Your Why:

The Canary Fund was established to honor the memory of my husband, Jim Rivett, who passed away in 2018. A group of friends and I got together to discuss a way to honor Jim and it has been one of the most healing ways to turn all of our grief into moving forward to do good work in our communities.

Favorite Grant?

Too many to mention, but I believe Martha M.'s mural project at Napalese Lounge.Martha M is the perfect profile of the kind of individual that we wish to support. Martha’s vision of a mural that honors the LGBTQ+ community at a place, like the Napalese Lounge, that had welcomed her and others for nearly 40 decades is the kind of story that we wish to tell.

Your Hopes for The Canary Fund?

Would love to see more everyday people that see an unmet need in their community apply for Canary Fund granting. We want to help take your project from an idea to possibility.

Your Why:

I was asked to join The Canary Fund to provide internal controls and a resource to assist with the financial growth of the organization.

Favorite Grant?

As I am not personally involved in the grants or the process of grant giving, I simply enjoy that the Canary Fund can help multiple causes, whatever the cause may be that inspires the grant recipient.

Your Hopes for The Canary Fund?

I would like to see The Canary Fund continue to grow into an organization that supports others causes that improve the community we share.

Your Why:

Two reasons I became involved and why I remain active and invested. 1. Jim was a dear friend and beloved colleague. This is such a powerful and meaningful way to keep his generous and loving spirit alive while reflecting his innate servant leadership and amplifying his extraordinary community commitment. And 2. The Canary Fund's giving concept is simple, pure, and accessible...we're just helping ordinary people do some extraordinary things. I'm a big believer in small acts of kindness and The Canary Fund helps doers do all these incredible acts of kindness. Every grant cycle proves that a little bit of support can go a long , long way!

Favorite Grant?

It's a tie for me: SUN Squad Hygiene store for Menominee Indian School District students and the LGBTQ community mural on the Napalese Lounge.

Your Hopes for The Canary Fund?

That The Canary Fund receives an anonymous donation of $1 million! (Just manifesting and putting it out there...) Seriously though, one goal would be to have more individual commitments and corporate sponsorships and another would be to have a partnership with the Green Bay Packers organization and/or be adopted as a player's pet project just to raise our visibility more than anything else.

Your Why:

I was born and raised in Kewaunee County and have resided there nearly my entire life. Service work has been ingrained in our family by those who came before us. Our common understanding is that if everyone has opportunities for success, our community will be a stronger and better place for all of us.

I appreciate the work and commitment of rural Kewaunee County residents, having had the opportunity of growing up on a multi-generational dairy farm in the Montpelier township. Kewaunee County is large but full of small-town friendliness, with neighborhoods encompassing many square miles. My husband, Mike, and I have two children, Lance and Erin, who are college students. When not spending time with my children, Mike and I enjoy time outdoors in our extensive vegetable and flower gardens. Family is important to us, and that family includes relatives, friends, and neighbors.

I have spent my career as an art teacher in Green Bay Area Public Schools. I received my bachelor’s degree in Art from UW-Green Bay and my Adaptive Art Education license from St. Norbert College. I hold a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I consider myself a fierce advocate for the health and welfare of all children. Sharing my love of art and the joy and fulfillment that comes from the process of creating with your own hands has made my career a joyful one. I am in my thirtieth year of teaching and serve as the Art Department Chairperson of the Green Bay Area Public School District’s elementary schools.

I consider myself a highly-organized creative force. I feel that the best ideas evolve through a non-judgmental, highly energized brainstorming process. The value of the work being done by The Canary Fund empowers individuals and small groups in Northeastern Wisconsin to make positive changes in their communities.

Favorite Grant?

The Canary Fund awarded a grant called "Tanya's Touch" which provided a tote full of art supplies to students to honor their art teacher, Miss Paral, who passed from cancer. Tanya was a fierce advocate for her students and had a deep desire for them to have authentic arts experiences, especially during virtual learning.

Your Hopes for The Canary Fund?

I would like to see The Canary Fund and its work to be a highly recognizable force for good.

Your Why:

I became involved with The Canary Fund via Julie Long, who introduced me to its mission as a Board member herself. I was immediately taken with the microgrant concept and The Canary Fund's commitment to participatory grantmaking, meaning putting resources in the hands of those community members who see a problem and want to solve a problem, instead of focusing on established organizations. As a nonprofit professional, I see this as the next generation of impact on communities in need: ceding the decision-making power about grants from top-down organizations to the very communities impacted by the decisions themselves and shifting the power back to individuals within the community most poised to make the changes their peers need. The Canary Fund is doing this on a local level in Green Bay when so many others in bigger cities are struggling to come close to the model exemplified here. It was inspiring and exciting, the idea of being involved in this type of work, and I'm honored to be a part of the Board now!

Favorite Grant?

As a PATH International certified therapeutic riding instructor, I am partial to the Exceptional Equestrians project but I also love the mural at the Napalese Lounge and the Pride Center Green Bay Social Support Group!

Your Hopes for The Canary Fund?

I'd like to see us not only plant the seeds for change-makers in our community but also inspire other grassroots nonprofits in our area and region to consider the benefits of participatory grantmaking and see how it empowers individuals to impact!

Your Why:

Past Recipient, love the vision and wanted to help further the mission

Favorite Grant?

Urban Cultural Arts & Event Center 6/2024

Your Hopes for The Canary Fund?

Further their mission to continue funding seed grants.

Your Why:

I was a Canary Fund grant recipient for my documentary film, GOLD! Pete had asked me if I would be interested in joining the board, and I was thrilled. I never knew Jim Rivett, but it seems a lot of my values align with his. I want to use my creativity and empathy to create change in the community for the better. The Canary Fund is a very accepting and forward thinking group, that doesn't discriminate and lifts up changemakers in the community. My documentary films are all centered around giving a voice to those historically marginalized groups, so becoming a member of the Canary Fund board was just another step in my journey of serving the community.

Favorite Grant?

Can I say my own?? Haha. I think it's really hard to choose but I really love when we can help the LGBTQ+ community grow and thrive.

Your Hopes for The Canary Fund?

It's always really rewarding to see the seed grants create change in the community. I would love if we could hand out more seed grants throughout the year, but we will need more funding to do so!

Your Why:

I worked with Jim at Arketype and he made such an impact on my life that I am honored to carry on his legacy of kindness and creativity.

Favorite Grant?

Not familiar with past recipients

Your Hopes for The Canary Fund?

Lots of fun(ds) raised!

Your Why:

Was asked by Pete - Jim was a dear friend and an inspiration for others to do more for the community

Favorite Grant?

Resisters

Your Hopes for The Canary Fund?

Educate the community as to the needs of the underserved population in the area

Your Why:

Working with Jim for more than 7 years instilled my love for philanthropy and supporting the community. He helped me (and many others) realize that being philanthropic doesn't mean having to donate huge sums of money. A gift of talent or time can be as valuable. It was through Jim that I became connected with the Women's Fund of Greater Green Bay, an organization I served in a volunteer capacity for more than a decade. Offering my time and talents to The Canary Fund is one small way I will contribute to Jim's legacy. What a joy it is to play a role in the catalyst for transformational, local change that is The Canary Fund.

Favorite Grant?

Our family has adopted two rescue dogs, so "Project Pandemic Puppy" felt especially relevant. It was actually an idea I once considered -- could there be a program to subsidize the cost of dog training for adopting families? How thrilling and inspiring it was to learn that grant recipient Lindsey Petasek had the same idea and took action! Her work, with the support of The Canary Fund, will undoubtedly ensure more successful adoptions.

Your Hopes for The Canary Fund?

I would love to see The Canary Fund raise sufficient dollars to establish an endowment fund--a fund that grows in perpetuity as a long-term, sustainable source of grant dollars.

Your Why:

I have been familiar with the Canary Fund through a few board members - Pete Angelelo and Judy Johnson as well as I knew Jim Rivett. I like what the Canary Fund does in terms of activities and funding. The Canary Fund is special in the funding as they have flexibility in who and what they fund. It gives a real hand up.

Favorite Grant?

While I'm new and am not familiar with all the recipients yet, I think my favorite in the last funding cycle was the Fox Cities Roller Derby. I really liked it because it helps younger women with their body image. There are so many unrealistic expectations for girls and women in terms of body image that trying to counter those messages is very positive.

Your Hopes for The Canary Fund?

I want to see The Canary Fund flourish through the board, its recipients and the community. Creating funding for worthwhile programs will be essential.

Your Why:

Struggling through the grief of losing my friend Jim Rivett, the question of how to keep his legacy alive was a constant in my mind. Jim was extraordinary in so many ways, as soon as there was a path to continuing his way of giving I was fully onboard.

Favorite Grant?

There are so many great grant recipients to choose from, but seeing the expression of joy and wonder on the face of a senior as she received a “friend request” from her granddaughter in another country left a big impression on my heart. The Stay Connected! Connecting Hispanics Seniors with Technology project was a seemingly simple, but life changing use of grant money by Elizabeth K. and Amelia P. The seniors were train on new kindles and are very grateful and excited to now be able to connect with their families and relatives in Mexico. They have begun video chatting and joining virtual events, like praying the Rosary every day with their home-town in Mexico. 

Your Hopes for The Canary Fund?

I would love to see The Canary Fund’s participatory grant-making philosophy grow in visibility to a wide-reaching audience of both givers, (foundation supporters) and doers, (grant recipients).

Your Hopes for The Canary Fund?

I would like to help spread the Canary Fund's reach into rural communities across NE Wisconsin. I want to continue to see the Canary Fund be the 'jumpstarter' for grassroots initiatives to find success and momentum.

Your Why:

I heard about the Canary Fund when the group was forming, and thought it was an innovative idea with the potential to delivery positive change to the community. I was thrilled when Pete reached out to talk about joining the Board, and was hooked after our first discussion.

Favorite Grant?

CARES FoxCities - the work they are doing to support recent immigrants and students who are English Learners is incredible. School is hard enough when you're the "new kid," and when you factor in trying to learn a new language and a new culture it can be downright daunting. This program is doing the work to create greater equity in schools and help kids make sense of their realities.

Your Hopes for The Canary Fund?

I'm excited to watch as our grantees use the seed grants provided by the Canary Fund to grow their projects and programs to address unmet needs in our community.