Search Through Education Grants in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the U.S.

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.

About

Guided by our vision, purpose, mission, values, and policies, we inspire philanthropic generosity to enhance our community’s quality of life.

Scholarships

More than 200 students throughout north central Wisconsin, from pre-school to post-graduate, will be awarded scholarships totaling more than $300,000 from the 125 endowed scholarship funds administered within the Community Foundation.

Mary Ellen Kowalski Memorial Scholarship

Mary Ellen was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on October 29, 1943. She raised her family in Greendale, Wisconsin, and enjoyed her retirement years in The Villages, Florida, where she spent time traveling, golfing with friends, playing tennis, visiting Disney, and hosting her family. In 2024, Mary Ellen relocated to Weston, Wisconsin, to be closer to her loved ones.

She attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she was actively involved in Alpha Sigma Alpha and was recognized as Sorority Woman of the Year in 1965. Mary Ellen earned a bachelor’s degree in education and began her career teaching English in Milwaukee Public Schools. After several years devoted to raising her children, she transitioned to the banking industry, joining U.S. Bank as a Teller and later advancing to Trust Officer. Her career at U.S. Bank spanned more than twenty years, culminating in her retirement.

On August 13, 1966, Mary Ellen married John, the love of her life. Together they had three children and seven grandchildren, with whom Mary Ellen cherished spending her time. Her personal interests included reading, solving crossword and Sudoku puzzles, and enjoying country music.

Mary Ellen is fondly remembered for her kindness, warmth, strong work ethic, and belief in a quality education. In 2025, this scholarship was established by her husband to honor her legacy and uphold her commitment to lifelong learning for future generations.

Our Mission

The Tony Robbins Foundation is a nonprofit organization created to empower individuals and organizations to make a significant difference in the quality of life of people often forgotten.

We’re dedicated to creating positive changes in the lives of youth, seniors, the hungry, homeless and the imprisoned population, all who need a boost envisioning a happier and deeply satisfying way of life. Our passionate staff, generous donors and caring group of international volunteers provide the vision, inspiration, and resources needed to empower these important members of our society.

Grants

Dedicated to meeting challenges within the global community, creating solutions and taking action, The Tony Robbins Foundation provides monetary donations to various organizations around the world. Funding requests are evaluated on an ongoing basis. We look for organizations that align with our mission to empower individuals and organizations to make a significant difference in the quality of life of those often forgotten.

Making philanthropy easy—and effective

Since 2001, The Catholic Community Foundation has supported effective philanthropy in Southeastern Wisconsin through two primary roles:

• For donors: Establish permanent charitable funds to create long-lasting support for the causes individuals and families care about.For parishes, schools and other Catholic organizations: Provide cost-effective, socially responsible investment management to keep endowment assets growing.
• As a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, the Foundation is independent of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.  The Foundation focuses on four priority areas: education; leadership development; health care for the under-served in Milwaukee; and community-building to strengthen families, parishes and those suffering from poverty, discrimination, and violence.

The Catholic Community Foundation awards grants for limited-term projects and programs

Health care in Milwaukee

Awarding grants from a fund established by the St. Anthony Foundation for organizations providing health care services in Milwaukee, especially in central city areas formerly served by St. Anthony Hospital.

Division of Care and Treatment Services

The Division of Care and Treatment Services (DCTS) manages and supports seven care and treatment facilities for people living with psychiatric disorders and intellectual disabilities, community mental health and substance use services, community mental health and substance use treatment services for people in the criminal justice system, and the protection of client rights for people receiving services for intellectual disabilities, mental health, and substance use.

Prisoner Reintegration Program

The Division of Care and Treatment Services is seeking applications for funding to support individuals from Milwaukee County transitioning from prison or jail who face a range of behavioral, social, and economic challenges. Specifically, some of these challenges include but are not limited to substance use, mental health, physical health, social isolation, complex trauma, unemployment, and environmental factors.

The Prisoner Reintegration Program is under Wis. Stat. § 46.48(8). Under this authorization, DHS developed an application process to award funds to organizations to assist individuals reentering Milwaukee County.

Recipients of this funding will provide qualified staff, such as a case manager, certified peer specialist, or both, offering program participants individualized support and assistance with referral to community services. This could include but is not limited to housing, substance use/mental health counseling, employment assistance, transportation, educational, community engagement, health care, and family reunification. The reentry plan may consist of goals and objectives and challenges or barriers to achieve the goals and objectives.

Recipients of this funding must collaborate with prisons and jails to coordinate release dates and meet with program participants within 48 hours of release. The coordination of care with community partners from pre- to post-release increases the likelihood of achieving successful community adjustment, creating prosocial relationships, minimizing substance use, and reducing recidivism.

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. 

About The Foundation

“Consistent with the Potawatomi heritage, the mission of the Forest County Potawatomi Foundation is to fight poverty, promote economic opportunity, strengthen communities and provide an example of responsible citizenship by assisting charitable organizations and support the pursuit of education by offering scholarships".

The Potawatomi were once a large nation with much land, but after forced removal and the loss of millions of acres, scattered pockets of Potawatomi across regions of the United States and Canada resulted. Although diminished in number, our ancestors who remained in Wisconsin would eventually become known as the Forest County Potawatomi Community, Bodwe’wadmi, Keepers of the Fire. For many generations, we relied on the environment for sustenance. We recognized the importance of using what one needs and giving away what one can. Our tribe took only what the earth and land was able to replenish. Unfortunately, our people struggled with oppressive poverty that made for a very difficult life. But throughout our history, we have maintained our traditional ways, guided by tribal values that include reverence for the wisdom of our elders, embracing responsibilities for family and tribe, respect for the environment, and a willingness to share.

With the advent of Indian gaming, our tribe was able to establish and build two casinos — the first in Forest County, followed by one in Milwaukee. The revenue generated by gaming has had an impact on our way of life beyond our imagination. Our people now have good jobs, good homes, exceptional health care, and are closer to the realized vision of self-sufficiency. The resulting impact of these two businesses on the surrounding communities has been positive as well, through our family-supporting jobs and shared revenue payments that fund services for citizens. Through our casinos and tribal ventures, our tribe is the largest employer in Forest County, and among the top employers in Milwaukee.

When building the Milwaukee business, we realized early on that simply being located in the community wasn’t enough. We longed for a way to express our belief in giving back. We were committed to investing in, and providing, promising futures to individuals and families in the community. And so it was in 1999, that the Forest County Potawatomi Foundation was born with these guiding principles: to help fight poverty, promote economic opportunity, strengthen communities and provide an example of responsible citizenship by assisting charitable organizations. To date, the Foundation has proudly contributed over $30 million to charitable causes in both Forest County and in the Greater Milwaukee area.

But the story does not end here. Through the work of our Foundation, our tribe’s vision of building a better tomorrow for future generations continues … the fire still burns.

The Foundation is a result of the rich history and beliefs of the Potawatomi tribe. The cornerstone of those beliefs is the Circle of Life. Paralleling the seasons of nature, the Circle of Life is a demonstration of the Potawatomi reverence for all living things and nurtures the belief that they are a self-reliant and self-determined nation of people. Difficult times have sometimes made that self-reliance seem impossible to achieve. The Potawatomi people have witnessed both young and old struggle against the oppression of poverty. They have learned much in their past struggles, and the Circle of Life guides them to use the fruits of these lessons to help others overcome their obstacles.

Therefore, a major effort of the Foundation and its funds is to assist charitable organizations that help those people who are faced with economic challenges. As a result, the Foundation targets its resources to those areas with a high percentage of individuals with low and very low incomes.

Program Areas Considered:

• Arts & Culture
• Civic & Community
• Economic Development
• Education (After School Programs Only)
• Elderly
• Environmental
• Health & Human Services
• Native American
• Veterans
• Youth Development

UNICO Foundation

The UNICO Foundation Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation. This classification by the IRS allows various contributions to the Foundation to be tax-deductible. The Foundation was incorporated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1962. The purpose of the Foundation shall be to receive, accept and make gifts, donations, grants, awards, scholarships, fellowships, and the like, for charitable, scientific, educational, literary and religious purposes. Every member of UNICO National is also a member of the Foundation. Scholarships are our number one project. Each year the Foundation grants over 40 scholarships.

The UNICO Foundation makes substantial grants to:

• Cooley’s Anemia
• Mental Health Organizations
• Italian Studies

The Foundation Also Offers Specific Grants For Cancer Research & Prevention And Food Bank/Shelter. 

Cancer Research & Prevention Grant

With cancer touching so many lives, cancer research and prevention continues to be one of UNICO’s major charitable endeavors. Over the years a number of research projects have been supported for varying types of cancer, such as Hodgkin’s Disease, Colon Cancer, Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer and more. 

UNICO Foundation

The UNICO Foundation Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation. This classification by the IRS allows various contributions to the Foundation to be tax-deductible. The Foundation was incorporated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1962. The purpose of the Foundation shall be to receive, accept and make gifts, donations, grants, awards, scholarships, fellowships, and the like, for charitable, scientific, educational, literary and religious purposes.  Every member of UNICO National is also a member of the Foundation. The Foundation also offers specific grants for cancer research & prevention and food bank/shelter. 

Ralph J. Torraco Food Bank/Shelter Fund Grant

Mission: To feed the hungry and provide shelter for those homeless or the indigent.

Funding Criteria: To provide funds through community established food/shelter programs that provide food and shelter to those in need.

The program should not be located in a private home, and must meet all local and State health department regulations. The food/shelter program should have an established track record of providing food and or shelter to low-income clientele. Food Pantries, Soup Kitchens or Shelters should use 100% of the grant to purchase food or provide shelter. The program must be located in the United States and serve people in the United States.

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.

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.

AGSL K-12 Teacher Fellowship

The AGSL Teacher Fellowship provides current Wisconsin K–12 teachers with the opportunity to utilize the American Geographical Society Library’s vast resources to develop new, or to enhance existing, curriculum.   The proposed curriculum should have a global emphasis related to any discipline(s).  Exemplary educators will be awarded for their commitment to promoting excellence in geographic education. At the completion of the fellowship, the curriculum will be shared via the AGSL’s website and in any other manner the Fellows find valuable.

Three fellowships will be awarded, and preference will be given to teachers from Milwaukee Public Schools, though all Wisconsin teachers are encouraged to apply. The fellowship period will be negotiated after selection.  

Fellows will be paid $3,000 during a 4-6 week period. Fellowships can be completed between mid-June and mid-August. Half of the payment will be awarded mid-fellowship and the other half will be awarded when the curricular resources and required close-out survey have been submitted. Selected Fellows will receive a Form 1099 documenting the fellowship payment and will be responsible for reporting the income accordingly.  

This fellowship will be completed in a hybrid format, with at least one day per week in-person at the AGSL. The weekly in-person day creates an opportunity to collaborate with other fellows, engage in a weekly meeting with the AGSL’s Public Services Librarian, and view collection items in person. Staff support will be available to digitize resources for fellowship projects and to answer questions.

How and Why Giving Back to Communities is Important to O’Reilly

From O’Reilly Auto Parts’ inception, O’Reilly co-founder C.H. “Chub” O’Reilly instilled the culture of maintaining high standards for every endeavor, including the area of building civic pride. With Chub’s good example to guide them, all four of his children adopted a business and family philosophy of “giving back” to the community as the Company grew and prospered. Supporting a large number of charitable organizations in all communities in which we operate has long been a focal point for O’Reilly Auto Parts. In order to make an even greater impact, the O’Reilly Automotive Foundation was established in 2020.

O’Reilly Automotive Foundation, Inc.

Impact

The O’Reilly Automotive Foundation complements O’Reilly Auto Parts’ role as the Friendliest Parts Store in Town. The Foundation serves as an additional conduit to connect with, support, and strengthen the communities in which O’Reilly Auto Parts’ team members and customers live and work. The Foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of the O’Reilly family as dependable community partners, seeking to support critical services in times of need to build stronger communities.

Mission

The O’Reilly Automotive Foundation strives to have a lasting, positive impact in the communities where O’Reilly Auto Parts’ team members and customers live and work by supporting organizations and programs which address issues critical to improving the quality of life for underserved and underrepresented individuals and families. In particular, the Foundation will concentrate its giving in support of organizations and programs addressing economic stability and mobility, workforce development, health and social services, and disaster relief.

Economic Stability and Mobility

Advocating for and endowing programs which provide assistance with issues including hunger, homelessness, and poverty for the economic betterment of the communities in which we operate.

Workforce Development

Promoting programs which aid in workforce readiness, technical training, and literacy, including children’s literacy, to ensure the continuance of an educated society and a capable, innovative workforce.

Health and Social Services

Championing and prioritizing matters of health, including mental and behavioral health, access to basic needs such as medical and dental care for underprivileged communities, and providing funding for organizations focused on childhood development and children’s advocacy as well as care and support for victims of domestic violence.

Disaster Relief

Providing funding and visibility to organizations specializing in providing relief from natural disasters and state of emergency, including providing temporary shelter, food, water, and hygiene or sanitation products to those affected and aiding in cleanup efforts.

Application Requirements

We will consider three principal types of grants:

Project Support Grants support specific projects or programs aligned with our mission. These requests may include some funds earmarked for the overhead costs associated with running a project.

General Operating Support Grants provide limited general operating support for the core operations or organizations whose missions and activities are aligned with our mission. These grants will often help the grantee build organizational, programmatic, and fundraising capacity. Operating support is not intended to help organizations in fiscal crisis. Applicants must have a current strategic or business plan that clearly outlines the organization’s goals and presents a plan for achieving results. Operating support grants must not exceed 15% of an organization’s total agency budget.

Capital Support Grants provide limited support for capital campaigns to fund the acquisition and construction of facilities, existing property renovation, or the purchase of major equipment. The program has a comprehensive approach to funding capital initiatives, which also includes funding for increased program capacity. A feasibility study may be required for capital initiatives to be considered.

Dr. Harry J. Heeb Foundation Grant

Dr. Harry J. Heeb was born in Milwaukee in 1882, and attended the Marquette University Medical School graduating with an M.D. degree in 1904. He did his graduate Medical School work in Vienna, becoming a specialist in eye, ear, nose and throat medicine returning to the US in 1907. Dr Heeb was on the faculty at Marquette Medical School for more than 25 years, he served as a Chief of Staff at St. Joseph Hospital, a President of the Board of Trustees of the old Johnston Emergency Hospital, and was also the first examiner for the blind in the State of Wisconsin. He has been noted as one of the first to use the X-ray in Milwaukee medical practice. He also volunteered his time on several boards and was the member of several charitable organizations.

Funding Priorities

Assisting children, especially those who are underprivileged or abused.

Providing medical attention directly to persons afflicted with illnesses, diseases, or other disabilities related to eyes, ears, noses, and throats; or carrying on medical research in fields related to such illnesses, diseases, or disabilities.

Providing education and training (and equipment and materials to assist in such education and training) for any of the following: 

• Children, especially those who are underprivileged or abused.
• Those persons who provide education or training or social services for children as referred above.
• Those persons who themselves are afflicted with illnesses, diseases or other disabilities related to eyes, ears, noses and throats.
• Those persons who provide medical services or training to the afflicted persons referred to above. Providing education and training for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.

Geographic Focus

Florida and Wisconsin

Types of Support

• General Operating
• Program Support
• Project Support

Grant Range:

The average grant size is between $2,500 – $20,000.

The Frank L. Weyenberg Charitable Trust awards grants to organizations supporting charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational purposes.

Frank L. Weyenberg was born in Appleton, Wisconsin on March 26, 1882. In 1892, the Weyenberg family entered into a partnership to sell shoes. Frank L. Weyenberg entered his family’s shoe business in 1897 at age 15. By 1906, he was president of the Weyenberg Shoe Manufacturing Co., based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. Weyenberg was president of the company until 1962, when he became Chairman of the Board, a position he held until he retired in 1968. During his time as president and chairman, company sales grew dramatically. Mr. Weyenberg remained on the Board of Directors of the company, now called the Weyco Group, until his death in 1976. Mr. Weyenberg had a second home in Palm Beach, Florida for many, many years and was a Florida resident at his death. Mr. Weyenberg’s generosity will continue to benefit people for many years to come.

Program areas

• Arts, culture, and humanities 
• Education 
• Environment, animals 
• Health 
• Human services 
• Public/society benefit 
• Religion

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)

Arts Education Grant

Grants are intended to help strengthen the capacity and build the sustainability of organizations that demonstrate dedication and past success in providing arts education to youth up to age 18 in the city of Milwaukee and to support innovative arts education projects and programs in Milwaukee. Priority will be given to applications that propose use of grant monies in ways that enhance capacity and long-term organizational fiscal stability for the applicant(s); demonstrate or promote collaboration among two or more arts education organizations or between arts education organizations and general education or community-based organizations; or demonstrate innovation in educational strategies or efforts to reach underserved youth.

Examples of arts education programs that may be looked upon favorably include artist residencies in Milwaukee K-12 or early childhood education settings, artist visits or short-term programs in such settings, afterschool or summer school arts programs, and efforts to improve and enhance arts curricula or programming in early childhood education settings or K-12 schools in Milwaukee. We also welcome proposals that are designed to enhance the capacity of arts education organizations or improve their fiscal stability for the purpose of ensuring that they can continue to provide high-quality arts education in Milwaukee; and proposals to support new programs or projects that provide arts education in Milwaukee neighborhoods. Proposals for activities designed to improve access to arts education programs – such as transportation assistance – will be considered.

Funding

Maximum grant is $40,000, minimum grant is $5,000.

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

The Open Fund Grant

The Open Fund Artist Project Grant supports visual artist initiatives that are experimental, collaborative, and public-oriented. This includes wide-reaching and innovative projects that are unique to communities and the culture at large. Examples of past recipients include the presentation of creative and experimental work via film screenings, exhibition series, pop-up presentations, printed matter, educational models, and civic sites, in addition to other inventive models of artistic engagements.

The Open Fund is administered by two Wisconsin artist-run spaces, The Poor Farm and The Open. In 2024, the Open Fund distributed $120,000 to 14 Visual Arts Projects providing both $5,000 and $10,000 grants to visual artists or artist groups living within the Milwaukee County.

The Jerome J. and Dorothy H. Holz Family Foundation was established on December 31, 1996, by the Jerome J. Holz family.

Allan H. Selig Scholarship Program

The Allan H. Selig Scholarship Program was created in the name of former Brewers President and Commissioner Emeritus of Baseball Allan H. (Bud) Selig. Funding for the scholarships is the result of proceeds donated by Major League Baseball, from the All-Star Workout Day, part of the 2002 All-Star festivities held in Milwaukee. Commissioner Selig has deep ties to Milwaukee and Wisconsin and he has also had a long-term commitment to educational excellence.

Applicants must be graduating seniors from a Wisconsin High School Class of 2024 and accepted to a college or university based in the State of Wisconsin. Selected candidates will receive $2,500, annually, renewable each year for a total of $10,000 over four years.

James Beckum - Player/Coach Scholarship Program

The James Beckum - Player/Coach Scholarship Program is made possible thanks to Milwaukee Brewers players and coaches’ commitment to educational opportunities for youth and was named after James Beckum, who played for two years on the St. Louis Giants, a Negro League team, and co-founded the Beckum-Stapleton Little League, one of the first organized sports in the city of Milwaukee.

This scholarship is a one-year award that varies in amount from season to season for students who plan to attend or are currently attending a college and university in Wisconsin. Generally, scholarship awards have been between $1,000 and $2,500.

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

Qualified Treatment Trainee Grants Program

In partnership with the UW-Milwaukee Center for Inclusive Transition, Education & Employment, the Division of Care and Treatment Services is seeking applications from behavioral health agencies that hire post-graduate trainee positions (qualified treatment trainees) in social work (APSW), marriage and family therapy (MFT-IT), and counseling (LPC-IT) for qualified treatment trainee programs. Expanding agency awards will support agencies that have previously hired post-graduate qualified treatment trainees and are increasing the number of placements available.

The purpose of the Qualified Treatment Trainee Grants Program is to help build the behavioral health provider workforce of the future. A Qualified Treatment Trainee (QTT) is someone with a master’s degree in social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy who seeks to obtain a professional license, that is, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In order to fulfill licensure requirements, QTTs must complete direct service hours under the guidance of a clinical supervisor. Recognizing the need for workforce investment, the QTT Grants Program began with Wisconsin’s 2020-2021 biennial budget (Wisc. Stat. § 146.618), which provided funding for eligible behavioral health agencies to expand and support QTTs statewide. 

In sum, the QTT Grants Program seeks to increase behavioral health agency capacity to hire and expand QTT pursuit of licensure while also investing in clinical supervisors to provide the most effective supports possible. 

George French Moss was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and attended Wauwatosa East High School. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Southern Methodist University and later attended law school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After completing his education, Mr. Moss returned to the metro Milwaukee area to join his family’s business, Western States Envelope Company. Mr. Moss spent his entire career at Western States Envelope, originally working alongside his father George B. Moss, then serving as company President from 1975 to 1997, and thereafter serving as Chairman of the Board up until his death in 2019. Throughout his life, Mr. Moss was an active participant in many charitable endeavors. Upon his death, this Foundation was created and established for the benefit of US charitable organizations, with a special emphasis on organizations primarily serving residents of the greater Milwaukee area.

ASHRAE's Mission and Vision

Mission: To serve humanity by advancing the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and their allied fields. Vision: A healthy and sustainable built environment for all.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is a global society advancing human well-being through sustainable technology for the built environment. The Society and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality and sustainability within the industry. Through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow’s global built environment today. ASHRAE is an international society of more than 50,000 heating, refrigerating and air-conditioning professionals from over 132 nations dedicated to serving humanity and promoting a sustainable world.

Ronald P. Vallort Engineering Scholarship

One-year scholarship established and named for a former ASHRAE President (2004-2005). Presidential Theme: Refrigeration: Technology for Survival. Special consideration is given to engineering students studying refrigeration and/or the cold chain and enrolled at one of the following universities:

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Northern Illinois University, DeKalb
• Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois
• Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
• Colorado State University at Fort Collins, CO

Scholarships are available to full-time undergraduate engineering or pre-engineering students enrolled in a specific post-secondary educational institution and pursuing a Bachelor of Science or Engineering degree in a course of study that has traditionally been a preparatory curriculum for the HVAC&R profession.