Willmar Area Community Foundation

05/27/2026

WACF is proud to help make this even possible. Head over to Roosevelt School on Saturday afternoon and connect with our partners!

🧠💚 Join Us for the Mental Health Awareness Community Event! 💚🧠

Come enjoy a day of community, wellness, support, and family fun!

📅 Saturday, May 30, 2026
⏰ 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Roosevelt Elementary School

✨ Event Highlights:
• Mental health resources
• Family & youth activities
• Bounce house for kids 🎈
• Music & community engagement
• FREE food
• Community booths & support services

A special thank you to our amazing sponsors and partners for helping make this event possible:
Medica Health Plans, PACT for Families Collaborative, Willmar Area Community Foundation, Southwest Initiative Foundation, Woodland Centers, City of Willmar, Minnesota, Purpose Artisans, Midwest Medical and Rehabilitative Services

Please share this flyer with friends, family, and the community. We look forward to seeing everyone there! 💚

05/21/2026

It’s time! Time to register for another summer of fun and healthy activity for your child with Miles 4 Mentors! We ❤️watching all of our kids running through Robbins Island and downtown and are so pleased to be part of it.

Registration is now open for the upcoming Miles 4 Mentors Fun Run Series, featuring a fantastic lineup of family-oriented events suitable for local children. Early registration is recommended, as participants in grades K-5 who register by May 24th will receive a complimentary event t-shirt. Secure your spot today by visiting Miles4Mentors.org/events/. We look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 season!
Willmar Area Community Foundation

05/19/2026

WACF encourages all Kandiyohi County residents to help shape the economic and community development priorities with our partners Mid-Minnesota Development Commission on Thursday. Attend in person, via Zoom or if you cannot, complete their quick online survey (link in comments). We need to give the feedback so they can mobilize plans, secure funding and help us build the places we want for our future together!

Kandiyohi County, We Need Your Input on the Future of Our Region!

MMDC is inviting residents, businesses, community leaders, and stakeholders to participate in an upcoming Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) public input session in Willmar.

Community input helps identify priorities and opportunities related to:
• Housing Growth
• Workforce Development
• Business Support
• Infrastructure Improvement
• Childcare Access
• Community Vitality

Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
1700 Technology Drive NE, Willmar, MN

Thursday, May 21

9:00 AM – In Person
12:00 PM – Virtual
3:00 PM – In Person

No registration is needed for in-person sessions. Virtual attendees can register using the QR code or the link below.

If you are interested in the future growth, workforce, housing, and long-term success of Kandiyohi County, we encourage you to attend the session most convenient for you and help ensure local perspectives are part of the conversation.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1987333586254?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/24/2026

It’s International Heritage Festival Day!! Come on out to the Willmar Civic Center from 5:30-7:30 tonight to enjoy fun, entertainment and food samples from around the world representing the places we come from. Doors open at 5:00 and programming begins at 5:30.

WACF is proud to be a sponsor of this event and help on the Planning Team.

04/09/2026

Come join us and see the future of entrepreneurship in real time!
WACF is an Investor in this class and acts as the fiscal agent to make the class possible.

🗓️One month away! 🗓️

02/27/2026

Please plan to join us!

Register today and join us on March 18 from 3:00 - 4:30PM for this FREE educational webinar, When Land Becomes a Legacy.!

For many families, farmland represents generations of work, values, and connection to place. Increasingly, donors and their advisors are exploring how land can also support charitable goals.

This webinar features a conversation with Jaclyn D. Schroeder, Vice President – Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Scott Starkweather, Vice President – Farm Manager and Sara Carlson, Executive Director of the Willmar Area Community Foundation, as they walk through the charitable giving considerations of farmland and share a case example of land gifted to a community foundation and now managed by U.S. Bank Farm Management Services.

By participating in this webinar you will gain insight into:
- How charitable gifts of farmland are structured
- Common questions donors raise when land is involved
- The role of professional farm management after a gift
- How community foundations can help align donor intent with long-term stewardship

For additional information and to register, visit: www.communitygiving.org/event/educational-webinar-when-land-becomes-legacy

02/22/2026

LAST CALL FOR SCHOLARSHIPS! Nudge those high school seniors and current college students to check out our available scholarships before the deadline of March 1 slips by! Every little bit helps make higher education more affordable and every year, scholarships go unclaimed. Tag a graduating young person or one in college and invite them to check out what we have available.

02/17/2026

Announcing our 2025-2026 Grant Awards from the New London-Spicer Area Fund! Congratulations to all of our grantees and thank you for the outstanding work to make our region the best place to call home!

02/13/2026

Our office will be closed on Monday, February 16th, in observance of Presidents Day. We will be open again on Tuesday.

02/04/2026

Know a high school student that will be a junior or senior in 2026-2027 that has an interest in business or a real life learning experience? We have the opportunity for them! It's time to apply for the KCEO class for next school year! All eligible local juniors and seniors from participating schools can learn more and apply at KCEO!

Deadline for application is March 8, 2026. Please help us spread the word!