Steel Bridge Creative Foundation

Citizens For Our Bridge, Inc. was started as a State of Wisconsin not-for-profit, non-stock corporation on May 13, 2005 and amended to ‘Citizens For Our Bridge DBA Steel Bridge Creative Foundation’ in 2018.

While the initial purpose of the 501c3 was primarily dedicated to rescuing the historic Sturgeon Bay Michigan Street Steel Bridge, the current purpose of the non-profit has evolved and expanded over time to be inclusive of preserving, promoting and supporting the nationally significant historic Sturgeon Bay (Michigan Street) Bridge as well as the Historic Downtown District through stimulating and fostering the Sturgeon Bay collaborative creative scene via community outreach, historic preservation activism, education and collaborative creative ventures.

Since the saving of the Michigan Street steel bridge in 2010, the organization continues to host an annual collaborative songwriting festival (Steel Bridge Songfest) themed around the metaphor of the historic structure, thereby continually drawing attention not only to its importance as a saved entity and the importance of historic preservation but also to the monumental significance of the strength of community collaboration and activism.
That spirit continues to inspire and activate the community on a multitude of levels to this day as evidenced by the recent call to action that saved the Teweles and Brandeis Grain Elevator. Though the grain elevator was recognized by the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places, it was slated and in process of demolition. CFoB/SBCF was instrumental in helping in the 11th hour to save and relocate the structure.

While ‘Steel Bridge Creative Foundation’ is primarily a volunteer-run entity, there are occasions where people may be hired to assist with organization, execution of events, grant writing, promotion and administrative duties. The monies generated through fundraising, donations, grants and the events held by SBCF are intended to finance the events themselves and to (hopefully) generate a surplus to save for future needs which may include education, activism, events, outreach, administration and future preservation efforts that may arise in the historic downtown Sturgeon Bay area.

The re-branding of Citizens Of Our Bridge as Steel Bridge Creative Foundation is intended to expand the possibilities for supporting and executing a wider range of ventures within the community in line with the SBCF vision of creative collaboration that supports and enriches the historic downtown Sturgeon Bay community.

Current board members are pat mAcdonald (Pres.), melaniejane (Vice Pres.) and Bill Parsons (Sec/Treasurer).