Search Through Milwaukee Grants for Nonprofits in Wisconsin

Background

EIn 1955, Ted re-established what was then known as the Glenellen Foundation, renaming it the A. O. Smith Foundation. The Foundation's mission was to support qualifying charitable, educational, human services, scientific, literary, cultural, arts, and civic organizations located primarily in communities where A. O. Smith Corporation has facilities.

Throughout his life, Ted engaged in numerous civic and community activities in Milwaukee. He and his wife Lucy established a convalescent home for children suffering from tuberculosis. Ted also gave a lot of his time to the Medical College of Wisconsin, heading “Project Merit” to raise $17 million to construct a medical education and research complex.

Our Mission

The A. O. Smith Foundation is committed to making our communities a better place to live and work. We achieve this by partnering with and supporting education, arts and culture, health, and human services in the communities in which we operate. At the same time, the Foundation encourages A. O. Smith employees around the world to live the Company’s values through volunteerism and community involvement.

Global Impact Cash Grants

Identifying and incubating innovative early-stage solutions. We identify, incubate, and develop innovative early-stage solutions with the highest potential for impact. Global Impact Cash Grants go to nonprofit organizations (NPOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that address a significant social problem. We're looking for programs that fit within our investment sectors, focus on the underserved, and use technology to improve the reach and efficiency of services.

We accept applications year-round from eligible organizations. A brief Letter of Inquiry (LOI) is used to determine whether your organization will be invited to complete a full application. Please expand and carefully review each of the three sections below to learn more

Our priority social impact sectors

We focus on investing in innovative, tech-enabled solutions to the challenges and opportunities that matter most to communities in need, prioritizing four social impact sectors:

Cisco Crisis Response

Mobilizing to provide essentials to communities in need and those in crisis, including food, housing, secure connectivity, and disaster relief

By leveraging Cisco’s people, technology, financial resources, and strategic partnerships, we help strengthen community resilience and drive long-term recovery from crises.

Education

Supporting students, teachers, and schools by increasing engagement, building skills, promoting subject mastery, and expanding their capacity to thrive

Cisco is committed to inclusive access to digital skills training and supporting those who use technology to educate. Through programs like Cisco Networking Academy and social investments in education, we create new opportunities for individuals to thrive.

Economic Empowerment

Transforming communities through skill development, long-term career opportunities, entrepreneurship, and access to financial products and services

Strategic grants that unlock economic prosperity and growth for individuals and communities.

Climate Regeneration

Building an inclusive, regenerative, and resilient climate future through education, regenerative agriculture, conservation, protection, and clean energy solutions

Our efforts began in 2021, when the Cisco Foundation committed US$100 million over 10 years to fund nonprofit grants and impact investing in climate solutions. 

Investing in nonprofits that are advancing a new, transformative system of justice with the core values of racial equity, economic well-being, and fundamental fairness for all.

Grants Overview

Public Welfare Foundation awards grants to nonprofits that honor the Foundation’s core values of racial equity, economic well-being, and fundamental fairness for all. The Foundation looks for strategic points where its funds can make a significant difference and improve lives through policy and system reform that results in transformative change.

Our Work

Public Welfare Foundation aims to catalyze a transformative approach to justice that is community-led, restorative, and racially just.

• Adult Criminal Justice
• Youth Justice
• Legacy Initiatives
• Jurisdictions

Working in Communities, With Communities

Public Welfare Foundation believes that the best ideas bubble up from communities so we work to engage deeply in and with the communities we fund.

We work with communities to drive transformation from multiple angles including policy advocacy, organizing, leadership development, and demonstration projects. Public Welfare Foundation is committed to funding innovative solutions and investing in the leadership of those most proximate to the issues facing this nation.

Focusing our efforts on criminal justice and youth justice reforms allows us to achieve greater impact in the overhaul of the systems that were created to marginalize and contain our nation’s most vulnerable populations.

Grants Process

The Public Welfare Foundation has a two-step application process that includes both a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) and a full proposal. We invite full proposals after reviewing letters of inquiry. We only consider full proposals we have invited that fit within the program guidelines and available resources.

Current focus areas include:

• Organizations and projects with a focus on structural and systemic changes in the U.S. criminal justice system.
  • The Foundation does not typically fund direct service work (ex. individual support services, case management).
  • However, the Foundation will consider initiatives that aim to further a demonstration project to make the case for non-carceral alternatives and transformative approaches to justice reform.
• Organizations, projects, or special initiatives with a focus on reducing harm and violence using community-centered interventions.
• Reframing the narrative and fostering greater transparency and urgency around the U.S. criminal justice system through storytelling, journalism and other targeted efforts.

Grant Types: How We Fund the Work

General Support Grants

• General support grants are for day-to-day operating costs or to further the work of your organization. These grants are not earmarked for a particular program or project.

Program or Project Support Grants

• Program or project support grants support a specific program or activity of the organization. These are restricted grants and must be used for that program or project.

Special Opportunities Grants

• The Special Opportunities Program supports projects reflecting the Foundation’s mission and underlying values. These are one-time only grants that are especially timely and compelling. At times, this kind of grant serves as a laboratory for new ideas.

WaterStone Bank Foundation

WaterStone Bank established the WaterStone Bank Foundation with the Waukesha County Community Foundation in 2002 in order to ensure the bank’s ability to continually give back to the communities in which we serve.

Strengthening our bonds with our communities is consistent with our corporate mission to serve our communities by providing an unparalleled banking experience for our customers, excellent advancement opportunities for our employees and outstanding value for our shareholders. Charitable giving not only helps us achieve this mission, but also allows us to be a good corporate citizen and neighbor.

Core Giving Categories

Each year, the WaterStone Bank Foundation receives a large number of charitable donation requests from nonprofit organizations. In order to focus our charitable giving, the WaterStone Bank Foundation has identified four target areas for its grants:

Education

The Education category includes nonprofit organizations such as schools, school programs, educational foundations, scholarship programs, libraries and literacy programs and financial literacy initiatives.

Women and Children

This category includes nonprofit organizations that benefit women's initiatives and any initiatives that do not fall under the education category that benefit children under the age of 18.

Community Development

The Community Development category includes nonprofit organizations that serve the needs of the broad community through low-income housing programs, economic and business development organizations, civic celebrations and events, scouting groups, youth programs and zoological societies.

Veterans Initiatives

The Veterans Initiatives category includes nonprofit organizations in the Greater Milwaukee area that provide services to those who are military veterans.

The Impact Fund awards recoverable grants to legal services nonprofits, private attorneys, and small law firms who seek to confront economic, environmental, racial, and social injustice. Since our founding in 1992, the Impact Fund has made more than 800 recoverable grants totaling more than $10 million for impact litigation. We award grants four times per year, most within the range of US$10,000 to US$50,000.

Social Justice

The Impact Fund provides grants and legal support to assist in human and civil rights cases. We have helped to change dozens of laws and win cases to improve the rights of thousands. The cases we are funding allege that:

• In Texas and North Carolina, incarcerated people with mental health disabilities are forced to remain in jail despite being found not guilty and unable to proceed with a criminal trial.
• In Orange County, California there are currently 13 gang injunctions under effect, which disproportionately affect young men of color.
• In Chicago, Illinois, the city’s homeless shelter program is inaccessible to people with disabilities.
• In Springfield, Oregon, the city and its police department used excessive force against Black Lives Matter protesters.
• In West Virginia, the state fails to protect children in foster care from abuse and neglect. 
• In Montana, voter suppression laws disadvantage young adults and give priority to gun owners.
• In Gary, Indiana, a gun manufacturer negligently marketed and distributed its guns, leading to an epidemic of gun violence in the city. 
• In Vancouver, British Columbia, the police perpetuate systemic discrimination against Indigenous people through bureaucratic measures.

Environmental Justice

The Impact Fund provides grants to support local litigation for environmental justice. These grants are for cases aiming to help people or communities who are affected by environmental harm or who lack access to basic environmental needs, such as clean water, clean air, adequate waste treatment, and green spaces. The cases we are funding allege that:

• In Centreville, Illinois, the city’s failure to maintain its sewer system has caused raw sewage to flood peoples’ homes, endangering the property and health of a predominantly Black community.
• In Fresno County, California, the California Department of Transportation approved a highway expansion project that would increase air pollution and traffic in one of the state’s most environmentally burdened communities.
• In downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the proposed expansion of a highway would divide the region's Black, Asian, and Latine neighborhoods and cause pollution and ill health.
• In North Dakota, the five-month closure of a highway in response to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests disproportionately affected the livelihoods and health of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe members.
• In Ontario, Canada, mercury contamination of the English-Wabigoon river system causes catastrophic environmental and health impacts for the Grassy Narrows First Nation.
• In Sacramento, California, the county government and Sacramento Area Sewer District violated the Clean Water Act by discharging raw sewage into nearby rivers.
• In the Eastern Coachella Valley in California, 1,900 residents of the Oasis Mobile Home Park suffer from arsenic-laced drinking water, wastewater contamination, and overcharging for utilities.

Economic Justice

The Impact Fund provides financial and other forms of support to cases fighting for economic justice. From workers' rights to consumer protection for vulnerable populations, impact litigation is a powerful tool to hold corporationss and the government accountable. The cases we are funding allege that:

• In Brooklyn, New York, a prominent mortgage lender engaged in predatory practices, leaving homeowners of color at risk of losing their homes. 
• In Washington, live-in caregivers are unconstitutionally excluded from the state’s wage-and-hour protections.
• In Ravalli County, Montana, the county has created a “modern-day debtors’ prison” by incarcerating people unable to afford pre-trial fees. 
• In San Diego, California, vehicle ordinances target unhoused vehicle owners even when no adequate housing alternative exists.
• In New York, a federal immigration detention facility is violating minimum wage and forced labor laws by forcing detainees to work for just a dollar a day. 
• In Minneapolis, Minnesota, the city and county destroy the property of unhoused individuals and conduct forced evictions from public spaces. 
• In Miami, Florida, insurance companies discriminate against a nonprofit community development corporation renting to tenants with Section 8 rental subsidies.

Since 1994, the Nonprofit Management Fund has operated as a collaboration of private funders in the metropolitan Milwaukee area. Collectively, the funders have contributed over $9.9 million for grants to nonprofit organizations and to implement related initiatives.

• Our MissionWe accelerate the effectiveness of nonprofits to build strong and vibrant communities.

• We Believe: The Nonprofit Management Fund believes that strong nonprofits build strong communities.

• What We Do: We provide capacity building technical assistance grants to nonprofit organizations for governance planning, training, and assessing. 

Grants awarded are project specific, nonrenewable, and range from $1,000 – $10,000. Applications that include a request greater than $10,000 may automatically be denied. Grant requests over $8,500 will require an organizational financial contribution, in addition to the funds provided by the Nonprofit Management Fund.

We Do Fund:

Governance – Building the Board’s capacity to lead and govern through proven modes, practices and policies, including, but not limited to:

• Recruitment and Orientation of Directors
• Board Leadership (duties, responsibilities, accountability)
• Committee Structure (activation, training, responsibilities)
• Financial Management Oversight Training
• Fund Development Planning and Income Planning
• Fund Development Board/Executive Training and Coaching
• Succession Planning (executive and board)

Management – Building the organization’s capacity through policies and practices to fulfill its mission, vision and goals, including, but not limited to:

• Organization Assessments
• Executive Leadership Development Training or Coaching
• Financial Management/Budgeting
• Technology Planning
• Strategic Planning/Annual Planning
• Marketing and Branding Planning
• Website Upgrade/Overhaul

Professional Facilitation – Support in organization planning for:

• Collaborative Projects
• Joint Ventures
• Restructuring/Merger/Dissolution

Organizational Alternative 

Professional facilitation of organization’s planning for:

• Merger
• Restructuring
• Joint Venture Project
• Partnership/Collaboration
• Dissolution

About the DNR

In keeping with our mission, the DNR is dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. In partnership with individuals and organizations, DNR staff manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.

State Park and Forest Heritage Trust Fund

The Wisconsin Legislature created the State Park and Forest Heritage Trust Fund to provide grants to Friends Groups for the maintenance and operations of state parks, southern state forests, state trails or state recreation areas. A Friends Group must have established an endowment fund for the benefit of the property. Only interest generated by the endowment fund can be used as the applicant’s match.

The Arts

Through our dedicated arts program, we bring the arts closer to audiences who have traditionally been underserved in Milwaukee. We believe that low-cost, accessible arts programming helps build bridges and increase cross-cultural understanding. Just as importantly, we believe a healthy, diverse arts community is a major factor in the vitality of the larger community.

We also bring arts and creativity into our program areas when it fits with our strategies. For example, our Alzheimer’s & Healthy Aging and Youth Development programs creatively approach funding with an eye toward culturally inclusive artistic programming, which furthers intergenerational engagement.

Our partners are committed to making all forms of art accessible to people of all ages; encouraging cross-cultural connections; and ensuring that people of all backgrounds and experiences have opportunities to develop their artistic talents. Our current Arts strategies include:

• Building Resilient Communities;
• Inclusion & Accessibility;
• Milwaukee Arts Vibrancy; and
• Professional Excellence in the Arts.

Here are some examples of the metrics we use to measure success in The Arts:

• Enhanced social awareness and relationship building skills;
• Accommodations and/or enhanced accessibility; and
• Attendees at events.

Background

The Mission of Bader Philanthropies is to help people and honor the legacy of our founders. We strive to accomplish this with grants and program related investments and by convening partners, engaging with community and developing leaders.

The Foundation shares the values of Dignity, Compassion, Humility, Integrity and Service. We strive to practice Cultural Intentionality ,Embedded Philanthropy, Continuous Improvement, and Good Governance.

Bader Philanthropies supports the State of Israel and its right to exist. We oppose hate, racism, antisemitism and discrimination in any form and towards any population.

The Foundation through its grantmaking supports organizations of all sizes and budgets and at various stages in their transformation who are committed to serving the needs of our communities. The Foundation is equally committed to convening – offering a state-of-the-art facility and environment that brings people from all walks of life to share diverse perspectives on issues of social concern often sparking solutions that lead to meaningful change.

Youth Development

Childhood experiences can have a tremendous, lifelong impact on one’s health and quality of life. To reach their full potential, youth need safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. Bader Philanthropies supports organizations that serve as catalysts for change and healing in the lives of youth by addressing their most basic needs.

Our partners are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of young people; offering out-of-school and summer opportunities to stretch the physical and creative limits of our city’s youth; and preparing students to succeed as they make the transition into adulthood. Our current Youth Development strategies include:

• Wellness;
• Extended Learning Opportunities;
• Character and Professional Development.

Our Mission

Impact100 Greater Milwaukee is an organization of women who collectively award transformative grants that make a lasting impact on the community.

Grants

Impact100 Greater Milwaukee challenges your established nonprofit organization to think creatively about the needs of your community. Dream big, know your plan and how you’ll measure the outcomes, and you could earn a grant to make a transformative, impactful and sustained change in the greater Milwaukee area.

Focus Areas

All programs or projects must fall within one of the following Focus Areas:

• Arts & Culture
  • Projects or programs that cultivate, develop, educate or enhance the artistic and/or cultural climate in the Greater Milwaukee area.
• Education
  • Projects or programs that improve or advance educational opportunities for children and/or adults in the Greater Milwaukee area.
• Environment & Revitalization
  • Projects or programs in the Greater Milwaukee area that:
    • preserve, enhance, revitalize or restore facilities, spaces or surroundings;
    • promote the protection and welfare of animals; or
    • encourage conservation.
• Health & Wellness
  • Projects or programs that positively impact the mental or physical health of people living in the Greater Milwaukee area.
• Family
  • Projects or programs that strengthen or enhance the lives of children, adults and families living in the Greater Milwaukee area.

Youth Foundation

The Youth Foundation promotes the welfare and betterment of children and young people up to 25 years of age in a variety of ways contributing to their physical and intellectual development and formation of character.

History

The Youth Foundation is managed by the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS® and has a history that is deeply immersed in the real estate industry here in the Metro Milwaukee area. The Youth Foundation roots begin in 1951 when REALTOR® and local builder Arthur Richards developed the Wisconsin and Maryland Hotels, the Marshall Hall Apartments, and the Empire Building. As his success grew in the construction and development business, so did passion for youth and the challenges that they face. Arthur’s commitment to youth became a continual benefit when upon his death he willed a portion of his assets to be given to the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS®. Arthur’s instructions for his gift was that it be used only to help children and young adults through age twenty-five in the areas of Education, Social Services, and the Arts.

Grant Guidelines

Thank you for the work you do and for your interest in the Youth Foundation. The Youth Foundation Mission is to assist and promote the welfare and betterment of children and young people up to 25 years of age that contribute to their physical and intellectual development and formation of character. All grants made by the Foundation must meet these criteria.

The Youth Foundation welcomes applications from the Metro Milwaukee Area that can demonstrate how they are making a significant contribution towards the area’s youth. 

Commitment to Philanthropy

Since 1952, the company has regularly contributed to the Johnson Controls Foundation to ensure robust philanthropic support for the community. In the last ten years, Johnson Controls Foundation has provided more than $77 million to support U.S. charitable organizations.

Johnson Controls Foundation Grant

The Johnson Controls Foundation operates in the United States and supports smart, healthy and sustainable tomorrows through its philanthropic giving. The Foundation is a separate entity than Johnson Controls and has its own board of directors.

Each year, the Johnson Controls Foundation provides approximately $7 million to support nonprofit organizations. The Foundation is a separate entity than Johnson Controls and has its own board of directors.

Might my organization be eligible for a Johnson Controls Foundation Grant?

The Foundation accepts grant requests from organizations whose mission and programming align with Johnson Controls Foundation’s giving priorities. Nonprofit organizations which do not have a history of Johnson Controls Foundation support are encouraged to take a self-assessment to determine likelihood of being considered for a grant.

Wisconsin Art Board

Mission Statement

The Wisconsin Arts Board is the state agency which nurtures creativity, cultivates expression, promotes the arts, supports the arts in education, stimulates community and economic development and serves as a resource for people of every culture and heritage. 

Values

The Wisconsin Arts Board values:

• ​imagination
• creativity
• curiosity
• freedom of expression
• respect and appreciation for all cultures and people
• artistic quality
• a broad definition of the arts
• audience and patron development
• community engagement

Woodland Indian Arts Initiative

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Woodland Indian Arts Initiative (WIAI) is designed to promote and develop a foundation of cultural and economic support for traditional and contemporary Native American arts in Wisconsin. As part of this work, the Arts Board annually distributes funds from Gaming Compact monies to support artistic activities among Wisconsin's tribes, bands and urban Indian communities, including:

• Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
• Brothertown Indian Nation
• Forest County Potawatomi Community
• Ho-Chunk Nation
• Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
• Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
• Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
• Oneida Nation of Wisconsin
• Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
• Sokaogon Chippewa Community
• St. Croix Chippewa Community
• Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians
• Urban Indian populations in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, La Crosse and other urban centers

Types of Activities Funded​​​

Funding priority goes to activities that work to build a long-term structure of support for Native arts in Wisconsin. These include but are not limited to:

• Professional arts administration positions in support of Native arts,
• Documentation of arts activities and cultural knowledge in Wisconsin’s Native communities,
• Technical assistance and professional development to Native artists and arts organizations,
• Presentation and promotion of Wisconsin’s Native artists through festivals, markets, exhibitions, various media and other forms of presentation, and
• Planning grants in preparation for any of the above.
• New, expanded or existing projects are eligible. 

Traditional and contemporary art forms are welcome.

For additional information on the grant program and reports on needs articulated by Wisconsin Native artists, can be found on this page.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications to the WIAI grant program will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• The degree to which the proposed activity will serve a need or interest in one or more of the identified Native American communities in Wisconsin.
• Quality of the proposed art form,
• The feasibility of the proposed activity,
• The feasibility of the proposed budget,
• And the degree to which the proposed activity will develop a foundation of cultural and economic support for Native arts in Wisconsin.

Cycle 1

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s discretionary grantmaking supports projects and programs that align with priorities that support our strategic vision of creating a Milwaukee for all. 

Funding Priorities

• Arts and Culture – Visual, performing, and multidisciplinary arts, and arts education
• Basic Needs – Food access and distribution and temporary shelter support
• Housing – Quality affordable housing, pathways to homeownership, and eviction prevention
• Physical Health – Access to affordable, culturally responsive integrative care that fulfills unmet health needs.

Weiss Family Foundation

The Weiss Family Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that help Milwaukee children and families impacted by poverty overcome obstacles and meet their greatest potential.

Reasons for Hope MKE Fund

The Reasons for Hope MKE grant offers a prompt response grant opportunity to support community-based actions and activities that encourage social connections, promote peace, and build community cohesion. 

Amid the Sherman Park Uprising that followed the murder of Sylville Smith in 2016, the Foundation created the Reasons for Hope MKE Fund. In 2022, the Foundation made a significant investment in community-led violence prevention efforts out of the MKE Respond Fund, which began to meet emergent needs evolving due to the Covid-19 pandemic. These two funds were created to support the many people and organizations who are seeking to act in their neighborhoods now, on the ground serving alongside their community. For 2023, the integration of Reasons for Hope and violence prevention efforts under MKE Responds allows the Foundation to offer an available grant pool of approximately $340,000.

This grant program intends to provide highly-targeted, immediate support to smaller, under-resourced community efforts, over a short term. Our intention is to avoid advancing a “quick-fix” to the broad and complex problems afflicting our neighborhoods, instead prioritizing community power and representation, while leveraging a community advisory council to advance proposals that build equity into our way of being.

How it will work?

Funding

Grants from the Fund will range from $1,000 to $10,000.

Grant recommendations of submitted proposals are evaluated with framework built upon the 414Life Milwaukee Blueprint for Peace. Successful proposals will demonstrate an effective community-based strategy to advance progress toward one of these goals: 

• Promote healing and restorative justice
• Support children, youth, and families
• Advance economic opportunity
• Foster safe and strong neighborhoods
• Strengthen capacity and coordination of violence prevention efforts

History

It was the wish of Richard and Ethel Herzfeld that, upon their deaths, their assets would be added to their Foundation dedicated to Wisconsin but with emphasis on the greater Milwaukee area. Since Ethel's death in 1997, the Foundation translated that wish into an investment of many millions of dollars in the community with more to come in the future.

Richard and Ethel lived in Milwaukee and on Pine Lake for most of their lives. Richard’s father was the founder of a company that bought and managed the Boston Store from 1906 to 1948. There, after serving in World War I and graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Richard worked his way up from stock boy in 1920 to president in 1940. Boston Store was sold to Federated Department Stores, Inc. in 1948. Ethel Ann Davis Herzfeld was born in Chicago and attended Milwaukee-Downer College. She received her B.A. degree from Wellesley College in 1920. Her mother, Emma J. Davis, resided on Marietta Avenue in Milwaukee.

Richard and Ethel were active in the Milwaukee community and contributed significant time and resources to enriching cultural life in the city. Sparked by a spirit of innovation and recognizing the need to adapt to an ever-changing world, both took a lively interest in all aspects of the greater Milwaukee area and ways to enhance the quality of life of its institutions and citizens.

What We Support

• Arts & Culture
• Education
• Civic Improvement (On a limited basis and by invitation only)

Arts Awareness Grant

Grants are intended to promote awareness of the visual and performing arts in metro Milwaukee – including the value of such arts, the challenges facing artists and arts organizations, and potential solutions to those challenges – through newspaper, news website, radio, or television reporting. They will be awarded to organizations that propose strategies to expand their existing coverage of the arts or initiate new or different forms of coverage. Such coverage can be achieved through reviews or previews of performing or visual arts offerings; journalistic reporting on issues facing artists and the arts communities in metro Milwaukee; or ideally both.

Funding

Maximum grant is $100,000. One- and two-year grant proposals will be considered.

History

It was the wish of Richard and Ethel Herzfeld that, upon their deaths, their assets would be added to their Foundation dedicated to Wisconsin but with emphasis on the greater Milwaukee area. Since Ethel's death in 1997, the Foundation translated that wish into an investment of many millions of dollars in the community with more to come in the future.

Richard and Ethel lived in Milwaukee and on Pine Lake for most of their lives. Richard’s father was the founder of a company that bought and managed the Boston Store from 1906 to 1948. There, after serving in World War I and graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Richard worked his way up from stock boy in 1920 to president in 1940. Boston Store was sold to Federated Department Stores, Inc. in 1948. Ethel Ann Davis Herzfeld was born in Chicago and attended Milwaukee-Downer College. She received her B.A. degree from Wellesley College in 1920. Her mother, Emma J. Davis, resided on Marietta Avenue in Milwaukee.

Richard and Ethel were active in the Milwaukee community and contributed significant time and resources to enriching cultural life in the city. Sparked by a spirit of innovation and recognizing the need to adapt to an ever-changing world, both took a lively interest in all aspects of the greater Milwaukee area and ways to enhance the quality of life of its institutions and citizens.

What We Support

• Arts & Culture
• Education
• Civic Improvement (On a limited basis and by invitation only)

Small Arts Organization Project Grant

Grants are intended to help strengthen the capacity and build the sustainability of small- and medium-sized arts and cultural organizations; and support programs or projects that create opportunities for individuals to have meaningful arts-related experiences, particularly in underserved communities. While we will consider grants to support general operations, priority will be given to applications that propose use of grant monies in ways that enhance capacity-building and long-term organizational fiscal stability for the applicant(s) and that demonstrate innovation in audience-building, revenue enhancement, or financial/organizational management. For applications to support specific programs or projects, priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate or promote collaboration among two or more arts or community-based organizations and expand public access to and awareness of the arts.

Funding

Maximum grant is $25,000, minimum grant is $5,000

GMF: Cycle 2 - Capital Support

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s discretionary grantmaking supports projects and programs that align with priorities that support our strategic vision of creating a Milwaukee for all. 

Funding Priorities

• Early Childhood Education – 
• This funding priority does not fund Capital expenses.

• Mental Health – 
  • Background -  
    • The greater Milwaukee region faces significant racial health disparities that lead to differences in disease outcomes, life expectancy, and overall quality of life. These disparities are driven by systemic racism. Our communities are rich with cultural resilience, strong social networks, and innovative grassroots organizations working to address our health disparities. Community-led initiatives are improving outcomes by leveraging these strengths and showcasing greater Milwaukee’s ability to harness its collective resources and wisdom to foster equitable health outcomes for all residents.
  • Grantmaking focus -
    • Increase transformative, community-led investments that support access to appropriate mental health services and improve mental health outcomes.
      • General operating, capital/facilities, and project/program grants are available.
    • Examples of potential applications include but are not limited to those seeking funds for one or more of the following:
      •  Providing community-based, culturally reverent mental health support and services
      • Advancing an integrative evidence-based approaches to well-being  
      • Focusing on restorative justice and trauma-responsive healing initiatives
      • Building solidarity and collaboration among service providers and the community
      • Creating and sharing stories of communities overcoming systemic barriers
      • Engaging patients and/or program participants to leverage their insights and capacity for improving mental health
      • Integrating those with lived experiences into the organization’s leadership
      • Engaging in advocacy and organizing efforts, including anti-racist organizational development
      • Addressing mental health impacts of racial inequity 
• Workforce Development – 
  • Background -
    • Our communities are brimming with talent and assets, but in too many places, disinvestments have limited individuals’ economic opportunity and quality of life. People’s ability to improve their economic status contributes to a thriving community. Helping people to improve their economic standing over time, regardless of their background, creates a more equitable society. Improving economic mobility helps improve a person’s quality of life. 
  • Grantmaking focus -
    • Increase economic mobility through job creation, access, and retention.
      • General operating, capital/facilities, and project/program grants are available.
    • Examples of potential applications include but are not limited to those seeking funds for one or more of the following:
      • Developing and implementing creative job creation strategies
      • Delivering training programs that help people enter jobs that pay a living wage
      • Creating workforce programs and projects that support people and employers 

Funding

Requests for up to $50,000 per year for up to three years will be considered. Organizations are encouraged to apply for the funds and length of award necessary.  

GMF: Cycle 2 - General Operating Support

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s discretionary grantmaking supports projects and programs that align with priorities that support our strategic vision of creating a Milwaukee for all. 

Funding Priorities

• Early Childhood Education – 
• Background -  
• High quality early childhood care and education is key to giving every child the start in life they need and deserve. It has been shown to have a significant impact on a child’s long-term academic, social and developmental success, and enables parents to participate in the workforce. Furthermore, research supports that physical learning environments matter. Facilities and the child-centered spaces within them can enhance children’s development by inspiring a range of social and cognitive learning experiences, as well as encouraging the development of gross motor skills. Indoor and outdoor spaces can increase students in a variety of hands-on learning experiences, collaboration, exploration and play.
• Grantmaking focus - 
  • Increase access to quality, affordable early childhood care and education for every child in need.
    • Project/program and general operating funds are available for early childhood care and education professional development, recruitment and retention.
  • Examples of potential applications include but are not limited to those seeking funds for the following:
    • Designing and delivering professional development opportunities for early childhood education providers
    • Facilitating an early childhood education career exploration event and establishing a social media presence aimed at recruiting individuals who are passionate about working with young children, eager to contribute to high-quality early learning environments, and committed to advancing the field of early childhood education
    • Collaborating with early childhood educators and other nonprofits to promote the development and/or retention of early childhood educators 

• Mental Health – 
  • Background -  
    • The greater Milwaukee region faces significant racial health disparities that lead to differences in disease outcomes, life expectancy, and overall quality of life. These disparities are driven by systemic racism. Our communities are rich with cultural resilience, strong social networks, and innovative grassroots organizations working to address our health disparities. Community-led initiatives are improving outcomes by leveraging these strengths and showcasing greater Milwaukee’s ability to harness its collective resources and wisdom to foster equitable health outcomes for all residents.
  • Grantmaking focus -
    • Increase transformative, community-led investments that support access to appropriate mental health services and improve mental health outcomes.
      • General operating, capital/facilities, and project/program grants are available.
    • Examples of potential applications include but are not limited to those seeking funds for one or more of the following:
      •  Providing community-based, culturally reverent mental health support and services
      • Advancing an integrative evidence-based approaches to well-being  
      • Focusing on restorative justice and trauma-responsive healing initiatives
      • Building solidarity and collaboration among service providers and the community
      • Creating and sharing stories of communities overcoming systemic barriers
      • Engaging patients and/or program participants to leverage their insights and capacity for improving mental health
      • Integrating those with lived experiences into the organization’s leadership
      • Engaging in advocacy and organizing efforts, including anti-racist organizational development
      • Addressing mental health impacts of racial inequity 
• Workforce Development – 
  • Background -
    • Our communities are brimming with talent and assets, but in too many places, disinvestments have limited individuals’ economic opportunity and quality of life. People’s ability to improve their economic status contributes to a thriving community. Helping people to improve their economic standing over time, regardless of their background, creates a more equitable society. Improving economic mobility helps improve a person’s quality of life. 
  • Grantmaking focus -
    • Increase economic mobility through job creation, access, and retention.
      • General operating, capital/facilities, and project/program grants are available.
    • Examples of potential applications include but are not limited to those seeking funds for one or more of the following:
      • Developing and implementing creative job creation strategies
      • Delivering training programs that help people enter jobs that pay a living wage
      • Creating workforce programs and projects that support people and employers 

Funding

Requests for up to $50,000 per year for up to three years will be considered. Organizations are encouraged to apply for the funds and length of award necessary.  

GMF: Cycle 2 - Project Support

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s discretionary grantmaking supports projects and programs that align with priorities that support our strategic vision of creating a Milwaukee for all. 

Funding Priorities

• Early Childhood Education – 
• Background -  
• High quality early childhood care and education is key to giving every child the start in life they need and deserve. It has been shown to have a significant impact on a child’s long-term academic, social and developmental success, and enables parents to participate in the workforce. Furthermore, research supports that physical learning environments matter. Facilities and the child-centered spaces within them can enhance children’s development by inspiring a range of social and cognitive learning experiences, as well as encouraging the development of gross motor skills. Indoor and outdoor spaces can increase students in a variety of hands-on learning experiences, collaboration, exploration and play.
• Grantmaking focus - 
  • Increase access to quality, affordable early childhood care and education for every child in need.
    • Project/program and general operating funds are available for early childhood care and education professional development, recruitment and retention.
  • Examples of potential applications include but are not limited to those seeking funds for the following:
    • Designing and delivering professional development opportunities for early childhood education providers
    • Facilitating an early childhood education career exploration event and establishing a social media presence aimed at recruiting individuals who are passionate about working with young children, eager to contribute to high-quality early learning environments, and committed to advancing the field of early childhood education
    • Collaborating with early childhood educators and other nonprofits to promote the development and/or retention of early childhood educators 

• Mental Health – 
  • Background -  
    • The greater Milwaukee region faces significant racial health disparities that lead to differences in disease outcomes, life expectancy, and overall quality of life. These disparities are driven by systemic racism. Our communities are rich with cultural resilience, strong social networks, and innovative grassroots organizations working to address our health disparities. Community-led initiatives are improving outcomes by leveraging these strengths and showcasing greater Milwaukee’s ability to harness its collective resources and wisdom to foster equitable health outcomes for all residents.
  • Grantmaking focus -
    • Increase transformative, community-led investments that support access to appropriate mental health services and improve mental health outcomes.
      • General operating, capital/facilities, and project/program grants are available.
    • Examples of potential applications include but are not limited to those seeking funds for one or more of the following:
      •  Providing community-based, culturally reverent mental health support and services
      • Advancing an integrative evidence-based approaches to well-being  
      • Focusing on restorative justice and trauma-responsive healing initiatives
      • Building solidarity and collaboration among service providers and the community
      • Creating and sharing stories of communities overcoming systemic barriers
      • Engaging patients and/or program participants to leverage their insights and capacity for improving mental health
      • Integrating those with lived experiences into the organization’s leadership
      • Engaging in advocacy and organizing efforts, including anti-racist organizational development
      • Addressing mental health impacts of racial inequity 
• Workforce Development – 
  • Background -
    • Our communities are brimming with talent and assets, but in too many places, disinvestments have limited individuals’ economic opportunity and quality of life. People’s ability to improve their economic status contributes to a thriving community. Helping people to improve their economic standing over time, regardless of their background, creates a more equitable society. Improving economic mobility helps improve a person’s quality of life. 
  • Grantmaking focus -
    • Increase economic mobility through job creation, access, and retention.
      • General operating, capital/facilities, and project/program grants are available.
    • Examples of potential applications include but are not limited to those seeking funds for one or more of the following:
      • Developing and implementing creative job creation strategies
      • Delivering training programs that help people enter jobs that pay a living wage
      • Creating workforce programs and projects that support people and employers 

Funding

Requests for up to $50,000 per year for up to three years will be considered. Organizations are encouraged to apply for the funds and length of award necessary.  

History

It was the wish of Richard and Ethel Herzfeld that, upon their deaths, their assets would be added to their Foundation dedicated to Wisconsin but with emphasis on the greater Milwaukee area. Since Ethel's death in 1997, the Foundation translated that wish into an investment of many millions of dollars in the community with more to come in the future.

Richard and Ethel lived in Milwaukee and on Pine Lake for most of their lives. Richard’s father was the founder of a company that bought and managed the Boston Store from 1906 to 1948. There, after serving in World War I and graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Richard worked his way up from stock boy in 1920 to president in 1940. Boston Store was sold to Federated Department Stores, Inc. in 1948. Ethel Ann Davis Herzfeld was born in Chicago and attended Milwaukee-Downer College. She received her B.A. degree from Wellesley College in 1920. Her mother, Emma J. Davis, resided on Marietta Avenue in Milwaukee.

Richard and Ethel were active in the Milwaukee community and contributed significant time and resources to enriching cultural life in the city. Sparked by a spirit of innovation and recognizing the need to adapt to an ever-changing world, both took a lively interest in all aspects of the greater Milwaukee area and ways to enhance the quality of life of its institutions and citizens.

What We Support

• Arts & Culture
• Education
• Civic Improvement (On a limited basis and by invitation only)

Early Childhood Education Grant

We are currently accepting grant applications from Milwaukee-based licensed nonprofit childcare providers for grants to support early childhood education initiatives.

Grants are intended to help ECE providers in Milwaukee invest in initiatives to improve the quality of their educational services and programming, expand their classroom capacity or hours of operation, improve educator retention and recruitment, build organizational capacity, or enhance financial stability and sustainability. We are particularly interested in proposals that allow ECE providers to implement or scale up new educational initiatives or business-related strategies. In addition, we encourage proposals that involve collaboration between two or more ECE providers or between an ECE provider or providers and one or more community-based organizations or educational nonprofits to offer new early learning opportunities or improve organizational efficiency and sustainability. Providers may apply for more than one grant if a second grant involves a collaboration with at least one additional entity.

Funding

Maximum grant is $60,000, minimum grant is $15,000.

About Wispact Foundation

The Wispact Inc. Foundation was established in 2021 in recognition of its dedication to provide a broader scope of service and create more opportunities for improving the lives of persons with disabilities across Wisconsin.

As an agency endowment fund established by Wispact Inc. and managed by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, the organization endeavors to make lasting community impacts through grants to organizations that serve persons with disabilities.

Grants

The Wispact Inc. Foundation provides charitable grants to non-profit organizations providing services to persons with disabilities.

Consideration will be given to, but not limited to, proposals addressing needs in the following areas:

• Housing:
  • programs designed to improve the day-to-day living conditions, for persons with disabilities, through the provision of safe living environments and enhancing the accessibility to such environment
• Assistive Devices:
  • devices designed, made, or adapted to assist a person to perform a particular task; examples include: canes, crutches, walkers, wheel chairs, and shower chairs are all assistive devices
• Education/Recreation:
  • inclusive educational programming including, but not limited to, workshops, summer camps, art classes; educational equipment such as computers, software, projection equipment, art supplies, etc. that promote fulfillment and edification for persons with disabilities
• Expansion of current services in place
• Transportation

Cycle 3

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s discretionary grantmaking supports projects and programs that align with priorities that support our strategic vision of creating a Milwaukee for all. 

Funding Priorities 

• Arts and Culture – The Greater Milwaukee Foundation supports targeted arts education and arts and culture strategies representing visual, performing and multidisciplinary art projects and programs.
  • Grantmaking focus:
    • Arts education programs in traditional or nontraditional educational environments for children/youth from birth to high school
    • Creation and exhibition of art that engages the community in creative and substantive ways
    • Artists-in-residence within community-based settings
    • Programming that cultivates and supports an appreciation of diverse cultures and art forms
    • Projects that integrate arts and creativity into community planning and development
• Aging and Older Adults – The health outcomes of older adults are impacted by the ongoing harm of racial disparities in our health care system. Access to appropriate health services and improving health outcomes are this portfolio's main priorities. Our grant investment strategy aims to shift power, representation and policy toward racial equity. 
  • Grantmaking focus:
    • Projects/organizations that help residents age in place in transforming or disadvantaged neighborhoods
    • Projects/organizations that develop intergenerational support/cohesion
    • Projects/organizations that build solidarity and collaboration among service providers and community in their sector/work
    • Projects/organizations that build narrative and actual power for oppressed communities
    • Projects/organizations engaged in advocacy efforts, including antiracist organizational development which transforms influence in their sector/work
    • Projects/organizations addressing health impacts of racial inequity, particularly interventions that are disproportionately underfunded
    • Projects/organizations that help residents age in place, especially within transforming neighborhoods facing multiple barriers.
    • Projects/organizations which develop intergenerational support/cohesion/beloved community
    • Underfunded health services
• Early Childhood Education – High quality early childhood care and education is the key to giving every child the start in life they need and deserve. It has been shown to have a significant impact on a child’s long-term academic, social, and developmental success, and enables parents to participate in the workforce. Furthermore, research supports that physical learning environments matter. Facilities and the child-centered spaces within them can enhance children’s development by inspiring a range of social and cognitive learning experiences, as well as encouraging the development of gross motor skills. Indoor and outdoor spaces can increase students in a variety of hands-on learning experiences, collaboration, exploration, and play. For the well-being of our children and the future of our economy, we need to act now. That is why the Greater Milwaukee Foundation is prioritizing early childhood care and education.  
  • Grantmaking focus:
    • Facility upgrades
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development - Through these grants, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation provides access to resources and technical assistance that help small businesses get to the next level.
  • Grantmaking focus:
    • Small business growth and retention
    • Access to capital
    • Creative business solutions  
• Environment – 
  • Grantmaking focus:
    • Protection and conservation of environmental assets
    • Strengthening local and community-based food systems
    • Programming focused on youth engagement and conservation leadership development 
• Healthy Birth Outcomes – Healthy birth outcomes are impacted by the ongoing harm of racial disparities in our health care system. Access to appropriate health services and improving health outcomes are this portfolio's main priorities. Our grant investment strategy aims to shift power, representation and policy toward racial equity. 
  • Grantmaking focus:
    • Projects/organizations that address Black maternal/child health disparities.
    • Projects/organizations that decolonize maternal health care
    • Projects/organizations that build solidarity and collaboration among service providers and community in their sector/work
    • Projects/organizations that build narrative and actual power for oppressed communities
    • Projects/organizations engaged in advocacy efforts, including anti-racist organizational development which transforms influence in their sector/work
    • Projects/organizations addressing health impacts of racial inequity, particularly interventions that are disproportionately underfunded.
    • Projects/organizations that address Black maternal/child health disparities
    • Projects/organizations that provide culturally specific and integrative maternal and child health care  

Funding

• The typical grant range is $5,000 to $75,000. The maximum request for a capital grant is $100,000.
  • This grant range applies to these funding priorities:
    • Arts and Culture
    • Aging and Older Adults
    • Healthy Birth Outcomes
• The typical grant range is $5,000 to $50,000. The maximum request for a capital grant is $100,000.
  • This grant range applies to these funding priorities:
    • Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development
    • Environment
• The maximum request for a capital grant is $100,000. 
  • This grant range applies to this funding priority:
    • Early Childhood Education

GMF: Cycle 3 - Capital Support

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s discretionary grantmaking supports projects and programs that align with priorities that support our strategic vision of creating a Milwaukee for all. Learn more about our third grant cycle timeline, priorities, guidelines and the appropriate program officer to contact with any questions.

Priorities and Guidelines

Arts and Culture – The Greater Milwaukee Foundation supports targeted arts education and arts and culture strategies representing visual, performing and multidisciplinary art projects and programs.

Grantmaking focus:

• Arts education programs in traditional or nontraditional educational environments for children/youth from birth to high school
• Creation and exhibition of art that engages the community in creative and substantive ways
• Artists-in-residence within community-based settings
• Programming that cultivates and supports an appreciation of diverse cultures and art forms
• Projects that integrate arts and creativity into community planning and development

Aging and Older Adults – The health outcomes of older adults are impacted by the ongoing harm of racial disparities in our health care system. Access to appropriate health services and improving health outcomes are this portfolio's main priorities. Our grant investment strategy aims to shift power, representation and policy toward racial equity. 

Grantmaking focus:

• Projects/organizations that help residents age in place in transforming or disadvantaged neighborhoods
• Projects/organizations that develop intergenerational support/cohesion
• Projects/organizations that build solidarity and collaboration among service providers and community in their sector/work
• Projects/organizations that build narrative and actual power for oppressed communities
• Projects/organizations engaged in advocacy efforts, including antiracist organizational development which transforms influence in their sector/work
• Projects/organizations addressing health impacts of racial inequity, particularly interventions that are disproportionately underfunded
• Projects/organizations that help residents age in place, especially within transforming neighborhoods facing multiple barriers.
• Projects/organizations which develop intergenerational support/cohesion/beloved community
• Underfunded health services

Early Childhood Education – High quality early childhood care and education is the key to giving every child the start in life they need and deserve. It has been shown to have a significant impact on a child’s long-term academic, social, and developmental success, and enables parents to participate in the workforce. Furthermore, research supports that physical learning environments matter. Facilities and the child-centered spaces within them can enhance children’s development by inspiring a range of social and cognitive learning experiences, as well as encouraging the development of gross motor skills. Indoor and outdoor spaces can increase students in a variety of hands-on learning experiences, collaboration, exploration, and play. For the well-being of our children and the future of our economy, we need to act now. That is why the Greater Milwaukee Foundation is prioritizing early childhood care and education. 

Grantmaking focus:

• Facility upgrades
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development - Through these grants, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation provides access to resources and technical assistance that help small businesses get to the next level.
• Grantmaking focus:
• Small business growth and retention
• Access to capital
• Creative business solutions 

Environment – Everyone should have access to quality and healthy green spaces in their communities. Due to historical industrial sites, redlining, disinvestment, and other systematic inequities, black and brown communities often lack access to quality green spaces in their communities. Green spaces improve mental and physical health, community cohesion, and help clean the air and water. Milwaukeeans have a history of investing in, advocating for, and caring for green spaces in their communities. When we partner together, we can increase the quality and amount of green spaces in our communities.

Grantmaking focus:

• Protection and conservation of environmental assets
• Strengthening local and community-based food systems
• Programming focused on youth engagement and conservation leadership development 

Healthy Birth Outcomes – Healthy birth outcomes are impacted by the ongoing harm of racial disparities in our health care system. Access to appropriate health services and improving health outcomes are this portfolio's main priorities. Our grant investment strategy aims to shift power, representation and policy toward racial equity. 

Grantmaking focus:

• Projects/organizations that address Black maternal/child health disparities.
• Projects/organizations that decolonize maternal health care
• Projects/organizations that build solidarity and collaboration among service providers and community in their sector/work
• Projects/organizations that build narrative and actual power for oppressed communities
• Projects/organizations engaged in advocacy efforts, including anti-racist organizational development which transforms influence in their sector/work
• Projects/organizations addressing health impacts of racial inequity, particularly interventions that are disproportionately underfunded.
• Projects/organizations that address Black maternal/child health disparities
• Projects/organizations that provide culturally specific and integrative maternal and child health care.   

Grant amount

Requests for up to $50,000 per year for up to three years will be considered. Organizations are encouraged to apply for the funds and length of award necessary.

Grantmaking framework

Our grant investment framework aims: to ultimately support policies that benefit communities of color; to increase diverse representation (reflective of the racial and ethnic composition of communities served) in the decision-making bodies of institutions; and to change rules of engagement so that power is built, shared, and wielded equitably in order to produce just and sustainable outcomes. 

GMF: Cycle 3 - General Operating

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s discretionary grantmaking supports projects and programs that align with priorities that support our strategic vision of creating a Milwaukee for all. Learn more about our third grant cycle timeline, priorities, guidelines and the appropriate program officer to contact with any questions.

Priorities and Guidelines

Arts and Culture – The Greater Milwaukee Foundation supports targeted arts education and arts and culture strategies representing visual, performing and multidisciplinary art projects and programs.

Grantmaking focus:

• Arts education programs in traditional or nontraditional educational environments for children/youth from birth to high school
• Creation and exhibition of art that engages the community in creative and substantive ways
• Artists-in-residence within community-based settings
• Programming that cultivates and supports an appreciation of diverse cultures and art forms
• Projects that integrate arts and creativity into community planning and development

Aging and Older Adults – The health outcomes of older adults are impacted by the ongoing harm of racial disparities in our health care system. Access to appropriate health services and improving health outcomes are this portfolio's main priorities. Our grant investment strategy aims to shift power, representation and policy toward racial equity. 

Grantmaking focus:

• Projects/organizations that help residents age in place in transforming or disadvantaged neighborhoods
• Projects/organizations that develop intergenerational support/cohesion
• Projects/organizations that build solidarity and collaboration among service providers and community in their sector/work
• Projects/organizations that build narrative and actual power for oppressed communities
• Projects/organizations engaged in advocacy efforts, including antiracist organizational development which transforms influence in their sector/work
• Projects/organizations addressing health impacts of racial inequity, particularly interventions that are disproportionately underfunded
• Projects/organizations that help residents age in place, especially within transforming neighborhoods facing multiple barriers.
• Projects/organizations which develop intergenerational support/cohesion/beloved community
• Underfunded health services

Early Childhood Education – High quality early childhood care and education is the key to giving every child the start in life they need and deserve. It has been shown to have a significant impact on a child’s long-term academic, social, and developmental success, and enables parents to participate in the workforce. Furthermore, research supports that physical learning environments matter. Facilities and the child-centered spaces within them can enhance children’s development by inspiring a range of social and cognitive learning experiences, as well as encouraging the development of gross motor skills. Indoor and outdoor spaces can increase students in a variety of hands-on learning experiences, collaboration, exploration, and play. For the well-being of our children and the future of our economy, we need to act now. That is why the Greater Milwaukee Foundation is prioritizing early childhood care and education. 

Grantmaking focus:

• Facility upgrades
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development - Through these grants, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation provides access to resources and technical assistance that help small businesses get to the next level.
• Grantmaking focus:
• Small business growth and retention
• Access to capital
• Creative business solutions 

Environment – Everyone should have access to quality and healthy green spaces in their communities. Due to historical industrial sites, redlining, disinvestment, and other systematic inequities, black and brown communities often lack access to quality green spaces in their communities. Green spaces improve mental and physical health, community cohesion, and help clean the air and water. Milwaukeeans have a history of investing in, advocating for, and caring for green spaces in their communities. When we partner together, we can increase the quality and amount of green spaces in our communities.

Grantmaking focus:

• Protection and conservation of environmental assets
• Strengthening local and community-based food systems
• Programming focused on youth engagement and conservation leadership development 

Healthy Birth Outcomes – Healthy birth outcomes are impacted by the ongoing harm of racial disparities in our health care system. Access to appropriate health services and improving health outcomes are this portfolio's main priorities. Our grant investment strategy aims to shift power, representation and policy toward racial equity. 

Grantmaking focus:

• Projects/organizations that address Black maternal/child health disparities.
• Projects/organizations that decolonize maternal health care
• Projects/organizations that build solidarity and collaboration among service providers and community in their sector/work
• Projects/organizations that build narrative and actual power for oppressed communities
• Projects/organizations engaged in advocacy efforts, including anti-racist organizational development which transforms influence in their sector/work
• Projects/organizations addressing health impacts of racial inequity, particularly interventions that are disproportionately underfunded.
• Projects/organizations that address Black maternal/child health disparities
• Projects/organizations that provide culturally specific and integrative maternal and child health care.   

Grant amount

Requests for up to $50,000 per year for up to three years will be considered. Organizations are encouraged to apply for the funds and length of award necessary.

Grantmaking framework

Our grant investment framework aims: to ultimately support policies that benefit communities of color; to increase diverse representation (reflective of the racial and ethnic composition of communities served) in the decision-making bodies of institutions; and to change rules of engagement so that power is built, shared, and wielded equitably in order to produce just and sustainable outcomes. 

GMF: Cycle 3 - Project Support

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s discretionary grantmaking supports projects and programs that align with priorities that support our strategic vision of creating a Milwaukee for all. Learn more about our third grant cycle timeline, priorities, guidelines and the appropriate program officer to contact with any questions.

Priorities and Guidelines

Arts and Culture – The Greater Milwaukee Foundation supports targeted arts education and arts and culture strategies representing visual, performing and multidisciplinary art projects and programs.

Grantmaking focus:

• Arts education programs in traditional or nontraditional educational environments for children/youth from birth to high school
• Creation and exhibition of art that engages the community in creative and substantive ways
• Artists-in-residence within community-based settings
• Programming that cultivates and supports an appreciation of diverse cultures and art forms
• Projects that integrate arts and creativity into community planning and development

Aging and Older Adults – The health outcomes of older adults are impacted by the ongoing harm of racial disparities in our health care system. Access to appropriate health services and improving health outcomes are this portfolio's main priorities. Our grant investment strategy aims to shift power, representation and policy toward racial equity. 

Grantmaking focus:

• Projects/organizations that help residents age in place in transforming or disadvantaged neighborhoods
• Projects/organizations that develop intergenerational support/cohesion
• Projects/organizations that build solidarity and collaboration among service providers and community in their sector/work
• Projects/organizations that build narrative and actual power for oppressed communities
• Projects/organizations engaged in advocacy efforts, including antiracist organizational development which transforms influence in their sector/work
• Projects/organizations addressing health impacts of racial inequity, particularly interventions that are disproportionately underfunded
• Projects/organizations that help residents age in place, especially within transforming neighborhoods facing multiple barriers.
• Projects/organizations which develop intergenerational support/cohesion/beloved community
• Underfunded health services

Early Childhood Education – High quality early childhood care and education is the key to giving every child the start in life they need and deserve. It has been shown to have a significant impact on a child’s long-term academic, social, and developmental success, and enables parents to participate in the workforce. Furthermore, research supports that physical learning environments matter. Facilities and the child-centered spaces within them can enhance children’s development by inspiring a range of social and cognitive learning experiences, as well as encouraging the development of gross motor skills. Indoor and outdoor spaces can increase students in a variety of hands-on learning experiences, collaboration, exploration, and play. For the well-being of our children and the future of our economy, we need to act now. That is why the Greater Milwaukee Foundation is prioritizing early childhood care and education. 

Grantmaking focus:

• Facility upgrades
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development - Through these grants, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation provides access to resources and technical assistance that help small businesses get to the next level.
• Grantmaking focus:
• Small business growth and retention
• Access to capital
• Creative business solutions 

Environment – Everyone should have access to quality and healthy green spaces in their communities. Due to historical industrial sites, redlining, disinvestment, and other systematic inequities, black and brown communities often lack access to quality green spaces in their communities. Green spaces improve mental and physical health, community cohesion, and help clean the air and water. Milwaukeeans have a history of investing in, advocating for, and caring for green spaces in their communities. When we partner together, we can increase the quality and amount of green spaces in our communities.

Grantmaking focus:

• Protection and conservation of environmental assets
• Strengthening local and community-based food systems
• Programming focused on youth engagement and conservation leadership development 

Healthy Birth Outcomes – Healthy birth outcomes are impacted by the ongoing harm of racial disparities in our health care system. Access to appropriate health services and improving health outcomes are this portfolio's main priorities. Our grant investment strategy aims to shift power, representation and policy toward racial equity. 

Grantmaking focus:

• Projects/organizations that address Black maternal/child health disparities.
• Projects/organizations that decolonize maternal health care
• Projects/organizations that build solidarity and collaboration among service providers and community in their sector/work
• Projects/organizations that build narrative and actual power for oppressed communities
• Projects/organizations engaged in advocacy efforts, including anti-racist organizational development which transforms influence in their sector/work
• Projects/organizations addressing health impacts of racial inequity, particularly interventions that are disproportionately underfunded.
• Projects/organizations that address Black maternal/child health disparities
• Projects/organizations that provide culturally specific and integrative maternal and child health care.   

Grant amount

Requests for up to $50,000 per year for up to three years will be considered. Organizations are encouraged to apply for the funds and length of award necessary.

Grantmaking framework

Our grant investment framework aims: to ultimately support policies that benefit communities of color; to increase diverse representation (reflective of the racial and ethnic composition of communities served) in the decision-making bodies of institutions; and to change rules of engagement so that power is built, shared, and wielded equitably in order to produce just and sustainable outcomes.