Wisconsin Business and Commerce Grants

This funding opportunity is designed to support businesses in Eagle River's urban core by providing financial assistance for projects that improve commercial infrastructure, create jobs, and boost the local economy.

This program provides financial assistance to local governments in Wisconsin for essential transportation infrastructure projects that help create or retain jobs by attracting or supporting businesses.

This program provides funding to businesses and organizations for projects and events that improve tourism and community experiences in the Plover Area, with a focus on attracting overnight visitors.

This program provides financial support to destinations for hosting regional and national meetings or conventions, helping cover facility rental and transportation costs to boost local economies.

This funding opportunity supports Wisconsin businesses in certain industries by covering up to 75% of the costs for hiring an independent expert to develop a comprehensive business or commercialization plan, particularly for those seeking a Phase II SBIR/STTR grant.

This program provides funding for feasibility studies that promote economic development and improve community resources in rural areas of Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

This program provides financial support to Wisconsin-based nonprofit organizations for marketing, web, and outreach projects that enhance community services.

The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation seeking applications to support employ online marketing tactics to amplify nonprofits’ missions, encourage donations, attract volunteers, and help organizations grow. Donor Name: Oshkosh Area Community Foundation State: Wisconsin County: Green County (WI), Waushara County (WI), Winnebago County (WI) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/10/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: Participating organizations will receive a brand audit and recommendations to help identify and prioritize opportunities for improvement along with up to 45 hours of service provision. Potential services include: Brand Audit and Strategy Development: Conduct a thorough assessment of your nonprofit’s current position and develop a strategic roadmap to align digital marketing efforts with your organization’s goals and values. Content Creation. Create and publish high-quality digital content like testimonials, blog posts, videos, or graphics based on the message you want to convey and the audience. Email Marketing. Develop an email marketing strategy including creation of email or online newsletter templates, personalized messaging, and content to strategically nurture relationships and educate stakeholders. Social Media Strategy. Determine the best social media platforms for your organization and build a content calendar. Search Engine Optimization. Implement on-page and off-page tactics for your website to gain visibility in search engine results and in turn grow organic traffic. Website Recommendations. An audit of your website and recommendations for improvements and updates. Grant period Services will be provided over a 4-month period (August-November 2024 or December 2024-March 2025). Geographic scope Nonprofits located in Winnebago County, Waushara County, Green Lake County, or the city of Ripon. For more information, visit OACF.

This program provides funding to four designated initiatives to support dairy businesses in developing, marketing, and distributing innovative dairy products while enhancing regional resilience and farmer income.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Brown, Door, Kewaunee, and Oconto counties, focusing on capacity-building efforts to enhance their sustainability and effectiveness, particularly for those led by people of color and serving older populations.

This grant provides financial support to not-for-profit organizations in Stevens Point for projects that boost tourism and increase overnight stays in the city.

Grant Opportunity: Wisconsin Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus (CDBG – CV) is available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Community Development Block Grant program. Eligible applicants must meet the Low-to-Moderate-Income requirement. Please note that businesses located in the City of Racine are not eligible for this grant as the City has received its own allocation directly from HUD.

This funding opportunity supports community-driven projects that improve water quality and promote environmental stewardship in the Twin Cities area, targeting eligible non-profits, schools, and local organizations.

The Go Outside Fund by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin offers grants between $100 and $500 to teachers and organizations in Wisconsin, aiming to facilitate outdoor, nature-based learning experiences for children aged pre-K to 12 by covering costs such as field supplies, transportation, and educator costs.

The Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (JACVB) is seeking applications for its Tourism Marketing Fund to assist attractions and event organizers with marketing to visitors from outside of Rock County to encourage overnight hotel stays and provide a positive economic impact. Donor Name: Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau State: Wisconsin County: Rock County (WI) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/01/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (JACVB) is an independent non-profit 501 c 6 organization and serves as Janesville’s Destination Marketing Organization. Award Considerations  Priority will be given to requests that will create overnight stays in the Janesville community. Items considered when reviewing the grant applications include:  Positive economic impact for a greater number and range of Janesville businesses  Application quality – complete, well thought out, and timely submission  Organization requesting grant is a non-profit entity (501.c.3 or 501.c.6)  Uniqueness/innovation of an event/promotion in serving as a draw for visitors  Potential of event/promotion becoming self-supporting  Event/promotion draws county, state, or regional media exposure  Creating new or increased business for Janesville  Matching funds from the applicant  Aligns with the “Janesville, Wisconsin’s Great Outside” brand Qualifying Projects  Target marketing audiences must be outside of Rock County, Wisconsin. Qualifying projects include but are not limited to:  Promotion of a special event to potential visitors outside Rock County  Development of marketing materials (brochures, videos, website design, direct mail, etc.)  Advertising buys and social media campaigns  Conference and sporting event bidding fees  Eligibility  Criteria Strong preference will be given to non-profit organizations or those with a strong and demonstrated partnership with a non-profit. The JACVB will not consider requests from the following: Organizations that discriminate because of race, color, creed, gender, religion, or national origin  Political organizations, candidates for political office, or organizations whose primary purpose is to influence legislation  Building, brick and mortar, and capital campaigns  Organizations or events that benefit only a few  Organizations requesting funding for staffing/administrative/operational/supplies purposes For more information, visit JACVB.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Minnesota and Wisconsin for planning projects that improve water quality and watershed management through innovative methods, education, and outreach.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals for the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund to advance pollinator conservation. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The goal of the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators.  The most competitive projects will demonstrate clear benefits to both monarch butterfly and additional at-risk native insect pollinator species (i.e., federally listed, candidate, or proposed native insect pollinator species). Special consideration will be given to projects benefiting rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. Categories Grants will be awarded in two categories:  Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands Funding in this category will support implementation of technical assistance to increase the number of private landowners voluntarily engaged in monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation practices on private working lands. Up to $2 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $150,000 to $500,000. Funding will be awarded for projects up to three years in length following finalization of the grant agreement. This category aims to support conservation planning and practice design with private landowners to advance voluntary conservation efforts on working lands that align with NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife frameworks or initiatives, and especially increase Working Lands for Wildlife participation among farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. The 2024 Pollinator Fund RFP will support projects that: Direct staff resources to help agricultural producers design and implement conservation practices. Increase Farm Bill program participation and conservation practice implementation among agricultural producers, especially farmers and ranchers in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. Funding in this category will support the following two strategies: Hiring additional staff or contractors, based on demonstrated need, including staff to assist private landowners and NRCS with developing pollinator habitat management plans and implementation of new and existing NRCS financial assistance contracts. Targeting outreach to landowners and other partners to prioritize, plan, and deliver financial assistance available through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and other Farm Bill programs to improve pollinator habitat and support at-risk pollinator species. Habitat Improvement Funding in this category will support on-the-ground work to increase the quality, quantity, and connectivity of habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. Up to $3.1 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $200,000 to $300,000. Funding will be awarded for projects up to two years in length following finalization of the grant agreement. Applicants in this category should define a step-by-step restoration plan including site preparation, equipment used, planting techniques, size of the project area, description of target native plant community, and maintenance plan (e.g., prescribed burning, mowing, grazing schedules). Projects proposed to benefit other at-risk native insect pollinators should specify habitat needs for those species and how the proposed work will support their breeding, nectaring, nesting, or other habitat needs. Funding in this category will support the following two strategies: Restore and enhance pollinator habitat, with an emphasis on regionally appropriate milkweed and a diversity of native nectar plants. Increase native seed and seedling supply, with an emphasis on improving the sustainability and affordability of regionally appropriate, local ecotypes. Program Priorities  All proposals must specifically address how the proposed project will directly and measurably contribute to the accomplishment of the Pollinator Fund’s goals as outlined in NFWF’s Monarch Butterfly Business Plan. As such, all proposals must provide the number of acres restored or enhanced as a result of the project. Proposals must include plans to restore or enhance a minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states. Acres may be counted from multiple sites; the sites do not need to be contiguous. Since 2015, successful proposals have included a median of 960 acres and an average of 2,120 acres restored or enhanced.  Funding Information The Pollinator Fund will award up to $5.1 million in grants in 2024: up to $2 million for Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands and up to $3.1 million for Habitat Improvement. Funding is provided by Bayer Crop Science, Danone North America, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS).  Geographical Areas  Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands  Grant funding will be awarded in the following eligible states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. Within eligible states, priority will be given to projects located in the North Core, South Core, West Core, and Overwintering Monarch Conservation Units. Projects are restricted to private working lands. Habitat Improvement Grant funding will be awarded in the following eligible states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Within eligible states, priority will be given to projects located in the North Core, South Core, West Core, and Overwintering Monarch Conservation Units. West of the Rocky Mountains, priority will be given to projects on or adjacent to the following: monarch butterfly overwintering sites, BLM lands, and USFS lands. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible and Ineligible Entities: Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c) organizations, U.S. federal government agencies, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include businesses, unincorporated individuals, and international organizations. For more information, visit NFWF.

The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties is seeking applications for its 2024 Pillar Grant Program. Donor Name: United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties State: Wisconsin County: Jefferson County (WI), Walworth County (WI) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/20/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Purposes for which Pillar Grants may be requested: Proposals must be aimed at improving early intervention care, mental health/AODA treatment, barriers to self-sufficiency, or diversity/equity/inclusion within the communities served by United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties (Jefferson County & the City of Whitewater). Proposals should be creative, innovative, address community needs and provide a strong, positive impact in the communities served. Projects/programs are expected to be accomplished (or started, if related to an ongoing program) within a specific period of time, generally not more than one year. Eligibility Criteria Applicants may be a part of an organization, local business, community club or individuals. The applicants and proposed project must be serving a public purpose and must align with United Way’s mission to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our communities. Applicants do NOT need to be affiliated with a 501(c)3 organization. Applicants must be focused on work that aligns with United Way’s strategic plan, specifically projects and/or programs that address early intervention care, mental health/alcohol & other drug addiction (AODA) treatment, barriers to self-sufficiency, and/or diversity, equity & inclusion. For more information, visit UWJNWC.

Applicants are now invited to apply for the gBETA Milwaukee. Donor Name: Gener8tor State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Program Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/19/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: gBETA runs multiple times every year in cities across the United States. Up to five companies from a range of verticals are selected from a competitive applicant pool to participate in the free seven-week program. Participating companies receive: Individualized coaching and mentorship from the team of nationally ranked accelerator gener8tor on company growth and investor readiness Weekly “Lunch & Learns” and “Mentor Swarms” Investor and accelerator pitches $1M+ in deals and perks from vendors like IBM Cloud, Rackspace, Amazon, Paypal, Zendesk, Hubspot and Microsoft Ongoing post-program support and gener8tor community involvement and offerings gBETA’s goal is that graduates will go on to participate in an investment accelerator or raise a seed round. Eligibility Criteria  You’re based in Milwaukee gBETA Milwaukee is an accelerator for early-stage companies with local roots in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. You’re Committed While they don’t expect you to be full-time on your business yet, programming is about a five-hour commitment each week, and expect that you will be spending additional time working on your business each week outside of the program. You’re Ready to Grow gBETA companies range from “I have an idea” to “I have significant revenue.” Although most gBETA companies are post-product, pre-scale, as long as you are ready to make use of coaching on customer growth and investor readiness, mentor meetings, and investor and accelerator pitches, they’re ready for you! For more information, visit Gener8tor.

The Crime Prevention Foundation increases public awareness of and provides financial assistance to crime prevention programs in Brown County. Donor Name: Crime Prevention Foundation State: Wisconsin County: Brown County (WI) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Financial support is given to existing programs and for the implementation of new crime prevention programs. Priorities For a crime to occur, these three elements are necessary: Desire to commit the crime Ability to commit the crime Opportunity to commit the crime Funding Information Typically up to $3,000. Eligibility Criteria All applicants must meet the following: Be a nonprofit organization with a 501(c)(3) designation by the Internal Revenue Service or a governmental body, such as a school or municipality operating in Brown County Conduct business without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual preference, age, marital status, disability or national origin. Foundation do not fund Annual appeals, capital campaigns or other fundraising activities or events Religious activities or programs that serve, or appear to serve, specific religious organizations, groups, denominations, or beliefs Individuals Endowments Debt retirement, debt financing, reduction of an operating deficit or replenishment of resources used to pay for such purposes Lobbying or legislative activities Capital improvements Programming or expenses occurring before the grant is awarded Efforts substantially serving people outside of Brown County Organizations who seek funding to disburse to a secondary-nonprofit organization For more information, visit GGBCF.