The legacy of Jim and Arlene Wright continues to benefit the community they loved through the James and Arlene Wright Family Fund.

As far as Jim and Arlene Wright were concerned, there was no place like home. Lifelong residents of Chippewa County, they established their family endowment fund to support their hometown not only during their lifetimes, but for generations to come. Both Jim and Arlene have since passed away, but their commitment to the community lives on through the fund they created.

"We have both lived here the vast majority of our lives, and our home is important to us. We just felt that starting a family fund was the right thing to do," said Arlene Wright, who served as Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards statewide coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's Office of Early Learning and previously worked as assistant director of special education and early childhood program support teacher for CESA 10. Jim Wright was a retired administrator of buildings and grounds for Xcel Energy.

Although the James and Arlene Wright Family Fund bears their names, Arlene emphasized that it was created with their entire family in mind. "We wanted it for our family because our girls were born and raised here - so it is really their home too," Arlene said, referring to their two daughters, who now live elsewhere.

The Wrights established their seedling fund at the end of 2013. It later became a fully endowed donor advised fund, and during their lifetimes they directed grants to causes that reflected their values and interests. "I've been in the field of education all my life, so I feel strongly about some services that provide education-health education, early education, education for young people, education for all ages," Arlene said, adding that they were also interested in supporting low-income families and individuals in need.

The couple appreciated the opportunity to give back through the Community Foundation of Chippewa County because of its countywide focus and long-term impact. "It's purposeful," Arlene said. "We couldn't maybe do what we wanted to do without something that's bigger than us, like a foundation. The fact that this will live well beyond us is very meaningful."

Today, those words have become reality. The Wright Family Endowment Fund continues to support current needs throughout Chippewa County through the Community Needs Grant Cycle, ensuring that Jim and Arlene's generosity and love for their community will live on well beyond their lifetimes.