Information

History of our Foundation

The Janesville Area Foundation Fund became a reality on July 24, 2012, at an Indian Island Winery event. It was organized by a Janesville Rotary Club committee led by
Dr. Dave Pope, a longtime resident and community activist. The evening featured presentations from Patrice Abbe, MN Philanthropy Partners Gift Planning Specialist, and Gail Schmidt, the New Richland Area Foundation representative on the Waseca Area Foundation Board, who was instrumental in getting the Fund in New Richland established. With the combination of these presentations and the donations given by the people from Janesville, the Janesville Area Foundation was born.

Over the following few years, the Waseca Area Foundation had a series of conversations with people from both New Richland and Janesville about the opportunity to establish an endowment fund for their local communities, with the purpose of supporting local projects, with local money.
The Janesville Area Foundation's wish was to stimulate philanthropic giving to a permanent fund that would provide money for community needs for now and for
the future.

In order to establish an endowment fund, each of the communities needed to raise $25,000. The purpose of the Janesville, New Richland, and Waseca Area Foundations is to provide grants for community development projects and programs, which are responsive to the changing community needs in promoting quality education, cultural, wellness, recreational, social service, environmental and civic opportunities. The money is invested in Minnesota Philanthropy Partners, with an annual return averaging around 5%. The spending policy that is followed for each of the funds ensures that the principal will exist forever.

The grants given by each community are determined by local members of that specific area. Grant applications are available on the Waseca Area Foundation website under the Grants tab. Grant applications may be submitted by anyone in the Janesville area but can only be awarded to a nonprofit entity. Applications are due September 30th each year to the Executive Director of the Waseca Area Foundation.

Board Members meet once a month. If you have any questions or need further information, you may contact the Executive Director, Board Members, or the JAF Representative, Dave Pope.