Community Health Grant

Marshfield Medical Center–Ladysmith, part of the Marshfield Clinic region within Sanford Health, has announced its 2026 Community Health Funding opportunity. This program is designed to support projects that address pressing community health challenges within specific counties of Wisconsin. The initiative, steered by the MMC-Ladysmith Community Advisory Board, aligns with the broader goals of Marshfield Clinic Health System to foster health and wellness across underserved populations and promote health equity in the region. A total of $50,000 in funding is available through this cycle. Individual grant awards will range from $1,000 to $5,000 per recipient. Eligible applicants include local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, governmental entities such as public school districts and health departments, and potentially other tax-exempt community groups. However, organizations engaged in partisan political activities, theological missions, labor or fraternal groups, and MCHS competitors are explicitly ineligible. Importantly, projects tied to staff salaries or benefits are not eligible for funding, underscoring the program’s focus on community-centered impact rather than organizational overhead. The funding opportunity is geographically restricted to organizations that serve communities in Rusk, Chippewa, Taylor, and Sawyer counties. Applications must focus on one or more of three health priority areas: alcohol and substance misuse, behavioral health (including mental health), and health equity. Special consideration is given to projects that support marginalized or low-income populations and that emphasize policy, systems, or environmental change strategies—approaches known to produce sustainable, population-level improvements in health outcomes. The application process is straightforward. Interested applicants must complete and submit the official application form, available at https://bit.ly/4s9Xat8. Submissions can be sent via email to [email protected] or mailed to Marshfield Medical Center–Ladysmith, Attn: Volunteer Services/Tammy Koger, 1200 Port Arthur Road, Ladysmith, WI 54848. The submission deadline is April 13, 2026. No pre-application is required, and there are no LOIs or concept papers involved in the process. Applicants are asked to describe their organization’s mission, the health challenge their project addresses, the target population, planned interventions, partners involved, and metrics for success. Projects should aim to enact lasting improvements and be aligned with the principles of community benefit and health equity. The application includes both multiple-choice and narrative sections that allow applicants to articulate their objectives and proposed impacts. The funding is managed locally by Marshfield Medical Center–Ladysmith and is rooted in the institution’s commitment to improving health across its service area. Sanford Health, the parent health system, brings extensive regional experience and infrastructure to support such initiatives. With its broad network of hospitals, clinics, and specialists across the upper Midwest, Sanford Health’s involvement further strengthens the credibility and strategic impact of the grant program.