The Rural Vitality Grants program is a collaborative initiative led by the Fond du Lac Area Foundation and the Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation, in partnership with Compeer Financial. This program is specifically designed to strengthen the economic and social fabric of rural communities by supporting initiatives in small towns and rural micropolitan areas. The program reflects a targeted effort to revitalize and empower communities with populations under 10,000 or micropolitans under 50,000 in Fond du Lac and Dodge Counties. It excludes proposals from the City of Fond du Lac and City of Beaver Dam due to their larger population sizes.
The grant aims to fund initiatives that promote a thriving rural economy across several priority areas. These include agriculture-related programs that enhance the rural landscape and support for small businesses and entrepreneurs with innovative ideas. It also welcomes projects focused on workforce development, housing expansion, leadership training for both youth and adults, and rural school education enhancements. Community development efforts that address critical needs such as healthcare and daycare are also eligible. Grants must align with these specified focus areas to be considered.
For the current cycle, the total available funding is approximately $50,000, and applicants may request between $500 and $25,000. The application process is entirely online, accessible through the Fond du Lac Area Foundation’s grant portal. Only nonprofits and schools operating within the eligible rural areas of Fond du Lac and Dodge Counties are permitted to apply. Applications from urban centers or for ineligible purposes—such as arts, recreation, scholarships, or endowments—will not be considered.
The program emphasizes an efficient and transparent submission process. Applicants must use the foundation’s online portal for submission, where all required components should be completed. While the specific application components and evaluation criteria are not detailed, all proposals must clearly demonstrate alignment with one of the program’s approved funding categories.
The foundation provides direct support to applicants through phone and email. For questions, applicants may contact the Fond du Lac Area Foundation at (920) 921-2215 or via email at info@fdlareafoundation.com. The grant timeline, including application opening and closing dates, was not explicitly listed, but this program appears to operate on a recurring basis with periodic calls for proposals.
Though no formal recurrence schedule is stated, this initiative likely follows an annual or semiannual cycle, common among foundation-led grant programs. Applicants are advised to monitor the foundation’s website and grant portal regularly for updated information regarding application windows and program updates.
