Wisconsin Energy Grants

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to early-stage cleantech entrepreneurs in the Midwest who are developing innovative solutions to promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.

The Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants program, offered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, aims to support the repair, removal, or replacement of trees within urban areas that have been damaged by catastrophic storm events. A catastrophic storm is defined as damage to urban forests caused by snow, ice, hail, wind, or tornado, for which the governor has declared a state of emergency. This grant is not for damage resulting from insect infestation, disease, forest fire, drought, or flooding. The program's core objective is to aid communities in recovering and restoring their urban forests after severe weather. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes, and 501(c)(3) organizations in Wisconsin that have experienced damage to their urban forests as a direct result of a declared catastrophic storm event. Private property owners are not eligible for this funding. A key eligibility criterion is that the urban forest damage must have occurred in an area with a minimum of 100 residents per square mile, as determined by the Wisconsin Demographic Services Center based on U.S. Census Bureau data. The impact goal is to assist these eligible entities in mitigating the visual, ecological, and safety hazards posed by storm-damaged trees, thereby contributing to the resilience and health of urban environments. The grant prioritizes costs directly related to damaged tree repair, removal, or replacement within the geographic area covered by the state of emergency. Eligible costs include regular wages and fringe benefits for personnel working on tree-related tasks, as well as expenses for services, supplies, equipment, or facilities used for these activities. Overtime costs are not eligible, and any costs reimbursed by other funding sources, such as federal disaster assistance or insurance, are also excluded. The focus is on documented, reasonable, and necessary expenditures directly stemming from the catastrophic storm. Expected outcomes include the restoration of damaged urban tree canopies, improved public safety through the removal of hazardous trees, and the enhancement of urban environmental quality. Measurable results would involve the number of trees repaired, removed, or replaced, the total acreage of urban forest impacted by grant activities, and the financial investment made in urban forest recovery efforts. The grant's duration is one year, with individual grants ranging from $4,000 to $50,000, providing immediate support for post-storm recovery.

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 Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) Micro-Grant Program, established by the City of La Crosse, aims to empower youth aged 15-24 to address urgent climate challenges within their community. This program directly aligns with the City's Climate Action Plan by activating youth-led initiatives. The foundational mission of this grant is to foster environmental stewardship and action among young residents, contributing to the broader strategic priorities of the City in climate mitigation and adaptation. The primary beneficiaries of this program are young individuals and youth-led groups between the ages of 15-24, residing in or directly benefiting the city of La Crosse. The overarching impact goal is to create a tangible difference in the local environment through youth-driven projects, thereby fostering a generation of climate-conscious leaders and contributing to the city's sustainability objectives. Projects must fit within the strategies of the City’s Climate Action Plan, ensuring alignment with municipal environmental goals. The program prioritizes several key areas. These include youth-led awareness, education, research, and development initiatives, such as climate education programs, hackathons, surveys, and public art campaigns. Additionally, youth-driven climate mitigation and adaptation projects are highly encouraged, encompassing community gardening, tree planting, waste reduction, and climate resilience workshops. Finally, co-governed youth climate action plans, which involve partnerships between city leaders and youth groups to inform policy and decision-making, are also a core focus. Expected outcomes include a more engaged and educated youth population regarding climate issues, the implementation of various local sustainability projects, and a reduction in the city's environmental footprint. Measurable results could involve the number of participants in youth-led initiatives, the amount of waste reduced, the number of trees planted, or the development of new climate-related policies influenced by youth input. The program’s theory of change posits that by providing direct funding and support to youth-led projects, it will catalyze innovative solutions and foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among young people for their local environment, thereby contributing to the long-term sustainability and resilience of La Crosse.

This grant provides funding for organizations in Minnesota and Wisconsin to implement impactful water quality improvement projects and promote environmental stewardship within their communities.

The MadiSUN Backyard Solar Grant Program, funded by the City of Madison and managed by RENEW Wisconsin, aims to expand access to solar power for Madison-based community organizations and affordable housing providers. This initiative aligns with a broader mission to promote renewable energy adoption and support local communities, particularly those serving City of Madison residents. By focusing on non-profit 501(c)3 organizations and affordable housing providers, the program strategically targets entities that can leverage solar installations to benefit a significant number of residents, contributing to sustainable development within the city. The primary beneficiaries of this program are nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations and affordable housing providers located within the City of Madison. The impact goals include increasing the installation of solar systems within these organizations, thereby reducing their energy costs and carbon footprint. Ultimately, this leads to environmental benefits for the City of Madison and provides a long-term, sustainable energy solution for community-focused entities. The program prioritizes organizations that serve City of Madison residents, ensuring that the benefits of solar energy are distributed equitably across the community. The program's priorities and focuses revolve around facilitating solar energy access through financial assistance. Grants are awarded to assist with the installation of solar systems, with funding amounts based on the capacity of the solar energy installed. Specifically, grants fund $250 for every 1 kilowatt of solar energy installed. There are maximum grant amounts of $10,000 for installations less than 100 kilowatts and $15,000 for installations equal to or more than 100 kilowatts. A total of $50,000 in grant funds are available, demonstrating a commitment to making solar power more attainable for eligible organizations. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in solar energy capacity among Madison's community organizations and affordable housing providers. Organizations receiving grants are given 12 months to complete their solar projects, allowing for a timely implementation of these energy solutions. The measurable results will be quantified by the number of kilowatts of solar energy installed through the grants and the number of organizations adopting solar power. This directly contributes to the city's strategic priorities for environmental sustainability and community resilience, with the theory of change positing that direct financial incentives will overcome barriers to solar adoption, leading to widespread benefits.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to tribal governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions for solar energy projects that enhance energy independence and benefit low-to-moderate income communities.

The 501vc® Investment Fund is seeking to invest $200,000 to $300,000 in early-stage climate tech startups in the Greater Midwest region, focusing on sectors like advanced materials, renewable energy, and agriculture technologies.

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation offers grants to 501(c) (3) nonprofit organizations in the greater West Bend area, Wisconsin, prioritizing projects in arts and culture, education, family, youth, elderly, health and human services, community development, and historic preservation, with an application deadline of 10/07/2024.

This program provides solar panels and canopies to mission-driven nonprofits and houses of worship in Wisconsin, helping them reduce energy costs and promote renewable energy adoption in their communities.

This grant provides funding for environmental projects in Douglas County, Wisconsin, that benefit the community by enhancing natural areas, protecting water resources, and promoting ecological education and restoration.

This grant provides funding to empower community leaders who have experienced forced displacement, supporting innovative projects that foster collaboration and integration between refugees and local communities in select U.S. states.

This grant recognizes and rewards Wisconsin teachers who effectively integrate agricultural concepts into their classroom curricula, promoting agricultural literacy among students.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Iowa and Wisconsin that address community needs in areas such as hunger, housing, workforce readiness, environmental stewardship, and community safety.