Fort Atkinson Community Foundation

09/08/2026

REMINDER: Our next Community Grant application deadline is one week away!

Questions about how to apply, what we fund, whether you project qualifies?
Contact our office today:
[email protected]
920.563.3210

Happy applying!

09/07/2026

Our foundation office is closed today in recognition of Labor Day.

09/04/2026

Thank you to all who supported the (ongoing) revitalization efforts at the Brietzke Educational Wetland!

The ADA-accessible floating pier, educational signs & sound boards have been installed, and the new benches and bike rack have been placed. Work is continuing and will include additional signage, a new table, and a beautiful new entrance (complete with stone pillars & metal artwork featuring cattails and wildlife sculptures).

We have been honored to be a part of this project to help bring this space to its full potential as a natured-based engagement opportunity for students and community members.

Stay tuned for a final announcement of the fully completed work this fall!

09/03/2026

Check out our latest quarterly newsletter to stay updated on all the things happening here at the foundation!

“The Polar Path holiday lights display has been a staple of the holiday season here in Fort Atkinson for 6 years now. It is something that the citizens of Fort Atkinson look forward to every year. For many families, a walk down the Polar Path has become a tradition of the holiday season. This trad...

09/02/2026

Are you registered for the third quarter Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce membership engagement opportunity?

In two weeks, our foundation's Executive Director will be joining the Gustin Furlow Group from Baird to chat with folks about estate planning, donor-advised funds, local impact, tax advantages, and more.

The event does require advanced registration, so click below to get signed up:
https://www.fortchamber.com/event-calendar #!event/2026/9/16/q3-member-engagement-mtg

09/01/2026

All Fort Atkinson schools are officially back in session, so we thought it would be a great day to remind everyone about our Educator Wish Grants!

This unique funding opportunity seeks to provide local educators with small grants to aid the learning needs and environments of the students they serve. The intent is to provide financial assistance, beyond what tax dollars and school budgets can support.

"This year, because of our organization’s growth and continued thorough discussions within our board, we recognized an opportunity to better meet the needs of our educators and have increased the maximum grant amount from $500 to $750," notes Jim Schulenburg, FACF Board Chairman.

Applications are being accepted until 5pm on September 30th and can be requested by contacting foundation staff at [email protected].

To read the full press release with details on the grants, click below:
https://tinyurl.com/4hcnmmmj

Interested in supporting the fund? Click below to make an online donation, or mail a check donation to 244 N. Main Street with "Educator Wish Grant Fund" noted in the memo.

Donate HERE: https://rb.gy/s34zxp

08/31/2026

Check out the new Rapid Flashing Beacons on Janesville Avenue!

Our foundation recently paid out a previously awarded grant to the City of Fort Atkinson, WI-Government in support of half the cost for two new Rapid Flashing Beacons to be purchased and installed. The installation of the one on Janesville Avenue (crossing from Jones Park to Jones Market) was recently completed.

We are so thankful for this new safety feature allowing for more ease of access for pedestrians to some of the great assets in our city.

Thanks for the partnership (and photos!), City of Fort!

08/28/2026

Just kidding, we have ONE more scholarship update to share! :)

Although our scholarship awards mostly wrap up in May, we have one very unique scholarship that is celebrated over the summer.

The Ed Karrels Computer Science Scholarship was established in October 2011 and is funded through annual gifts to the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation by Edward Karrels. Karrels was a 1992 graduate of Fort Atkinson High School who parlayed his computer science degree into a rewarding career at early Google. Mr. Karrels set up this scholarship to encourage Fort Atkinson students to explore the field of computer science.

There is no application process for this scholarship. Rather, any student who successfully completes the AP Computer Science class at Fort Atkinson High School and then passes the Computer Science AP exam with a score of 3, 4 or 5 no later than three months after passing the class, is automatically eligible for this $2,000 scholarship.

Noted below are the students who received their award and/or passed the class & exam this past school year. The Juniors will be eligible to receive their award next year!

08/27/2026

Congratulations to the 12 individuals who received AAUW scholarships this year, totaling $28,000!

Anastasia Vechnisky, Jaci Saeger, Katie Luebke, and Hannah Foley all received AAUW Second Chance scholarships, ranging from $3,000 - $5,000. This fund provides local scholarships to women who plan to continue, or are continuing, their education at a vocational/technical college or an undergraduate program at a college or university after having been out of formal education for at least one year.

Mariana Gamez, Natalie Kammer, and Ruth Stiemke all received AAUW Jane Shaw Knox Undergraduate scholarships, ranging from $1,000 - $2,000.

Emmigail Belzer, Lauren Bilau, Alexis Zwieg, and Kaitlyn Schneider all received AAUW Jane Shaw Knox Graduate scholarships, for $2,000 each.

The Jane Shaw Knox Scholarship Funds were developed by members of the Fort Atkinson branch of AAUW to provide a funding support for women completing bachelor’s degrees and post-graduate degrees. The concept held a special place for Jane Shaw Knox, a charter member of the branch. Following her death, the Knox family established a memorial fund through the Foundation to fund the scholarships.

Congratulations to these students and THANK YOU to the AAUW organization, Knox Family, and all who support these funds!

08/25/2026

It's hard to believe, but we STILL have some scholarship recognitions to share!

Congratulations to Katie Luebke, Maren Selle, Jaci Saeger, Zachary Cleppe, Evelyn Cruz Palacios, and Eleanor Kohl, who were all recipients of a 2026 Jim and Lee Vance Scholarship. The awards ranged from $4,500 - $7,000 for a total of $32,000 in scholarship awards from this generous fund.

This scholarship was established by the late Jim & Lee Vance, to support students who are pursuing educational paths similar to Jim’s and Lee’s educational interests. Thanks to their generosity, we can provide impactful financial support and encouragement to Fort Atkinson students.

Please join us in congratulating these six students and thanking the Vance family for their meaningful support!