In response to continued challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation announces additional funding available for local non-profit organizations and safety net agencies serving our community's most vulnerable residents.

These Emergency Response Grants will support

agencies currently providing services who are experiencing:

Funded organizations must serve individuals in communities served by the Dodgeland, Hustisford, Ixonia, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Waterloo and Watertown school districts.

For more information and to apply for a grant, please click here. Questions may be directed to Community Engagement & Grants Coordinator Andi Merfeld.

Non-profit Stabilization Grants will be available in early 2021. Stabilization grants will help non-profit organizations experiencing significant cash flow challenges or the need to significantly pivot their business models in response to the pandemic. These grants will prioritize agencies serving at-risk populations and will require a review of 2020 financial statements. Non-profit organizations are encouraged to watch for the Foundation to release a Request for Proposals for Non-Profit Stabilization Grants in late January.

If you are aware of needs in our community that do not fall within the parameters for these grants, please contact us. We are actively listening to determine how we can best support our local organizations as they cope and serve the community throughout this crisis.

Since last spring, the Foundation has awarded approximately $100,000 in Emergency Response Grants for food, shelter, and service adaptations of agencies.

Launched in the fall, the evidence-based Positive Parenting Program helps families spend more time learning and growing together, and less time dealing with stress and misbehavior. Program offerings are available at no cost to families in Dodge and Jefferson counties.

We invite you to participate in upcoming programs to learn about the benefits so you can refer families to participate!

Registration for all programs is FREE and is available at talkreadplaywi.com.

If you are interested in having us offer a program specifically for your organization, please contact us! Our goal is to reach 700 families in the next year.

In a challenging year like this one, a little gratitude goes a long way.

Thank you to the many organizations who have already requested gratitude cards as part of our 20,000 Messages of Thanks Challenge. The effort has been a great success, with 16,000 cards distributed so far. Help us get the final 4,000 out!

Gratitude cards with the message "Can't mask my gratitude for everything you do!" are available to businesses, schools, churches, libraries, civic groups and any other organization in Dodge or Jefferson County. Distribute them to students, employees, families, customers and community members and encourage them to write notes of gratitude to people who are making a difference.

Cards with envelopes are available in bundles of 100. Request as many bundles as you’d like and we will deliver them to your organization. Cards are also available in smaller quantities at multiple pick-up sites throughout the community. Visit watertownhealthfoundation.com/gratitude to order cards or see a list of pick-up locations. Questions? Contact us.

We want to wish you all a safe, healthy and happy holiday season. Take the time to enjoy some rest, relaxation and self care. We look forward to working with you in 2021!