Striving for Excellence
While believing there is no finish line in the pursuit of excellence, we challenge ourselves and others to strive for continuous improvement and best-of-class outcomes.
About Us
Our History
In 2009, Dwight and Linda Davis established the Foundation after years of using a donor-advised fund for their philanthropic endeavors. They were assisted in this move by their long-time friends and advisers, Lon Roberts, a business attorney and partner with the Wausau-based Ruder Ware law firm, and Jeff Stubbe, a tax specialist and partner with Wipfli, a large Midwest accounting and financial advisory firm. The four founding directors set a direction for the Davis Foundation to become a “best of class” philanthropic entity dedicated to supporting economic development and quality of life enhancements important to sustaining and growing strong communities. Upon his retirement from Wipfli in 2017, Jeff became the foundation’s first executive director.
Our Values
The values we strive to exhibit in all our undertakings… and seek in the organizations and projects we support
Acting with Integrity
Being honest, forthcoming, and ethical in all operations is an absolute expectation for our team members and for the organizations we support!
Encouraging Collaboration
We welcome partnerships with other donors and collaboration among grantees to achieve common objectives because they maximize human and financial resources and enhances the potential for impactful outcomes.
Investing in Effective Leadership
We believe visionary, innovative, capable leaders create strong enlistment among their organization’s team members and supporters, thus enhancing the potential for successful outcomes. Accordingly, we place high value on investing in leadership development within both our team and the organizations we support.
Taking a Long-Term View
We are disciplined in long-range, strategic planning and seek evidence of the same from the organizations we support. We believe that achieving and sustaining meaningful results over time is enhanced by carefully calculated plans that have clearly stated measurable objectives, appropriate timelines, and prudently allocated human and financial resources.
Being Proactive
When we see needs and opportunities related to our purposes and fields of interest that are not being adequately addressed, we strive to bring focus, leadership, and collaboration to create well-reasoned initiatives.
Our People
