2015 Building Community Award
Continuing the Legacy of Giving
To honor our founder's legacy of giving, we launched the Gerry Rauenhorst Building Community Award. In 2015, the inaugural Award provided one nonprofit organization with $62,000 to commemorate our rich history and tradition that began 62 years ago.
Fueled by unwavering optimism, Gerry Rauenhorst demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and a commitment to finding a better way to build a business, community and a value-centered life. With an enduring belief that business has a responsibility to strengthen society, Gerry ensured giving back was a cornerstone of our organization.
2015 Building Community Award Winner
Operation Breakthrough
Representing Kansas City, MOhttps://www.operationbreakthrough.org
We're proud to announce Operation Breakthrough as the winner of the inaugural award.
Based in Kansas City, Operation Breakthrough's mission is to prepare kids for success in school and empower their parents to become self-sufficient and engaged caregivers. Nationally-accredited early learning, after-school and summer programs focus on academic achievement and healthy character development.
Knowing that children won't reach their potential without a strong start, Operation Breakthrough also provides health and emergency services, housing/employment assistance, parenting classes and other support. In short, Operation Breakthrough is a one-stop shop where innovative programming serves more than 400 children and helps families create new possibilities for their children to thrive.
2015 Finalists
Recognizing the important contributions of all the organizations, each of the remaining eight finalists received a $1,000 grant.
La Casa Norte
La Casa Norte has impacted 25,000 people over the past 12 years across Chicago by providing much needed services, empowering homeless and at-risk youth and families.
Mile High United Way - Bridging the Gap Program
Mile High United Way’s Bridging the Gap is an innovative, data-driven program developed to address the needs of youth transitioning from the child welfare system.
Joppa Outreach, Inc.
Joppa provides food, clothing, shelter, and meets unmet needs for homeless people in Des Moines.
Outreach, Inc.
Outreach, Inc. equips and empowers homeless teens and young adults to achieve stability and life transformation.
Guest House of Milwaukee
Guest House of Milwaukee provides shelter, housing, education and services to Milwaukee’s homeless who seek to transform their lives with dignity and purpose.
Urban Boatbuilders
Urban Boatbuilders uses the building of wooden boats as a vehicle to empower youth and develop their academic, social, and work-readiness skills.
Dress for Success
Dress for Success Phoenix empowers Phoenix women to emerge from poverty and reach their fullest potential.
Youth Learning Center
Youth Learning Center offers a model for integrating individualized learning and Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics, through the use of project-based learning and industry-standard technology.