Willmar Area Community Foundation

10/20/2026

What kind of legacy do you want to leave?

During National Estate Planning Week, take time to reflect on the people, places and causes that have shaped your life. Estate planning is an opportunity to put your wishes in writing and consider how your generosity could make a difference for future generations.

Whether you want to provide for loved ones, support a favorite nonprofit or help your community thrive, planning ahead can help make your intentions known.

Start exploring your estate planning options and discover how you can create a lasting impact. Learn more: https://plannedgiving.communitygiving.org/?pageID=19

10/16/2026

Join us Wednesday, October 21, for a free webinar exploring how a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA can potentially provide tax benefits while supporting the causes you care about. Hear from Jaclyn Schroeder of U.S. Bank, along with a donor, nonprofit leader, and financial advisor, about how QCDs work and how they can fit into your charitable giving plans.

Register today! https://www.communitygiving.org/event/irawebinar2026/

10/09/2026

Our office will be closed on Monday, October 12th, in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. We will reopen for regular business hours on Tuesday, October 13th, 2026.

10/09/2026

We would like to take this opportunity to thank these local businesses for their partnership at our Awards in Philanthropy Celebration last night. The room was beautiful, the treats were delicious, the videos inspiring and the food was amazing. Every part is important to the event and we are sincerely grateful for their help.

Photos from the evening coming soon so stay tuned!

Stacy's Nursery & Floral
Jennie-O
B's Chocolates
Wild & Sweet Macaron Co.
Willmar Conference Center
Advanced Ministry Technologies
Dennis Benson

10/08/2026

We are so excited to welcome our sold-out crowd to the 27th annual Awards in Philanthropy Celebration this evening! Our sincere thanks to these sponsors who helped make tonight’s event possible. Your commitment to community is deeply appreciated!

10/06/2026

There are many ways to give back. Learn how a Qualified Charitable Distribution could be one of them during this free webinar. https://www.communitygiving.org/event/irawebinar2026/

Join us for a free webinar on Wednesday, October 21, and discover how making a gift from an IRA can potentially reduce taxes, support the causes you love and create impact in your community.

If you’re age 70½ or older and have an IRA, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) may offer a meaningful way to support the causes and communities you care about while potentially providing tax benefits. Join Jaclyn Schroeder of U.S. Bank, along with a donor, nonprofit leader and financial advisor, for a practical conversation about how QCDs work and how they can fit into your charitable giving plans. You’ll hear different perspectives on using an IRA to make charitable gifts, including how QCDs can help meet required minimum distribution (RMD) obligations while supporting organizations making a difference in our communities. You’ll also learn how your local Community Foundation can help make charitable giving easier by connecting your giving interests with community needs and helping you explore ways to create a lasting impact.

Register today and learn how a QCD could be part of your giving strategy. https://www.communitygiving.org/event/irawebinar2026/

09/24/2026

We are pleased to announce this year’s recipient of the Award in Philanthropy, Drs. Kathy Nelson-Hund and Fred Hund. Drs. Kathy and Fred share a guiding principle rooted in lessons learned during their teenage years: "We have a duty to leave things better than we found them." That belief has shaped both their distinguished medical careers and their lifelong commitment to serving the Willmar community.

They will be honored at our annual Celebration of Philanthropy on Thursday, October 8. For more information, visit www.communitygiving.org/events.

09/18/2026

Fundraising Goal Met 📣

As some of you may know, two friends and students of New London-Spicer School have been raising funds to purchase a new accessible swing for the NLS Middle School. Georgia and Elaina have been meeting with community groups, neighbors, family and friends and telling their story in hopes of helping one of their classmates. We are pleased to announce that their goal has been met!

More details on the installation of the swing will be coming soon but for now, please join us in recognizing and thanking all of the supporters of this project.

Duininck Companies
Granite Bank
Kandiyohi Power Cooperative
Kristi Jo Block Realtor
MAC Supply & Hardware
Marcus Construction
Experience New London, MN
Willmar Rotary Club
West Central Sanitation

09/17/2026

We are pleased to announce this year’s recipient of the Community Builder Award, Rambow. "We make your business look good” is not only the tag line for Rambow, Inc; it helps drive their culture of innovation and customer service. Starting the business in Steve's basement office in 1979, Steve & Jon Rambow and their team have grown to a custom embroidery and apparel company that serves all 50 states and 26 foreign countries with community and caring at the forefront of all they do.

Rambow, Inc. will be honored at our annual Celebration of Philanthropy on Thursday, October 8. For more information, visit www.communitygiving.org/events.

09/10/2026

We are pleased to announce this year’s recipient of the Marv Otto Award, the late Norman Tallakson. Norman was the President and Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Willmar and he leaves his mark on our community through his commissioning of the golden Chief Kandiyohi statue and donating the first set of bells to the Willmar Fire Department amongst his extensive volunteer involvement in our community. Known for his camel-colored bowler hat, ever-ready cigar, love of the outdoors, and generous spirit, Norman gave both time and personal resources to causes that mattered. His final act of generosity was the creation of an irrevocable trust that continues his legacy now through the Willmar Area Community Foundation. Forty years later, the fund supports local scholarships and charitable organizations in Norman’s name.

Norman will be honored at our annual Celebration of Philanthropy on Thursday, October 8. For more information, visit www.communitygiving.org/events.