Willie’s Cornerstone Foundation stands dedicated to supporting Door County residents aged 18 or older who face life-threatening illnesses, excluding cancer (DOOR CANcer provides support to Door County residents receiving cancer treatments), and lack coverage under Medicare or Medicaid. The support offered is not intended for medical expenses but rather aims to alleviate the significant financial burdens that often accompany severe illnesses. The scope of assistance includes rent or mortgage, utilities, covering cell phone payments and internet, as well as travel expenses, encompassing car repairs.
To qualify, applicants must consent to the foundation contacting a healthcare professional, identified by the applicant, to certify that the patient has been diagnosed with a life-threatening condition. Additionally, recipients are required to grant permission for the foundation to share their story anonymously, in the abstract. For housing assistance, applicants must certify that they are up-to-date with their rent/mortgage payments or discuss their situation with the foundation. For rental assistance, a copy of the lease must be provided. Eligibility for support is reserved for full-time Door County adults, defined as residents of Door County, with legal residency established for a minimum of 1 year at the time of application. By concentrating on this specific gap, the foundation seeks to offer a lifeline of relief and hope to those navigating the challenging journey of life-threatening illnesses without the necessary financial resources. During this initial phase, Willie’s Cornerstone Foundation offers a maximum award of $5,000 over a 6-month period to eligible applicants.
Upon full disbursement of the grant, the foundation will send an anonymous follow-up questionnaire to the recipients. This survey aims to assess ongoing needs, inquire about the possibility of reapplication if multiple applications were allowed, and collect demographical information. Moreover, the foundation seeks permission to interview and share the recipient’s story.
Click here to download an application
Please email completed applications to applications@givedoorcounty.org. Applications are reviewed monthly so depending on when you apply, it could take up to seven weeks to receive a decision.