Wisconsin Private Grants

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government agencies in Wisconsin that promote oral health care and education for underserved populations.

The Great Rivers United Way is offering a Basic Needs Community Investment Grant of $10,000 to $100,000 for programs and projects in Wisconsin that provide food, shelter, and safety, prioritizing collaborative, successful, innovative, and BIPOC-led initiatives, with applications due by October 4, 2024.

This program provides early-stage companies in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with free mentorship, resources, and support to help them grow and prepare for investment opportunities.

The Gener8tor is accepting applications for its 2024 gBETA Urban League Accelerator Program. Donor Name: Gener8tor State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Program Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/25/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: gBETA Urban League is open to Madison businesses owned by Black entrepreneurs and other entrepreneurs of color from high tech startups to Main Street small businesses.  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 for gBETA Urban League Madison You’re based in Madison Open to Madison businesses owned by Black entrepreneurs and other entrepreneurs of color from high tech startups to Main Street small businesses with a particular focus on entrepreneurs who are interested in becoming a part of the Urban League of Greater Madison’s Black Business Hub. 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 they 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 Entrepreneurship Partner Program provides grants to technical assistance providers, which can be used for their operational costs and for accelerator or more in-depth programs. Donor Name: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) State: Wisconsin County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The goal of the Entrepreneurship Partner Grant is to encourage the formation of entrepreneurship support programs and to develop startup and emerging growth companies in the state of Wisconsin. The EPG program is intended to increase entrepreneurship activities across Wisconsin. Utilizing community building, capacity building, business financing, technical assistance, and other similar support, the program will strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Those served by the funded programs may be provided with a wide range of support including, but not limited to, financing, experienced hands-on mentorship, educational programming, visibility to investors, community building, leadership training, entrepreneurship and networking events, idea validation, and business development strategies.  The program provides an entity operating a not-for-profit entrepreneurship program with grant funding used to support its direct operational expenses for specific projects and initiatives. Program funds may also be used for eligible financial support of participant companies/individuals related to technical assistance program participation. Funding Information FY25: $2,250,000  The maximum EPG grant amount is $200,000. Eligible Use of Funds EPGs can fund the following activities. Costs are only eligible to be applied to grant and matching fund expenses after WEDC approval.  Operational expenses related to the project and provision of technical assistance to businesses.  Funding to businesses related to the project. Eligibility Criteria EPG applicants must meet the following criteria: Be a not-for-profit organization, to include nonprofit entities, units of government, educational institutions, community organizations, foundations, Tribal entities, or nonprofit entities acting as a fiscal agent on behalf of another organization.  Is requesting funding to create and/or manage programs aimed at fostering entrepreneurial community development, enhancing capacity, providing business financing, offering technical assistance, or supporting other similar entrepreneurial initiatives or program(s) to support the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.  For more information, visit WEDC.

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.

The Platteville Community Fund supports community projects that enhance the arts, education, health and human services, the environment, and historic preservation. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/15/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Platteville Community Fund is a permanent, unrestricted, charitable endowment created in 2002 to serve the Platteville area. Annually a portion of the Fund’s earnings are given back to the community in the form of grants. The Platteville Community Fund also provides a means for individuals, organizations, and businesses to support their unique charitable community interests through funds that focus on specific concerns. The PHS Scholarship Fund, created by the Platteville Community Fund in 2010, is one such entity. A group of volunteer citizens makes up the Fund’s advisory board which initiates fundraising activities and determines grant awards. The Platteville Excellence in Education Endowment Fund supports the educational needs of the Platteville School District that are not funded through the regular school budget. The EIE fund was started in 2021 with a grant of more than $30,000 provided by the estate of Jane Howell, a mathematics teacher at Platteville Middle school for more than 30 years. Criteria The advisory board awards grant to non-profit organizations, the local school district, and/or local government agencies providing charitable programs or projects serving the community. For more information, visit CFSW.

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.

This program provides essential oral health supplies, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, to non-profit organizations in Wisconsin that serve underprivileged children, adults, and seniors.

Applicants are invited to apply for the 2024-2025 Sparks Grant Program. Donor Name: Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The 2024-2025 Sparks grants are designed to: Provide people with disabilities more social connections by participating in inclusive, meaningful community activities. Help individuals and organizations understand how to offer and implement more inclusive programming. Encourage community members to get to know someone with a disability and improve overall attitudes about people with disabilities. Funding Information Grants range from $500 to $5,000. Uses of Funds Examples of what you can do with the grant.  Make school extracurriculars accessible to students with disabilities and be intentional about inviting them to participate. Host a community conversation to talk about ways to meaningfully include people with disabilities in community programs. Work on an idea or tow over the next year. Implement innovative ways to make families with children with disabilities feel welcome in their faith community. Eligibility Criteria The Foundation is looking for groups or individuals who want to be more inclusive of people with disabilities but are not sure how to do it. Traditionally underserved groups are especially encouraged to apply. Examples include:  Faith-based, civic and nonprofit groups School districts Municipalities or local governments such as community recreation programs Family groups Individuals or groups with strong connections to their community For more information, visit WBPDD.

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.

Donor Name: Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) State: Wisconsin County: All Counties Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Uses of Funds New Construction Building Acquisition Rehabilitation Handicapped accessibility improvements Conversions/additions to buildings or units Site acquisition and other development activities Eligibility Criteria  Applicants must fall into one of the following organizational categories: Nonprofit organizations or cooperatives organized under Chapters 181, 185, or 187 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Community development, redevelopment, and housing authorities. Local units of government. Native American tribal authorities. Nonprofit organizations and cooperatives who are required to register with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) must be in good standing. Search your status on the Department of Financial Institutions website Grant recipients that received awards through the WHEDA Foundation Housing Grant Program competition consecutively in 2021, 2022 and 2023 are not eligible to apply for the 2024 WHEDA Foundation Housing Grant Program. An organization is eligible and welcome to apply again for a 2025 award. Applicants who have not submitted their final report from a prior housing grant program award and exceeded the 12-month timeframe allowed for projects to be completed will be ineligible for a 2023 grant award. An applicant is eligible for future grant awards once a final report is submitted. Non-eligible uses of funds Market studies Feasibility studies Down payment assistance Ongoing project operating costs Housing-related services Nursing homes Vehicles or transportation services Costs incurred in the preparation of the 2024 Housing Grant Program Application Costs incurred prior to the 2024 Housing Grant Program award date For more information, visit WHEDA.

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 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 grant provides financial support for projects that foster the character and service development of young people in the greater Wausau, Wisconsin area, focusing on civic improvements and educational initiatives.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in the greater Wausau area and Marathon County, Wisconsin, focusing on advancing education and the arts within the community.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for innovative educational projects in K-12 classrooms within Marathon County, Wisconsin, aimed at enhancing student learning and creativity.

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

This grant provides funding for innovative and creative projects that enhance the educational experience for Pre-K to 12th grade teachers and students in the Merrill School District.

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.