A History of Giving
Financed through private gifts –including $1 million from the Parker Pen Company– the Janesville Foundation incorporated as a private independent foundation in 1944, committed to supporting community improvement projects. Below is a sampling of Foundation projects and collaborations over its nearly 80-year history.
2020
Janesville Performing Arts Center community programming
2019
Blackhawk Technical College Foundation-Parker Nursing Scholarship Program
Junior Achievement Career Day and Teen Job Fair
2017
ARISE downtown riverfront development projects
Gifts Men's Shelter
Hedberg Public Library Transformation Initiative
2016
Janesville Innovation Center capital improvements
2015
Camden Playground
Rock County Historical Society Campus Development Plan
2014
Lower Courthouse Park-Roth Pavilion
Blackhawk Technical College Foundation-Advanced Manufacturing Training Center
2013
YWCA Jeffris Flats renovation
2012
Youth Sport Complex improvements
Ice Age Trail Alliance summer youth program
2011
Riverside Park tennis court resurfacing
HealthNet of Rock County electronic record-keeping software
2009
Rock County 5.0, economic development initiative
2005
WHA-TV production of Hometown Stories, Janesville
2003
Janesville Performing Arts Center renovation
School District of Janesville International Charter School
2002
Monterey Stadium renovation
ECHO Service Center
2001
Construction of Parker Education Center at Rotary Botanical Gardens
1999
International Scholarship Program for Janesville public school teachers
Junior Achievement Global Learning Program
Riverfront development project, City of Janesville
Construction of YWCA Community Service Center
Boys and Girls Club capital improvements
1993
Janesville Public Library renovation
Rock County Humane Society facility expansion
1989
Traxler Park land purchase
1983
Citizenship Education Program for local high school students
1975
Wisconsin Foundation for Independent Colleges-tours for school counselors
1968
Janesville Schools Outdoor Lab at Robert O. Cook Arboretum
1959
Boy's Baseball, Inc. equipment
1967
Acquisition of O.V. Schaffer's The River sculpture for public library
1948
Land purchase for construction of Janesville High School, now Joseph A. Craig High School
1944
Janesville makes its first grant to Community Chest and War Fund