Best Monroe County Grants for Nonprofits in Wisconsin

The Minnesota Twins Community Fund, established in 1991, has significantly impacted youth sports in Twins Territory by providing over $24 million in support. Through grants and donations, they empower young athletes, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and personal growth. The fund focuses on 501c3 nonprofits in their region, ensuring that initiatives foster both athletic skills and character development. With strict guidelines for donations, the Twins continue to enhance community engagement and inspire the next generation of leaders.

Spectrum Digital Education Grants support nonprofit organizations in educating communities about broadband benefits and usage. These grants aim to bridge the digital divide, particularly for seniors and those with disabilities or ethnically diverse backgrounds. Applicants must demonstrate community partnership, address specific needs, and provide measurable impact metrics. With a focus on financial feasibility and meaningful outcomes, this initiative ensures that underrepresented urban and rural communities gain access to essential digital resources, fostering long-term improvement in their lives.

The Edina Realty Foundation, established in 1996, is dedicated to improving the lives of homeless individuals and families in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. With over $12 million raised, the Foundation supports non-profits that provide housing, food, and emergency services, ensuring that more than 95% of funds directly aid those in need. Their mission highlights the belief that everyone deserves a place to call home, reinforcing community investment for a better tomorrow.

Hormel Foods Corporation is dedicated to making a positive impact through its charitable initiatives, primarily focused on food security, community support, and educational programming. The Hormel Foods Charitable Trust provides financial support to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations that align with these giving pillars, ensuring access to nutritious and affordable meals while promoting sustainable practices. By emphasizing social responsibility, Hormel Foods aims to improve the quality of life in communities and address pressing social issues.

The We Energies Foundation Grants support community development, health services, arts, education, and environmental initiatives. They prioritize projects from qualified 501(c)(3) organizations located within their service areas, aiming to foster relationships that yield lasting community benefits. Funding is restricted to one grant per organization per year, with a preference for supporting specific projects rather than general operating expenses. Overall, they encourage innovative approaches to enhance community well-being and cultural enrichment.

The Best Life Community Awards, funded by Altra Foundation Inc, invites nominations for nonprofit organizations that have made a significant impact in their communities. Altra members can nominate eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits they support with their time, talents, or financial contributions. The selected nonprofit will receive a $10,000 grant, aimed at fostering initiatives in education, health, and community services across specific counties in the U.S. Nominate today to help recognize outstanding contributions!

The Farmers Market Grant Program by Compeer Financial supports farmers by enhancing their marketing and technology capabilities. Grants can be utilized for branding, website creation, and payment technologies, as well as essential equipment like scales and tents. This initiative aims to promote direct consumer engagement and strengthen local food systems, ensuring fresh produce accessibility while fostering economic growth in rural communities. Eligible applicants must be Compeer clients actively participating in verified farmers markets.

The Women’s Fund of Greater La Crosse offers annual grants to support innovative projects that empower women and girls. Since 1998, over $1 million has been awarded, focusing on education, transportation, and housing to foster economic independence. Eligible organizations include 501(c)3 entities and public agencies serving designated counties. Grants range from $1,500 to $15,000. Priority is given to programs that address critical needs and promote inclusivity across all races, ethnicities, and religions.

The Women’s Fund of Greater La Crosse offers a Mini Grant program for organizations seeking funding for projects that primarily benefit women and girls. With a funding range of $1,500 to $15,000, this initiative supports inclusive and impactful programs that address critical needs in education, transportation, and housing. Prioritizing equity, the fund aims to empower women and girls in La Crosse and surrounding counties, fostering pathways to economic independence and self-sufficiency.

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.

The Thriving Community Impact Fund offers Community Catalyst Grants to support transformative projects that enhance community health and well-being. With grants starting at $50,000, this program prioritizes applications from non-profits, schools, and government agencies that address pressing social needs and health inequities. Open annually from September 1 to November 1, the fund aims to empower community-driven initiatives that foster collaboration and measurable health improvements.

R. Kubly Family Foundation

The goal of the R. Kubly Family Foundation is to enhance the quality of life in Monroe, Wisconsin by empowering educated and leadership-focused individuals who live and work in the Monroe area.

Grants

The R. Kubly Family Foundation will consider Grants in the following areas:

• Projects that increase the number of highly educated people to live in Monroe.
• Projects that have a direct correlation of improving the quality of life in Monroe and directly attract those with advanced degrees to move to Monroe and work in Monroe.
• Projects that contact local students who have moved away from Monroe for education or careers, to “bring them back” to Monroe.

Grantmaking Focus Areas

• Community Leadership: Create, educate and support community leaders and doers that are passionate and make things    happen in and for the community and act to create a better, stronger community in the future.
• Talent Recruitment: Bring leaders and doers to and back to the community to become part of the future for Monroe and Green County.
• Economic Development: Foster lasting economic development that creates jobs and brings in incremental benefit to the community (rather than shifting revenue from one current employer to another).
• Education: Support the base of our community through all-ages education initiatives that create leaders, doers, and well-informed citizens who support the community.
• Community Development: Encourage, facilitate and enable citizens to be actively engaged in making Monroe and Green County a better place to work and live; Support the major cornerstones that create a vibrant, dynamic and exciting community that people want to live in and be a part of.

See more details in the grant guidelines.

The Rewarding Responders Grant, offered by the We Energies Foundation, supports local public safety agencies with funding up to $2,000 per project. Eligible projects include equipment purchases and professional training that enhance safety initiatives within the communities served by the foundation. Grants must be utilized within two years, and projects should be special, one-time efforts. This initiative emphasizes the importance of safety and well-planned public safety responses.

The RCU Foundation Grant supports capital projects in the arts, education, and health sectors, having awarded over $10 million since 2012. Prioritizing community benefit and sustainability, it evaluates requests based on demonstrated need and organizational capacity. The foundation focuses on areas served by Royal, ensuring a significant impact on local communities in Western Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota. It does not fund direct grants to individuals or certain operational expenses, encouraging diverse financial support for projects.

The Alliant Energy Foundation offers community grants to support local organizations within its service areas. With a focus on strategic areas such as hunger, housing, workforce readiness, environmental stewardship, and community safety, the foundation has invested over $76 million since 1998. Applications are accepted year-round, and funding is available for specific programs aimed at enhancing community well-being and innovation. Organizations may receive one grant per year, emphasizing the foundation's commitment to diverse community support.

The Farmers Market Grant Program by Compeer Financial aims to support organizations enhancing services at farmers markets. Grants of up to $1,000 are available for marketing efforts, technology upgrades, and vendor education. Eligible applicants must be bona fide farmers markets with at least three vendors of locally-produced products and must operate in the designated 144-county area. Priority is given to markets that have not previously received funding.

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 Agriculture Education Grant, funded by Compeer Financial, aims to enhance high school agriculture programs by providing up to $4,000 for classroom equipment and educational initiatives. This grant promotes hands-on learning and modern technologies, ensuring students are well-equipped to explore the evolving agricultural landscape. Eligible applicants include high school agriculture departments within a specified 144-county territory, with a focus on schools that have not received funding in the past two years.

The County Fair Facility Upgrade Grant Program aims to support rural communities within Compeer Financial’s territory by providing funding for upgrades and repairs to county fair facilities. Eligible organizations can receive up to $4,000 to enhance livestock buildings, 4-H buildings, and judging arenas. This initiative not only improves facilities but also fosters community engagement and agricultural education, ensuring that fairs continue to thrive in delivering memorable experiences for all ages.

The Hillsboro Excellence in Education Fund, established in 2012, provides essential support for educational programming outside the Hillsboro School District's budget. Managed by a local advisory board, this fund enhances educational opportunities for students in the district. It serves as a critical resource, enabling innovative programming that isn't typically covered by tax dollars, thus investing in the future of Southern Wisconsin's youth.

The Thriving Community Impact Fund supports local events and initiatives that promote health and well-being in the community. Applications should be submitted at least 12 weeks prior to the event date. The fund prioritizes non-profit organizations, schools, and government agencies that align with the Health System’s Community Health Improvement Plan. Event sponsorships, local memberships, and partnerships are encouraged to enhance community engagement and address social needs, ultimately fostering a healthier community.

Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation

The Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation is a philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals who are blind or visually impaired by fostering independence and self-sufficiency. Its mission is to support programs that help people with vision loss lead independent, productive lives, while its vision is an accessible and inclusive world where individuals have the tools, resources, and opportunities to fully participate in society.

The Foundation’s funding priorities focus on supporting nonprofit organizations and initiatives that provide education, training, and rehabilitation services, assistive technology innovations, vision care and access to aids, and capacity building for professionals serving the visually impaired community. It also invests in programs that enhance employment opportunities, promote independence, and improve service delivery systems for people with vision loss, emphasizing practical, community-based solutions and long-term impact.

Small Discretionary Grants

The Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation (RDPFS) Track #3 Small Discretionary Grants provide flexible, year-round funding for smaller-scale initiatives that support individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Grant requests are accepted on a rolling basis and awarded at the discretion of the Executive Director. Awards are made until available funds are exhausted, allowing the Foundation to respond to timely or emerging needs.

Taylor Farms Scholarship

This year’s program continues the expanded format, offering three distinct scholarship divisions designed to support both Taylor Farms Employees and their children. 

Taylor Farms Scholarship : Innovative Scholarship

Award: Five (5) applicants will be awarded a $1,500 renewable scholarship. Once awarded, applicants may renew their scholarship for one (1) additional year if the below requirements are met.

Taylor Farms Scholarship

This year’s program continues the expanded format, offering three distinct scholarship divisions designed to support both Taylor Farms Employees and their children. 

Taylor Farms Scholarship : Extraordinary Scholarship

Award: 20 applicants will be awarded a $ 7,500 renewable scholarship. Once initially awarded, applicants may renew their scholarship for three (3) additional years if the below requirements are met.

American Society of Plant Biologists

Mission

The American Society of Plant Biologists was founded in 1924 to promote the growth and development of plant biology, to encourage and publish research in plant biology, and to promote the interests, growth, and education of plant scientists in general. Over the decades the Society has evolved and expanded to provide a forum for molecular and cellular biology as well as to serve the basic interests of plant science. It publishes the highly cited and respected journals Plant Physiology and The Plant Cell. Membership spans six continents, and our members work in such diverse areas as academia, government laboratories, and industrial and commercial environments. The Society also has a large student membership. ASPB plays a key role in uniting the international plant science disciplines.

ECPS Travel Award

The Early Career Plant Scientists section of ASPB is currently accepting applications for travel awards for the annual meeting in Ottawa, July 18-22.

Priority will be placed on funding students, but all eligible Early Career Researchers will be considered. 

The Denver Foundation

For 100 years, The Denver Foundation has been building a stronger, thriving Metro Denver, Colorado, and beyond. We’ve received $2.1 billion from generous donors and given $1.6 billion in grants to support community initiatives. We’re the foundation of Denver, connecting and collaborating to address the current and future challenges of our community.  

Cameron Holland Scholarship Fund

The Cameron Holland Memorial Scholarship is established to remember Cameron and recognize a Ralston Valley senior student who has established academic, athletic and character traits that are complementary to Cameron’s memory. Cameron was dedicated to academic achievement, participated in football and track and had a kind and generous personality. 

This scholarship is a one-time award. Award amounts may be used toward the recipient’s tuition, fees, required books and supplies, room and board, and other qualified educational expenses. Award must be used for the upcoming academic year.

Scholarships will be awarded once each year through a competitive process based on:

• Academics
• Athletic engagement
• Kind, sensitive, and respectful character

Anita Tarr Turk Fund for Breast Cancer Research

The Anita Tarr Turk Fund for Breast Cancer Research was established in October 2011 as an endowed field of interest fund. Its purpose is to distribute grants annually to one or more charitable, educational or scientific organizations conducting top-level research searching for the cause of, and cure for, breast cancer.

Anita Tarr Turk encouraged the Community Foundation for Monterey (CFMC)’s board to consider grants to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation and the California Breast Cancer Research Program. The Fund may also consider proposals from organizations conducting similar research. Due to the narrow field of interest and suggested organizations in the fund’s establishing documents, organizations are invited to share research projects for CFMC to consider.

Grant Amount

• $60,000/year