Wisconsin Infrastructure Grants

This grant provides financial assistance to property and business owners in Downtown Fond du Lac to enhance safety through the installation of surveillance cameras and emergency access lock boxes.

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 financial assistance to local governments, tribal bodies, and nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin for developing and maintaining recreational trails and related facilities for both motorized and non-motorized use.

This program provides financial assistance to local governments and private harbor facility owners in Wisconsin for projects that improve infrastructure and support commercial activities at harbors along the Great Lakes and Mississippi River.

This program provides financial support to Wisconsin public school districts and tribal schools for establishing and expanding high-tech fabrication laboratories that enhance STEAM education and prepare students for future careers in advanced manufacturing and technology.

The Madison Area Sports Commission (MASC) Youth Grant Program provides financial assistance to connect underserved youth in Dane County, Wisconsin, aged 17 and under, to sports activities. The program aims to foster lifelong enjoyment and health benefits through sports, aligning with MASC's broader mission to promote healthy lifestyles and combat childhood obesity. Established with contributions from the Ironman Community Foundation, individuals, corporations, and annual fundraisers, the grant program is a key initiative of MASC to serve its community. The primary target beneficiaries are Dane County youth, aged 17 and under, who are from populations underserved by existing sports programs. The program's impact goals are to assist children in developing healthy lifestyles by introducing them to sports that match their interests and abilities. This includes combating childhood obesity, creating positive emotional connections, and instilling commitment and daily structure in their lives. Key priorities and focuses for grant consideration include ensuring the child or children served are Dane County residents, aged 17 and under, and from underserved populations. MASC also prioritizes a mutual commitment between the sports program and individuals, and considers a broad scope of sports, including "minor" and individual sports. The quality of the sports program and the alignment of individuals with a suitable sport are crucial. Consideration is also given to the number of people impacted, the non-duplication of efforts, and the potential for program growth and quality maintenance. Transportation requests and capital construction (under specific conditions) are also considered. Expected outcomes include increased participation of underserved youth in sports, leading to the development of healthy lifestyles, improved physical and emotional well-being, and enhanced commitment and daily structure. The program's success is measured by the reach of the grant application, the growth and quality of participating sports programs, and the ability of the programs to meet the interests and abilities of the youth. MASC's strategic priority is to create sustainable opportunities for youth development through sports, with a theory of change centered on the idea that access to appropriate sports activities directly contributes to healthier, more engaged youth in the community.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state transportation departments in rural U.S. states for the replacement and rehabilitation of multiple highway bridges to improve safety and efficiency.

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.

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.

The Community Foundation of Chippewa County in Wisconsin is offering grants ranging from $500 to $6,500 to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that benefit the communities of Chippewa County, with a focus on projects that promote arts, culture, community development, education, environment, animal welfare, health and human services, and demonstrate sustainability and strong volunteer involvement.

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 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.

The City of Wausau in Wisconsin is accepting applications for its 2025 Community Development Block Grant, aimed at benefiting low/moderate income persons, preventing slums/blight, and addressing urgent needs, with a focus on affordable housing, public services, and public facilities, open to public or private non-profit agencies, public housing authorities, and government entities.

The Emberg Charitable Trust provides grants to tax exempt, nonprofit, and governmental vocational, technical, and trade school programs located in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. The trust promotes workforce readiness by supporting programs that prepare students for careers in prominent regional industries. Preference is given to programs of study with potential to supply qualified candidates for fields such as forestry and aircraft maintenance. Funds may support curriculum development, equipment and tools for training, and associated program needs that enhance technical education and job placement outcomes. Eligible applicants are tax exempt nonprofits and governmental vocational, technical, and trade school programs serving counties in the trusts geographic focus. Proposals should demonstrate alignment with regional workforce needs and the capacity to deliver measurable outcomes for students and employers. Applications are due May 5, 2024. Grant size and duration are not stated. Additional information is available through the trustee information referenced by Wells Fargo.

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.

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.

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 offering the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) to advance pollinator conservation. The core mission of this fund is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. This aligns with NFWF’s broader Monarch Butterfly Business Plan, indicating a strategic, long-term commitment to these species. The fund aims to support both technical assistance for private working lands and direct habitat improvement projects. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include monarch butterflies and other at-risk native insect pollinator species, such as the rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. The program also indirectly benefits private landowners, farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, especially those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by providing resources and incentives for conservation practices on their lands. The overall impact goal is to significantly enhance the quality, quantity, and connectivity of pollinator habitat across eligible states. The Pollinator Fund has two main categories of focus. The first is Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands, which prioritizes increasing voluntary engagement of private landowners in conservation practices through staff resources and targeted outreach for Farm Bill programs like CSP and EQIP. The second category, Habitat Improvement, focuses on on-the-ground restoration and enhancement of pollinator habitat, emphasizing regionally appropriate milkweed and diverse native nectar plants, as well as increasing the supply of native seeds and seedlings. These priorities align with NFWF's strategic goal of fostering sustainable ecosystems through direct habitat restoration and incentivizing private land stewardship. Expected outcomes and measurable results are central to this program. All proposals must demonstrate how they will directly and measurably contribute to the Pollinator Fund's goals, specifically by providing the number of acres restored or enhanced. A minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states must be restored or enhanced. Historically, successful projects have averaged 2,120 acres, indicating a substantial scale for expected impact. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial assistance and technical support, and by focusing on key geographical areas and species, NFWF can effectively reverse declines in monarch and other native pollinator populations, thereby contributing to broader ecosystem health and biodiversity. The total funding of up to $5.1 million in 2024, contributed by a diverse group of partners, underscores the collaborative and impactful nature of this strategic initiative.

The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust's grant program aims to enhance the quality of life for companion animals and native wildlife. This mission aligns with the foundation's core belief in supporting innovative projects that go beyond basic care, providing long-term benefits for animals today and in the future. The trust focuses on helping organizations deliver an enhanced quality of life for homeless and abused companion animals. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include homeless and abused companion animals, native wildlife, and owned companion animals in under-resourced urban/rural areas or those owned by socially vulnerable populations. Impact goals include increasing successful adoptions, improving staff and volunteer care delivery, promoting humane education, enhancing access to medical care, and controlling pet and feral animal populations through spay/neuter initiatives. The program prioritizes several key areas: animal adoption, behavior training, and fostering; continuing education and training for staff and volunteers; humane and wildlife education; medical care, rehabilitation, and wellness care for animals; pet and feral animal population control through spay/neuter; equipment directly benefiting animals; and other animal care initiatives that celebrate the human-animal bond. Preferred projects include non-capital means of expanding shelter capacity, opportunities for staff and volunteer development, school and community programs addressing humane care, and assistance for owned pets from under-resourced households. Expected outcomes and measurable results include increased successful adoptions, improved delivery of care by staff and volunteers, enhanced community understanding of animal welfare, better access to medical care for vulnerable animal populations, and a reduction in unwanted pet populations. The foundation's strategic priorities are centered on supporting initiatives that lead to a high quality of life for individual animals and significant improvements for large numbers of animals. Their theory of change is that by funding innovative projects and supporting eligible organizations, they can foster better humane care, improve animal well-being, and address critical issues such as overpopulation and lack of access to care, ultimately creating a more compassionate environment for animals.

The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties is offering its 2024 Pillar Grant Program, inviting applications from organizations, local businesses, community clubs, or individuals. This program aligns with the United Way's overarching mission to improve the health, education, and financial stability of all individuals within their communities. Proposals submitted for these grants must serve a public purpose and directly support this mission, focusing on key areas that address significant community needs. The Pillar Grant Program specifically targets communities within Jefferson County and the City of Whitewater, aiming to benefit residents by addressing critical social issues. The program seeks to make a strong, positive impact by funding creative and innovative projects that respond to identified community needs. While the grant details do not explicitly state a "theory of change," the program's structure implies that by investing in specific intervention areas, it will lead to improved community well-being and self-sufficiency. The core priorities and focuses of the Pillar Grants are clearly defined, emphasizing four key areas: early intervention care, mental health and AODA (alcohol and other drug addiction) treatment, overcoming barriers to self-sufficiency, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Applicants must ensure their proposed projects and programs directly align with one or more of these strategic areas, as they represent the United Way's commitment to addressing the most pressing challenges faced by the communities it serves. Expected outcomes include the accomplishment or initiation of projects within generally a one-year timeframe, leading to tangible improvements in the prioritized areas. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the program description, the emphasis on addressing community needs and providing a strong, positive impact suggests that successful proposals will demonstrate clear objectives and the potential for quantifiable improvements in early intervention, mental health, economic stability, and social equity within Jefferson County and Whitewater.