Wisconsin Environment Grants

The Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants is for tree repair, removal or replacement within urban areas following a catastrophic storm event for which the governor has declared a state of emergency under s. 323.10, Wis. Stats. Donor Name: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources State: Wisconsin County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/27/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: A catastrophic storm means damage to urban forests caused by snow, ice, hail, wind or tornado. Catastrophic storm does not include insect infestation or disease, forest fire, drought or water saturation due to flooding. Funding Information  Grants range from $4,000 to $50,000. Grant Period 1 Year. Eligible Costs Eligible costs are limited to damaged tree repair, removal or replacement within urban areas in the geographic area covered by the state of emergency and incurred as a direct result of the catastrophic storm event for which the governor has declared a state of emergency. Eligible costs are those necessary for—and consistent with—damaged tree repair, removal or replacement. Costs must be documented and reasonable. Eligible costs include regular wages and fringe benefits of people working directly on tree repair, removal or replacement (overtime costs are not eligible) and cost of services, supplies, equipment or facilities used for tree repair, removal or replacement. Costs reimbursed by another funding source (including federal disaster assistance or insurance) are not eligible. Eligibility Criteria Cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) organizations that have experienced damage to an urban forest as a direct result of a catastrophic storm event for which the governor has declared a state of emergency are eligible to apply for an urban forestry catastrophic storm grant. Private property owners are not eligible for this funding. Urban forest damage must have occurred in an area with a minimum of 100 residents per square mile. Residential density is determined from statistics provided by the Wisconsin Demographic Services Center [exit DNR] according to U.S. Census Bureau data. For more information, visit Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The Waukesha County Community Foundation (WCCF) Community Grants are intended to support ongoing and changing community needs in Waukesha County. Donor Name: Waukesha County Community Foundation State: Wisconsin County: Waukesha County (WI) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Grants support the following broad program areas: Arts & Culture Health & Human Services Community Development Education Environment & Conservation Historical Preservation Additional Field of Interest Funds are available for: Literacy Mental Health Suicide Prevention LGBTQ+ Causes The WCCF will give preference to proposals that show collaboration among organizations serving similar clients, strengthen the internal operations of an organization, or impact outcomes on a community basis (collective impact). Special consideration will also be given to proposals that align with WCCF’s flagship issue of safe and affordable housing. Funding Information Requests should be in the range of $1,000 – $10,000. Eligibility Criteria Applicants will need to submit evidence of 501(c)3 status and a non-discrimination policy. In general, Community Grants do not support: Direct Grants to Individuals (including individual scholarships) Religious Programs Lobbying/Political Purposes Event Sponsorships Capital Campaigns Government Entities Pass-Through Funding For more information, visit WCCF.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is offering Regular Urban Forestry Grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Wisconsin for projects that enhance community tree management, maintenance, or education, including tree inventory, urban forestry plans, pest response, public outreach, and tree planting.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources offers urban forestry startup grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for small projects in tree care and management, including planting, pruning, removal, and education, available to cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes, and nonprofits that are starting or resuming a community-wide tree care program.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to businesses, local and tribal governments, and nonprofits in Wisconsin to establish electronics recycling sites, particularly in underserved areas, while requiring a 20% matching contribution.

The James E. Dutton Foundation is a charitable foundation providing financial support to organizations working on projects which benefit wildlife, animal causes, environmental preservation, and outdoors education. Donor Name: James E. Dutton Foundation State: Wisconsin County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: All of the grants they make seek to positively impact the environment, domestic animals, wildlife, human life, or all. We measure our success as an organization on how well our grants: Positively impact the environment, wildlife, and animal life, or Enhance human life through nature-related activities and education. Focus Areas  Care of Animals  Environment Health Land Management Research Education, Public Awareness, Recreational Funding Information  The Dutton Foundation be made for grants exceeding $15,000. Geographic Areas Although the Foundation has no geographic boundaries for it awards, the Foundation has primarily supported organizations located in, or benefiting, Wisconsin and the local Midwest area.  It is a rare exception for the Foundation to award a grant outside of Wisconsin. For more information, visit James E. Dutton Foundation.

The Water-Right Charitable Fund, managed by the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, offers grants between $1000 to $10,000 to 501(c)(3) public charities in Wisconsin, particularly those serving the Fox Valley Region, to support projects addressing basic needs, environmental needs, and education.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Wisconsin cities, towns, counties, tribes, and nonprofit organizations for projects that improve urban tree management, maintenance, and education.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Wisconsin cities, towns, tribes, and nonprofits to kickstart community tree care and management initiatives.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the greater Wausau area and Marathon County, Wisconsin, to enhance local parks and recreational activities.

The Wispact Inc. Foundation provides charitable grants to non-profit organizations providing services to persons with disabilities. Donor Name: Wispact Foundation State: Wisconsin County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/09/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Consideration will be given to, but not limited to, proposals addressing needs in the following areas: Housing: programs designed to improve the day-to-day living conditions, for persons with disabilities, through the provision of safe living environments and enhancing the accessibility to such environment Assistive Devices: devices designed, made, or adapted to assist a person to perform a particular task; examples include: canes, crutches, walkers, wheel chairs, and shower chairs are all assistive devices Education/Recreation: inclusive educational programming including, but not limited to, workshops, summer camps, art classes; educational equipment such as computers, software, projection equipment, art supplies, etc. that promote fulfillment and edification for persons with disabilities Expansion of current services in place Transportation. Eligibility Criteria  Your organization must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization according to the Internal Revenue Code—tax exempt pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)—in good standing. All grant funds must be used for the benefit of individuals with disabilities. Wispact Foundation grants are not available to provide support for the following: Wispact Inc. is a private nonprofit organization that administers pooled and community Special Needs Trusts for people with disabilities. Based in Madison, Wispact manages the Special Needs Trusts for more than 3,000 people throughout the state of Wisconsin. The Wispact Foundation is an entity under the auspices and authority of Wispact, Inc. Capital campaigns General operating expenses unrelated to the grant purpose Retroactive funding for activities that have already taken place Basic research Staff development activities Supplanting of projects or activities that have existing funding from other sources. For more information, visit Wispact Foundation.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in rural north central Wisconsin that promote meaningful work, lifelong education, and connections to nature.

Are you aged 15 to 24 years old? Want to make a difference in the La Crosse community? Are you ready to act on climate change and help the environment? If yes, then apply for the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) Micro-Grant Program. Donor Name: City of La Crosse State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The goal of the YCAF is to activate youth-led initiatives and address urgent climate challenges in La Crosse. All projects must fit within the strategies of the City’s Climate Action Plan. These ideas may include Youth-led awareness, education, research, and development initiatives, including youth-led climate education programs, youth climate hackathons; youth-developed climate surveys and research youth-informed clubs or curriculum; and youth-designed public art and awareness campaigns. Youth-driven climate mitigation and adaptation projects, including youth-led community gardening, tree planting, reforestation, and urban farming campaigns; youth-managed recycling and waste reduction programs; and youth-produced climate resilience workshops and disaster preparedness programs. Co-governed youth climate action plans, including partnerships between city leaders and youth groups to inform climate-related policy ideas, decisions, actions, or the formation of youth climate ambassadors or advisory boards. This program can fund any youth-led (15-24 years of age) project that is focused on sustainability and climate change that directly benefits La Crosse. Example projects can include school community gardens, waste collection programs, road/waterway cleanups, renewable energy projects, tree plantings, energy efficiency projects, sustainable transportation projects, murals, etc. Additionally, projects could also include hosting events or organizing online or in-person activities Funding Information Grants ranging from $1,000 – $5,000. Eligibility Criteria Open to applicants between the ages of 15-24 years old who reside in, or whose initiatives directly benefit, the city of La Crosse. If youth-led groups are not incorporated entities, they may partner with one that serves as the micro-grant recipient and fund administrator.  Entities must have a formal incorporation or status of some kind (not necessarily an NGO or charity), a bank account in its name, and an ability to manage the funds. For more information, visit City of La Crosse.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and governmental bodies serving the Greater Green Bay area, focusing on innovative projects that improve community quality of life in areas such as arts, education, health, and human services.

Madison Community Foundation’s Community Impact grants advance initiatives that have a long-term impact on the community and the lives of people living here. Donor Name: Madison Community Foundation State: Wisconsin County: Dane County (WI) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/03/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: MCF’s grantmaking supports opportunities to strengthen innovative or high-performing nonprofits, and invest in the initiatives and natural and cultural assets that create a thriving community. Community Impact grants will be used to provide grants in five focus areas that improve the quality of life for residents in greater Madison. Arts & Culture: Grants build and support Dane County’s vibrant arts scene. Community Development: Grants enhance the quality of life by strengthening the unique natural and cultural assets found in Dane County, investing in neighborhoods, enhancing equity and building bonds among residents. Environment: Grants preserve natural spaces by supporting conservation, restoration, education and policy-making. Learning: Grants support public K-12 academic achievement and learning, out-of-school-time programs, GED-equivalent and transition-to-adult programs. Organizational Capacity Building: Grants strengthen the infrastructure and long-term impact of Dane County nonprofits. Grant Categories  These grants fall into three broad categories: Program Grants support new programs or the expansion of existing programs that have a track record of success. Capital Grants support the construction, purchase and renovation of facilities, land acquisition, and occasionally the purchase of vehicles or equipment. Endowment Challenge Grants build capacity and sustainability by helping nonprofits leverage additional funds and incorporate endowment fundraising as a regular part of their ongoing development program. Typically, endowment challenge grants are two-to-one matches but may vary by the size of the grant awarded. mmunity and the lives of people living here. Grantmaking Criteria  Long-term impact on residents or physical environments in Dane County. Meaningful, reasonable and measurable outcomes. Innovative approaches to address community issues. Strengthen and enhance community assets. Build self-sufficiency of individuals or organizations. Attract additional funding. Use partnerships or collaborations. Sustainable beyond the scope of the grant. Eligibility Criteria  Organizations must meet the following criteria: Public charities, exempt from federal income taxes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or governmental bodies, including schools and municipalities, as long as the project is above and beyond regular budgeted items and does not fill budget gaps. Organizations must be located, and projects must take place, within the borders of Dane County. The one exception is endowment challenge grants, for which there is no geographic limitation. But the resultant endowment fund must reside at MCF. Conduct business without discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or arrest or conviction record, or any other discriminatory basis prohibited by applicable local, state and federal law (“Anti-Discrimination Status”). Repeat grant applicants who are in good standing with MCF and propose a new project that fits within the focus areas are welcome to submit subsequent proposals. However, when having to choose between projects, an applicant that has not been funded regularly may have an edge over one that has. Local communities with community or education foundations that are unaffiliated with the Madison Community Foundation must submit a letter of support from the local foundation as part of the application process. For more information, visit MCF.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Brown, Oconto, and Kewaunee counties, Wisconsin, to develop programs that empower women and girls, particularly those aged 9-15, by fostering self-esteem, leadership, and positive community change.

The Green Bay Packers Foundation awards grants to organizations that will use the funds for programs or projects that address arts and culture, athletics and education. Donor Name: Green Bay Packers Foundation State: Wisconsin County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Foundation, an entity independent of the Green Bay Packers, Inc., supports charities possessing one or more of the following goals: perpetuates a community environment that promotes families and the competitive value of athletics; contributes to player and fan welfare; ensures the safety and education of children; and/or prevents cruelty to animals.  Funding Information Applicants can enter a minimum request of $3,000 and a maximum request of $8,000. Eligibility Criteria An organization is eligible to submit an application if it is: Physically located in the state of Wisconsin; Classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code for a minimum of two years; and Requesting funding for a project/program that addresses issues for at least one of the current year’s focus areas. For more information, visit Green Bay Packers Foundation.

The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is seeking applications for its C.D. Besadny Conservation Fund to invest in grassroots conservation and education projects that benefit Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife, and that connect people to Wisconsin’s natural resources. Donor Name: Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin State: Wisconsin County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Priorities Proposals should address one or more of the following priorities: Projects that benefit Wisconsin’s most imperiled natural communities and native plant or wildlife species. Projects that engage and impact underserved communities in Wisconsin and/or support diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within Wisconsin’s conservation and environmental education sectors. Projects that build climate resiliency of Wisconsin’s natural resources through natural climate solutions or climate adaptation. All projects should demonstrate measurable outcomes. They encourage innovative projects that leverage resources and partnerships. Funding Information Grants range from $500 to $2,000. Eligibility Criteria Applicant must be one of the following: a public charity with approved 501(c)(3) exempt status (under section 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) Type I and Type II); a federal, state, or local governmental unit, an American Indian nation or tribal community; or an accredited school, college, or university. The following types of organizations are not eligible for funding: individuals; businesses; section 509(a)(3) Type III supporting organizations; private foundations; and private operating foundations. Projects must benefit Wisconsin’s natural resources or people. The total project budget may not exceed $10,000, and overhead costs shall not exceed 15% of the grant. Project expenses may not have been incurred prior to submitting the application. A one-to-one match is required. Match may include in-kind support such as volunteer hours or donated materials. Only one application will be accepted per organization per grant cycle For more information, visit NRFW.

The Sheboygan County Planning & Conservation Department is currently accepting applications for the Sheboygan County Stewardship Fund Grant. This grant aims to foster recreational opportunities and conserve valuable natural resources within Sheboygan County. Applicants can submit projects under three main categories: project development, land acquisition, or discretionary, all subject to case-by-case review. Projects may include land and easement acquisition, development or restoration of parks and trails, protection of water resources, and habitat restoration, among others. Funds awarded by the Stewardship Grant cannot exceed 50% of the total cost of the project or acquisition. The deadline for application submission is May 3, 2024. A matching requirement of 1:1 is necessary for grant consideration.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is being released prior to appropriation and/or apportionment of funds for fiscal year 2024. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. The purpose of this NFO is to encourage and promote conservation planning and conservation practice implementation in urban, suburban, and other small-scale type agricultural operations. Emphasis will be placed on projects that establish new demonstration community gardens, or enhance and expand existing community agriculture projects. Proposals should seek to: 1. Provide conservation learning experiences to urban, suburban, and Tribal communities. 2. Address concerns regarding food deserts. 3. Advance Tribal food sovereignty. 4. Achieve positive and measurable natural resources conservation outcomes. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 22, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or [email protected]. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed. The agency anticipates making selections by June 21, 2024 and expects to execute awards by September 1, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.