The Gemütlichkeit Foundation is a charitable arm of La Crosse Festivals, Inc. The Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for local high school students through a variety of fundraising events.

Our primary fundraising event is Forks & Corks, a yearly evening of delicious food and beverage pairings combined with silent and live auctions. The event is open to all individuals and businesses with a passion for supporting and funding scholarship opportunities for area high school students. Forks and Corks will take place Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in The Cargill Room at The Waterfront in La Crosse. Sponsorship opportunities, tables, and individual tickets may be purchased at https://festfoundation.com/forkscorks24

The Foundation currently awards $14,000 in scholarships each year, including thirteen $1000 scholarships to area high schools as well as a $1000 scholarship to the yearly winner of the Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest Scholarship Program.

Graduating seniors from the following area high schools are encouraged to apply with their school’s scholarship committee or guidance office prior to the end-of-March deadline each year.

Aquinas High School	Holmen High School
Bangor High School	Melrose – Mindoro High School
De Soto High School	Onalaska High School
Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School	Onalaska Luther High School
La Crescent High School	West Salem High School
La Crosse Central High School	Westby High School
La Crosse Logan High School

The Oktoberfest USA Gemütlichkeit Foundation, lnc. mission is to encourage pride and enhance the quality of life for the entire community. Contributions from businesses, foundations, estates, individuals, and others will be used to:

• Promote and develop an environment that will benefit future generations.
• Provide grants and scholarships for youths.
• Preserve and celebrate our diverse heritages.

The Foundation will keep the Gemütlichkeit “Spirit of Friendship” alive in the greater area throughout the entire year.