Best Madison Grants for Nonprofits in Wisconsin

The Creag Foundation, established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington, provides funding to innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations addressing social issues. Focused on smaller organizations, the foundation seeks to support those with unique approaches to improve the human condition. Eligible applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and present a new or previously unaddressed solution to societal challenges. Applications are by invitation only, encouraging creativity and passion in charitable work.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

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.

Students planning a law career and needing help with tuition and related college costs can receive scholarship support and a paid legal internship through the Church, Church, Hittle & Antrim Scholarship, available nationally, including Madison, Wisconsin. Central Indiana Community Foundation funds eligible graduates of specified Indiana high schools pursuing higher education in law-related fields.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation offers grants annually to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily focusing on U.S. applicants. The foundation supports projects in education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural initiatives, and environmental efforts. While the grant cycle runs from October 1 to March 1, it encourages innovative solutions to global challenges. Only one application per organization is accepted each year, and funding is limited to one year. Unqualified organizations, including political entities, are ineligible.

Nonprofit organizations in Madison, Wisconsin can apply for Madison Community Foundation’s Altrusa International Grant, awarding US $1,000 - US $5,000 for educational and lifelong learning projects. Funding may support youth academic success, workforce preparation and retraining, parental involvement in schooling, and other initiatives that help people become self-supporting learners.

Graduating high school students involved in musical theater can receive up to US $2,000 for two- or four-year college through the Jennifer Samson Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Community Foundation for McHenry County supports higher education and college preparation; Madison, Wisconsin arts-focused nonprofits may share this opportunity with eligible students from McHenry County.

High school seniors pursuing higher education can receive renewable scholarship support for college costs, including awards of US $2,500 - US $20,000. Northern Piedmont Community Foundation’s Alice and William Johnson Foundation Scholarship prioritizes students with financial need and strong academic potential, helping them persist through two- or four-year university programs, including transfer pathways.

Students pursuing a four-year degree who reside in Culpeper County and demonstrate financial need can receive scholarship support for higher education, including college access and persistence. With a mission to strengthen local communities, Northern Piedmont Community Foundation provides this renewable US $1,000 award, with preference for applicants showing community involvement and volunteerism.

High school students pursuing culinary arts careers can receive scholarship support for accredited culinary programs or colleges offering formal culinary training, benefiting residents of Fauquier County. Northern Piedmont Community Foundation honors David Collins Jeck by assisting passionate, committed culinary students, which may interest Madison, Wisconsin nonprofits helping local youth explore postsecondary culinary education opportunities.

Students pursuing visual, music, theater, culinary, or other creative arts majors who attend or graduated from Madison County or Culpeper County public high schools can apply for the Lynne Goldsborough Yowell Scholarship. Administered by Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, it supports academically solid students with volunteer or work experience, prioritizing those with financial need.

Graduating high school students planning to attend a 2- or 4-year college or university, including those from Madison, Wisconsin who meet residency criteria, can receive the Martha Mae Giles Scholarship for higher education costs. Northern Piedmont Community Foundation awards this renewable US $2,000 scholarship, with first priority to members or children of members of Our Saviour Lutheran Church of Warrenton, Virginia.

High school seniors seeking higher education funding who live in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, or Rappahannock counties and attended a private school in Culpeper County can apply for Northern Piedmont Community Foundation’s St. Luke’s Foundation Scholarship. Up to three renewable awards of US $1,000 - US $2,000 support students with at least a 3.0 GPA, leadership, and community service.

Native-led 501(c)(3) organizations and tribal governments in Madison, Wisconsin can seek $1,500 - $6,000 to support traditional or contemporary Native American arts projects. Focused on building long-term cultural and economic support, the Wisconsin Arts Board funds administration, documentation, technical assistance, promotion, and planning that benefit Wisconsin’s Native communities, including urban Indian populations in Madison.

Students pursuing funeral service education in Western North Carolina can receive the Asheville Wilbert Vault Service Scholarship, awarding US $4,000 toward post-high school study. With a mission to support academic scholarship programs, The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina provides this aid for residents of its 18 westernmost counties, including eligible seniors and graduates.

Graduating JROTC seniors planning higher, vocational, or trade education can receive up to US $1,000 through the Major John F. Harris, Jr., Memorial Scholarship, supporting college and career preparation. The Dayton Foundation funds eligible students from specified Dayton-area high schools, which may benefit Madison, Wisconsin nonprofits working with military youth or education access.

High school senior basketball players pursuing undergraduate study can receive the Madison, Dean, Basketball Scholarship to support tuition, room and board, or books. Beatrice Educational Foundation awards one Beatrice High School graduating senior who shows leadership, hustle, and good sportsmanship on and off the court with US $500 toward college costs.

Early-career organic chemists planning postdoctoral research at a U.S. nonprofit institution, including those based in Madison, Wisconsin, can receive up to US $170,000 over two years to pursue independent research. Grants from American Chemical Society support Ph.D. candidates or recent graduates nominated by a research advisor to develop innovative, sustainability-focused organic chemistry projects.

Professional theater companies producing shows at Madison’s Overture Center in Madison, Wisconsin can seek funding to help cover production costs. Focused on theater, Madison Community Foundation invites established, paid professional companies that meet specific experience and staffing criteria to apply, excluding organizations that already hold a Great Performance Fund endowment.

Nursing students pursuing their first associate or bachelor’s degree at accredited nonprofit schools can receive up to US $15,000 for tuition and related costs; awards are limited to permanent residents of select Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois counties. Deaconess Foundation administers these renewable nursing scholarship grants with local partners.

Dane County 501(c)(3) nonprofits advancing women’s economic empowerment and educational or workforce opportunities in Madison, Wisconsin can access funding through Madison Community Foundation’s A Fund for Women. Eligible initiatives include workforce development, education programs (not individual scholarships), advocacy, mentorship, and support services, with possible unrestricted and multi-year support for aligned organizations.

Early-career biomedical assistant professors at nominated Madison, Wisconsin institutions can receive US $75,000 - US $300,000 to support independent research advancing human health. Grants from Pew Charitable Trusts fund creative basic, translational, or applied biomedical projects, covering personnel, equipment, supplies, and research travel, with flexible use and required annual progress review.

Madison-area 501(c)(3) nonprofits and local government bodies can seek funding for programs, capital projects, or endowment challenges serving Dane County residents, with awards up to Up to US $50,000. Madison, Wisconsin nonprofits working in arts and culture, community development, environment, learning, or organizational capacity building can access funding through Madison Community Foundation’s Community Impact Grants.

Nonprofits, public schools, and faith-based organizations in Madison, Wisconsin can receive approximately US $29,600 to expand or enhance existing educational programs for underserved children and youth ages 2–18. Grants from Madison Rotary Foundation help improve educational access and equity, including infrastructure, teacher training, resources, and partnerships, with funding available for up to two years.

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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Madison, Wisconsin can seek funding for education, small business support, and basic human needs projects, with awards ranging from US $5,000 - US $100,000. With a mission to strengthen opportunity, Widen Family Foundation supports scholarships, entrepreneurship programs, housing, child welfare, and other human and social services in Dane County.