Non-Profit Facility Investments

Location: 845 Hackett St.

The Beloit Historical Society (BHS) Construction Project consists of improvements to the exterior of the Lincoln Center facility including the replacement of the roof and installation of new HVAC equipment, updating the electrical system to power the new HVAC equipment safely, tuck pointing of the exterior walls and replacing exterior doors and windows to bring the building up to current codes.

These repairs will tighten the building's envelope resulting in increased energy efficiency and safety for the people using the building and protect the historical artifacts and documents stored here. This project represents one portion of the infrastructure needs BHS has at the Lincoln Center.

Securing the exterior is the first step with the next phase addressing internal systems and future use of the building.

Location: 1006 Bluff St., Beloit

The purpose and anticipated outcomes of this project are to increase the safety of the shelter residents and our volunteers and to reduce energy expenses for shelter operations. Although the new Family Promise shelter has been initially renovated, there is additional work to be done.

Most important is the need to add new heat and air conditioning systems to the nine family sleeping rooms. Not only is the current system for these rooms extremely outdated and inefficient, but it does not include air conditioning. Despite the addition of ceiling fans, residents must leave windows open during warm weather making the shelter vulnerable to break-ins, thefts, and the threat of more serious crimes.

The poor condition of the parking lot also presents a safety hazard for families as well as volunteers. The pavement is cracked and uneven, making it hazardous for guest families to fully utilize the space intended for children’s activities and for family recreation. Safety is also an issue for volunteers who provide fellowship and encouragement to residents during evening hours. Gaps and holes in the parking lot pavement make it unsafe for some of older volunteers who leave after dark. The replacement of the dilapidated parking lot fencing will also deter opportunist thefts and vandalism to the vehicles of volunteers as well as staff.

Location: 1851 Moore St., Beloit

The funding opportunity proposed for this project would provide the immediate resources to significantly rehabilitate and repair the interior, exterior, and athletic fields, ensuring the immediate renewal, transformation, and availability of all the facilities to the Beloit community.

This historical building built in 1960 was home to the Boys and Girls Club for over 60 years. In 2021 three Beloit natives purchased the building and founded the non-profit organization Hilltopp Community Center. This historic building is witness to the aesthetic, tradition, and cultural history of Beloit. Generations of people from Beloit shaped their development with the programs and services within the walls of this building.

The purpose of the rehabilitation project is to preserve a historic building to be sustainable that will stand the test of time and live beyond us for future generations to enjoy.

Funding of the project proposed would provide the resources to create an accessible safe space, well-maintained gyms, classrooms, playing fields, multi-use indoor and outdoor spaces for young people encouraging the revival of physical activity while fostering social networks that promote and sustain resilience ensuring the entire community a place they can come to for equitable opportunities to improve overall physical health, mental health, and well-being.

The project is to address the needs of those in our community that are food insecure.

The church operates a food pantry that gives away food to any individual or family that appear at our site. The program is available to anyone within Beloit and has seen an increased need for food in the past three years. The pantry was productive before the pandemic and was required to stop operations during some of the pandemic but once it reopened, the organization saw an increase in the number of persons served.

The church is expanding its service area within the building by adding insulation, heating and electricity to a former garage. To improve the safety of the persons who come, the church is improving the parking lot and add more parking spots for the disabled and to add pickup services for the disabled. The project would also include improvements to the room so that volunteers and patrons are safe.