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Door County Community Foundation

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Write On, Door County

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Next Chapter Fund
www.writeondoorcounty.org
(920) 868-1457

The mission of Write On, Door County is to facilitate and promote writing in Door County by nurturing the work of writers, supporting readers and audiences, and developing opportunities that encourage broad participation. Everyone has a story to tell.

Connecting people and connecting communities through writing, reading, and sharing stories is the core of our mission. Write On, Door County serves writers and readers of all ages and at all levels of development. It serves year-round and seasonal residents as well as visitors. Free peer critique groups support writers just starting out. Monthly book discussions connect readers. Classes with published authors help writers advance to the next level of their career. Author events bring together readers and writers in a relaxed setting. These programs take place in a variety of settings, including the Writing Center in Juddville and all places in between, from Southern Door to Washington Island. Write On’s Writing Center is a gathering space and resource center for all writers.

Other Initiatives

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Other Grants & Projects – Component Funds

There are several projects, programs, and granting opportunities that operate as component funds of the Door County Community Foundation, Inc.

These component funds are integral parts of the Community Foundation. They enjoy 501(c)(3) public charity status because the operate as a part of the Community Foundation, but each has their own unique brand. We encourage you to explore these component funds to determine whether their granting programs and/or other activities might be relevant to you.

If you have any questions, or would like more information, please contact us.

       

   

   

Richard D. Egan Philanthropic Leadership Award

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Each year, the Community Foundation honors Door County’s great philanthropists.

But how exactly do you define a philanthropist?

Donating to charity makes one a donor, and that is a beautiful thing to be. It’s critically important to our community that we all give to charity on a regular basis. But simply writing a check is not sufficient for a person to become a philanthropist.

Next to our love, the most precious thing we have to give is our time. A philanthropist is one who gives generously of both of these most valuable of treasures. They see an issue (or an opportunity) and cannot sit idly by while that condition exits in the world. So they must act.

A philanthropist is born when a donor’s passion compels them to give more of themselves than merely money.

They give of their time to the charities they care about. They share their wisdom as members of boards of directors. Philanthropists champion the causes that resonate in their heart and cannot help but openly share their passion with those around them. Their enthusiasm for community service is contagious.

Perhaps most important, a philanthropist is one who believes that the best way to lead is by serving others. These are the qualities the Community Foundation seeks in the people it honors.

Starting in 2026, the Philanthropist of the Year will now be known as the Richard D. Egan Philanthropic Leadership Award. Read more about this exciting name change.

Eric Paulsen
2025 Philanthropist of the Year

Eric Paulsen’s eyes have always been focused on his hometown. He grew up roaming the streets of Sturgeon Bay on his bike, enjoying the freedom and safety of life in a small town. It was a childhood that left an imprint on him, and he has spent much of his life making sure it’s around to leave an imprint on generations to come.

“He’s a Sturgeon Bay boy,” said his wife, Dee Paulsen. “He’s really proud of that and proud of his town. I think that he feels so dedicated to where he grew up and has always wanted to give back.”

Whether it’s through serving on committees and boards, giving to local fundraisers, or twisting arms himself, Eric – and Dee – have made giving back a cornerstone of their lives. That selflessness is being honored this year with the Door County Community Foundation’s annual Philanthropist of the Year award. 

Someone to Count On

Dee calls her husband a consistent man. 

“If you need something done, you call him,” she said, in her typical gentle but matter-of-fact manner. “He’s reliable, and right as rain.”

He first showed that side of himself to her shortly after they met at a party in Sturgeon Bay over Christmas break. He was attending Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and she was studying at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. They hit it off. 

“Oh my god, he’s such a nice guy and so interesting, and kind of cute,” Dee recalled thinking.

But she was heading off to England to study abroad and he was heading to optometry school. 

“I thought it was too bad I met him at the wrong time,” Dee said. 

But Eric wasn’t dismayed. Almost every day, when she was staying in a youth hostel in England, she would find a letter from Eric. Eighteen months after they met, they were married. 

Eric initially aimed to follow in his father’s footsteps as a dentist, but got wait-listed for a program. That decided it – he’d be an eye doctor instead. 

Soon after college, Dee went to work at Sturgeon Bay Schools and Eric came home to work for Dr. C.L. Pfarr at his optometrist’s office, located in the same building as his dad’s dental practice on 3rd Avenue. 

“I worked for him for a year, then he offered to sell me his practice and I said yes, and the rest is history,” Eric said. 

He applied to one college, one optometry school (Illinois College of Optometry) and spent his career working in just one place. 

“I wanted to live somewhere that I thought would be safe for my family, and Sturgeon Bay just felt like the place I belonged,” Eric said. “I guess you could say I knew what I wanted and stuck with it.”

That decision has been trickling down to the community for decades. Eric has spent his life surrounded by giving people, beginning with his father, Gorgas, and instilling the same ethic in him.

His mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when he was young, and suffered a stroke that left her immobile. An “oopsie” baby who was 8 years younger than his next sibling, Eric helped take care of his mother for five years before she died when he was a senior in high school.

He was there at the founding of the Door County Community Foundation. He served on city committees, as a Sunday school teacher, and at the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club. He’s been a committed Rotarian who has hosted, with Dee, multiple exchange students in their home.

Dee is just as giving, whether it be in her 21 years as a teacher at Sturgeon Bay Schools, as a founding board member of Write On, Door County, or as a support for students through outlets like the Clipper Collection, an annual compendium of student writing.

“One of the things about how they approach their philanthropy is they are so modest about it,” said Bret Bicoy, executive director of the Door County Community Foundation. “And yet they can convince so many people to follow their lead with such a modest voice. The way they go about doing this is so inspiring.”

The Paulsens have hosted events in their home to spread the word about worthy community causes, and Eric even used his birthday party as a fundraiser for the United Way. Amy Kohnle has worked with the Paulsens extensively in her 25 years at United Way of Door County. 

“Eric is an amazing individual,” Kohnle said. “He joined the United Way board maybe a year or two after I started. We were really in a different growth stage. He was always fighting for what we needed to make smart and sound business decisions.”

But his impact isn’t just local. Paulsen has taken several mission trips to Mexico and the Dominican Republic to provide free eye care to hundreds of people without access to it.

“I’ve been on three of those trips with him,” said Eric’s daughter, Annika, who has taken over the family optometry business. “In the U.S., access to care is often about affordability and insurance coverage. Down there, they don’t even have people and facilities to go to. Things that are easily treatable go untreated. That was a very rewarding thing to be a part of.”

Home in Sturgeon Bay, the Paulsens’ passions lie in people, particularly kids. 

“Your true person is who you are when no one’s looking,” Annika said. “He’s very driven by a desire to do the right thing for people. He feels he’s been so lucky in his life that he has time and talent to give to other people, making sure everybody has a safety net in the community.”

It’s a responsibility he takes seriously for a community he takes pride in being part of. A community that is lucky this boy came home. 

The Door County Community Foundation is pleased to honor Eric Paulsen as the 2025 Philanthropist of the Year.

Written by Myles Dannhausen, this story first appeared in the Door County Living magazine’s Philanthropy 2025 issue and in the July 3, 2025 Door County Pulse. 

Previous Honorees

The Community Foundation would like to express its sincerest thanks and appreciation to the following sponsors which allow this event to be a free and honest celebration of giving:

GOLD SPONSORS
Door County Coffee
Heck Capital Advisors
John & Nell Herlache
Stephen & Lisa O’Hearn

BRONZE LEVEL
Debi & Fred Anderson
John & Rose Bykowski
John McGinnis & Lana Billeaud
Keith & Sherry Mutchler
Main Street Market
Nicolet National Bank
The Scattergood Family

OTHER DONATIONS
Bacon CPA LLC
Blahnik Investment Group Inc.
Door County Medical Center
Jeff & Barb Ottum
Kristen & Collin Jeanquart
Laurel & John Hauser
Natalie & George Gorchynsky
NEW Insurance Concepts
Pinkert Law Firm LLP
Rick & Nancy Jeanquart
Stoneman-Schopf Agency

IN-KIND SUPPORT
Maas Floral & Greenhouse
Popelka Trenchard Glass

Non-Profit Peer Advisors

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Confidential Peer Advisors for Non-Profit Leaders

Working for charity in Door County can be challenging.

The non-profit organizations of Door County work with some of the most savvy and sophisticated donors around. Our volunteers and board members are far more experienced than in most counties of our size. Our seasonal community presents unique challenges.

There are some questions that Google just can’t answer for you. We need colleagues and networks to advise us and keep us on track.

While many of Door County’s non-profit leaders turn to their boards or even the Community Foundation for counsel, sometimes you need a confidential outside perspective from someone who’s been there. Someone like a retired leader of a Door County non-profit organization.

Door County Non-Profit Senior Leadership Advisory Council

The Community Foundation periodically convenes a group of experienced non-profit professionals to provide advice and guidance to our organization. What quickly became clear is that the talent in the room could be useful to charities all across our community.

All of the members of the Non-Profit Senior Leaderhip Advisory Council have three things in common:

They are talented and experienced charitable professionals

  • They previously worked in a leadership position at a Door County charity
  • They are willing to help you

Confidential Peer Advisors for Non-Profit Leaders

A Confidential Peer Advisor is a retired executive from a Door County charity that is willing to provide confidential advice and counsel to a current Executive Director or President/CEO. This isn’t a mentoring program. It’s not a training program for volunteers. It’s an opportunity for the paid staff leadership of Door County’s charities to have private, confidential discussions with someone who’s been there.

Perhaps you have a board member who’s brought expectations from the big city to your charity in our little community. Or maybe you’re not sure how to deal with staffing a small office. Or perhaps you just want to talk about building a fundraising strategy in a seasonal community. Whatever your issue, you also want your conversation to remain confidential.

That’s why we created the Confidential Peer Advisors program. It’s your opportunity to talk quietly and privately with someone who knows the Door County landscape and can provide you with an outside perspective on an issue you’re facing.

How We “Match” You to a Confidential Peer Advisor

The Community Foundation facilitates the “match,” but our involvement ends there. What you discuss, and when you discuss it, is between you and your Confidential Peer Advisor. All the volunteer Advisors will sign a confidentiality agreement with you upon your first meeting. That might seem awfully formal, but we believe it is important to stress that your conversation with your Confidential Peer Advisor should be shared with no one.

The match process itself is simple and confidential as well.

First, send an email and a short one or two paragraph description (in general terms) about the issue or opportunity you’d like to discuss.

Second, the Community Foundation sends your description (but NOT your name) to the Senior Leadership Advisory Council to seek volunteers that are willing to talk about that issue.

Third, the Community Foundation gives you the names of the volunteers who are willing to chat. This gives you the opportunity to decline to work with a volunteer that you might know too well personally, or the chance to select the volunteer that you think would be most helpful. If you don’t know any of the volunteers, we’ll help you make a match.

Fourth, we connect you and your new volunteer Confidential Peer Advisor, and you folks take it from there. Schedule a cup of coffee, a lunch, or whatever works best for you. The other volunteers with whom you were NOT matched will NEVER know it was you who is seeking counsel.

Where do I sign up?

If you’d like to be matched with a Confidential Peer Advisor, send an email and a short one or two paragraph description (in general terms) about the issue or opportunity you’d like to discuss to match@givedoorcounty.org. We’ll reach out to volunteers and get you set up with someone who can help.

If you’re a retired senior executive from a Door County charity and you’d like to get involved with the Senior Leadership Advisory Council, send an email to match@givedoorcounty.org or call (920) 746-1786. We’d love to have you join us.

Education & Counsel

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Providing Education and Counsel to Door County Charities

We work hard to be of service to those who serve.

In addition to offering grants, the Community Foundation also invests its dollars and staff time providing education and counsel to local charities.

The Community Foundation has sponsored and/or directly offered educational workshops in outcomes measurement, board development, grant writing, major gift fundraising, planned giving, and a variety of other topics relevant to the charities of Door County.

Schedule permitting, the Community Foundation’s professional staff also offers training and counsel to local charities. We’ve provided customized training for individual boards of directors, assisted with strategic planning, and offered guidance on a wide range of management issues related to philanthropy.

If you’d like to be kept informed of the next educational session or workshop sponsored by the Community Foundation, please join our email list. And if we can be of counsel to you or your charitable organization, please don’t hesitate to contact the Door County Community Foundation.

There is generally no charge for these services. It’s just another way we try to be of service to Door County’s non-profit community.

Discuss Door County

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“They is Us” is the title of the summary report from Discuss Door County, our county-wide conversation about growing older in our community.  If you’d like a copy of the report for yourself, a handful to share with your friends and neighbors, or an entire case to put out at your place of business, please pick up your free supply at the Door County Community Foundation, located at 222 N 3rd Ave in Sturgeon Bay.  

Discuss Door County: A Conversation about Growing Older in Door County

From the people who live here to the place itself, there’s so much we love about Door County. Yet our aging population and changing demographics now confront us with an uncertain tomorrow. We believe that the best way to predict our future is to create it for ourselves. “They is Us” summarizes the common themes we heard in conversations with literally hundreds of full-time and seasonal residents. From Washington Island through Sturgeon Bay and into Southern Door County. From our wealthiest families to struggling individuals. We had a conversation with folks from virtually every part of our community.

This was NOT a strategic planning process. It wasn’t an effort to define a work plan to achieve a predetermined goal. Nor was it an attempt to convince the community of the righteousness of a particular course of action. This was a genuine opportunity for the people of our community to come together and talk about what we want for Door County as we grow older.

Eventually, we hope that many different organizations and citizen groups will develop their own strategic plans, each working to realize that part of our shared vision which most resonates with them. Yet that future work draws its power and legitimacy by being deeply rooted in our shared aspirations for Door County.

If you’d like additional free copies of “They is Us” – be it a handful to share with your neighbors or an entire case to distribute in your place of business – stop by the Community Foundation at 222 N 3rd Ave in downtown Sturgeon Bay (by the Old Bell Tower).

 

What is Discuss Door County?

Discuss Door County is the banner under which the Door County Community Foundation listens to the community.

Growing numbers of community foundations of all sizes are taking unprecedented leaps into the leadership breach, developing and using their knowledge, networks, reputation, ability to contribute and leverage resources, and growing political acumen to drive change in their communities. Foundations across the country are harnessing the collective influence and access of their boards, donors, volunteers, grantees, partners, and professional staff to tackle persistent problems that defy simple solutions.

Among the most important qualities that the Door County Community Foundation can cultivate is curiosity about the community we serve. Among the most important skills we can develop is the ability to forge consensus. Community leadership issues often require understanding and skills beyond our ken. Whether by commissioning studies, creating indicators projects, conducting stakeholder interviews and focus groups, or convening all of the known organizations and entities that deal with a particular issue, the Community Foundation is acquiring a deep understanding about our community. We also recognize that expertise comes in many forms and includes the practical knowledge gained by people whose daily lives are affected by the issue being addressed.

The Community Foundation is mindful of the privileged position we occupy thanks to the remarkable generosity of the people of Door County. We fully recognize our obligation to attend to the well-being of the entire community. We understand that our endowment funds afford us the luxury of the long view in a society with a short attention span.

Our Board of Directors has set forth a directive wherein the Door County Community Foundation aims to become the nexus where the energy, talent, ideas, and resources of those who care passionately about our community converge to meet the opportunities and challenges facing Door County.

To learn more, contact us at the Door County Community Foundation. We hope you’ll join us on this journey.

Youth Mini Grants

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Door County Service Club Coalition Youth Grant Programs

The Door County Service Club Coalition has partnered with the Community Foundation to offer two separate youth grant programs.

Youth as Resources Grants

Purpose: To provide financial support to projects in which youth use their skills, talents, and abilities to serve or educate others, with a specific focus on benefiting others within Door County.

Typical Grants: Average of $200. Maximum of $500, although exceptional projects may qualify for higher levels of funding.

Eligible Applicants: Any youth group comprised primarily of residents of Door County, be it organized or informal, may apply.

Application Materials: To apply, first download the Youth as Resources grant application. Handwritten responses are acceptable.

Youth in Theatre Grants

Purpose: To provide financial support to Door County theatrical productions in which youth play a significant role in its production and/or on-stage performance.

Typical Grants: Maximum of $500.

Eligible Applicants: Any charitable, educational, civic or youth group comprised primarily of residents of Door County be it organized or informal, may apply.

Application Process: To apply, download and complete the Youth in Theatre grant application. Handwritten responses are acceptable.

Application Deadlines

Applications are due by 4:00 pm on the first business day of the month as follows:

  • Wednesday, October 1, 2025
  • Monday, December 1, 2025
  • Monday, March 2, 2026
  • Friday, May 1, 2026

Youth Presentations to Service Club Coalition Board of Directors

  • Wednesday, October 15, 2025 begins at 5:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, December 17, 2025 begins at 5:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 18, 2026 begins at 5:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, May 20, 2026 begins at 5:00 p.m.

General Guidelines for Both Grant Programs

Your application must be received in the offices of the Door County Community Foundation by 4 p.m. on the application deadline noted above.

For applications submitted by high school and middle school age students, the application itself must be completed by the students. For younger children, an adult may complete the application in consultation with the youth. The idea is to ensure that the project is largely initiated by the youth themselves.

Applications may be handwritten.

As a part of the review process, at least one youth representative from your group is required to present your project idea to the approximately seven (7) Reviewers at a meeting in Sturgeon Bay on the corresponding Youth Presentation date noted above. You will be informed of the location of the meeting and the specific time slot for your presentation shortly after you apply.

On occasion, our spam filters inadvertently screen out emails from some charities. You should receive an email within three (3) business days of our receipt of your application confirming its receipt. If you do not receive this confirmation, please call (920) 746-1786 to confirm that we received your application materials.

The Youth Presentation should not exceed five (5) minutes and will be followed by questions. High school age students are expected to make their presentation without any assistance from an adult. Middle school age children may be prompted and assisted by an adult. Elementary school age children should be available to answer questions, but an adult may make the presentation.

Applicants will be informed of the final decision within two (2) days after their Youth Presentation is made. If the application is awarded a grant, a brief final report presentation is required.

Only one application per youth group will be accepted in each grant cycle. However, a charity may have several different youth groups which apply under the auspices of the same charity so long as different children are involved in each of the youth groups.

Faith based groups are welcome and encouraged to apply, but grant funds may not be used to advance any particular religious belief. No one may be denied participation in a project that is funded because they do not hold a particular religious belief.

Any equipment purchased as a part of the grant must be owned by a 501(c)(3) public charity or donated to one after the completion of the project.

Grant funds may be used to pay salaries, but only in unique circumstances which must be explained in the application.

Payment of Grant Funds

Applicants that apply under the umbrella of a 501(c)(3) public charity, school or government agency will receive a check payable to the organization shortly after the grant is approved. Applicants that do not operate under the umbrella of a charity, school or government agency will be reimbursed for expenses after receipts and other documentation are presented as proof of actual expenditures.

Submit your Application

We’re happy to answer any questions and help guide you through the application process. Contact us at the Community Foundation for assistance.

Mail your completed application form to the Door County Community Foundation. It also may be delivered by hand to our office in downtown Sturgeon Bay. A drop box is outside the door for afterhours delivery. Click here for mailing addresses and directions. You may also email your application as a PDF file.

Advancement Grants

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Advancement Grants invest in collaborative efforts which lead to systemic change and advance our quality of life in Door County.

Advancement Grants invest in collaborative efforts which lead to systemic change and advance our quality of life in Door County. These grants support initiatives which look at entire systems in our community and work to bring about greater efficiencies, if not a whole scale change, in how things are done. An Advancement Grant might bring changes to how we deliver a service in Door County – such as transportation. The Community Foundation made the initial investment in Door-Tran, created the corporation, and lent one of our Board members to serve as an organizer and President of the new Door-Tran Board.

Advancement Grants also fill significant gaps in service – such as micro-lending to small entrepreneurial companies which create job opportunities. The Community Foundation is in the process of launching a subsidiary corporation, the Door County Community Opportunity Investment Network (COIN), to facilitate such investments because the most effective human service program is one which helps its clients get good jobs.

Through the Advancement Grants process, a non-profit organization might receive assistance from the Arts Fund, the Children & Youth Fund, the Education Fund, the Green Fund, the Health & Human Needs Fund, and/or the Historic Preservation Fund. There no longer are separate applications for each of these Discretionary Funds as there were in the past.

Advancement Grants are typically large scale initiatives which require a significant investment of time of both the professional staff and board of the Community Foundation, in addition to any grant awarded.

There is no formal application process for an Advancement Grant. Instead, these initiatives are of the Community Foundation’s making. Or they might arise from a charity, group, or an individual who approaches us with a good idea.

To discuss a possible idea you might have, contact us to begin a conversation.

Listed below are the logos of some of the projects and/or organizations that were started as a result of an Advancement Grant from the Community Foundation. Click on a logo for more information.




For Good – Forever

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We’re here For Good. And we’re here Forever.

From 2011 to 2013, the Community Foundation quietly worked to secure $2.5 million in contributions to launch the For Good Forever Fund – our general endowment for Door County. This permanent pool of money is a flexible resource to fund our community impact grant program, invest in community projects, and support future programs of the Community Foundation.

This effort also ensured the financial viability of the Community Foundation forevermore. As a result of these gifts, along with our other sources of earned revenue, the Community Foundation has no need to ask the people of Door County to make gifts to support our administrative operations. Henceforth, all gifts are entirely used to support charitable work in the community.

While we are grateful for all the donors who contributed to this effort, the Community Foundation would like to extend a special word of thanks to those who made truly exceptional gifts:

Ruth & Hartley Barker
Albert & Nancy Nicholas
Dick & Annie Egan
Betsy Guenzel
Lee Traven
John & Nell Herlache
Wayne & Patricia Eastman
Polly & John Alberts
Fred & Natalie Marcon
Bill & Mardi Glenn
Karen & Andy Cook
Kress Foundation
John G. Searle Family Trust
Bill & Collette Goldammer
David Meissner
Bill & Yvonne Boettcher
Cam Nielsen

We deeply appreciate the wonderful generosity of these great Door County philanthropists. As a result of their generosity, the Community Foundation is here For Good. And we’re here Forever.

Professional Staff

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To minimize costs and maximize the amount available to be granted to the community, the Community Foundation contracts for its investment, accounting and bookkeeping services. We do have a small professional staff in Door County that interacts with our donor clients, local non-profits, and the community at large.

Bret Bicoy, President & CEO

Bret Bicoy joined the Community Foundation in 2008 having previously served as President of the Nevada Community Foundation and President & CEO of the Marietta Community Foundation.  He was named a Fellow of the Council on Foundations in Washington, D.C. for his work promoting philanthropy in diverse communities.  He also writes a regular column in the Peninsula Pulse.

In his previous roles, Bret was highlighted as a “Person of Influence” by In Business Las Vegas magazine as one of the “men and women who make things happen” in Nevada. The Marietta Chamber of Commerce honored him as the Telesis Community Leader of the Year as “a believer in impossible things, whose vision, enthusiasm and dedication have unquestionably made their mark on our community.” Back in the days when he could still be considered young, Bret was presented the Young Alumni Achievement Award by Tufts University as one “whose distinguished accomplishments bring credit to his community, his profession, and Tufts University.”

In the 1990s, Bret was the Senior Foundation Officer of the Green Bay Community Foundation during which time he helped launch the Door County Community Foundation. While living in Green Bay, Bret served one term on the Brown County Board of Supervisors and was twice elected to the Green Bay City Council.

Bret is a long-time Rotarian and attends Hope United Church of Christ. He has served three terms as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ and is one of the founders of the United Church of Christ Foundation of Wisconsin. He now serves on the national Board of Directors of the United Church of Christ.

Born and raised in Aiea, Hawaii, Bret is married to Cari and together they raised six children in their beloved Door County.  Contact Bret.

Jessica Holland, Vice President of Philanthropic Services

Even though Jess was raised in IL, she has deep family roots in Northern Door County and dreamed of living here since she was young. After a series of unexpected and fortunate events, Jess moved to Door County full-time in 2010 to raise her family with a Southern Door Belgian.

With a background in Social Work and music, Jess has provided anti-violence education and advocacy for area youth, delivered crisis intervention and prevention for aging adults, organized efforts to expand access to high-quality and affordable child care in the county, led on the Sturgeon Bay School Board, and played with various local musicians throughout Door County. Bringing people together and building meaningful connections motivates Jess, especially in this community. She cannot think of another place where she would rather work towards this goal.

Outside of work, Jess enjoys camping with her family, visiting local beaches, making music and crafts, and taking in all that Door County has to offer with close friends and family.

Jess is eager to work with donors and local charities to support the unique vibrancy of Door County through meaningful connections. Working with the Philanthropic Services Officers, Jess engages with our existing family of donors, serving as a philanthropic advisor by offering counsel and advice to help our donors achieve their respective philanthropic goals. The team also administers our granting operations, including our discretionary grantmaking programs and distributions from Donor Advised Funds. Contact Jessica.

Julie Haen, Senior Business Officer

A fourth-generation Door County resident, volunteerism is a core family value. Inspired by her late father’s Masonic involvement, her passion for helping others is reflected in her fundraising for the Sevastopol Education Foundation, the Music, Art and Theater Guild, and the Shrine Hospitals.

Julie raised two strong confident daughters, and a kind-hearted outgoing son. Between learning to crochet, and wrangling her dogs Remi and Toby, she finds peace camping, hiking, and kayaking Door County’s beauty.

Julie’s love for Door County translates to a deep appreciation for the Foundation’s impact on its land and people.

Julie brings her professional expertise to the Community Foundation, where she leads a team responsible for the meticulous processing, disbursement, and reconciliation of funds across the organization’s diverse portfolio.  Contact Julie.

Kim Schumacher, Director of Communications

Kim has built a career leading communications across mission-driven and private-sector organizations, with expertise in writing, graphic design, and brand identity. Most recently, she served nearly a decade as Senior Manager of Publications for The World Residences at Sea in Fort Lauderdale, one of the world’s most unique luxury residential communities, overseeing more than 100 publications annually and partnering with executive leadership to align messaging and strengthen stakeholder engagement.

Kim holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she also studied literature, art history, and Italian, disciplines that continue to inform her creative sensibility and fuel her passion for travel and storytelling.

A native of De Pere, Wisconsin, Kim relocated to Door County from South Florida in January 2020 to reconnect with family, friends, and the region’s natural beauty. Outside the office, she hikes the state parks and land trusts with her beagle mix, enjoys cooking and dining with friends, and champions the county’s extraordinary visual, musical, and culinary artists.

In her role, Kim brings a strategic communications perspective and a genuine commitment to the region, and looks forward to deepening the Community Foundation’s public awareness and connecting more citizens to the transformative work it does across the peninsula. Contact Kim.

Adam Peronto, Philanthropic Services Officer

Adam started his career as an Exercise Physiologist, where he developed a strong commitment to improving the well-being of others. This early experience sparked his interest in community outreach, leading him to transition into roles where he could contribute to broader social change.

Over the years, Adam has led various initiatives that have enhanced access to vital resources and opportunities for diverse populations to thrive. His dedication to community and innovation continues to drive him as he works with donors, local charities, and community members to create meaningful and lasting connections throughout the Door Peninsula.

Giving back has always been central to Adam’s life. He actively volunteers as a coach for Special Olympics and volunteers with several organizations, including the Algoma Venture Academy, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin, The Ridges Sanctuary, and the Canary Fund. These roles allow him to blend his passion for service with his professional expertise, continually seeking out new ways to positively impact his community.

Adam grew up on his great uncle’s small dairy farm in Casco, where he learned the value of hard work and the importance of community from an early age. Today, he enjoys the natural beauty of Door County through activities like hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing. Whether collaborating with donors, working alongside community partners, or coordinating a fundraising event, Adam is dedicated to making the most of every opportunity to contribute to the place he calls home.  Contact Adam.

Rachel Stoehr, Philanthropic Services Officer

Rachel made the move from Chicago to Door County in 2020 and quickly developed a deep appreciation for the people who make this community so vibrant. With a background in procurement strategy and risk mitigation at a global distributor, she brings a thoughtful, analytical approach to her work. In 2023, Rachel transitioned into the nonprofit sector, where she found her passion collaborating with local organizations to better understand and respond to emerging community needs.

Rachel earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas, where she competed as a Division I swimmer. She values being part of a team that embraces challenge, connection, and continuous growth to make a difference.

Outside the office, Rachel’s adventurous spirit keeps her exploring through camping on Rock Island, traveling, and skiing. She also treasures time with family, especially with her young nephew and her cat, Potato.

Rachel is inspired to connect donors and nonprofits, helping foster thoughtful, impactful giving throughout Door County and beyond. Contact Rachel.

Jean Gothberg, Business Officer

Jean joined the Door County Community Foundation in March 2022 as a Business Officer. Jean is excited to work with the team at the Community Foundation.

Jean was born and raised in Southern Door County, in Little Sturgeon Bay, and graduated from Southern Door Schools. As a direct descendant of Increase Claflin, Door County’s first white settler, Jean has a love for the preservation of our county.

Jean and her family have resided in Sturgeon Bay since 2015, after returning from Southeastern Ohio to be closer to her parents. Jean has a significant other, Leo of 21 years. A son, Dylan who is attending UWGB studying History and Art. Jean’s daughter Kyrsten is an R.N. at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Jean and her family have a passion for nature and the great outdoors. Spending time together in the forests, at the bay and lake, and appreciation for the star gazing the clear skies of Door County offers so magnificently. Door County has always been her “home”.

Jean brings many years of business and bookkeeping experience to her new position and is responsible for processing contributions and disbursements from the many Funds of the Community Foundation.  Contact Jean.

Heidi Copiskey, Administrative Assistant

Heidi Copiskey was born and raised in Door County and is passionate about the community and culture we share. Having worked in hospitality for much of her career, Heidi strongly believes that compassion is one of the dearest qualities one can have. Heidi is an avid volunteer and can be found anywhere from bagging groceries and serving food, to local bookfairs and handing out water at the Triathlon (because let’s be honest, that is the closest she will ever come to participating in one).

Heidi lives in Sturgeon Bay with her husband Eric and their children Bryton and Zoey on a delightful homestead filled with chickens, ducks, turkeys, and rabbits. While she would like to take credit for the bountiful garden in the backyard, she is much better at “quality control” then the growing. Heidi also enjoys hiking at the State Parks, going to local theater performances, she loves a good book and vows to someday take a pottery class.

Heidi is excited to join the Door County Community Foundation and to be a part of such an amazing network of men and women working together to make Door County the very special place that it is.

Heidi is the friendly voice that answers the phone and smiling face that you first see when visiting the Foundation. Along with greeting our guests, Heidi takes our event RSVPs and manages the Scholarship Network.  Contact Heidi.

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