The Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc concentrates its giving on capital and facility projects that strengthen community infrastructure in central Wisconsin Rapids and surrounding towns. Grants consistently support public education facilities, homelessness/housing services, community health care, and recreational amenities (parks, trails, sports venues), favoring visible, place-based investments that benefit broad local populations. The foundation makes relatively few, very large grants—often funding build-outs, remodels, or new construction—and shows repeated support for longstanding local partners.
Legacy Foundation of Central Wisc’s largest recent grants point to a clear pattern: it funds major capital projects that reshape local institutions and public spaces in central Wisconsin. A 2023 grant of $2,200,000 to Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools paid for new playground equipment, while the same year it gave $2,165,000 to Mary’s Place Boarding House Inc to fund a new homeless center in Marshfield. Those awards fit a broader record of large, place-based investments in schools, housing, health care, and recreation. The foundation’s recent work includes facility improvements for public schools, redevelopment support for a YMCA site, trail and park projects, and upgrades for community health and emergency-service infrastructure. It has also backed organizations serving children, older adults, people experiencing homelessness, and families using local recreation and social-service systems. The grant history suggests a funder that favors visible, durable projects with long operating value rather than small, short-term awards. In Central Wisconsin, the foundation often appears as a lead capital partner for organizations taking on build-outs, remodels, accessibility upgrades, and new construction. Several recipients receive support across multiple years, which points to sustained relationships rather than isolated grants.
Public education capital projects are a major theme. The foundation gave $1,550,000 in 2024 and $1,200,000 in 2023 to Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools for accessible outdoor play equipment, following the earlier playground-equipment grant. Housing and homelessness is another clear priority. It supported Mary’s Place Boarding House Inc with $2,165,000 to fund a new homeless center, and later backed Habitat for Humanity with $500,000 to build homes. Health infrastructure also appears in the record. Family Health Center received $1,000,000 in 2024 for a federally qualified health center, and Aspirus Riverview Hospital & Clinic received $500,000 in 2024 for technology for remote diagnostics. Community recreation and accessibility show up through projects such as the John E Alexander YMCA Community Center’s Port Edwards site redevelopment and McMillina Memorial Library’s elevator and access work.
$8.1M
$142.4M
$10.7M
$9.6M
Most grants fall between $73K and $500K, with a median of $155K.
25th Percentile
$73K
Median
$155K
75th Percentile
$500K
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Concentrated, high-dollar capital grants to a small number of local organizations; repeat large awards to core community institutions rather than many small grants or wide geographic distribution.
Notable grantees: Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools, Mary's Place Boarding House Inc, Family Health Center, John E Alexander YMCA Community Center, Discover Rome Area Family Trails
Typical grant size is relatively large: the 25th percentile is $72,500, the median is $155,200, and the 75th percentile is $500,000. That spread matches a portfolio built around major projects and occasional six- and seven-figure awards. The foundation also shows repeat support for some recipients over multiple years, including Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools, Aspirus Riverview Hospital & Clinic, United Way of South Wood & Adams Co, Village of Port Edwards, and Wisconsin Rapids Family Center. Its grantmaking is local, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
Grantmaking is concentrated in Wisconsin, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the home state. Wisconsin Rapids appears most often, including awards to Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools, the Boys & Girls Club of the Wis Rapids, and the City of Wisconsin Rapids. Other recipient places in the record include Marshfield, Port Edwards, Nekoosa, Rudolph, and Weston, showing a regional footprint centered in central Wisconsin rather than a statewide or national one.
The foundation repeatedly funds capital and facility work. Recent awards include playground and accessible outdoor play equipment for Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools, a new homeless center for Mary’s Place Boarding House Inc, health-center technology for Aspirus Riverview Hospital & Clinic, and redevelopment work for the John E Alexander YMCA Community Center.
The grant-size distribution is high relative to many local funders: the 25th percentile is $72,500, the median is $155,200, and the 75th percentile is $500,000. Recent awards include multiple six-figure and seven-figure grants.
Yes. The recent record shows repeat support for several recipients across different years, including Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools, Aspirus Riverview Hospital & Clinic, United Way of South Wood & Adams Co, Village of Port Edwards, and Wisconsin Rapids Family Center.
Its grantmaking is local and entirely in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Rapids is the most frequent recipient city, with additional grants going to Marshfield, Port Edwards, Nekoosa, Rudolph, and Weston.
No on both counts. The foundation’s profile indicates it does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN E ALEXANDER YMCA COMMUNITY CE | PORT EDWARDS, WI | $975,000 | 2025 | PORT EDWARDS SITE RE-DEVELOPMENT |
| DISCOVER ROME AREA FAMILY TRAILS | NEKOOSA, WI | $938,992 | 2025 | TRAIL & TUNNEL |
| SOUTH WOOD CO HUMANE SOCIETY | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $800,000 | 2025 | REMODEL FACILITY |
| RAPIDS AREA SOCCER INC | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $566,000 | 2025 | SOCCER STADIUM IMPROVEMENTS |
| AGING & DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $525,935 | 2025 | MEALS ON WHEELS SUSTAINABILITY |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTH WOOD & ADAMS CO | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $500,000 | 2025 | UNITED FOREVER FUND |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $500,000 | 2025 | BUILD HOMES |
| VILLAGE OF PORT EDWARDS | PORT EDWARDS, WI | $500,000 | 2025 | RIPPLE CREEK PARK & TRAIL |
| VILLAGE OF RUDOLPH | RUDOLPH, WI | $500,000 | 2025 | SPLASH PAD |
| CITY OF WISCONSIN RAPIDS | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $360,000 | 2025 | ZOO |
| WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $358,858 | 2025 | MOBILE VEHICLE SAFETY BARRIERS |
| HISTORIC POINT BASSE INC | NEKOOSA, WI | $350,000 | 2025 | WAKELY HOUSE |
| WISCONSIN RAPIDS FAMILY CENTER INC | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $250,000 | 2025 | SUSTAINABILITY |
| WOOD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES DPT | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $160,400 | 2025 | FUND BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION PROGRAM |
| WOOD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES DPT | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $160,000 | 2025 | TRUANCY PROGRAM |
| FEEDING OUR COMM WITH UNITED SERV | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $145,000 | 2025 | TECHNOLOGY |
| WOOD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES DPT | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $130,000 | 2025 | MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT COURT |
| THE HANNAH CENTER INC | MARSHFIELD, WI | $110,000 | 2025 | NEW FACILITY & OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ACACIA FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL WI IN | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | WOOD COUNTY K9 PROGRAM |
| OPPORTUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTERS INC | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | CO-RESPONDER CRISIS RESPONSE UNIT |
| FEEDING OUR COMM WITH UNITED SERV | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | NEW FACILITY |
| CHILDREN'S SERVICE SOCIETY OF WI | WAUSAU, WI | $42,122 | 2025 | GRANT |
| WISCONSIN RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $1,550,000 | 2024 | ACCESSIBLE OUTDOOR PLAY EQUIPMENT |
| FAMILY HEALTH CENTER | MARSHFIELD, WI | $1,000,000 | 2024 | FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTH WOOD & ADAMS CO | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $1,000,000 | 2024 | UNITED FOREVER FUND |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE WIS RAPIDS | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $500,000 | 2024 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MCMILLINA MEMORIAL LIBRARY | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $500,000 | 2024 | ELEVATOR & ACCESS |
| ASPIRUS RIVERVIEW HOSPITAL & CLINIC | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $500,000 | 2024 | TECHNOLOGY FOR REMOTE DIAGNOSTICS |
| WISCONSIN RAPIDS YOUTH SPORTS ASSOC | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $332,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL PROJECTS |
| WOOD COUNTY SHERIFF'S RESCUE | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $250,000 | 2024 | RESCUE TRUCK |
| MID-STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $250,000 | 2024 | FIREFIGHTER TECH DIPLOMA ACADEMY |
| CITY OF NEKOOSA | NEKOOSA, WI | $190,000 | 2024 | ADA RESTROOMS & SHELTER |
| WOOD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES DPT | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $160,400 | 2024 | FUND BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION PROGRAM |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $150,000 | 2024 | BUILD HOMES |
| CHAMPIONS4KIDS INC | MADISON, WI | $130,000 | 2024 | STAFFING/OPERATIONS/CAPITAL |
| WHEELS OF INDEPENDENCE INC | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $127,121 | 2024 | 3 REAR-LOADING VANS |
| THE HANNAH CENTER INC | MARSHFIELD, WI | $110,000 | 2024 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ARTS COUNCIL OF SOUTH WOOD COUNTY | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $100,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| ACACIA FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL WI IN | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $100,000 | 2024 | WOOD COUNTY K9 PROGRAM |
| FEEDING OUR COMM WITH UNITED SERV | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $50,000 | 2024 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CENTRAL WISCONSIN CULTURAL CENTER | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $46,000 | 2024 | FACILITY ADDITION AND REMODEL |
| NEKOOSA PARK AND RECFRIENDS OF SW | NEKOOSA, WI | $38,000 | 2024 | TRAIL BRIDGE & OBSERVATION DECK |
| FOREST HILL CEMETERY & MAUSOLEUM | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | REPAIR ROADS & STONE WALLS |
| TOWN OF ROME | NEKOOSA, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | FUND PARK MASTER PLAN |
| VILLAGE OF RUDOLPH | RUDOLPH, WI | $24,000 | 2024 | PARK UPGRADE |
| WISCONSIN RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $2,200,000 | 2023 | NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT |
| MARY'S PLACE BOARDING HOUSE INC | MARSHFIELD, WI | $2,165,000 | 2023 | FUND NEW HOMELESS CENTER |
| WISCONSIN RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $1,200,000 | 2023 | ACCESSIBLE OUTDOOR PLAY EQUIPMENT |
| VILLAGE OF PORT EDWARDS | PORT EDWARDS, WI | $500,000 | 2023 | FUND BIKING AND WALKING PATH |
| ASPIRUS RIVERVIEW HOSPITAL & CLINIC | WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI | $500,000 | 2023 | TECHNOLOGY FOR REMOTE DIAGNOSTICS |
JOHN E ALEXANDER YMCA COMMUNITY CE
$975,000PORT EDWARDS SITE RE-DEVELOPMENT
DISCOVER ROME AREA FAMILY TRAILS
$938,992TRAIL & TUNNEL
SOUTH WOOD CO HUMANE SOCIETY
$800,000REMODEL FACILITY
RAPIDS AREA SOCCER INC
$566,000SOCCER STADIUM IMPROVEMENTS
AGING & DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER
$525,935MEALS ON WHEELS SUSTAINABILITY
UNITED WAY OF SOUTH WOOD & ADAMS CO
$500,000UNITED FOREVER FUND
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$500,000BUILD HOMES
VILLAGE OF PORT EDWARDS
$500,000RIPPLE CREEK PARK & TRAIL
VILLAGE OF RUDOLPH
$500,000SPLASH PAD
CITY OF WISCONSIN RAPIDS
$360,000ZOO
WOOD COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
$358,858MOBILE VEHICLE SAFETY BARRIERS
HISTORIC POINT BASSE INC
$350,000WAKELY HOUSE
WOOD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES DPT
$160,400FUND BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION PROGRAM
WOOD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES DPT
$160,000TRUANCY PROGRAM
FEEDING OUR COMM WITH UNITED SERV
$145,000TECHNOLOGY
WOOD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES DPT
$130,000MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT COURT
THE HANNAH CENTER INC
$110,000NEW FACILITY & OPERATING SUPPORT
ACACIA FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL WI IN
$100,000WOOD COUNTY K9 PROGRAM
CO-RESPONDER CRISIS RESPONSE UNIT
FEEDING OUR COMM WITH UNITED SERV
$50,000NEW FACILITY
CHILDREN'S SERVICE SOCIETY OF WI
$42,122GRANT
WISCONSIN RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$1,550,000ACCESSIBLE OUTDOOR PLAY EQUIPMENT
FAMILY HEALTH CENTER
$1,000,000FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER
UNITED WAY OF SOUTH WOOD & ADAMS CO
$1,000,000UNITED FOREVER FUND
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE WIS RAPIDS
$500,000OPERATING SUPPORT
MCMILLINA MEMORIAL LIBRARY
$500,000ELEVATOR & ACCESS
ASPIRUS RIVERVIEW HOSPITAL & CLINIC
$500,000TECHNOLOGY FOR REMOTE DIAGNOSTICS
WISCONSIN RAPIDS YOUTH SPORTS ASSOC
$332,000CAPITAL PROJECTS
WOOD COUNTY SHERIFF'S RESCUE
$250,000RESCUE TRUCK
MID-STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE
$250,000FIREFIGHTER TECH DIPLOMA ACADEMY
CITY OF NEKOOSA
$190,000ADA RESTROOMS & SHELTER
WOOD COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES DPT
$160,400FUND BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION PROGRAM
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$150,000BUILD HOMES
CHAMPIONS4KIDS INC
$130,000STAFFING/OPERATIONS/CAPITAL
WHEELS OF INDEPENDENCE INC
$127,1213 REAR-LOADING VANS
THE HANNAH CENTER INC
$110,000OPERATING SUPPORT
ARTS COUNCIL OF SOUTH WOOD COUNTY
$100,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
ACACIA FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL WI IN
$100,000WOOD COUNTY K9 PROGRAM
FEEDING OUR COMM WITH UNITED SERV
$50,000OPERATING SUPPORT
CENTRAL WISCONSIN CULTURAL CENTER
$46,000FACILITY ADDITION AND REMODEL
NEKOOSA PARK AND RECFRIENDS OF SW
$38,000TRAIL BRIDGE & OBSERVATION DECK
FOREST HILL CEMETERY & MAUSOLEUM
$25,000REPAIR ROADS & STONE WALLS
TOWN OF ROME
$25,000FUND PARK MASTER PLAN
VILLAGE OF RUDOLPH
$24,000PARK UPGRADE
WISCONSIN RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$2,200,000NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
MARY'S PLACE BOARDING HOUSE INC
$2,165,000FUND NEW HOMELESS CENTER
WISCONSIN RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$1,200,000ACCESSIBLE OUTDOOR PLAY EQUIPMENT
VILLAGE OF PORT EDWARDS
$500,000FUND BIKING AND WALKING PATH
ASPIRUS RIVERVIEW HOSPITAL & CLINIC
$500,000TECHNOLOGY FOR REMOTE DIAGNOSTICS