Wisconsin Education Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Great Lakes states and tribes for collaborative projects aimed at preventing and managing aquatic invasive species across state and tribal boundaries.

Established in 2000, the Argyle Community Fund (ACF) is a permanent endowment dedicated to the enhancement and improvement of life in the Argyle area. As part of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, the ACF annually redistributes a portion of its earnings back to the community through grants. These grants are aimed at supporting a wide range of areas including education, youth, elderly, health care, historic preservation, the arts, and the environment. The advisory board selects recipients once a year, focusing on non-profit organizations, the local school district, and local government agencies that offer charitable programs or projects beneficial to the Argyle community. Grant renewed every year. Grant annual deadline October 1st

The Waukesha County Community Foundation (WCCF) Community Grants aim to address ongoing and evolving community needs within Waukesha County, Wisconsin. This program aligns with the WCCF's mission to support various critical areas, ensuring a comprehensive approach to community well-being. The grants are designed to be flexible, supporting a wide range of initiatives that strengthen the county's social fabric and improve residents' quality of life. These grants target a broad spectrum of beneficiaries across several key program areas, including Arts & Culture, Health & Human Services, Community Development, Education, Environment & Conservation, and Historical Preservation. Additionally, specific Field of Interest Funds are available for Literacy, Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and LGBTQ+ Causes, indicating a commitment to supporting vulnerable populations and addressing pressing social issues. The overarching impact goal is to foster a more resilient and thriving Waukesha County by investing in projects that create positive, lasting change. The WCCF prioritizes proposals that demonstrate collaboration among organizations serving similar clients, aiming to maximize collective impact and avoid duplication of efforts. Strengthening the internal operations of organizations is another key focus, recognizing that robust organizational capacity is essential for effective service delivery. Special consideration is also given to proposals that align with WCCF’s flagship issue of safe and affordable housing, highlighting a strategic priority to address this fundamental need within the community. The expected outcomes include enhanced community services, improved access to resources, and progress on specific community challenges. While not explicitly detailing measurable results, the emphasis on strengthening internal operations and impacting outcomes on a community basis implies a focus on demonstrating tangible improvements. The WCCF's strategic priorities are clearly centered on collaboration, organizational effectiveness, and addressing critical community needs like housing, reflecting a theory of change that values partnerships and sustainable solutions for community-wide benefit.

The Perkins CTE Reserve Grant, under the authority of the Wisconsin Perkins State Plan 2020, allocates secondary reserve funds to support the development, implementation, promotion, and monitoring of career pathways at the regional level. These pathways are aligned with state-identified high-skill, in-demand occupations or industries. The grant's objective is to increase the number of students accessing, participating in, and completing these career pathways, with a focus on equity and access for special populations. The grant has evolved over four years, initially focusing on creating the necessary infrastructure for regional career pathway development and then emphasizing student engagement, equitable access, and completion of career pathways, including career-based and work-based learning experiences.

The Go Outside Fund, provided by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, aims to connect youth with outdoor, nature-based learning experiences. This grant program directly aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering an appreciation for natural resources and encouraging hands-on engagement with the environment among the younger generation in Wisconsin. The program's core objective is to facilitate access to outdoor activities for children, thereby promoting environmental literacy and a deeper connection to nature. The primary beneficiaries of this fund are pre-K through 12th-grade students in Wisconsin. Teachers and partner organizations can apply for funding to cover various costs that enable outdoor learning, such as field supplies, transportation, substitute teachers, or educator expenses. The impact goals are centered on increasing opportunities for children to learn in outdoor settings, fostering a sense of stewardship, and enriching their educational experiences through direct interaction with nature. The fund prioritizes grant applications that include a significant component of outdoor activity and directly engage children in outdoor, nature-based learning. While alignment with classroom learning and standards is encouraged, it is not a strict requirement, emphasizing the program's focus on experiential learning. Grants between $100 and $500 are available, supporting a wide range of smaller-scale, impactful projects that meet the eligibility criteria. Eligible applicants include public charities with approved 501(c)(3) status, governmental units, American Indian nations or tribal communities, and accredited schools, colleges, or universities. The program's theory of change posits that by removing financial barriers and supporting educators and organizations, more Wisconsin youth will have access to enriching outdoor experiences, leading to increased environmental awareness and appreciation. The expected outcome is a measurable increase in youth participation in nature-based learning, contributing to a more environmentally conscious and engaged generation. Projects must benefit Wisconsin students, and activities must take place six weeks or more after the application due date, ensuring planned and impactful engagement.

The 501vc® Investment Fund is seeking to invest $200,000 to $300,000 in early-stage climate tech startups in the Greater Midwest region, focusing on sectors like advanced materials, renewable energy, and agriculture technologies.

This program provides funding to Wisconsin educators and organizations to develop innovative financial literacy education initiatives for K-12 students, ensuring they meet new graduation requirements.

This grant provides financial support to charitable organizations and local governments in the Clintonville area for projects that enhance health, education, and community development.

The Lancaster Community Fund, established in 1999, is a permanent, unrestricted charitable endowment committed to the well-being of the Lancaster community. It enables individuals, organizations, and businesses to support a wide range of charitable interests within Lancaster, including the elderly, historic preservation, the arts, the environment, and education. Each year, a portion of the Fund's earnings is distributed as grants to enhance community welfare. The Fund operates through a nine-member volunteer advisory board responsible for fundraising and grant distribution. Grants are awarded to non-profit organizations, the local school district, and local government agencies that propose projects or programs benefiting the community. Awards announced in July. Grant renewed every year. Annual Spring deadline: May 1st

The Otto Bremer Trust is a private charitable trust based in St. Paul, Minn. Created in 1944 by Otto Bremer, it is committed to supporting a better quality of life for residents of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Since its founding, OBT has invested nearly $1 billion and provides ~$105 million annually to nonprofit organizations in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Applications are due on a rolling basis on these dates: February 4, 2024; April 4, 2024; June 6, 2024; August 1, 2024. - General Operations Application: General operations grants provide unrestricted funding that enables an organization to carry out its mission. Typical uses could include support for an organization’s administrative and infrastructure costs, maintaining core programs and/or staffing. This application is for organizations seeking $75,000 or more in general operations support. - General Operations Short Application: This application is for organizations seeking general operations support of less than $75,000. - Restricted Application: Restricted grants provide funding for a specific program or project. These funds may not be used for other purposes, although a portion may be utilized for overhead or indirect costs of administering the program or project. - Capital Application: Capital grants support constructing, repairing, renovating, or rehabilitating an organization’s physical space. Capital grants can also support the purchase of equipment necessary for an organization to carry out its work.

This program provides funding for community-driven projects that improve the Schenk-Atwood-Starkweather-Yahara neighborhood in Madison, Wisconsin, with a focus on diversity, inclusivity, and positive social impact.

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation offers grants to 501(c) (3) nonprofit organizations in the greater West Bend area, Wisconsin, prioritizing projects in arts and culture, education, family, youth, elderly, health and human services, community development, and historic preservation, with an application deadline of 10/07/2024.

The Robert & Patricia Endries Family Foundation seeks applications to benefit people in need in the Brillion area of Wisconsin. The foundation's mission aligns with supporting the vitality of the Brillion area and assisting disadvantaged individuals within the community. This grant program is designed to create a positive impact by addressing various critical needs, ensuring that residents have access to essential services and opportunities for well-being. The foundation prioritizes supporting the disadvantaged, specifically targeting the disabled, homeless, low-income individuals, single parents, troubled youth, and those suffering from chronic or mental illnesses. Additionally, it focuses on health and human services, including support for diabetes, cancer, cerebral palsy, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease, and mental health. Religious causes with a spiritual purpose and sports or arts programming and sponsorships are also key areas of focus. The foundation's strategic priorities include supporting capital campaigns, particularly for "bricks and mortar" projects, and encouraging matching or challenge gifts to motivate additional giving. While not explicitly stated as "theory of change," the foundation's preference to support national organizations through local chapters serving Brillion residents indicates a strategy to leverage broader resources for local impact. Gifts are directed to specific programs or opportunities, rather than general operations, ensuring targeted impact. Expected outcomes include improved health outcomes for those with specific illnesses, enhanced quality of life for disadvantaged groups, and strengthened community vitality in Brillion through various programs. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the focus on direct program support suggests that successful applications will demonstrate clear objectives and the potential for positive, tangible changes within the community. The foundation's emphasis on local impact and specific areas of need demonstrates a clear, albeit implicit, theory of change centered on direct community investment and collaboration.

This program provides funding for farmers and ranchers in the North Central region to develop and share sustainable agricultural practices through research and educational projects.

This grant provides funding for significant community projects in Portage and Waushara Counties that promote collaboration across various sectors to enhance quality of life in areas such as arts, education, environment, helping people, and wellness.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government-affiliated vocational and technical schools in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin to enhance workforce development in key industries like forestry and aircraft maintenance.

This grant provides funding for projects and programs that improve the quality of life in the greater Wausau area and Marathon County, focusing on long-term benefits and capacity-building for local organizations.

This grant provides funding to organizations that empower women and enhance their self-sufficiency, ultimately benefiting families and communities in Marathon County.

This program provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin that help low-income residents and individuals with disabilities access affordable telecommunications services and digital literacy training.