Community Needs Grants

The Community Needs Grants program is administered by the Community Foundation of Chippewa County, a philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting the well being and long term vitality of communities within Chippewa County, Wisconsin. The foundation distributes funds derived from donor established endowments, including field of interest and unrestricted funds, to address a wide range of community priorities. These grants are designed to respond to locally identified needs and to strengthen nonprofit organizations that are actively serving residents within the county. The primary purpose of the Community Needs Grants program is to provide financial support for projects that improve quality of life across multiple sectors. Funding is available for initiatives in arts and culture, community development, education, environment and animal welfare, and health and human services. The program emphasizes projects that create tangible community impact, address important needs, and demonstrate long term sustainability. The foundation prioritizes efforts that empower individuals, foster collaboration among organizations, and build on existing community strengths. Grant funding typically ranges from 500 to 7000 dollars per organization. Funds are intended for proposed project expenses rather than reimbursement of past costs. The foundation explicitly restricts funding for routine operating expenses, previously incurred expenditures, annual fundraising campaigns, endowment contributions, contingency reserves, re granting activities, direct financial assistance to individuals, lobbying, and political activities. Additionally, the foundation does not support ongoing or repeating funding for the same project serving the same population, reinforcing its focus on innovation and measurable outcomes. Eligibility is limited to public charitable organizations recognized under IRS Section 170 b 1 A that serve the greater Chippewa County area. Applicants must provide documentation of their tax exempt status, including an EIN, or partner with a qualified 501 c 3 organization that agrees to act as a fiscal agent. All proposed projects must directly benefit the people and communities of Chippewa County. The foundation maintains strict nondiscrimination requirements, prohibiting funding to any organization that discriminates based on legally protected characteristics. The application process is conducted entirely online through the GOapply grant portal. The application window opens annually on September 1 and closes on October 8 at 4 PM. Applicants must complete and submit all required materials through the portal within this timeframe. The Grants Committee reviews all submitted applications in November, evaluating them based on alignment with community needs, collaboration, sustainability, and overall impact. Recommendations are then presented to the Board of Directors for final approval in December. Applicants are notified of funding decisions in January of the following year via email. Successful applicants must log into the GOapply portal to review and sign a grant contract before funds are disbursed. Following project completion, grantees are required to submit a grant report detailing outcomes and may include photos documenting project progress. The grant program operates on an annual cycle, with opportunities recurring each year and funding typically awarded at the beginning of the calendar year.

Focus on strong community impact collaboration sustainability and addressing unmet needs while avoiding duplication of services