Behind Every Strong Nonprofit Is the Work Most People Never See
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St. Croix Valley Foundation awards more than $1.6 million to strengthen the nonprofit sector across the St. Croix Valley
The St. Croix Valley Foundation today announced approximately $360,000 in third-round Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants to 16 organizations, bringing total grant awards through the program to more than $1.6 million supporting 62 nonprofits across the St. Croix Valley since its launch in late 2025.
But this story isn't really about the dollars. It's about what these grants reveal about what it takes to build stronger nonprofits—and ultimately, stronger communities.
While the public sees food distributed, trails protected, performances staged, and families supported, the work that makes those services possible often happens behind the scenes. Leadership, strategic planning, technology, fundraising, governance, and financial management are the foundation that allows nonprofits to adapt, grow, and continue serving their communities for years to come.
"Communities depend on strong nonprofits, but the leadership, systems, technology, and planning that make their work possible often happen behind the scenes and are often the hardest for nonprofits to fund," said Angie Pilgrim, Vice President of Community Impact at the St. Croix Valley Foundation. "These grants help nonprofits strengthen those foundations, so they are better equipped to adapt, grow, and serve their communities for years to come."
In response to those findings, the St. Croix Valley Foundation, in partnership with the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation and the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation, created the Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant Program...
A regional nonprofit needs assessment found organizations consistently identified organizational resilience, long-term sustainability, staffing, technology, and strategic planning among their greatest challenges. In response, the St. Croix Valley Foundation, in partnership with the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation and the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation, launched the Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant Program to help nonprofits strengthen the leadership, systems, and infrastructure that make those programs possible.
The organizations receiving grants in this third funding round reflect those priorities.
Community Thread is one example of how Capacity Building Grants are helping strengthen the work behind the mission. The Washington County nonprofit mobilizes more than 600 volunteers each year to help older adults, individuals with disabilities, and families remain connected, independent, and supported. A third-round grant will help the organization strengthen its long-term fundraising strategy and diversify revenue, supporting its long-term sustainability.
"People see the direct support we provide every day, but they may not realize that it takes nearly $1 million each year to sustain Community Thread's programs and services," said Derrick Jaeger, Executive Director of Community Thread. "Building stronger connections with our donors brings them closer to our organization so that we can continue meeting growing community needs today and for years to come."
Third-Round Grants Continue Regional Investment
The Foundation's third round of Capacity Building Grants reflects the priorities nonprofits themselves have identified as essential to long-term success, including leadership development, strategic planning, technology, fundraising, governance, branding, and organizational sustainability.
The following organizations received third-round awards through the Foundation's Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant Program:
Organization Name | Funding Avenue | Grant Amount |
1. Community Thread | Implementation | $54,000 |
2. Domestic Animal Wellness Center | Experience | $4,950 |
3. FamilyMeans | Planning | $20,500 |
4. Friends of Interstate Park | Planning | $10,000 |
5. Friends of Willow River & Kinnickinnic State Parks | Planning | $9,500 |
6. Marine Mills Folk School | Planning | $20,030 |
7. Operation HELP | Implementation | $22,700 |
8. Pollinator Friendly Alliance | Planning | $14,100 |
9. St Croix Valley Restorative Services | Planning | $17,500 |
10. St. Croix Festival Theatre | Implementation | $24,500 |
11. St. Croix Valley SART, Inc. | Planning | $25,000 |
12. Standing Cedars Community Land Conservancy | Planning | $25,000 |
13. The Zephyr Theatre | Implementation | $48,400 |
14. Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence | Planning | $25,000 |
15. Washington County Historical Society | Planning | $20,000 |
16. Wild Rivers Conservancy of the St. Croix and Namekagon | Planning | $25,000 |
TOTALS |
| $359,980 |
The Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant Program was created by the St. Croix Valley Foundation in partnership with the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation and the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation and is funded through the Nonprofit Stability Collaborative Fund, which supports the
The program offers quarterly funding across four areas—Experiences, Planning, Implementation, and System-Wide Infrastructure. The next application deadline is August 31, 2026. Learn more and apply here.
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