The Appleton Education Foundation manages a collection of endowment and temporary funds, created and sustained by contributions from hundreds of community members and area businesses.
Types of funds
A personal approach to giving; you recommend grants for educational interests that have special meaning for you | Donor Story
A targeted approach to giving; you choose one specific educational area (ie: school, subject, etc.) to receive ongoing support | Donor Story
A focused approach to giving; you support a broad educational area but allow the Appleton Education Foundation to select projects or programs that meet your giving goals | Donor Story
A fund to help students succeed in post-secondary education opportunities; you determine the criteria required for students to apply | Donor Story
How Much Do I Need?
A minimum of $10,000 ($15,000 for scholarships) is required to begin grantmaking. However, a Future Fund can be started with a minimum of $1,000.
How Long Will The Fund Last?
You decide the time frame for your giving. Many donors choose to create a permanent endowment to support their favorite causes in perpetuity with a gift of $10,000 or more ($15,000 for scholarship funds). An endowed fund may distribute up to 4.5% of its asset value each year. The balance remains invested for future years. If a permanent endowment does not suit your charitable goals, you may establish a non-endowed fund. Grants may be awarded from the fund in any amount, and at any time.
How do I start a fund?
Contact the Appleton Education Foundation office at 920.832.1517 or email to schedule a meeting with a staff member to discuss your goals for promoting a particular area of educational interest and how a fund can help you accomplish them.
As a supporting organization of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, AEF is not eligible to receive a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA. Per our auditors, AEF is no longer able to accept a direct transfer from an IRA and treat it as a taxable withdrawal. AEF will only accept personal checks. To learn more or discuss other giving options, please call us: 920-832-1517.
AEF staff and board members are working on a solution that will allow us to accept QCD gifts in the future. When this happens, we will let you know. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
