1986
 • Foundation was organized in 1986 under the auspices of the Black River Falls Rotary Club, which pledged $10,000.
 • Seventh Community Foundation in Wisconsin, smallest Community Foundation in the country.
 • Initial funding goal was to raise $125,000 over five years with interest to be used to fund grants for community projects.
 • Foundation organized 153 contributors pledged over $150,000.

 

1987
 • Grant funds were awarded totaling $2,562.

 

1988
 • First major community project undertaken to assist the City of Black River Falls in raising funds to expand the golf course from 9 holes to 18 holes.
 • 323 pledges of $300,000 were raised. New course opened in 1990.
 • First scholarship program started with Lions/Rotary Clubs donating funds to sponsor a $1,000 annual scholarship.
 • Annual Strategic Planning Meetings started including concept of identifying one major community project for the Foundation to accomplish.
 • A Community Recreation Center was established as the next major project.

 

1989
 • Interfaith Caregivers was started in Black River Falls with a $15,000 contribution received from the Foundation.
 • Milt and Lydia Lunda became interested in the Community Recreation Center and donated over $2 million for its construction.

 

1990
 • The Foundation completed a successful fundraising drive for the Community Recreation Center raising $600,000.
 • Several new scholarships were funded.

 

1991
 • Foundation voted to select the Public Library as its next community project.
 • Grant funds were awarded totaling $19,345.
 • New scholarships were funded.

 

1992
 • Foundation trustees agreed to raise funds to construct a $1.3 million new Public Library. The Foundation began the drive by pledging $25,000. Major contributors in the next 2 years included the Hoffman Family providing the major contribution in memory of Duane Hoffman and Mary Van Gorden donating funds to construct and equip a Jackson County History Room as part of the new library.
 • Grant funds were awarded totaling $20,122.

 

1993
 • Fundraising continued for the new library.
 • The Pine View Advisory Fund was started with joint grants of $5,000 each from the Foundation and Jackson County. Fund earnings will be used to purchase extra improvements to enhance the quality of life of Pine View residents.

 

1994
 • A multi-purpose Recreation Trail for hiking, biking and roller blading was selected as the next major community project. The plan is to eventually have the trail circle the entire City of Black River Falls and perhaps link with Lake Wazee at a later date.

 

1995
 • The Grace Webb Fund was started, which provides funds to all Jackson County Elementary Schools for reading materials.
 • Mary Van Gorden donated $100,000 to the Foundation to establish an Endowment Fund to help meet operating expenses of the Jackson County History Room in the new Public Library.

 

1996
 • The Friends of the Foundation was organized. Friends donate $100 annually to help fund local grant requests. The group has 80 to 100 members and meets annually for a luncheon to discuss Foundation activities.
 • The Foundation assists in the creation of a City Community Park Commission to investigate construction of a new Community Park.
 • Tom Mills donates $100,000 to the Foundation with earnings to be used to fund annual grant requests.

 

1997
 • The first section of the multi-purpose Recreation Trail running along the Black River was completed with a grant of $60,000 from the Perry Hull Trust.
 • The Foundation acquired two parcels of land, one to be used for construction of the new Community Park and the other for future community projects.
 • Jim and Carol Dougherty made a substantial donation, which will accumulate with interest until it reaches $100,000. At that time, it will be used to fund grant requests.
 • Fundraising begins for the Community Park and Aquatic Center. The majority of funds will be provided by the Lunda Charitable Trust and Milt and Lydia Lunda. Significant other donations include the Cliff and Blanche Nelson Trust, the Hoffman Family, the Foundation, and the City of Black River Falls.

 

1998
 • Construction of the Community Park and Aquatic Center is mostly completed and the Aquatic Center opens for use.
 • Grant funds were awarded totaling $33,350. Over $14,000 of Scholarships were also awarded. Presentation of these awards was made at the new Community Park Shelter Building, which was the first official use of the Shelter.
 • The Foundation received $46,000 from the Clara and Gaylord Emerson Estate to be deposited for the use of the Pine View Endowment Fund.
 • David and Marilyn Hoffman donate $100,000 to increase scholarship funds.
 • The Foundation, on behalf of the City, applied for a $600,000 State Grant to complete the multi-purpose Recreation Trail. The grant was approved and construction will begin in 1999.
 • Stanley Held donated $50,000 to the Foundation with earnings to help fund special projects of four Jackson County charitable organizations – Interfaith Caregivers, Black River Memorial Hospital, Alma Center First Responders, and Alma Center Public Library.
 • The Foundation reaches $1 million in assets!!!

 

1999
 • Construction of the Community Park will be completed and a Grand Opening held.
 • Construction of the second portion of the multi-purpose Recreation Trail will begin.
 • Another special project will take place.
 • The Foundation will review its organization and its methods of operation for possible improvements.

 

2000

 • A new scholarship, the Anna and James Klir, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, began.
 • The multi-purpose Recreation Trail, now named the Foundation Trail , was dedicated September 16, 2000

 

2001  

 • Two new scholarships, the Lieutenant Terry L Preston Memorial Scholarship and the Dean Nortman Memorial Scholarship, began.
 • A new fundraising campaign, Circle of Friends, began, concluding the end of the year
 • The Peter and Jone Hoffman Fund was established.

 

2002  

 • The Gil and Alice Homstad Fund was established.
 • The Lunda Community Park Maintenance and Improvement Fund was established.
 • Donation received by Hoffman Construction Company in honor of Peter Hoffman to acknowledge the support provided to the community by the Foundation with earnings to be used to fund annual grants.
 • Donation was made by David and Marilyn Hoffman to increase the David and Marilyn Hoffman Scholarship Fund.
 • Perry Hull Fund name changed to Foundation Trail Maintenance Fund
 • Funds donated by the Mills Family to the Mills Park Maintenance and Improvement Fund. A large bronze hippo statue was placed in the park.

 

2003  

 • Mike Dougherty discussed planning stages of Skate Board Park.
 • The City of Black River Falls – Field of Honor Maintenance and Improvement Fund was created.

 

2004  

 • Foundation Trail Walk Fundraiser held.
 • Decision made to locate Skate Board Park in Lunda Community Park.

 

2005  

 • Partnership program started with the Foundation, WWTC (Western Wisconsin Technical College) Written Communication Class, and the Banner Journal. Goal was to enhance the public’s awareness of the Foundation.
 • Established Foundation Web site - www.brfareafoundation.org
 • Dustin Rozmenoski Memorial Scholarship Fund was created.
 • Rotary Club has chosen to sponsor the construction of a Skate Board Park in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Rotary International. It will be constructed in the Lunda Community Park. Fundraising started.
 • Donation of additional $50,000 added to the Gil and Alice Homstad Fund.

 

2006  

• Grant funds were awarded totaling $57,263. In addition, $159,000 of designated grant funds and scholarships were awarded.
 • 18 scholarships are now available annually.