2025 GCF Civic Event – Celebrating GCF’s 25th Anniversary

Press Release:

Katie Rintelman Pipkorn was a recent graduate of Cedarburg High School nearing her college graduation from Washington University in St. Louis when her father, Don Rintelman, was slated to become the fourth president of the Greater Cedarburg Foundation (GCF) in 2006.

 The Foundation had been formed six years earlier to encourage private funding to support projects and programs that enhance the quality of life in the greater Cedarburg community. A Legacy Society was also established to help build an endowment that would guarantee the future financial health of the organization. Members were requested to give or pledge at least $10,000 to the Foundation.  

When Rintelman became president, he had a goal: to expand the GCF Legacy Society to 100 members and have the Foundation recognized as the “go-to” resource for helping other community organizations accomplish their major projects.

But on May 13 of that year, just shy of taking over as president, the dream was shattered when Rintelman, his son and his son’s friend were tragically killed in a traffic accident and his wife was seriously injured.

Pipkorn recalls that as a very tough time in her life. 

“It was an abrupt catapult into adulthood,” she said. “The transition from college into the real world can be challenging for any young person, but adding in adjusting to a new normal without some of the people I held dearest was a test of endurance.”

She remembers how the community of Cedarburg banded together to make that transition as smooth and as loving as possible. “While I would certainly never wish a tragedy on any family, our tragedy also opened my eyes to what a truly amazing community we live in,” Pipkorn said. “The outpouring of support from the city my parents taught me to love was truly amazing.”

In November 2010, Pipkorn was surprised to be named the 100th member of the Legacy Society with $10,000 raised by members of the Cedarburg community on her behalf. Her father’s dream had finally been realized: 100 members of the Legacy Society had brought $1 million to the Foundation.

 “The efforts of the Foundation’s then president, Ben Levy, to raise the money to make me the fulfillment of my dad’s goal meant the world to me,” Pipkorn said.  “Ben told me that the donations raised were all $500 or less, making it, once again, a true testament to community – many people coming together to support me and the city we love.”

Today, life has come full circle for Pipkorn. She is now an established career professional with a husband and a family of her own. And last July, she was installed as the 13th president of the Greater Cedarburg Foundation, just in time to help GCF celebrate its silver anniversary in 2025.

At the GCF’s annual civic award event, which will be held May 21 at the Cedarburg Cultural Center, GCF will recognize those who contributed to the success of the organization including the founders, past presidents and board members and, yes, the Legacy Society, which holds a very special place in Pipkorn’s heart. 

“I am so grateful to be given the chance to continue in the footsteps of so many amazing people,” she said. “I look forward to celebrating our founders and past and present board members because without them, the Foundation would not be what it is today, and I am excited to honor our Legacy Society members because their contributions ensure the Foundation will continue to be a force for good for generations to come.”

During its 25-year history, GCF has awarded nearly $1.9 million in grants to 60 organizations. Projects like the new bandshell in Cedar Creek Park, the community room in the Cedarburg Library and the education center at Riveredge Nature Center are all beneficiaries of GCF grants.

Pipkorn encourages the community to join her in celebrating those who have given “their time, their talents and their treasures to make GCF a force for good that will last for generations to come.”

“Twenty-five years into the GCF legacy of giving, I am proud to be part of GCF like my parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents before me,” she said. “I look forward to a future where my children’s children can look around and see the awesome force of good that GCF continues to be in this wonderful place we call home.”

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED …

What: The Greater Cedarburg Foundation Civic Award Event

Celebrating: GCF’s 25th Anniversary

Honoring: Founders, past presidents and board members and the GCF Legacy Society 

When: Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 6 p.m.

Where: Cedarburg Cultural Center

RSVP: Email CedarburgFoundation@gmail.com or call (262) 204-7387

Photograph Sessions: Please join as appropriate

• 6:10 PM – Past Presidents
• 6:20 PM – Past Board Members
• 6:30 PM – Founders
• 6:40 PM – Legacy Society Members
• 6:50 PM – Past Civic Awardees