Rhinelander Community Foundation awards nearly $50,000 to local organizations

The Rhinelander Area Community Foundation (RCF) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Grant Awards. This year, a total of $48,440 was awarded to 20 qualified local organizations that demonstrated an outstanding commitment to serving the Rhinelander community.

Grants were made possible through a combination of funding from the Rhinelander Community Endowment, Community Impact Fund, Non-Profit Support Fund, Rhinelander Cultural Arts Fund, Rhinelander Youth Project Fund, Ron and Elsie Gaber Grants for Greater Good and several donor-advised funds.

The awards were presented at the Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce’s Business After 5 event, held on April 16 at the Rhinelander Country Club.

“We’re excited to have delivered nearly $50,000 in grants to 20 local organizations, knowing the impact this will have across our community,” said Gina Heck, president of the Rhinelander Community Foundation. “Each grant represents not just funding, but a commitment to building a stronger, more vibrant Rhinelander.”

RCF grants are awarded based on criteria that ensure meaningful and sustainable impact. Eligible organizations must be a 501(c)(3), governmental unit, school, hospital, or religious institution. Applications are evaluated based on their alignment with RCF’s mission to enhance the quality of life in Rhinelander, the organization’s ability to serve a broad community need, collaborate with others, and demonstrate financial responsibility with a realistic plan for execution.

2025 RCF grant award recipients:

• $2,200 Headwaters Elevated Excursions Club.

• $1,000 Hodag 4-Wheelers Trail work Made Easy.

• $1,350 Junior Achievement K-12 Programming.

• $1,500 Lets Go Fishing Poly Dock Purchase and Installation.

• $2,000 Lights of the Northwoods.

• $1,200 Master Gardeners of the North for Downtown Planting.

• $7,500 NATH (Northwoods Alliance for Temporary Housing) New Bunks.

• $2,000 Oneida County 4-H Leaders Association for Youth Summer Theater.

• $2,000 Oneida County Fair Committee Fair Entertainment.

• $1,000 Personal Essentials Pantry.

• $2,340 Partners in Education (PIE) Career Experiences for RHS and JWMS Students.

• $5,000 Rhinelander Area Food Pantry for Hodag Kids Expansion Project.

• $2,500 Rhinelander Area Silent Sports Association (RASTA) Cassian Trail Boardwalk.

• $1,500 Rhinelander Community Band Sound System and Honorariums.

• $2,500 Rhinelander District Library Special Community Programming.

• $2,500 Rhinelander Police Department Thermal Drone.

• $2,500 Salvation Army of Rhinelander Emergency Assistance Program.

• $3,850 School District of Rhinelander Culture Tap and Science Department.

• $2,000 Saluting Heroes Balloon Rally.

• $2,000 Hodag BMX  Facility Improvements (with fundraising contingency).

The Rhinelander Community Foundation is dedicated to fostering charitable giving and, in partnership with our donors, enhancing the quality of life in the Rhinelander area — today and for future generations. To learn more, visit www.rhinelandercommunityfoundation.com or follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.