Best Grants for Conflict Resolution in Wisconsin

The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund

The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund is a Princeton, New Jersey-based endowment fund providing grants to individuals, young adults who volunteer or intern for progressive social action projects or programs in an area of their interest and commitment. The Amy Adina Fund also sponsors a lecture each year on a relevant and timely topic related to its educational mission.

The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund was started in 1987 one year after Amy Adina, 20, died suddenly while a student and activist at Rutgers University. It is a realization of her family and her communities’ desire to celebrate her life, to fulfill her dreams and her potential. Since its inception, almost 1,500 grants have been awarded for work in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States—nearly $1,000,000 in total. The Amy Adina Schulman Memorial Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

About Our Grants

Small grants (depending on length of service), are awarded to as many applicants as possible rather than giving larger amounts to fewer individuals. The number of awards has grown each year thanks to annual contributions as well as to gifts sent to the Fund to honor special occasions and life cycle events.

Graduate students in fields like conflict resolution, natural resources, or communications can receive up to US $6,870 for a practicum-based Conservation Connect Fellowship, with projects that may include work in Wisconsin. Focused on collaborative conservation, National Forest Foundation fellowships provide hands-on experience, mentorship, and leadership training related to public lands and community engagement.

Students from Hawai‘i public high schools planning to study peace-related social sciences on the U.S. mainland may be eligible for the Marion Maccarrell Scott Scholarship, supporting education that promotes world cooperation and peace. Offered by Hawai'i Community Foundation, it may benefit future conflict resolution and peacebuilding practitioners, including those serving communities like Wisconsin.

Graduate students and researchers in security, technology, and diplomacy can apply for American Australian Association AUKUS Scholarships, offering up to US $40,000 for tuition, travel, and living or research costs. Eligible American and Australian citizens or permanent residents, including those from Wisconsin, must study at the graduate level between the U.S. and Australia.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, municipalities, and public schools working on peacebuilding, community development, or related initiatives in Wisconsin and beyond can seek support for education, health care, innovation, and community projects. With a mission to improve lives, Sorenson Legacy Foundation provides grants, giving preference to organizations whose efforts are in Utah but considering broader U.S. work.

501(c)(3) organizations in Wisconsin working on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, human rights, or related social justice initiatives can apply for the H. C. Gemmer Family Christian Foundation’s grants, with awards up to US $3,000 for one-time or start-up projects. Programs serving vulnerable populations and promoting systemic change may be especially competitive.

Grants from AJ Muste Foundation help Wisconsin peacebuilding and conflict resolution groups fund grassroots activist organizing in the U.S.; awards up to US $10,000 for projects or general operating costs. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups with small budgets focused on systemic change and limited access to mainstream funding.

Nonprofits and equivalent organizations working on peacebuilding, human rights, and conflict-related issues, including those in Wisconsin, can apply for Humanity United’s support; awards are approximately US $150,000 for programs addressing human exploitation, violent conflict, and public engagement. Global initiatives in regions like Asia-Pacific, Colombia, Nepal, South Sudan, and the U.S. may be considered.

Nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored projects in Wisconsin working on peacebuilding, restorative or transformative justice, indigenous peacemaking, or land-based healing may be eligible for support from Life Comes From It, hosted by Tides Foundation. Funding is limited to U.S.-based, people-of-color-led efforts replacing criminalization with community-rooted responses to harm.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) entity, aims to enhance healthcare access and education for all. With grant opportunities focusing on food programs, healthcare services for underserved populations, and STEM initiatives, it seeks to support community health and well-being. Organizations eligible for funding must be U.S.-based and hold tax-exempt status. Requests are reviewed biannually, in March and September, to foster impactful community projects.

The O'Reilly Automotive Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community welfare through philanthropic initiatives that support economic stability, workforce development, health services, and disaster relief. Established in 2020, the Foundation seeks to empower underrepresented individuals and organizations in the U.S. by addressing vital community needs. It particularly aims to provide assistance to nonprofits that foster positive change and improve quality of life for those in need, ensuring a lasting impact in local communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing humanitarian, family, youth, education, or poverty-relief services can apply for Robinson Foundation support if they serve the Southern U.S. region. Grants may benefit programs that include conflict resolution or peacebuilding components, but are not available to Wisconsin-only organizations or for facilities and other capital projects.

Wisconsin 501(c)(3) nonprofits and aligned for-profit organizations can seek funding to tell impactful stories about their work in preservation, education, or wellness. Wisconsin peacebuilding and conflict resolution programs that fit these pillars may be eligible. The Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation’s Storytelling Grant awards more than US $50,000 to showcase community impact through storytelling.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving youth, families, housing, food security, or environmental programs, including those in Wisconsin, can apply for US $30,000 - US $350,000 from Chick Fil A Foundation’s True Inspiration Awards. Focus areas include educational enrichment, youth leadership, hunger and food insecurity, family services, housing support, and environmentally focused community projects that may complement conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts.

With a mission to strengthen communities, Ameriprise Financial provides Wisconsin nonprofits with support for basic needs, community development, and cultural enrichment programs. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in the U.S. must align with Meeting Basic Needs, Supporting Community Vitality, or Volunteer-Driven Causes and can include peacebuilding or conflict resolution within these focus areas.

Nonprofits providing health, education, or humanitarian aid can apply for Semnani Family Foundation support for programs serving marginalized communities, including work that promotes peace and stability. Organizations in Wisconsin or elsewhere engaged in peacebuilding, social services, or disaster relief may be eligible if they operate in the foundation’s listed countries or the U.S.

Nonprofit and community organizations in Wisconsin and across the U.S. can seek funding to develop or expand conflict resolution education for K–12 youth and the adults who work with them. With a mission to advance youth conflict resolution, Jams Foundation provides up to US $40,000 to support culturally informed, school- and community-based peacebuilding programs.

Nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin seeking support for community-based programs, education, arts, health, or environmental initiatives can apply for grants of US $1,000 - US $20,000. With a mission to help impactful projects, Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation provides U.S. nonprofits with funding that may benefit peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts within broader community services.

Nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin that are 501(c)(3)s providing basic needs or economic mobility programs for youth and families can apply for Nordstrom Community Grants of US $5,000 - US $20,000. Grants from Nordstrom help local groups offering food, shelter, clothing, workforce development, mentorship, or scholarships in communities near Nordstrom stores, which may include peacebuilding-related services.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Grant supports charitable, scientific, medical, and educational organizations that are 501(c)(3) certified. This private funder emphasizes impactful service to diverse populations without discrimination. Grants must be utilized within the United States and cannot be awarded to individuals, political candidates, or lobbying efforts. The Trust is dedicated to enhancing the general welfare through soundly-managed initiatives that contribute significantly to community needs.

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.