Evjue Foundation Grant

The Evjue Foundation, known as the charitable arm of The Capital Times, provides annual grant funding to nonprofit organizations that serve the Dane County, Wisconsin community. With a strong commitment to supporting local impact, the foundation prioritizes organizations aligned with progressive values, community betterment, and the public good. As of 2023, the foundation revised its funding guidelines to ensure applicants meet updated priorities and eligibility criteria, with a continued emphasis on supporting effective, established nonprofit work in the region. To be eligible, applicants must be nonprofit organizations holding current tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or operate under a qualifying fiscal sponsor. Organizations must have been in existence for at least two years as of the application deadline. For those using a fiscal sponsor, the sponsorship agreement must also be at least two years old. Applicants not listed in the IRS tax-exempt organization database must provide alternative documentation to verify eligibility. Applications are disqualified if sufficient proof of nonprofit status is not provided. The foundation strictly prohibits the re-granting of funds; organizations that redistribute awarded funds to other entities are ineligible. The Evjue Foundation does not fund organizations whose primary mission falls outside of Dane County. In addition, it excludes proposals primarily focused on healthcare, animal care, startups, private schools, or sports and recreation activities such as booster clubs or team sponsorships. While some organizations previously funded under these now-restricted categories may still be considered under board discretion, new applicants must clearly align with current funding guidelines to be considered. The foundation focuses its grantmaking in several key areas: basic needs (such as food and essential supplies), progressive causes (including racial and economic justice and democracy preservation), community improvement (support for parks, libraries, and community centers), arts and culture (particularly accessibility and enrichment of local offerings), education in all forms, and journalism (especially training and trusted information sources). These thematic priorities reflect the foundation’s longstanding commitment to building a more equitable, informed, and engaged Dane County. The Evjue Foundation accepts applications only once per year. For the 2026 grant cycle, the application window is open and will remain so until 5:00 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, April 23. All applications must be submitted through the foundation’s online portal; PDF applications are no longer accepted. The review process involves all 15 board members, who may reach out for additional information if needed. However, due to the high volume of requests, the foundation does not provide feedback to individual applicants and does not accommodate presentation requests. Applicants are encouraged to review the guidelines carefully before applying. Only organizations that meet all eligibility criteria and align closely with the foundation’s funding priorities are likely to receive support. All materials must be submitted by the posted deadline through the appropriate online system for consideration in the current cycle.