Best Milwaukee Grants for Nonprofits in Wisconsin

With a mission to support education, Richard & Ethel Herzfeld Foundation Inc. provides Milwaukee, Wisconsin early childhood organizations with grants to enhance preschool and childcare services. Licensed nonprofit childcare providers can apply for funding to improve educational quality, expand capacity, or strengthen organizational sustainability through collaborative or innovative initiatives.

Nestlé Purina Animal Welfare Grants focus on enhancing the well-being of pets and their owners through monetary donations to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt pet welfare organizations in the U.S. These grants support capacity building, capital improvements, and spay/neuter funding. The program aims to strengthen relationships between pets and people, particularly in communities near Nestlé Purina facilities, ensuring that both pets and their owners thrive together.

The F26AS00083 Aquatic Invasive Species Grants are part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for Fiscal Year 2026. These grants, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, aim to support state-level management plans to combat aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes region. Eligible applicants include Great Lakes states and their designees, with funding awarded through a competitive selection process.

The Sonnentag Foundation Grant supports organizations in cities where County Materials Corporation operates, focusing on four key areas: Hunger & Homelessness Support, Service Members & Veterans Support, Sexual Abuse & Domestic Assault Services, and Mentoring & Skills Building. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) recognized organizations that serve the broader community. The foundation aims to empower vulnerable populations, including veterans, to lead fulfilling lives and provide essential services for healing and personal development.

Grants from Weiss Family Foundation help Milwaukee, Wisconsin nonprofits address poverty by supporting children and families. Organizations focused on youth services, education, family support, and employment assistance may be eligible. These grants aim to help local residents overcome barriers and reach their full potential.

Employ Milwaukee's WIOA In School Youth program aims to connect youth aged 16-24, who are not currently enrolled in school, to employment and educational opportunities. This initiative focuses on providing essential services such as academic tutoring, career planning, and financial literacy to facilitate successful transitions into the workforce. By leveraging community partnerships, the program seeks to create a skilled workforce that meets the needs of local businesses and promotes economic growth in Milwaukee County.

The Emergency Response Equipment Grant Program by Compeer Financial aims to bolster rural communities by providing funding for essential emergency response equipment for volunteer fire, rescue, and ambulance departments. With grants up to $4,000, this initiative ensures that first responders have the necessary tools to protect and serve their communities effectively. Eligibility is limited to rural departments in the 144-county territory, ensuring that help reaches those who need it most.

The Herzfeld Foundation: Arts Education Grant aims to strengthen organizations dedicated to arts education for youth up to age 18 in Milwaukee. It supports innovative projects that enhance capacity and sustainability, encouraging collaboration among organizations. Grants range from $5,000 to $40,000, prioritizing proposals that improve fiscal stability and access to arts education for underserved communities. The Foundation honors Richard and Ethel Herzfeld's legacy by investing in cultural life and educational opportunities in the Greater Milwaukee area.

The Great Lakes Foundation Grant supports projects aimed at preserving wilderness areas and promoting marine safety in the Great Lakes region. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the foundation has awarded over $318,212 since its inception in 1993. Grants have funded various initiatives, including breakwater construction and academic research, to enhance appreciation and safety of the marine environment for both members and the general public.

The Colon Cancer Coalition offers the Get Your Rear in Gear Grants to support local programs aimed at improving colon cancer screening and awareness. Open year-round, applications are reviewed biannually in February and August. Grants fund initiatives that educate the public about colon cancer and alleviate the financial burden on patients. By applying, organizations commit to promoting local events that raise funds for these important community programs.

Our Mission

Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

STEM and CTE Grants for Your School

PLTW provides STEM and CTE-aligned curriculum grants for elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools to implement or expand PLTW Launch, PLTW Gateway, PLTW Computer Science, PLTW Engineering, and PLTW Biomedical Science STEM programs.

We work with companies and foundations across the U.S. to make these grants possible.

PLTW Gateway

Caterpillar Foundation understands the importance of equipping individuals and communities with the skills, resources and services they need to thrive in our changing world. Investments in workforce readiness and STEM aim to create human infrastructure through an empowered, prepared and skilled workforce. 

Caterpillar Foundation has worked with PLTW to expand access to STEM education. Through this collaboration, Caterpillar Foundation is supporting PLTW grants to schools interested in starting and expanding PLTW programs beginning in the 2027-2028 academic year.

PLTW Gateway

New Program

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

The Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing the lives of low-income and disadvantaged communities in Greater Milwaukee. Starting January 1, 2024, the Foundation will support operational and programmatic grants rather than capital projects. It prioritizes initiatives in health, education, arts, and community development, emphasizing the needs of women, children, and the elderly. This shift aims to empower organizations that foster social change and improve quality of life for vulnerable populations.

The Brinker International Charitable Giving Program focuses on giving back to communities through support for kids, hunger, and education. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501c(3) non-profits and submit requests at least six weeks prior to events. The program does not support individuals, political or religious organizations, or explicit discrimination policies. Funding is provided through monetary donations or in-kind contributions like dining certificates.

Compeer Financial's Emergency Response Equipment Grant Program aims to enhance collaboration among rural fire, rescue, and ambulance departments by providing funding for specialized equipment. Grants of up to $10,000 support projects that improve emergency response capabilities, encouraging teamwork among departments serving adjacent jurisdictions. Eligible applicants must operate within Compeer's 144-county territory and demonstrate a clear plan for equipment use. This initiative underscores the importance of community cooperation in ensuring effective emergency services in rural areas.

With a mission to promote equity and vibrant communities, Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc provides Milwaukee, Wisconsin nonprofits with funding for arts education, aging, early childhood, environment, and community health projects. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations serving the Milwaukee area may benefit from grants supporting a wide range of impactful local initiatives.

The Flowers for Dreams Foundation Grant prioritizes organizations committed to mental health and community care initiatives for vulnerable populations. With a mission to fund local charities, the foundation has donated over $1.5 million to date. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000, with applications accepted year-round. In 2025, the foundation emphasizes support for mental health services, ensuring that funds are used for impactful community care. Organizations must have a 501(c)(3) status and operate within the designated service area.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin nonprofits can access funding through A O Smith Foundation Inc for programs in education, arts and culture, health, human services, and civic affairs. Organizations serving the local community may be eligible for support, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year.

The Stackner Family Foundation Grants support organizations providing essential services to individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities or chronic mental health diagnosis. Applicants must verify their tax-exempt status and focus on the Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties area. This funding opportunity is available once every 12 months, ensuring targeted and effective support for local initiatives that enhance the quality of life for affected individuals.

The Fund for Lake Michigan Grant supports initiatives aimed at enhancing the health of Lake Michigan through projects that yield both immediate and long-term benefits. Eligible applicants include non-profits, government agencies, and educational institutions focusing on water quality improvement. Grants range from $700,000 to $900,000 quarterly, with priorities on projects that directly impact water quality and promote sustainable practices. This grant fosters economic growth while ensuring the preservation of vital water resources.

About Us

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is Wisconsin’s largest community foundation and was among the first established in the world. Since 1915, we have been at the heart of the civic community, helping donors achieve the greatest philanthropic impact, elevating the work of changemakers across neighborhoods, and bringing people and organizations together to help our region thrive.  

West Bend Community Foundation - Early Childhood Education

West Bend civic leaders Cliff Nelson and R. Douglas Ziegler believed that people ought to give back to the community in which they live. In 1999, the two men put their words into action by launching the West Bend Community Foundation, a Greater Milwaukee Foundation supporting organization that is a permanent charitable endowment serving the greater West Bend area.

Area served

Greater West Bend area 

Grantmaking focus

The West Bend Community Foundation has a separate grant application to support the Early Childhood Education (ECE) sector. Nonprofits working to support high quality ECE facilities, expand the ECE workforce, advocate for increased ECE access, and/or work to promote healthy physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional development for children 0 – 8 years of age may apply for grants up to $5,000.

Grant amount

• Multi-year grants will be considered, but generally not for more than three years
• Organizations may only apply for one grant of any type per year
• Grants cover operating support, special projects or capital projects

Evaluation criteria

• Significance of the problem(s) addressed to the people of the greater West Bend area
• Capacity of the agency (governing body, staff, financing) to respond to the problem(s)
• Number of greater West Bend area residents expected to benefit
• Urgency of need for support 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin nonprofits can access funding through Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc for projects in arts and culture, basic needs, housing, and health care access. Eligible organizations must serve Milwaukee County and have diverse board representation. Nonprofits addressing these community priorities may benefit from capital, project, or general operating support.

About National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) works with partners to foster sustainable and impactful conservation solutions so that people and nature thrive together. Chartered by Congress in 1984, NFWF has grown to become the nation’s largest conservation foundation. Since its founding, NFWF has funded more than 23,900 projects that have generated a total conservation impact of more than $12 billion.About Sustain Our Great Lakes Program

Sustain Our Great Lakes is a public–private partnership designed to sustain, restore and protect fish, wildlife and habitat in the basin by leveraging funding, building conservation capacity, and focusing partners and resources toward key ecological issues. The program achieves this mission, in part, by awarding grants for on-the-ground habitat restoration and enhancement.Funding priorities for this program include:

• Habitat Restoration to Conserve Species and Improve Water Quality
• Expand and Maintain Nature-Based Solutions in Great Lakes Communities
• Invasive Species Control to Protect and Enhance Restored Habitat
• Activate Restored Habitats and Natural Areas

The Habitat Protection and Restoration grant by the Great Lakes Fisheries Trust aims to fund projects that protect and restore vital fish habitats in the Great Lakes region. Priorities include enhancing fish passage, supporting sustainable reproduction, and utilizing decision-support tools for project identification. Eligible applicants include non-profits and governmental organizations, focusing on projects within the Lake Michigan basin. This grant emphasizes community support and long-term management, ensuring impactful conservation efforts.

The F26AS00084 Aquatic Invasive Species Grants to Great Lakes Tribes, funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, aim to support the development and implementation of Tribal Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plans. Eligible Great Lakes tribes can apply for competitive grants to address invasive species issues within the Great Lakes Basin, including outreach and prevention efforts. This initiative focuses on early detection and control, significantly contributing to the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The Kott Memorial Charitable Trust Grants provide essential funding to charitable organizations that enhance the lives of seniors through education, health services, and community engagement. Dedicated to supporting gerontology, these grants aim to improve the quality of life for older adults by funding innovative programs, internships, and professional training. By focusing on the needs of seniors, the Trust plays a vital role in fostering a supportive environment for this demographic, ensuring they receive the care and services they deserve.

Grants from Richard & Ethel Herzfeld Foundation help Milwaukee, Wisconsin arts and cultural nonprofits strengthen organizational capacity and sustainability. Small and medium-sized 501(c)(3) organizations can apply for project or operating support, with priority for collaborative and innovative initiatives that expand public access to the arts, especially in underserved communities.