Celebrating 40 Years of Impact

For 40 years, the Stateline Community Foundation has strengthened Southern Rock County, Wisconsin and Northern Winnebago County, Illinois by investing in people at every stage of life and supporting the organizations that hold our community together.

Since 1986, the Foundation has stewarded charitable assets and connected generous donors to causes that matter. Over four decades, that work has resulted in:

• • $18.5 million granted to nonprofits and students
  • 1,256 students supported through scholarships
  • $16 million in assets managed to ensure long-term community impact

But impact is not measured by dollars alone. Today, the Foundation’s work begins at the earliest stage of life, because the future of our region depends on it.

Through Literacy for Life, the Foundation invests in early brain development so children enter kindergarten ready to thrive. Grounded in The Basics, this work gives families simple, research-based tools to support healthy brain growth during the earliest years. Through the Read Talk Play Everyday, learning is woven into daily life—across healthcare settings, classrooms, businesses, and community spaces—turning everyday moments into opportunities for growth. This upstream investment shapes outcomes far beyond kindergarten, influencing reading proficiency, graduation rates, workforce readiness, and long-term economic vitality. It is generational work.

As children grow, the Foundation continues walking alongside them. Scholarships help remove financial barriers to higher education and career pathways, opening doors for students to pursue their goals and contribute their talents back to the community.

At the same time, grantmaking supports the nonprofit organizations that provide essential services, enrich culture, advance health, and respond to emerging needs in the Stateline community. By stewarding nearly 200 charitable funds, the Foundation ensures that resources remain flexible, responsive, and aligned with what matters most to the region.

The Women’s Fund further strengthens this continuum by advancing opportunity for women and girls, supporting research-informed grantmaking, and addressing systemic barriers that impact economic security and leadership opportunities.

Together, these efforts reflect a unified strategy: invest early, support growth, and strengthen the systems that sustain community well-being.

For 40 years, generous donors, volunteers, and partners have helped shape this work. As the Foundation celebrates this milestone, it remains committed not only to stewarding charitable assets responsibly, but to leading collaborative efforts that create measurable, lasting change. We invite you to join us in building even greater impact—follow our 40th anniversary celebrations and stay connected with the Foundation on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.