Stillwater, Minnesota, is home to a vibrant array of organizations dedicated to enriching our community. These groups offer diverse services and opportunities for residents to engage, support, and benefit from their initiatives.
Valley Outreach: Providing Essential Services
Valley Outreach is a community-powered nonprofit that offers food, clothing, and support to individuals in need. In the 2024/2025 period, they welcomed over 31,900 individuals, with the assistance of 811 volunteers and numerous donors. Their mission is to help people move their lives forward through basic needs services and personalized support.
Community Thread: Fostering Volunteerism
Community Thread focuses on creating connections that shape lives and give them meaning. They offer volunteer-oriented programs serving people of all ages, including families, individuals, employees, and students. Their signature service initiatives engage nearly 1,000 volunteers each year, providing direct service to older adults and low-income families, and assisting other local nonprofits in accomplishing their work.
Stillwater Area Community Foundation: Empowering Local Philanthropy
The Stillwater Area Community Foundation serves multiple communities, including Bayport, Lake Elmo, and Stillwater. They invest and manage charitable funds, instigate positive changes through community conversations, and tackle immediate challenges by granting financial support to local nonprofits. Since 2010, they have awarded 44 grants totaling $225,000 to 54 organizations.
Watermark Church: Community Engagement and Support
Watermark Church emphasizes love, growth, and service, focusing on families, kids, youth, and relationships. They engage with the Stillwater area through connections with schools, community involvement, service projects, and events like Thank You Dinners and Teacher’s Appreciation Banquets.
Stillwater Rotary Club: Service Above Self
The Stillwater Rotary Club embodies the motto “Service Above Self.” They meet weekly and engage in various community service projects, including partnerships with local organizations like Bridge to Books, supporting literacy and education initiatives.
Power of 100 Women: Collective Philanthropy
Power of 100 Women – Greater Stillwater is a community-driven group that brings together local women to support charities. By each committing to donate $100, they collectively raise $10,000 or more to donate to a chosen nonprofit in just one hour. Their gatherings involve presentations from three different nonprofit organizations, followed by a vote to determine which one to support.
These organizations exemplify the spirit of community in Stillwater, offering numerous ways for residents to get involved, support, and benefit from their services. Whether through volunteering, donating, or participating in events, there are ample opportunities to contribute to the betterment of our community.

