Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
In Fiscal Year 2023, the SCVF granted $5.5 M through donor advised, agency, scholarship, and field of interest funds. The SCVF supported local nonprofits by 1) implementing foundation-led competitive grant programs granting over $250,000 to 58 organizations and 2) providing nonprofit professional development through the Consultants in Service (CIS) program. CIS matches volunteer consultants, who donate time and expertise on a variety of topics, with area nonprofit need. In FY2023, nine nonprofits were matched with volunteer consultants. In addition, the SCVF took CIS on the road offering three professional development workshops; close to 75 nonprofit leaders, from across the region, attended the sessions. SCVF hosted the Conversations of the Valley virtual series; these events are an example of SCVF’s work as a convener, connector, and collaborator. The programs feature speakers on a wide range of topics and are designed to strengthen community connections while raising awareness around issues facing our region. In 2023, SCVF hosted a compelling four-part series on regional resiliency - how to keep our unique region and its communities healthy, thriving, and better able to withstand unexpected challenges.
Current Goals
In FY23, the SCVF will finalize our year-long strategic planning process, the culmination of over 16 months of SCVF Board, Affiliate, community, and staff engagement. Over the course of the next three months, the SCVF Board will use this strategic roadmap to establish a concrete action plan. In addition, a task force has been charged with researching, imagining, and recommending a more sustainable Affiliate model. The SCVF will offer five competitive grant programs throughout our six-county region. 1) The Music Education fund will grant over $30,000 to area schools seeking to enhance the quality of school-based music education programs. 2) The Valley Arts Initiative will grant approximately $60,000 to area arts organizations. 3) The SCVF will collaborate with the ten Affiliates to grant approximately $125,000 to organizations addressing mental health. 4) The First Thousand Days grant program will support the physical, mental, emotional, and social development of children during the critical “first thousand days of life” granting approximately $150,000 to organizations and programs that prepare children to succeed in school. 5) The Environmental grant program, launched on Earth Day 2024, will support projects and organizations working to promote, protect, and restore the natural resources and character of the St. Croix Valley. The Consultants in Service (CIS) Program will deliver CIS: On the Road – Board Engagement series. Sessions include, Fundamentals of Board Governance, Board Engagement Strategies, and Engaging Your Board in Fundraising. The Conversations of the Valley series will be focused on “First Thousand Days”, highlighting the grant recipients’ successes.
Community or Constituency Served
We work with our ten affiliates, founded to serve donors, nonprofits, and communities throughout the St. Croix Valley in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Geographic Area Served
The St. Croix Valley Foundation serves the St. Croix River Valley - providing philanthropic services to over 500,000 residents in six counties covering 7,000 square miles in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. We serve Washington and Chisago counties in Minnesota and Pierce, St. Croix, Polk, and Burnett counties in Wisconsin.
