Best Dane County Grants for Nonprofits in Wisconsin

The PLTW Launch - Program Expansion grant, funded by the John Deere Foundation, aims to enhance access to STEM education for underserved communities. This initiative supports schools in expanding their PLTW programs and includes training for teachers and resources for students. Priority is given to schools near John Deere facilities that demonstrate need and a commitment to student participation in STEM activities. The project aligns with the foundation's goal to impact one million youth by 2030.

The Health Sciences Scholarship, established in 2000 by Emeritus Professor James Hauxhurst, supports students from the Fox Valley area pursuing health science majors at UW institutions. Awarding $3,000 in total, it is divided into two payments of $1,500 for the fall and spring semesters. Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors and continuing college students, with financial need being a consideration. This scholarship aims to foster future leaders in health care for the community.

The Schlecht Family Foundation Inc offers Seed Grants aimed at nonprofit and social enterprise organizations in their startup phase, or established nonprofits launching new programs in Dane County and rural Wisconsin. These one-time grants support innovative ideas addressing community challenges and enhancing organizational effectiveness. The foundation seeks applicants dedicated to meaningful work, youth character development, and fostering connections to nature, ensuring a positive impact on the communities they serve.

Current student members of the Mycological Society of America presenting a paper or poster can receive US $750 to attend the society’s annual meeting, including applicants from Dane County, Wisconsin. With a mission to support mycology, the society provides travel awards that may benefit students affiliated with local nonprofit institutions or programs.

Spectrum Digital Education Grants support nonprofit organizations in educating communities about broadband benefits and usage. These grants aim to bridge the digital divide, particularly for seniors and those with disabilities or ethnically diverse backgrounds. Applicants must demonstrate community partnership, address specific needs, and provide measurable impact metrics. With a focus on financial feasibility and meaningful outcomes, this initiative ensures that underrepresented urban and rural communities gain access to essential digital resources, fostering long-term improvement in their lives.

About Us

Rotary Club of Madison is part of a worldwide organization with over 1.4 million members that participate in more than 46,000 clubs. We’re making an impact not only here at home but also around the world. As one of the 10 largest clubs within Rotary International, Rotary Club of Madison offers its members the opportunity to expand business and social networks, to join together with some of the most active local leaders to exchange ideas and foster understanding, and to serve locally or globally.

Rotary is a service organization of community leaders and global citizens who are united for the common good. Rotarians provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build peace in the world. Rotary is dedicated to promoting truth, enhancing goodwill and friendships and being beneficial and fair to all concerned. There are over 1 million Rotarians who belong to over 34,000 Rotary clubs around the world. Membership is by invitation and reflects a cross section of community representation. The Rotary Club of Madison has over 400 members and is one of the top ten largest Rotary clubs in the world.

There is approximately $148,000 available which will be distributed to up to 5 local nonprofits or public schools. 

Excellence in Education Grants

Our Madison Rotary Foundation's Excellence in Education Grants Program is aimed at fostering educational parity and empowering students from all backgrounds. Our organization firmly believes that every student deserves equal access to quality education, regardless of their socioeconomic background, race, or any other factor. Through this grant program, we aim to support nonprofits that share this vision and are actively working to eliminate educational disparities. This grant offers an opportunity for organizations to expand or enhance an existing program to increase the impact on the lives of underserved students in our community. The grant funds can be utilized to expand, enhance, or create partnerships for existing innovative educational programs. Funds can be used to enhance infrastructure, implement teacher training initiatives, provide resources, or any other endeavor that promotes equity for all in education.  

The Michael J. O’Brien Scholarship honors the legacy of Dr. Michael O’Brien, a dedicated educator and author from Green Bay, WI. This $700 non-renewable scholarship supports students pursuing degrees in history, political science, or international relations at a UW institution. Eligible candidates must maintain part-time or full-time enrollment. The scholarship, established in memory of Michael by his family, aims to recognize individuals with outstanding character and leadership, reflecting his commitment to education and mentorship.

The International MSA Travel Award, offered by the Mycological Society of America, supports current student members and postdocs presenting at the annual meeting. This award recognizes outstanding contributions in mycology and encourages diversity among applicants. It allows recipients to attend and engage with fellow researchers, fostering collaboration and innovation in the field. Previous award winners may reapply, with preference given to those who have not received the award more than twice.

The C.J. Alexopoulos Prize, awarded by the Mycological Society of America, recognizes outstanding early-career mycologists. Candidates must be MSA members and hold a degree obtained within the last ten years. Self-nominations are permitted, and nominees not selected may be reconsidered for two additional years. The award includes a plaque and monetary prize, with a formal presentation at the MSA annual meeting. The prize promotes inclusivity across diverse backgrounds in the mycology field.

The SWE Wisconsin Section Scholarship, established in memory of Martha Maxwell, supports female undergraduate students pursuing engineering degrees at accredited colleges in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Eligible applicants must be full-time students with sophomore standing or higher, graduating after December 31, 2025. The scholarship aims to encourage young women in engineering, honoring Martha's passion for inspiring future generations in STEM fields.

The Richard L. Reetz Engineering Scholarship offers four non-renewable awards of $2,500 each for students majoring in engineering at UW institutions. Eligible applicants must be enrolling as sophomores, juniors, or seniors, and must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. This scholarship aims to support engineering students in their educational journey, ensuring they have the necessary resources to succeed during their academic careers.

Individuals, groups, and nonprofit organizations in Dane County, Wisconsin can apply for The Awesome Foundation’s micro-grants, awarding US $1,000 for creative, community-focused “awesome” projects. Funding can support ideas in areas like arts, technology, or community development; applicants should apply to the local chapter or another chapter interested in their project.

The Alliant Energy Foundation offers community grants to support local organizations within its service areas. With a focus on strategic areas such as hunger, housing, workforce readiness, environmental stewardship, and community safety, the foundation has invested over $76 million since 1998. Applications are accepted year-round, and funding is available for specific programs aimed at enhancing community well-being and innovation. Organizations may receive one grant per year, emphasizing the foundation's commitment to diverse community support.

The Pecatonica Excellence in Education Fund, established in 2010, is an endowment fund managed by the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin. It provides vital resources to support the Pecatonica Area Schools, enhancing educational programs and recognizing student achievements. Grants are awarded annually to fund projects that fall outside the district's budget, ensuring that students receive innovative and quality educational opportunities. This initiative strengthens educational programming not typically covered by tax dollars.

The Agriculture Education Grant, funded by Compeer Financial, aims to enhance high school agriculture programs by providing up to $4,000 for classroom equipment and educational initiatives. This grant promotes hands-on learning and modern technologies, ensuring students are well-equipped to explore the evolving agricultural landscape. Eligible applicants include high school agriculture departments within a specified 144-county territory, with a focus on schools that have not received funding in the past two years.

The Emergency Response Equipment Grant Program by Compeer Financial aims to bolster rural communities by providing funding for essential emergency response equipment for volunteer fire, rescue, and ambulance departments. With grants up to $4,000, this initiative ensures that first responders have the necessary tools to protect and serve their communities effectively. Eligibility is limited to rural departments in the 144-county territory, ensuring that help reaches those who need it most.

The Farmers Market Grant Program by Compeer Financial aims to support organizations enhancing services at farmers markets. Grants of up to $1,000 are available for marketing efforts, technology upgrades, and vendor education. Eligible applicants must be bona fide farmers markets with at least three vendors of locally-produced products and must operate in the designated 144-county area. Priority is given to markets that have not previously received funding.

The RCU Foundation Grant supports capital projects in the arts, education, and health sectors, having awarded over $10 million since 2012. Prioritizing community benefit and sustainability, it evaluates requests based on demonstrated need and organizational capacity. The foundation focuses on areas served by Royal, ensuring a significant impact on local communities in Western Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota. It does not fund direct grants to individuals or certain operational expenses, encouraging diverse financial support for projects.

Innovation Grants

Our Madison Rotary Foundation's Innovation Grants Program includes one-time grants of up to $5,000 intended to encourage not-for-profit organizations within the greater Madison area to try new things, inspire change and creativity, and foster new approaches to community challenges. We encourage you to innovate ways to enable your organization to better serve those in need.

Innovations might include exploring the validity of potential new services, programs, efficiencies, alliances, or service areas; reaching new demographics, or improving the delivery of existing services. Other innovation types will also be considered.

The Minnesota Twins Community Fund, established in 1991, has significantly impacted youth sports in Twins Territory by providing over $24 million in support. Through grants and donations, they empower young athletes, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and personal growth. The fund focuses on 501c3 nonprofits in their region, ensuring that initiatives foster both athletic skills and character development. With strict guidelines for donations, the Twins continue to enhance community engagement and inspire the next generation of leaders.