Water-Right Charitable Fund

The Water-Right Charitable Fund, administered through the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, supports nonprofit organizations serving Appleton, Green Bay, Menasha, Neenah, and Oshkosh. Its purpose is to advance charitable efforts aligned with the interests of Water-Right and Clean Water Center employees. An internal advisory committee, composed of employees from these two organizations, evaluates requests and makes recommendations in accordance with program-specific and general Foundation eligibility policies. Grants are awarded up to $3,000 and are focused on projects that fulfill one or more of three priority areas: basic needs (such as food, clothing, and shelter), environmental sustainability, and education. Applicants must demonstrate public benefit and must not request funding for general operations, sponsorships, political causes, religious activities, or future “nest egg” funding. The fund does not support events, conferences, or sectarian programming unless the program benefits the general public without religious promotion. Eligible applicants must be public charities recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This includes organizations described in subsections 509(a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3), as well as private operating foundations. Grants are generally not awarded to private non-operating foundations unless fiscal sponsorship criteria are met. Schools and faith-based institutions may qualify only if affiliated programs provide community benefit without proselytizing and allow broad public participation. Programs must also comply with the Foundation’s nondiscrimination policy, which prohibits discrimination based on characteristics such as race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Applications are accepted three times per year, with deadlines on March 1, June 1, and October 15. All applications must be submitted online through the Foundation’s Grant Portal. Applicants must register if new to the system and follow the outlined process by selecting the relevant grant once logged in. Financial documents may be required upon request, and prior communication with the Foundation is encouraged if eligibility is uncertain. While awards are reviewed and recommended by the advisory committee, the final decision lies within the Community Foundation’s grant policies and governance. Applicants are encouraged to align submissions with the program's stated priorities and to plan ahead, as retroactive funding is generally not allowed. In case of emergencies, exceptions may be evaluated by the Foundation. For assistance, prospective applicants can contact Donor Services Manager Kelly Hicks at 920.702.7655 or khicks@cffoxvalley.org. Further support, including portal guidance, FAQs, and registration help, is available via the Foundation’s website.

Align project with one of the fund’s three focus areas; ensure program is publicly accessible; avoid restricted uses like operations or events.