Best Grants for Mentoring Programs in Wisconsin

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on economic and workforce advancement, affordable housing, or community arts and culture, including those serving Wisconsin, can apply for Community Possible support. Grants from U.S. Bank Foundation help groups that address multiple “Work, Home, Play” pillars, advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and serve designated U.S. Bank communities; mentoring components may be eligible within these priorities.

Wisconsin 501(c)(3) nonprofits running youth, education, or health and human services programs can access funding through Costco Foundation for monetary support of their community-based work. Eligible organizations must focus on children, education, and/or health and human services, demonstrate measurable outcomes, and show community collaboration and a broad base of financial support; mentoring and tutoring initiatives may be eligible.

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides grants to early-stage social entrepreneurs working on scalable solutions to pressing social and environmental issues. By supporting organizations with innovative approaches and proven impact, they aim to uplift underserved communities globally. The foundation offers operational support, funding of up to $300,000 over three years, and fosters a collaborative community among its portfolio organizations. They focus on candidates demonstrating measurable impact and sustainable growth potential.

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.

Organizations serving children and youth in education, health, or family economic stability can apply for Michael & Susan Dell Foundation grants of more than US $50,000 to support or scale projects. Wisconsin mentoring and tutoring programs that operate in the U.S. and meet the foundation’s focus areas and eligibility criteria may be competitive candidates.

Nonprofits providing health, education, or humanitarian services can seek support for programs serving marginalized communities in Wisconsin and worldwide. Semnani Family Foundation supports efforts such as health care access, child welfare, literacy, disaster relief, and other human and social services; mentoring and tutoring components within these programs may be eligible.

Wisconsin 501(c)(3) organizations running charitable, educational, scientific, or health-related programs can access funding through Sidney Stern Memorial Trust for work carried out in the U.S. Eligible nonprofits must be tax-exempt under federal (and, where applicable, California) law. Mentoring and tutoring initiatives that fit these categories may be competitive candidates.

FIRST Robotics teams connected to schools, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, or registered charities can apply for John Deere Foundation support to participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition, with a strong emphasis on mentoring and inclusion. Wisconsin teams near Horicon or with active John Deere employee mentors may be eligible, especially those serving underserved, underrepresented, or rural students.

Schools and 501(c)(3) organizations in Wisconsin running FIRST LEGO League Discover teams near Horicon can apply for John Deere Foundation’s support, which helps cover team participation in STEM programs. Teams must primarily serve underserved, underrepresented, or rural youth, and mentoring-focused programs that meet FIRST and John Deere criteria may be eligible.

Schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits running FIRST LEGO League Explore STEM teams, including those in Wisconsin’s eligible John Deere communities, can seek support for team registration and participation costs. Focused on underserved, underrepresented, and rural youth, John Deere Foundation prioritizes teams near its U.S. and Canada Inspire locations or those actively mentored by John Deere employees.

The Spark Good: Strengthening Community Local Grants program by the Wal-Mart Foundation empowers local organizations through grants ranging from $250 to $5000. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare by supporting diverse projects, including animal shelters and educational programs. Eligible organizations must have a verified Spark Good account, ensuring funds are allocated effectively to meet local needs and foster community development. Together, we can create lasting impacts through small yet significant actions.

Wisconsin youth mentoring and development programs in Alliant Energy service communities can seek funding for tutoring, leadership, after-school, and summer educational activities. Focused on workforce readiness and youth development, Alliant Energy supports specific projects such as literacy, STEM, and career exploration that help young people build skills and succeed in school and work.

Wisconsin 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on basic needs, community development, cultural enrichment, or volunteer-driven causes can apply for Ameriprise Financial’s Community Grants to support their programs. Focus areas include hunger relief, shelter and supportive housing, adult self-sufficiency, neighborhood revitalization, small business support, and arts access, which may benefit mentoring or life-skills initiatives.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Wisconsin communities served by Wisconsin Public Service can apply for grants supporting tutoring, mentoring, and related youth education programs. Funding also covers projects in arts and culture, community development, environment, and health and human services that enhance quality of life in eligible service-area counties.

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.

Wisconsin community-based organizations, schools, tribes, and local governments running angler education or mentoring activities can receive funding to support adult sport fishing participation in Wisconsin. Focused on sport fishing, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources invites partners to cover program costs such as staff time, fishing gear, transportation, and background checks for mentors to grow safe, ethical adult anglers.

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.

Wisconsin 501(c)(3) public charities running safety, workforce development, youth mentoring, or community vitality programs can apply for Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $30,000. Eligible projects must primarily serve a Wisconsin community on the Union Pacific service list and align with the program’s defined cause areas and DEI priorities.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000, dedicated to granting funds for environmental and human services causes. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools, with grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The foundation supports unrestricted grants for various projects, including disaster relief and environmental programs, but does not fund individuals or for-profit entities. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the foundation's priorities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving youth and families with education, mentoring, housing, food security, or environmental programs in Wisconsin and beyond can seek US $30,000 - US $350,000 in True Inspiration Awards funding. With a mission to uplift local communities, Chick Fil A Foundation provides substantial grants recognizing innovative, high-impact community initiatives, including mentoring and leadership development for underserved youth.

Fall 2026 Early Childhood Education Funding Cycle

Overall Early Childhood Education Program Blueprint

The Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education grant program supports efforts to improve access to high-quality early care and education for young children (birth to five), especially those from low-income families. We do this by investing in strategies that strengthen, support, and retain a high-quality, thriving early educator workforce.

The Foundation has a history of supporting professional development (PD) and learning systems through its Provider strategy (). We believe strong professional development systems are essential for building a skilled early childhood workforce and creating positive learning environments for young children.

The Fall 2026 funding cycle is available for organizations that align with this Provider strategy.

Funding Opportunity

This funding opportunity will provide up to $750,000 to support early childhood education providers in strengthening existing professional development (PD) systems. Funding is intended to improve a specific area of an established PD system—not to build a brand-new system from scratch or put the foundational elements in place.

What kind of improvements can funding support?

Organizations should focus their projects on strengthening their professional development systems. The Stranahan Foundation defines a strong professional development system as one that includes:

• Connect learning opportunities that build on one another over time.
• Use adult learning best practices.
• Align staff learning to educator competencies, credentials, career growth, or compensation.
• Provide learning experiences that are individualized, scaffolded, and responsive to educators’ needs, experience, and goals.
• Have dedicated leadership and organizational capacity to support ongoing implementation.

• Gather regular feedback from staff and families.
• Use standardized assessment and evaluation tools to understand what is working and where improvements are needed.
• Make ongoing improvements based on what is learned.
• Support reflective practice, peer learning, and collaborative inquiry among educators.

• Offer both individual and group learning opportunities, such as training, professional learning communities, coaching, and mentoring.
• Provide learning opportunities on an ongoing basis rather than in a one-and-done situation.
• Connect internal and external learning opportunities to make the best use of available resources.
• Support classroom implementation through observation, modeling, feedback, and continuous improvement cycles.

• Provide learning experiences that are practical, relevant, and easy to apply in daily work.
• Include fundamental topics such as family engagement, effective instruction, developmentally appropriate practice, and classroom management.
• Align with established standards, research, and effective practices in the early childhood field.
• Equip educators to support all learners, including multilingual learners, children with disabilities, and children impacted by trauma or adverse experiences.

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.

Wisconsin 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering education, mentoring, or other community programs can compete for US $2,500 - US $10,000 through the Best Life Community Awards. Focused on education, cultural enrichment, health, environment, human services, and community strengthening, Altra Foundation invites organizations in eligible Wisconsin counties to be nominated by Altra Federal Credit Union members.

Wisconsin governmental units, school districts, tribes, conservation organizations, and individuals can receive funding for hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation projects in Wisconsin, covering staff, services, supplies, and equipment. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources support may benefit mentoring-style programs that help new or inexperienced hunters learn skills, access land, and build ongoing hunting communities.

Wisconsin STEM and robotics teams affiliated with schools, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, or registered charities can access funding through John Deere Foundation to participate in the FIRST LEGO League Challenge. Grants prioritize teams near John Deere Inspire communities, with underserved, underrepresented, or rural youth, and can strengthen hands-on mentoring and coaching for students in STEM fields.

The Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grant supports organizations in the Metro Atlanta area, focusing on education, entrepreneurship, community enrichment, and environmental sustainability. Established in 1958, the foundation prioritizes investments that align with its mission and values, promoting long-term well-being within communities where Georgia-Pacific operates. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public schools, and local government entities located within 30 miles of GP manufacturing sites.

Wisconsin nonprofits providing basic needs, youth enrichment, mentoring, or workforce readiness for at-risk youth can access funding through TJX Foundation if they are 501(c)(3)s located within 15 miles of a TJX site. Programs supporting vulnerable families, children facing health challenges, or survivors of domestic violence may be eligible to submit a letter of inquiry.