Wisconsin Education Grants

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.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Milwaukee area for impactful projects that improve community well-being in areas such as arts, education, environment, health, and family support.

Founded in 2011 after a rapid fundraising achievement, the Benton Community Fund (BCF) was established through the collaborative efforts of the Benton State Bank, the City of Benton, the Benton Community Development Corporation, and numerous community members. This permanent endowment aims to support and enhance the community of Benton by annually distributing grants from its earnings. These grants are allocated to local non-profit organizations, the school district, and government agencies committed to charitable programs or projects that benefit the Benton community. The BCF is a component of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, reflecting its commitment to local development and enrichment. Grant renewed every year. Grant annual deadline: July 1st

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.

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.

United Way of Dane County is offering 2025-2026 Impact Grants, an open and competitive funding opportunity for organizations working in Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Healthy Communities. This grant program is deeply aligned with United Way of Dane County’s Plan for Community Well-Being, which seeks to measurably increase individual and family well-being in Dane County, ensuring every person leads a healthy, thriving, and secure life unimpacted by systemic racism, discrimination, and poverty. The total investment available is approximately $2-$3 million, with minimum awards of $15,000 per year for a two-year funding cycle (January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2026), contingent on Campaign results. The target beneficiaries of these grants are individuals and families in Dane County, particularly those impacted by systemic racism, discrimination, and poverty. The impact goals are centered on fostering healthy, thriving, and secure lives for all residents. United Way of Dane County is looking to support organizations whose work aligns with their collective vision and demonstrates the greatest potential for impact in helping to achieve these community goals. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly defined through a multi-generational approach. This includes engaging in sustainable, long-term work on systems change with a clear focus on youth opportunity, financial security, and healthy communities. Furthermore, the grants emphasize modeling equitable, anti-racist practices across all aspects of work, including investments, partnerships, innovation, public policy advocacy, data and research, and connection to resources. Another key priority is cultivating a stronger nonprofit ecosystem through trust-based collaborations to drive positive community change. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in individual and family well-being throughout Dane County. This involves supporting organizations that directly contribute to the defined goals of the Plan for Community Well-Being, ultimately aiming for a community where experiences of systemic racism, discrimination, and poverty no longer impact a person's ability to lead a healthy, thriving, and secure life. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are rooted in a holistic approach to community well-being, focusing on systemic change and equitable practices to achieve lasting positive impact.

The St. Croix Valley Foundation is offering Music Education Grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 for K-12 schools in specified counties of Minnesota and Wisconsin, to enhance music education programs through funding materials, guest artists, community outreach, and collaborations, with a preference for hands-on activities over technological innovations.

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.

The 2024 Mid Wisconsin Foundation Legacy Grants offer up to $1,000 to tax-exempt organizations in former Mid Wisconsin Bank areas, supporting projects in health, human services, community development, education, and environment, with applications due annually by October 15th.

The Beyond Pencils and Beyond Crayons Grants, available to K-12 teachers in Marathon County, Wisconsin, provide $1000 to $10,000 for innovative, creative, and cost-effective projects that enrich education, inspire students and educators, and foster community, excluding core curriculum items, staff, transportation, refreshments, rewards, and incentive programs.

The Madison Community Foundation's Community Impact grants are designed to advance initiatives that create long-term positive impact on the community and the lives of its residents. This aligns with MCF's broader mission to strengthen innovative or high-performing nonprofits and invest in initiatives and natural and cultural assets that foster a thriving community. The grants are aimed at improving the quality of life for residents in greater Madison through five key focus areas: Arts & Culture, Community Development, Environment, Learning, and Organizational Capacity Building. The target beneficiaries of these grants are primarily residents and organizations within Dane County, Wisconsin. For example, Arts & Culture grants support Dane County's vibrant arts scene, while Community Development grants enhance quality of life by strengthening local assets and building community bonds. Learning grants support K-12 academic achievement and out-of-school programs, and Organizational Capacity Building grants aim to strengthen the infrastructure and long-term impact of Dane County nonprofits. The overarching impact goal is to create a more vibrant, equitable, and sustainable community. The program prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate a long-term impact on residents or physical environments in Dane County, with meaningful, reasonable, and measurable outcomes. Innovative approaches to community issues are encouraged, as are projects that strengthen community assets, build self-sufficiency, attract additional funding, and utilize partnerships or collaborations. The foundation's strategic priority is to support programs that are sustainable beyond the scope of the initial grant, fostering lasting change within the community. This indicates a theory of change that emphasizes empowering organizations and initiatives to create enduring positive effects. Grants are categorized into three broad types: Program Grants for new or expanding successful programs, Capital Grants for facility and land acquisition or renovation, and Endowment Challenge Grants to build capacity and sustainability by leveraging additional funds. Eligibility requires organizations to be public charities or governmental bodies (501(c)(3) exempt), located within Dane County (with an exception for endowment challenge grants if the fund resides at MCF), and to conduct business without discrimination. This ensures that the grants support a diverse range of impactful projects while adhering to strong ethical and operational standards.

The Platteville Community Fund, established in 2002 by the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, is a permanent, unrestricted charitable endowment dedicated to enhancing various aspects of community life in the Platteville area. Its mission aligns with supporting projects that enrich the arts, education, health and human services, the environment, and historic preservation. This broad focus allows the fund to address a diverse range of community needs and contribute to the overall well-being and cultural vibrancy of Platteville. Annually, a portion of the Fund's earnings is distributed back to the community in the form of grants. These grants target non-profit organizations, the local school district, and/or local government agencies that provide charitable programs or projects serving the community. The impact goals are centered on fostering community development and addressing specific concerns within Platteville, as evidenced by entities like the PHS Scholarship Fund, created in 2010, and the Platteville Excellence in Education Endowment Fund. The fund's strategic priorities include empowering local citizens to support charitable interests through various focused funds, as well as providing essential funding for the Platteville School District's educational needs not covered by the regular budget, exemplified by the EIE fund's inception in 2021. The theory of change suggests that by providing accessible grant funding and facilitating community-driven initiatives, the fund can significantly strengthen the social, cultural, and educational infrastructure of Platteville. The expected outcomes of these grants include improved access to arts and cultural programs, enhanced educational opportunities, better health and human services, a healthier environment, and preserved historical assets. While specific measurable results for all grant categories are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, the existence of funds like the EIE fund with an initial grant of over $30,000 indicates a commitment to substantial financial support and measurable educational impact within the school district. The advisory board, composed of volunteer citizens, plays a crucial role in initiating fundraising and determining grant awards, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to achieve these community-focused goals.

Grant Name: Teachers' Outdoor Environmental Education Fund Funding Organization: Wisconsin Conservation Foundation Contact Information: Lindsey Taylor, Conservation Programs Coordinator - Phone: (608) 409-3145 - Email: Lindsey.Taylor@WisConservation.org Program Intent: The Teachers Outdoor Environmental Education Fund aims to provide meaningful outdoor environmental education learning experiences for public school students in Wisconsin. The program prioritizes projects that demonstrate a clear connection to classroom learning and standards, as well as those that have a significant component of outdoor activity. Award Details: Grants of up to $1,000 are available for eligible projects. A one-to-one match is required, which can include in-kind support such as volunteer hours or donated materials. Only one application per school per year will be accepted. The grant is renewed annually, with a deadline for applications on May 1st. Applicants will be notified within six weeks. Eligibility: - Applicants must be teachers at a Wisconsin public school (K-12). - Projects must address the grantmaking priorities and meet the eligibility requirements. - Proof of IRS tax-exempt status (IRS form 501c3 tax determination letter) or a letter of support from the school administration should be included with the application. To apply, complete the application form (paper copies not accepted) and submit all materials to Lindsey at NRFgrants@WisConservation.org by May 1st. Note: This grant opportunity is specifically for nonprofits seeking funding for outdoor environmental education programs in Wisconsin public schools.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Eau Claire area for high-impact projects that improve the quality of life for local residents.

Established in 1996, the Evansville Fund is a permanent charitable endowment aimed at supporting the Evansville community across various domains, including the arts, education, health and human services, and historic preservation. Through its annual earnings, a portion is allocated as grants to enhance community welfare, distributed to non-profit organizations, the local school district, and government agencies. The fund is characterized by its diverse Family of Funds, each established by individuals or organizations to support specific charitable objectives within Evansville. Grants are awarded annually in November by a volunteer board responsible for fundraising and grant decisions. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: October 1st

This grant provides funding for organizations in Minnesota and Wisconsin to implement impactful water quality improvement projects and promote environmental stewardship within their communities.

The Lake Mills Area Community Foundation, founded in 1996, is a philanthropic organization dedicated to the enrichment of the community. The Foundation receives its funds in the form of both current gifting and bequests through estate planning. Grant requests may be submitted to the Foundation at any time. The foundation will act on submitted proposals in timely manner. However, requests received less than two weeks prior to the next scheduled Board meeting may result in review and consideration at a subsequent Board meeting