject to site visits and must submit a final report within 30 days after the end of the grant period. Failure to comply may result in ineligibility for future ECCF funding for at least one year. Extensions for reporting must be requested at least 60 days prior to the grant period's end and require ECCF Board approval. Publicity requirements are outlined in the grant agreement, and further guidance can be found on the ECCF website. For more information, applicants can contact the Eau Claire Community Foundation at info@eccfwi.org or 715-552-3801. The Foundation's office is located at 306 S. Barstow Street, Suite 104, Eau Claire, WI 54701.

Preference given to urgent and collaborative projects that avoid service duplication.