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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.
Since 2010, your generosity has empowered us to award over $1.7 million directly impacting countless lives and projects in our beloved town.
This past year, your support made a tangible difference, allowing us to fund projects such as:
- Contribution to The Glide Ice Skating Ribbon and Tall Pines Disc Golf Course, offering new recreational opportunities for residents and visitors
- Improving snowmobile trail maintenance with a new groomer attachment for the Boulder Junction Snowmobile Club
- New, state-of-the-art gear for the Boulder Junction Volunteer Fire Department, enhancing emergency response
- Start-up funding for Little Forest School, Inc., addressing a critical local need for childcare
- Expansion of the WinMan Trails, boosting mountain and trail biking tourism
With your continued support, we can keep making a positive impact on our community. Gifts of all sizes are welcome and deeply appreciated – together we truly make a difference!
Gifts of all sizes are welcome and appreciated – together we make a difference! Please consider a gift today.
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.
The Boulder Junction Community Foundation is excited to announce the recipients of our Fall 2025 Grant Cycle awards, totaling $8,510 invested directly into our community. These grants support a diverse range of local projects, from enhancing recreational spaces to expanding access to educational programs.
We are proud to support the following initiatives:
- Town of Boulder Junction Parks and Recreation Board: A grant of $3,500 will help fund enhancements for The Glide Ice Skating Ribbon at Winter Park, ensuring this popular community amenity remains a fantastic place for winter fun.
- Boulder Junction Snowmobile Club: A grant of $3,600 will enable the club to purchase a new groomer attachment, helping to maintain well-groomed and safe trails for snowmobilers throughout the season.
- North Lakeland Discovery Center: A grant of $1,410 will support their “Learning Without Barriers” program by aiding in the purchase of hearing devices for program participants, making outdoor education more accessible for everyone.
These investments are made possible by the generosity of our donors and supporters. Thank you for helping us make a tangible and lasting difference in Boulder Junction.
What a special night we had celebrating our 15th anniversary! We were thrilled to share some wonderful news with everyone in attendance.
Thanks to the unwavering dedication and support of our donors, our Endowment Fund has reached a major milestone. We’ve officially surpassed our $1 million goal, with the fund now at an incredible $1,005,188! This goal was set back in 2010 when the Foundation was started.
This remarkable success is a direct result of our donor generosity. Their belief in our mission has allowed us to not only reach this goal but also to grant $1,712,681 to our community over the past 15 years.
For fifteen years, the Boulder Junction Community Foundation has been dedicated to preserving and enhancing Boulder Junction for present and future generations. Guided by its vision to strengthen community, develop resources, and enrich quality of life, the Foundation has consistently worked to support and uplift the town, making a significant and lasting impact.
Thanks to the incredible dedication and generosity of our community, since its founding in 2010, the Boulder Junction Community Foundation has distributed over $1.6 million in grants and fiduciary support, directly benefiting countless local initiatives and organizations. With continued donor support, they are also rapidly closing in on their goal of reaching $1,000,000 in the Endowment Fund—a significant target set by founding members.
In celebration of this milestone, the Boulder Junction Community Foundation is thrilled to announce a special summer evening of festivities. The 15th Anniversary Celebration will take place on Friday, August 1st, 2025, from 7pm to 10pm, in the vibrant beer garden at Aqualand Ale House. This celebratory event is free and open to the public, welcoming all ages to join in the fun.
The evening will feature an energetic performance by The Pendulum Hearts, a high-energy Texas swing band ready to get everyone on their feet and boots tapping. Aqualand Ale House will be open with a full food and beverage menu. Attendees can look forward to enjoying complimentary cake, receiving special foundation merchandise as a thank you, and having the opportunity to raise a glass to 15 years of impactful community building.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate 15 years of supporting the Boulder Junction community,” said Mary Van Grinsven, President of the Boulder Junction Community Foundation. “This anniversary event is our way of saying thank you to everyone who has contributed to our success. We invite all our friends and neighbors to come enjoy fantastic music, celebrate with us, and look forward to many more years of working together to continue to make Boulder Junction an awesome place to call home.”
Come for the music, stay for the celebration, and help us toast to the next 15 years of supporting the town we all love!
The Boulder Junction Community Foundation, in partnership with the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, offers a way for you to simplify your charitable giving: Donor Advised Funds.
What are Donor Advised Funds?
Donor-Advised Funds offer a straightforward and tax-efficient way to manage your donations. Here’s how they work:
- You establish a fund by making a gift.
- You remain actively involved by recommending grants to the nonprofit organizations you wish to support.
- These funds are the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicle in the nation due to their ease of use and potential tax advantages.
Benefits of Donor Advised Funds
Compared to family or corporate foundations, Donor Advised Funds are generally more cost-effective and less complicated to manage. They allow you to:
- Establish a fund today and make grant recommendations at your convenience.
- Involve future generations in suggesting grants, creating a lasting legacy of family philanthropy.
Learn More
To discover how you can get involved with Donor Advised Funds through the Boulder Junction Community Foundation, click here and scroll down to Donor Advised Funds.
With each step closer to our fundraising goals, the Boulder Junction Community Foundation is thrilled to amplify its investments in our local community.
We are delighted to announce the recipients of our spring grant cycle awards:
- American Legion Auxiliary Unit 451: Awarded $2,000 for their Charter Member Memorial project, ensuring the lasting recognition of the individuals who established this vital organization who serves veterans in the Boulder Junction and Plum Lake communities.
- Boulder Junction Volunteer Fire Department: Granted $11,585 to acquire a new TNT Storm Surge Combination Tool. This state-of-the-art equipment will significantly enhance their response speed in off-road rescues, storm surge incidents, and extraction calls, proving invaluable as outdoor recreation emergencies become more frequent.
- Little Forest School Inc.: Received $10,000 to support their start-up expenses. This newly formed non-profit will address a critical need by providing much-needed childcare services in our area.
- Town of Boulder Junction Parks and Recreation, Tall Pines 18 Hole Disc Golf Course: Awarded $1500 for construction costs of the disc golf course and a signature hole and bench, enhancing the new recreational amenity opening later this spring.
- WinMan Trails: Granted $1,500 for their new Base Camp Mountain Bike Trail, contributing to a larger initiative that continues to boost mountain and trail bike riding tourism throughout our region.
The Boulder Junction Community Foundation extends its sincere gratitude for your ongoing support. Together, we are making a tangible difference in Boulder Junction!