Here at Incourage, we manage more than 400 funds that address a wide variety of community needs and charitable purposes. Field of Interest Funds are just one type of fund we steward, one that holds tremendous power to create lasting good.
As the name suggests, a Field of Interest Fund directs charitable dollars to a specific area of community life rather than to a single organization. These areas might include nature-based learning, youth leadership and development, youth sports and academic enrichment activities, or emergency assistance for families in need.
As with all funds at Incourage, a Field of Interest Fund ensures that the donor’s intent is carefully honored for years to come. Are you passionate about music and want to ensure ongoing support for music education in our community? You could establish a Field of Interest Fund focused on that purpose and clearly outline how grants should be used. It’s a meaningful way to build a personal legacy, honor someone you love, or ensure a cause close to your heart continues to receive support well into the future.
How to Start a Field of Interest Fund
A Field of Interest Fund is a type of designated fund, meaning its resources are permanently dedicated to a clearly defined charitable purpose. Like all funds we steward, it can be established with a single gift or built over time.
Through our Build-A-Fund option, an individual, family, business or group of friends can contribute over the course of up to five years to reach the minimum amount required to activate a fund. The minimum to establish a Field of Interest Fund is $10,000, so a group of neighbors or community members could contribute $2,000 a year for five years to reach that goal.
Once the minimum is reached, a fund becomes endowed. This means a percentage of the fund can be used for annual distribution through grants while the rest of the fund continues to grow over time.
How Does This Work?
At Incourage, funds are invested as part of a larger asset pool and managed for long-term community benefit. Each year, a grant amount is calculated using Incourage’s spending policy, which is designed to balance giving today with protecting the fund for the future. This allows the fund to make grants year after year, even as markets change, while staying true to the donor’s original purpose and responding to evolving community needs.
This structure makes a Field of Interest Fund a practical and powerful way to give. You can focus on the causes you care about most, while relying on Incourage’s local expertise and stewardship to direct resources where they’ll do the most good year after year.
If you or a group of people you know are interested in learning more about establishing a Field of Interest Fund, we’d love to have a conversation with you. Connect with us to get started!
Field of Interest Funds in Action
To see how this kind of giving works in practice, let’s take a closer look at three Field of Interest Funds and the impact they’re making in our community. All three of these funds were created at Incourage Community Foundation. While Incourage, a volunteer fund committee, or a donor helps decide which local organizations receive grants each year, Incourage is legally responsible for managing and investing the fund, following required legal guidelines, and making sure it continues to serve the community for years to come. Our staff and board provide professional oversight and apply their local knowledge and expertise to ensure each fund stays true to its original purpose.
Advocates for WRPS Education
The Advocates Fund was established in 2001 with the mission to enhance students’ educational opportunities in the Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools district. Since its inception, more than $213,000 has been contributed to this endowed fund, with the first grants being awarded during the 2004-2005 school year. In 2025, 15 grants totaling $8,669.08 were awarded to enhance a variety of schools and programs including reading and writing resources, sensory room equipment, drones for an aviation club, science lessons, physical play equipment, and more. To learn more about this fund or how to apply for a grant, visit the Advocates Fund page. To contribute, visit our giving page and choose ‘Incourage fbo Advocates for WRPS Education’ from the dropdown menu.
A Smile From Lacey
A Smile From Lacey Fund was established in memory of Lacey Laskowski, who, at age 25 on her way to cancer treatment, asked the question, “What if there were a way to help families like ours with medical expenses and treatments?” Lacey lost her battle with leukemia, but her spirit and caring heart live on through this fund. South Wood County families with children facing immediate medical issues such as cancer or major diseases and accidents that require extended medical care can apply for a $500 grant to help ease the financial burden. If you know someone who could benefit from this fund, please spread the word! Learn more or apply on our grants page by clicking on ‘Emergency Needs.’ To give to this fund, visit our giving page and choose, ‘Other’ from the dropdown and type ‘A Smile From Lacey’ in the comments.
TEAM-Rapids
The TEAM-Rapids Fund was established in 2024 to help ensure every WRPS student has the chance to be part of a team, club, or activity – regardless of the cost. With the goal of breaking financial barriers and providing access to valuable experiences outside the classroom, the TEAM-Rapids fund has supported transportation, equipment, materials, accessibility and more for a variety of programs and activities. Between December 2024 and January 2026, this fund awarded 19 grants in the amount of $12,340 to the game club, swim team, wrestling team, cheerleading program and more. If you would like to learn more, visit teamrapidsfund.com/. You may also donate to this fund by visiting our giving page and choosing ‘Incourage fbo TEAM-Rapids (Removing Participation Barriers)’ from the dropdown.
These three funds are just a small snapshot of the many ways donors are shaping the future of our community through Field of Interest Funds at Incourage. Contact us with any additional questions you may have.
