GCF 2025 Civic Event

GCF’s 22nd Annual Civic Award Marks 25 Years of Community Impact

On May 21, more than 125 friends and supporters of the Greater Cedarburg Foundation gathered at the Cedarburg Cultural Center for GCF’s 22nd Annual Civic Ceremony. Celebrating GCF’s silver anniversary, this year’s event recognized GCF’s founders, Legacy Society members, past presidents and board members, and Civic Awardees

GCF Past President Joe Rintelman opened the evening with a message of gratitude. “Success is never certain,” he said. “A quarter century ago, the idea of a community foundation might easily have stalled. But the clear vision, steadfast commitment, and selfless generosity of our leaders and supporters brought us to where we are today. So let’s celebrate!”

Greg Wesley, President and CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation (GMF), reflected on the long-standing partnership between the two organizations. GCF’s affiliation with GMF provides many benefits, including access to professional infrastructure—legal, accounting, and investment services—while keeping decision-making local. “No one knows Cedarburg better than you,” Wesley said, underscoring GCF’s commitment to community-based philanthropy.

Former board member and 2013 Civic Award recipient Paul Hayes recounted GCF’s founding. The idea for the Greater Cedarburg Foundation was first proposed in 1999 by then-Mayor Jim Coutts. A year later, GCF’s first board met at the Cedarburg Cultural Center. GCF laid important groundwork in its first years, including its decision to affiliate with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, setting fundraising goals, and a commitment to fund local projects envisioned by the community itself.

Under the leadership of the second president, Mal Hepburn (2002–2004), a major fundraising campaign was launched to raise $500,000, bolstered by a $100,000 match from GMF. Forty donors quickly joined the effort, forming what is now known as GCF’s “Founders.” Additionally, GCF laid the groundwork that helped shape its future by launching the Civic Award event, producing a regular newsletter, establishing the Legacy Society, and hosting an annual gala.

Former GCF President Ben Levy (2010–2012) reflected on the Foundation’s growth and accomplishments. One of GCF’s earliest endeavors was to retire the Cultural Center’s mortgage, and during Peg Edquist’s presidency (2012–2014), GCF awarded its largest-ever grant—$100,000 to the Cedarburg Public Library.

Ben recognized the many dedicated GCF Board members. “Everyone who has served on the board has brought their talent, expertise, and love of Cedarburg and spread it throughout our community. This is a community foundation in the truest and best sense of the word. Because it took a community to build it, and it takes a community to sustain it.”

John Cordio, President from 2018 to 2020, described recent innovations, including the return of GCF’s gala to Cedarburg and the introduction of a “traveling” format starting with a “Night at the Museums.” During his tenure, GCF expanded its endowment, standardized grant and award nomination processes, and broadened its focus to include programs.

Cordio emphasized the importance of bringing new voices while honoring the organization’s roots. “I would like to share two thoughts on why I believe the Foundation continues to flourish. First, I believe that through events, outreach, and board membership, the organization continues to do a good job of bringing in the next generation of members to get involved…and second, the organization has been able to maintain what I like to call ‘organizational muscle memory,’ going back to our founders’ mission and decisions of prior boards, while evolving and adapting to current times…I believe the blend and balance of the two concepts, new generation involvement and organizational muscle memory, will keep the Foundation vibrant and impactful in our community for years to come.”

Current President Katie Pipkorn concluded the evening with a powerful reminder that behind every number is a story. She noted, “Over 25 years, we’ve granted nearly $1.9 million to 55 area organizations. Our Legacy Society has grown from fewer than 20 members when my dad was preparing to become the GCF’s 4th president to 130 members strong today…These numbers represent families helped, services expanded, and dreams made real—right here in Cedarburg. This is YOUR legacy. It is not hypothetical. It is already happening because of the people in this room. Your vision. Your time. Your talents. Your generosity.”

Looking ahead, Pipkorn invited guests to consider joining the Legacy Society. “If you’ve ever thought about how your impact can live on—how your values can continue to serve this community beyond your lifetime—then I invite you to consider joining our Legacy Society. By including the GCF in your estate planning, you’re not just leaving a gift. You’re preserving and enriching our cultural heritage, enhancing our artistic and aesthetic experiences, and providing educational and community service opportunities for people of all ages—right here, in the place you love—Now and Forever.”

As GCF looks to its next 25 years, our goal is clear: to be the go-to partner for local nonprofits, a leading force in preserving and enriching our cultural heritage, a catalyst for community enrichment, and a trusted steward of Cedarburg’s future.

The evening was a fitting tribute to a Foundation built by the community—and an inspiring call to continue that legacy together.

GCF Founders

Front Row L-R: Don Levy, Dean Fitting, Duey Stroebel, Mal Hepburn, Philia Hayes, Paul Hayes, Barbara Olsen, Layton Olsen

Back Row L-R – Tri-Par Representatives – Ann Rintelman-Tice, Vicki Gall, Steve Gall, Karen Gall, Mark Gall – Susan Hale, Jack Hale, Peg Edquist, Jerry Edquist

GCF Legacy Society Members

Front Row L-R: Bruce Krenzke, Shirley Krenzke, Jack Steinbrecker, Lindy Steinbrecker, Don Levy, Duey Stroebel, Mal Hepburn, Philia Hayes, Paul Hayes, Jerry Voigt, Kay Walters, John Hammes

Second Row L-R: Katie Pipkorn, Pam Helf, Robb Helf, Steve Gall, Vicki Gall, Ann Rintelman-Tice, Layton Olsen, Barbara Olsen, Carol Alexander Coutts, Pat Thome, Barbara Janssen, Richard Janssen, Patty Gallun Hansen, Jack Hale, Peg Edquist, Lisa Vogt, Amy Argall, Mary Lou McPhillips, John Cordio, Nancy Wilkinson, Ronnie Hammes, Tim Wilkinson, Jerry Edquist

Back Row L-R: Vince Cameranesi, Betsy Wirth, Blaine Gibson, Bob Loomis, Maria Loomis, Dan DenBoer, Nancy DenBoer, Richard Dieffenbach, John Katzka, Candy Flagstad, David Pagel, Anne Pagel, Ben Levy, Kit Keller, Jim Pape, Paul Rushing, Patty Clapper, Mark Baumgartner, Mary Jane Baumgartner, Rob Clapper, Jim Meyers, Sandy Pape, Greg Butler, Sandy Butler, Susan Hale, Al Lorge, Steve Schowalter, James Schowalter.

GCF Civic Award Winners

Front Row L-R: Dick Dieffenbach, Jim Lee, Mal Hepburn, Philia Hayes, Paul Hayes, Don Levy

Back Row L-R: Jack Hale, Susan Hale, Barbara Olsen, Layton Olsen, Patty Gallun-Hansen, Jerry Voigt, Sandy Pape, Jim Pape

GCF Past and Current Board Members

Front Row: L-R: Joe Rintelman, Mary Jane Baumgartner, Duey Stroebel, Terri Haas, Mal Hepburn, Pat Thome, Layton Olsen, Paul Hayes, Marilyn Vollrath

Middle Row L-R: Ann Manning, Lauren McMillen, Al Lorge, Kip Kinzel, Tim Wilkinson, Bob Loomis, Jack Steinbrecker, Carol Alexander Coutts, Blaine Gibson, Susan Lange, Shirley Krenzke, Patty Gallun Hansen, Barbara Janssen, Jack Hale, Sandy Pape, Rick Janssen, Joel Dykstra, Jim Meyers, Robb Helf

Back Row L-R: John Cordio, Dan DenBoer, Katie Pipkorn, David Pagel, James Schowalter, Jerry Voigt, Steve Schowalter, Jeff Janza, Vince Cameranesi

GCF Past and Current Presidents

Front Row L-R: Joe Rintelman, Mal Hepburn, Katie Pipkorn

Back Row L-R: Duey Stroebel, Ben Levy, John Cordio

Past President, Ben Levy, addresses the gathering reflecting on the happenings of GCF during his tenure.

John Cordio, Past President, delivers remarks pertaining to his time on the GCF Board.

Paul Hayes, former GCF Board member and Civic Award recipient takes the audience through the early years of GCF.

Current GCF President, Katie Pipkorn, pictured with Greg Wesley, President and CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.

Sue Shrader, executive director of the Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedarburg-Grafton Rotary member and co-director of Summer Sounds expresses how important GCF’s support has been to arts in the community.

Dewayna Cherrington, former president of the Cedarburg Public Library, shares examples of the importance GCF support has had on the CPL.

Lisa Holtebeck, executive director of Ozaukee Family Services, shares with the audience the direct positive impact GCF grants have made in the community.

Current President, Katie Pipkorn, speaks about the future of GCF, expresses gratitude for those who have laid the foundation, and a call to share its importance to family, friends and neighbors.