FLOWERS FAMILY FOUNDATION
Our Story
Rockne and JoAnne Flowers created and funded the Flowers Family Foundation in 1988 with a focus on supporting charitable organizations and causes. Rockne served as President and CEO of Nelson Industries, which was headquartered in Stoughton, Wisconsin, from 1972 until its sale to Cummins Engine in 1998. Rock, JoAnne, and the Foundation credit the free enterprise system for enabling America's unparalleled prosperity and providing a ladder for entrepreneurs to climb from modest beginnings to achieve their goals. The Flowers Family Foundation gratefully gives back and encourages others to strive for their self-determined goals.
The Wisconsin Business
Achievement Award
These annual awards honor the recipients for their positive impact on the Wisconsin Economy and the well-being of their communities. The Foundation hopes that by recognizing the winners, they will go on to publicize and encourage others. These non-partisan and non-political awards may be granted to an individual, partnership, corporation, association,
or educational institution.
Two awards are made annually and each include each a $50,000 donation given to a Wisconsin-based 501(c) 3 organization of the awardee’s choosing.
Past Winners and Their Charities
Since 2014, the Foundation has generously shared the award and donations with the following Wisconsin organizations:
2014: Kapco Metal Stamping - Camp Hometown Heroes
2015: OEM Fabricators, Inc. - United Way of St. Croix Valley
2016: L.B. White Company - Coulee Cap Work-n-Wheels Program
2017: The Fireside Theatre - Boys & Girls Club of Fort Atkinson and Fire Department
2018: Kwik Trip, Inc. - Families Helping Families
2019: Stoughton Trailers - Stoughton Football
2020: COVID
2021: Fox Converting, Inc. - Foster the Village
2021: Automation Components, Inc. - Carbone Cancer Center
2021: Sargento Foods - Big Brothers Big Sisters Wisconsin Shoreline
2022: Edgerton Gear - Craftsman with Character
2022: Boldt Company - Red Cross Wisconsin Chapter
2023: Peragon Enterprises, Inc. - The Restored House
2023: Jones Dairy Farm - Feed Your Soul
2024: Blain's Farm & Fleet - SMILES
2025: Revolution - Trades Forever Foundation
2025: Oconto Falls High School - OFHS Tech Education