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The Boulder Junction Community Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of our fall grant awards! Through these grants, local organizations are receiving financial support to enhance community safety, enrich youth education, expand winter outdoor recreation, celebrate our rich local history, and invest in long-term park infrastructure.

The Town of Boulder Junction Volunteer Fire Department is receiving $5,164.80 to modernize the equipment on Fire Engine #1. Funding will support the purchase of new, modern cordless power tools to improve emergency response capabilities and ensure our volunteer firefighters have reliable, essential tools readily on hand when responding to calls.

For outdoor recreation and education, the North Lakeland Discovery Center has been awarded $1,833.00 for their program, Stepping into Winter Recreation and Education. This funding supports a winter community program series featuring an educational presentation, a dedicated children’s activity, and two guided snowshoe hikes in Boulder Junction. The grant also funds the purchase of 10 pairs of new snowshoes, which will allow broader community participation and easier access to outdoor winter recreation.

Students in grades 4K through 8th will experience a truly unforgettable science adventure thanks to a $2,500.00 grant for the Forest Whales educational program. This all-day interactive experience features hands-on learning with life-sized replicas, most notably “Clara,” a 56-foot gray whale replica that students will have the unique opportunity to step directly inside to explore marine biology firsthand.

Looking ahead to a milestone moment, $2,296.00 has been awarded for the Town of Boulder Junction Centennial Public Outreach and Historical Archives project. This funding will support banners, a resident mailing, merchandise cards, video storage, and professional photography to engage the public and create a permanent historical archive of our town’s 100th birthday celebration in 2027.

Finally, the Town of Boulder Junction is receiving $10,000.00 for the Winter Park Improvement Project. As part of a larger ongoing enhancement campaign at the Winter Park Sports Complex, this grant funds critical foundational infrastructure improvements. These near-term upgrades establish the groundwork to support a broader, long-term vision of transforming the park into a vibrant, four-season recreational destination for residents and visitors alike.

Together, these awards total over $21,790 invested in our community this fall. These grants are made possible through the generosity of our donors and community supporters, whose contributions continue to make projects like these a reality.

While many know the Boulder Junction Community Foundation for our bi-annual grant awards and long-term endowment, another big part of our heart is helping local organizations bring community projects across the finish line.

When passionate residents rally around a vision—like upgrades to our parks, trail expansions, or new facilities—the Foundation steps in behind the scenes to lend support.

Think of us as a project partner: we provide the legal framework and financial stewardship as a fiscal sponsor, giving local volunteers the freedom to focus on what matters most—turning great ideas into reality.

Over the years, this spirit of partnership has helped complete several key landmarks and amenities that enrich daily life in Boulder Junction:

• Community Center & Library: Serving as the fiscal sponsor during the largest civic project in our town’s last 50 years to help build our community’s central gathering hub.
• Outdoor Recreation & Parks: Supporting community-wide efforts that enhance play and active living, including the Wisconsin Outdoor Recreation award-winning ice-skating ribbon The Glide, the Boulder Junction Playground, the Tall Pines Disc Golf Course, the full-size Basketball Court Improvement Project, and public restroom facilities at the Sports and Recreation Park.
• North Creek Loop Bike Trail: Managing fiduciary funds for the 3.3-mile paved trail extension along Hwy H, completing a popular 14-mile loop connected to the Heart of Vilas County Trail System.

This is what happens when local passion meets community support: neighbors coming together to create vibrant places to gather, stay active, and connect—for residents and visitors today, and for generations to come.

We love seeing how our town continues to grow and flourish. Next time you’re out enjoying your favorite place in town, know that your care for Boulder Junction is what makes it all possible.

For so many of us, Boulder Junction is more than just a place—it is where lifetime memories are made. Whether it’s morning calm on the lakes, crisp autumn bike rides through the pines, or gathering in town for a community event, the Northwoods stays with us forever. Through the Boulder Junction Community Foundation Legacy Circle, you can ensure that the local character, natural beauty, and vibrant spirit of Boulder Junction are preserved for generations to come.

As you make plans for the future, two important questions often arise: How would you like to be remembered? and What type of impact do you want to have on the causes that matter most to you? For many who love our community, developing a planned gift is a natural and rewarding answer. Joining the Legacy Circle offers a flexible way to make a gift during or after your lifetime—aligning your personal, financial, and estate planning goals with a lasting commitment to Boulder Junction.

How Planned Giving Works

Creating a legacy through the Foundation is a straightforward, collaborative process designed to carry out your philanthropic vision in perpetuity:

• Include the Foundation in Your Will: Name the Community Foundation in your estate plan as a bequest. We can provide recommended wording to assist you and your estate attorney.
• Determine Your Fund Type: Choose the specific type of fund you wish to establish to support the community initiatives closest to your heart.
• Establish Your Named Fund: Upon your passing, we create a dedicated fund in your name, your family’s name, or in honor of a person or organization you designate.
• Identify Local Needs: Our professional staff considers your charitable wishes alongside community needs to ensure your gift creates maximum local impact.
• Distribute Community Grants: Our board issues grants in the name of your fund (or anonymously, if you prefer).
• Invest for Permanent Growth: Your gift can be placed into an endowment that is invested over time. Annual earnings generate ongoing grants, turning your gift—and all future earnings—into a permanent source of community capital that does good work forever.

Ready to start the conversation?

We are ready to assist you every step of the way. Learn more about the Legacy Circle, view our Statement of Intent form, or start a confidential conversation by contacting an advisory board member or emailing us at info@boulderjunctioncf.org.

Summer in Boulder Junction is officially here, and the Boulder Junction Community Foundation is excited to connect with you this summer! We are looking forward to being a part of some of our town’s most beloved traditions over the next few months.

Whether you are a year-round resident, a seasonal neighbor, or just visiting our beautiful Northwoods, we would love for you to stop by, say hello, and learn more about how we are working together to support our community.

July 4th: Star Spangled Jubilee Parade

• Wave to the Boulder Junction Community Foundation as we march down Main Street in the annual Star Spangled Jubilee! This year’s parade theme is Celebrating 250 Years of America!

• The parade begins at 12:00pm on Main Street.

July 28th: Ice Cream Social

• Come connect with Boulder Junction Community Foundation Affiliate Board Members and the Boulder Junction Fire Department Volunteers. We are looking forward to an hour of great conversation, community connection, and ice cream. Full details will follow in July, so keep an eye on our website and upcoming newsletter.

• 6pm-7pm at the Boulder Junction Fire Department.

August 9th: Musky Jamboree

• The Foundation will have a presence right in the heart Boulder Junction’s signature town event. Stop by our booth to chat with our Affiliate Board Members, ask questions, or learn how you can get involved in local philanthropic efforts.

• 9am-3pm at Peeple’s Park.

Stay Connected

If you aren’t able to connect with us at these events but still want to learn more about our work, you can explore our current projects, apply for grants, or make a donation anytime right here on our website.

We can’t wait to see you out and about this summer!

We are incredibly proud to celebrate a major milestone for our community. Thanks to the remarkable generosity of our supporters, this spring marks the largest total request the Foundation has ever received and successfully awarded in a single grant cycle, with an unprecedented $33,589 going directly to local projects.

We are delighted to announce the recipients of these historic spring grant cycle awards:

• Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce: Granted $3,250 to support the Marty the Musky Restoration project.

• Boulder Junction Public Library: Awarded $1,169 to acquire new Recording/Camera Equipment.

• Boulder Junction Volunteer Fire Department: Awarded $11,199 for two sets of Radio Headsets to enhance emergency communications.

• Little Forest School: Granted $2,450 for the creation of the Wild Roots Garden Classroom.

• North Lakeland Discovery Center: Awarded $1,440 to fund three upcoming Community Programs.

• Town of Boulder Junction, Centennial Celebration: Awarded $7,081 for Centennial Commemorative Plaques.

• Town of Boulder Junction, Nichols Lake Park: Granted $5,000 for various park enhancements.

• WinMan Trails, Inc.: Awarded $2,000 to support the Trailhead Kiosk Project.

None of this would be possible without our incredible donors. Their continued support and passion for our community are what allow us to meet these growing needs year after year. Together, we are making a tangible, lasting difference in Boulder Junction!

Looking back, 2025 was a landmark year for the Boulder Junction Community Foundation, and we are proud to share the full story in our newly released 2025 Annual Report.

This year’s report goes beyond the numbers to showcase the tangible impact of our collective efforts. Inside, you’ll find highlights of the milestones we’ve reached together, a celebration of the donors who make this work possible, and a look at the historic growth that continues to strengthen our community’s future.

As the seasons turn in the Northwoods, the Boulder Junction Community Foundation is looking forward to the next wave of community innovation. Because of the continued generosity of our donors, the Foundation has been able to award over $1.75 million in grants to date.

From the new Tall Pines Disc Golf Course to the growth of WinMan Trails, these funds are quite literally changing the landscape of our area. These projects do more than just improve our town—they create lasting experiences for residents and visitors alike.

While many of our neighbors support the Foundation through financial gifts, we know you are also the leaders, volunteers, and visionaries within our local organizations. If you—or an organization you are involved with—have an idea to enhance our community, we want to hear from you. Our Spring Grant Cycle is officially open, and we are looking for projects that support health and recreation, arts and culture, the environment, and much more.

The deadline for all Spring 2026 applications is April 10. To ensure your project has the best chance for success, we highly recommend reaching out to a Foundation Board Member to discuss your idea before submitting. This consultation is a great way to ensure your project aligns with our mission and allows you to ask any specific questions you may have about the process.

Before you begin your submission, please take a moment to review the full eligibility details and access the online application on our Grant Guidelines page. The Boulder Junction Community Foundation is proud to be a partner in these plans and aspirations, and we can’t wait to see what this spring cycle brings to our community.

The Boulder Junction Community Foundation, an affiliate of The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, is pleased to announce expanded options for local giving through our Family of Funds. We want to make giving to our Foundation simple to understand and to help every donor find a cause they love.

One of our primary vehicles for impact is the Boulder Junction Endowment Fund, which allows residents to invest in the community’s future. These funds are held in perpetuity, with investment earnings providing over $40,000 in bi-annual grants to local charitable causes each year.

For those looking to address immediate challenges, the Greatest Needs Fund provides flexibility to respond to our community’s most pressing issues as they arise. Additionally, the Foundation offers specialized funds for local recreation:

• Town of Boulder Junction Bike Trail Maintenance Fund: Dedicated to keeping our premier trail system in top condition.
• Town of Boulder Junction Parks and Recreation Maintenance Fund: Supporting local favorites like the playground, basketball courts, and the well-known “The Glide” ice-skating ribbon.

The Foundation is also honored to continue its partnership with the Boulder Junction Christmas Scholarship Fund, the oldest philanthropic endeavor in our community, helping Boulder Junction students pursue post-high school education.

Beyond these established funds, we work directly with individuals to create Donor Advised, Designated, Field of Interest, and Legacy Funds tailored to specific passions. To learn more about how you can achieve your giving goals, please contact a Board Member for a personal meeting.

The Boulder Junction Community Foundation is pleased to announce a new fund. The Boulder Junction Christmas Scholarship Fund has elected reorganization to become a specialized fund within the Boulder Junction Community Foundation’s (an affiliate of the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin) family of funds. 

With this merger, the Boulder Junction Christmas Scholarship Fund, will continue to largely operate as before, but will now be able to receive online applications, which are open to all currently enrolled higher education students who are qualified residents of Boulder Junction, eliminating the need for physical mailing and processing. 

Donations can now be made online as well, so donors wishing to participate in granting scholarships to all qualified town students, can now do so with ease.   

In 1963, the Boulder Junction Christmas Scholarship Fund was formed with a mission to provide scholarship awards to all post-high school graduates who are residents of Boulder Junction and pursuing further education or training. For over 60 years, this organization has supported the future through the Christmas Scholarship Fund, assisting all who are working toward degree and certification goals. 

Applications must be submitted online through the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin’s website, www.cfoncw.org, no later than November 15. All first-time users will be asked to create a new account.  Donations to the fund are accepted year-round.   

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