RAMAC Foundation’s Microgrant Program

The RAMAC Foundation Microgrant Program is administered by the Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce organization, a business advocacy and community-focused entity serving the Racine, Wisconsin region. The Foundation operates as a philanthropic extension of RAMAC, supporting initiatives that strengthen both the business environment and broader community vitality. Through its microgrant program, the Foundation provides modest financial support to organizations that demonstrate a clear need and align with its mission, particularly those incorporating an educational component into their proposed activities. The primary purpose of the microgrant program is to fund small-scale projects, programs, or events that contribute to education and community development within a defined geographic area. While preference is given to proposals that include an educational element, the program remains open to a range of initiatives that serve the community. Funding is intended to support discrete efforts rather than ongoing operations, ensuring that awarded funds directly contribute to measurable outcomes tied to specific activities or events. Grant funding is limited to a maximum of 1,000 dollars per award, with no stated minimum request amount. The program explicitly restricts the use of funds to programmatic expenses and prohibits their use for general operating costs, capital expenditures, salaries, lobbying activities, political efforts, labor unions, annual fund drives, capital campaigns, or endowment-building initiatives. This ensures that all awarded funds are directed toward tangible, short-term initiatives rather than long-term financial obligations or organizational overhead. Eligibility for the program is limited to organizations located east of Interstate 94 within specific communities, including Sturtevant, Mount Pleasant, Caledonia, Franksville, Wind Point, Elmwood Park, the City of Racine, and North Bay. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with verified 501(c)(3) status as well as small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, provided their proposed project aligns with the Foundation’s purpose. Applicants must complete a grant request form and provide a detailed budget either within the form or as a separate submission. Meeting eligibility criteria and submitting a complete proposal does not guarantee funding, as all applications undergo a competitive review process. The application process consists of a single annual grant cycle, with proposals due by September 1. Following submission, the RAMAC Foundation Board of Directors reviews applications, typically during the third week of September. Applicants are notified of funding decisions via email, regardless of outcome. For those selected, funding disbursement generally occurs in October, along with instructions for accessing awarded funds. This structured timeline ensures a relatively quick turnaround from application to funding. Organizations that receive funding must comply with several post-award requirements. These include signing a formal grant agreement, acknowledging the RAMAC Foundation in promotional materials related to the funded project, and submitting a completion report within 60 days after the project or event concludes. Failure to provide timely or complete reporting may negatively impact eligibility for future funding opportunities. Additionally, information from submitted reports may be used by the Foundation in communications, media, or publications to highlight program impact. For additional information or assistance, applicants are encouraged to contact the program representative, Anna Clementi, via email or phone. The Foundation emphasizes transparency and accessibility throughout the process, supporting applicants in understanding requirements and expectations. Overall, the RAMAC Foundation Microgrant Program serves as a targeted funding opportunity designed to stimulate educational and community-focused initiatives within a defined local area through a straightforward and structured application process.

Emphasize educational impact and clearly define a specific project or event rather than general operations; ensure budget aligns strictly with allowable expenses; demonstrate community benefit within eligible geography