About Us

"Our mission reflects The Advisory Board’s passion for Phelps, driving us to collaborate with people and organizations who share that passion, preserving and enriching community life for today and the long term."

"Our vision reflects The Advisory Board’s role as part of the Phelps community and our passion to collaborate with people and organizations, striving to improve and strengthen life here for all."

The Phelps Area Community Foundation: Empowering Local Philanthropy with Passion

The Phelps Area Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity fueled by a passion for our community, dedicated to helping people and local organizations fulfill their charitable wishes to enhance and strengthen life in Phelps. The Advisory Board’s cornerstone mission is to build a lasting endowment fund, with its growing earnings awarded as grants to support local organizations’ charitable projects and programs—ensuring our community thrives for generations to come.
As an affiliate of the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, we expand our reach and offer donors safe, simple, and effective giving options tailored to their unique financial circumstances, charitable goals, and tax or estate planning needs. This partnership enables us to:

1. Accept diverse donations, including stocks, real estate, and other assets
2. Facilitate the creation of personalized funds for donors’ chosen charitable purposes
3. Lead short-term fundraising campaigns for specific community projects
4. Provide tax advantages through our 501(c)(3) status
5. For example, if the community envisions a permanent fishing pier on North Twin Lake in town—a project the town may not have budget room for—our foundation can provide the 501(c)(3) vehicle to establish a 'Town Pier' fund. With town approval of the project, this fund allows tax-deductible donations, rallying community support to achieve popular, tangible goals like this.
6. The Advisory Board will work closely with donors and their advisors to design giving plans that bring their charitable visions to life, whether they’re passionate about supporting existing causes or launching new initiatives. From managing short-term campaigns to building a lasting legacy, we’re here to make philanthropy impactful and accessible for all who share our love for Phelps.

No. The Phelps Area Community Foundation is a fully independent nonprofit, driven by The Advisory Board’s passion for the community and separate from the Phelps Town Board. While we operate under IRS regulations as a 501(c)(3), we are not tied to the town government. Many projects funded through donations may require town approval, and we are committed to working collaboratively with the Town Board—never against it—to support community goals.

The Advisory Boards affiliation with the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin gives the Phelps Area Community Foundation the advantages of a large, established foundation without the overhead of managing an independent office or expert staff. For an annual fee, their proven stability and expertise handle fund investments, record-keeping, nonprofit tax obligations, and administrative tasks. This lets our local affiliate board focus on what matters most—fueling our passion for Phelps by:

• Raising awareness of the foundation and building support for the Phelps Area Community Endowment Fund, our cornerstone for long-term impact.
• Establishing clear processes and guidelines for awarding grants to local causes.
• Evaluating the needs of the greater Phelps area to guide impactful grantmaking.
• Recommending grant distributions from our funds to the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin.
• Keeping accurate records of our board’s work in line with legal standards.

No—all are vital to our community. Unlike other local charities, the Phelps Area Community Foundation stands apart with a passion for building long-term endowment funds to strengthen and enhance life in Phelps for generations. Far from competing, we aim to empower local organizations by providing grants to support their essential work. Think of it this way: many charities operate like a checking account, raising and spending funds each year for immediate needs. Our foundation, however, acts as a savings account—investing for the future and distributing earnings to meet a wide range of community needs, both today and tomorrow.

The Phelps Area Community Foundation, through our partnership with the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, offers a wide range of giving options to fuel your passion for strengthening and enhancing Phelps. Our cornerstone mission is to build an endowment fund—where the principal grows over time, and its earnings support grants for vital community causes, today and for generations to come. Beyond this, you can contribute to short-term project funds—like building a new community center with a town library—or even establish your own named fund to honor your family or a cherished charitable vision.

The Advisory Board is ready to meet with you, discussing your goals and tailoring a plan from the many fund types and giving methods available. You can donate cash, securities, real estate, or other assets whenever it suits you. Planned giving options abound: name the foundation as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, assign its dividends, or include a bequest in your will. For tax or estate planning benefits, ask your advisor how giving to the Phelps Area Community Foundation can make a lasting impact.