Eau Claire Community Foundation Opens request For Proposal for Grief Services Project

EAU CLAIRE, WI – The Eau Claire Community Foundation (ECCF), in partnership with AMK Nonprofit Coaching, has opened a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify one nonprofit sponsor to lead the next phase of the Grief Services Project—a community-informed initiative to strengthen grief support services across Western Wisconsin.

The selected organization will receive an annual grant currently estimated at $170,000+ for up to three years, with funding anticipated through annual distributions from the original Monsignor Klimek Healing Presence Endowment, now held by ECCF following the transition of charitable gifts from Sacred Heart Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital.

As outlined in the RFP, grants are awarded on a one-year basis. Continued funding in years two and three is contingent on successful performance, including submission of required quarterly and annual reporting.

The annual grant amount is determined by ECCF’s endowment distribution policy, established by the Board of Directors and reviewed annually in consideration of market conditions and other relevant factors.

This funding opportunity includes implementing a clearly defined work plan, which centers on:
● Employing a Grief Services Project Manager
● Launching a centralized grief support information hub
● Coordinating a regional provider network
● Submitting quarterly and annual reports to ECCF
● Building a foundation for long-term sustainability

“This project wouldn’t exist without the more than 800 people who shared their experiences, their stories, and their hopes for what grief support could look like in our region,” said Ann Kaiser, founder of AMK Nonprofit Coaching. “Now, we’re ready to take the next step, and we need a nonprofit partner who’s ready to lead with that same heart and commitment.”

Community-Driven Findings
The Grief Services Project was launched in 2024 to ensure that designated charitable funds entrusted by Sacred Heart Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital would continue serving community grief needs.

To ensure those funds reflected real community priorities, a year-long Grief Services Research Project, led by AMK Nonprofit Coaching, gathered input from individuals who had experienced loss, grief service providers, and community advocates.

The research identified four key community needs:
● A centralized information hub to improve access to existing grief support resources
● Coordination among grief service providers to strengthen and sustain current efforts
● Training and support to enhance provider quality and long-term sustainability
● Expanded access for populations who remain underserved

ECCF’s implementation plan was designed to provide near-term impact while laying a foundation for long-term sustainability. The chosen nonprofit will also receive access to the existing project website and domain, as well as an engaged audience and community research and contact data collected during the study.

“We’re not starting from square one here. The research has been done, the structure is in place, and the community is engaged,” Kaiser said. “What we need now is a nonprofit that’s ready to step in and help bring it all to life.”

Proposal Timeline
● RFP Opens: October 15, 2025
● Deadline to Apply: November 15, 2025
● Grantee Announced: January 15, 2026
● Funding Begins: March 1, 2026

Details and application materials are available at: www.griefservicesproject.com