Best Polk County Grants for Nonprofits in Wisconsin

The BJA FY 2026 Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) Program aims to enhance public safety by improving the processes for reporting, transporting, and identifying missing persons and unidentified human remains. This funding opportunity supports efforts to locate missing individuals and address cases involving migrants, as authorized by Public Law 116-277. The program is part of the Office of Justice Programs' commitment to uphold justice and protect the rights of American citizens.

The Advancing State Implementation of the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers grant aims to support state-level projects that align with the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. Grantees will form cross-agency partnerships to implement the Strategy's recommendations, focusing on sustainability through planning phases. The initiative encourages innovative solutions to enhance caregiver support while ensuring that project outcomes are maintained beyond federal funding.

The National Adult Protective Services Training Center (NATC) aims to enhance the skills of adult protective services professionals. By providing a cooperative agreement, the NATC will develop online learning modules through a web-based management system, focusing on evidence-informed practices and leadership development. This initiative seeks to improve the organizational climate of APS agencies and ensure better safety and well-being for individuals facing adult maltreatment.

The FY2027 Grants to Highest State Courts aim to enhance guardianship systems by evaluating and improving the fairness and effectiveness of adult guardianship proceedings. This initiative, funded by the US HHS Administration for Community Living, seeks to implement necessary changes based on assessments, streamline filing processes, and better detect fraud, ultimately ensuring the safety and integrity of protected individuals.

The National Center on Elder Abuse Resource Center aims to enhance the readiness of communities to combat elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. By offering resources, training, and information, the center empowers professionals and the public to effectively prevent and respond to elder maltreatment, ensuring that older Americans can live with dignity and independence. This initiative, supported by the US HHS Administration for Community Living, emphasizes best practices and awareness to mitigate risks associated with elder fraud and scams.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) was officially established in 1967 by combining formerly independent agencies and the Department of Motor Vehicles (which included the State Highway Commission, State Aeronautics Commission and State Patrol).

WisDOT supports all forms of transportation. The department is responsible for planning, building and maintaining Wisconsin's network of state highways and Interstate highway system. The department shares the costs of building and operating county and local transportation systems - from highways to public transit and other modes. WisDOT plans, promotes and financially supports statewide air, rail and water transportation.

Freight Railroad Preservation Program

Wisconsin’s original rail assistance program was created in 1977 to help communities and shippers preserve freight rail service during an era when widespread railroad bankruptcies and line abandonments threatened the availability of rail service in Wisconsin. Initially, the program was limited to grants t​o local governments because of constitutional restrictions on state assistance to railroads. But in 1992, Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional amendment that included railroads in the list of eligible state money recipients.

Any project under the WisDOT rail preservation program must be located on or directly associated with a rail line or an abandoned rail line as defined under s. 85.09(3), Wis. Stats., except that a non-abandoned rail line may be the subject of an acquisition for continued freight railroad operation project. 

Rail Banking Project

A rail bank project is one in which the land corridor and the improved property thereon (track, bridges, etc.) is acquired and held in public ownership for up to ten years for the purpose of restoring freight railroad service on it at an indefinite future date when such restoration would be economically justified. 

Wisconsin Department of Transportation

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) was officially established in 1967 by combining formerly independent agencies and the Department of Motor Vehicles (which included the State Highway Commission, State Aeronautics Commission and State Patrol).

WisDOT supports all forms of transportation. The department is responsible for planning, building and maintaining Wisconsin's network of state highways and Interstate highway system. The department shares the costs of building and operating county and local transportation systems - from highways to public transit and other modes. WisDOT plans, promotes and financially supports statewide air, rail and water transportation.

Freight Railroad Preservation Program

Wisconsin’s original rail assistance program was created in 1977 to help communities and shippers preserve freight rail service during an era when widespread railroad bankruptcies and line abandonments threatened the availability of rail service in Wisconsin. Initially, the program was limited to grants t​o local governments because of constitutional restrictions on state assistance to railroads. But in 1992, Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional amendment that included railroads in the list of eligible state money recipients.

Any project under the WisDOT rail preservation program must be located on or directly associated with a rail line or an abandoned rail line as defined under s. 85.09(3), Wis. Stats., except that a non-abandoned rail line may be the subject of an acquisition for continued freight railroad operation project. 

Acquisition for Continued Operation

An acquisition project for continued rail freight operation consists of the public acquisition of a rail line for immediate continuation of rail service after the line has been abandoned or is threatened with abandonment or loss of service as determined by RHS, by a private railroad. 

Wisconsin Department of Transportation

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) was officially established in 1967 by combining formerly independent agencies and the Department of Motor Vehicles (which included the State Highway Commission, State Aeronautics Commission and State Patrol). WisDOT supports all forms of transportation. The department is responsible for planning, building and maintaining Wisconsin's network of state highways and Interstate highway system. The department shares the costs of building and operating county and local transportation systems - from highways to public transit and other modes. WisDOT plans, promotes and financially supports statewide air, rail and water transportation.

Freight Railroad Preservation Program

Wisconsin’s original rail assistance program was created in 1977 to help communities and shippers preserve freight rail service during an era when widespread railroad bankruptcies and line abandonments threatened the availability of rail service in Wisconsin. Any project under the WisDOT rail preservation program must be located on or directly associated with a rail line or an abandoned rail line as defined under s. 85.09(3), Wis. Stats., except that a non-abandoned rail line may be the subject of an acquisition for continued freight railroad operation project. 

Substitute Service Project

A substitute service project is a project where a fixed capital facility is eligible for assistance from this program as a lesser-cost substitute for an acquisition or rehabilitation or construction project when a line has been abandoned. Assistance for the substitute facility is limited to that necessary to provide the functional service equivalent of the facility for which substitution is being made. If the applicant elects to upgrade the function of the new facility beyond an equivalent replacement, the upgrade may be done but solely at applicant's expense.

• An example of a substitute facility is assisting with a bulk commodity transloading site on a nearby rail line instead of acquiring and rehabilitating miles of abandoned line.
• Another example is rehabilitating and connecting a portion of an abandoned line to a different line continuing under operation.
  • The amount of assistance is limited by the estimated cost of preserving service at the current facility.
  • First priority for funding would be for rail facilities at the new location to be functionally equivalent to those lost. 

Wisconsin Department of Transportation

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) was officially established in 1967 by combining formerly independent agencies and the Department of Motor Vehicles (which included the State Highway Commission, State Aeronautics Commission and State Patrol). WisDOT supports all forms of transportation. The department is responsible for planning, building and maintaining Wisconsin's network of state highways and Interstate highway system. The department shares the costs of building and operating county and local transportation systems - from highways to public transit and other modes. WisDOT plans, promotes and financially supports statewide air, rail and water transportation.

Freight Railroad Preservation Program

Wisconsin’s original rail assistance program was created in 1977 to help communities and shippers preserve freight rail service during an era when widespread railroad bankruptcies and line abandonments threatened the availability of rail service in Wisconsin. Any project under the WisDOT rail preservation program must be located on or directly associated with a rail line or an abandoned rail line as defined under s. 85.09(3), Wis. Stats., except that a non-abandoned rail line may be the subject of an acquisition for continued freight railroad operation project. 

Track and/or Bridge Rehabilitation 

A rehabilitation project consists of a one-time rehabilitation of the track structure and/or bridges to enable freight train operating speeds of up to 25 mph and gross loaded freight car weights of 286,000 lbs. Project applications should include provisions for complete rehabilitation of specific track segments and, when applicable, include a multi-year rehabilitation plan. A rehabilitation project may include side tracks and that portion of industrial spurs and yards that are located on rail corridor real estate or within 33 feet of the centerline of the through (main) track on a previously abandoned line if they are needed for active rail freight service. 

Wisconsin Department of Transportation

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) was officially established in 1967 by combining formerly independent agencies and the Department of Motor Vehicles (which included the State Highway Commission, State Aeronautics Commission and State Patrol). WisDOT supports all forms of transportation. The department is responsible for planning, building and maintaining Wisconsin's network of state highways and Interstate highway system. The department shares the costs of building and operating county and local transportation systems - from highways to public transit and other modes. WisDOT plans, promotes and financially supports statewide air, rail and water transportation.

Freight Railroad Preservation Program

Wisconsin’s original rail assistance program was created in 1977 to help communities and shippers preserve freight rail service during an era when widespread railroad bankruptcies and line abandonments threatened the availability of rail service in Wisconsin. Any project under the WisDOT rail preservation program must be located on or directly associated with a rail line or an abandoned rail line as defined under s. 85.09(3), Wis. Stats., except that a non-abandoned rail line may be the subject of an acquisition for continued freight railroad operation project. 

Track Construction

Construction projects are limited to new track facilities on a new location or alignment that serve as a substitute for and are less costly than an acquisition or rehabilitation project that otherwise would be required to preserve rail freight service. Land acquisition required, if any, is not eligible for assistance. 

The FY 2027-2028 NESDIS Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) invites innovative research, education, and outreach projects that support NOAA's mission without directly benefiting the agency. With funding contingent on appropriations, applicants are notified that funds are not yet available. This announcement also emphasizes the importance of environmental and cultural resource stewardship, enabling informed decision-making for public lands and trust resources, while ensuring NOAA remains responsive to changes in our natural systems.

The Notice of Intent to Issue NOFO DE-FOA-0003649 aims to leverage domestic infrastructure to enhance the production of alternative chemicals, fuels, and feedstocks. This initiative by the DOE encourages innovative technologies that utilize existing biomass resources, aiming to advance energy innovation and expand energy production. The potential NOFO will support the creation of stable liquid products from biomass, establish pilot sites for hydrogen-natural gas blending, and promote the production of market-competitive commodity chemicals.

This funding opportunity invites applications for Testing Centers focused on evaluating somatic cell genome editing technologies for translational applications. These centers will provide essential resources and testing services to researchers, ensuring the efficacy and safety of novel genome editing methods. By developing innovative in vivo and in vitro models, the centers aim to enhance scientific rigor and reproducibility in biomedical research, ultimately supporting the advancement of therapeutics for human diseases.

The National Institute on Aging intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for the Coordinating Center (CC) of the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Centers (OAIC) program. The CC serves as a facilitator for OAIC site interactions and as a conduit for translating OAIC objectives and findings to both scientific and general audiences. The proposed CC must demonstrate an ability to work cooperatively with all OAIC sites and possess sufficient scientific expertise in geriatrics and related areas to serve the national coordination functions of the OAIC program. Applicants should have a demonstrated ability to coordinate multi-site projects.Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize the U24 activity code. Investigators with expertise and insights into this area of aging research are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO.

Merck Foundation

The Merck Foundation is dedicated to advancing access to health by supporting innovative programs and partnerships to improve the health and well-being of people around the world.

Helping build stronger health systems and address barriers to high-quality care

Through our programs, we believe that by working closely with governments, donors, patient groups, healthcare professionals, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, multilateral agencies, the private sector and others, we can help build stronger health systems that provide better care.

Community Collaborative for Reimagining HIV Care: Call for Proposals

Overview

The Merck Foundation (the “Foundation”) is pleased to announce the launch of the Community Collaborative for Reimagining HIV Care (the “Collaborative”), a five-year national initiative to improve timely access to and continuity of high-quality, person-centered care for people living with HIV in under-resourced communities across the United States.

Through this Call for Proposals, the Foundation will select eligible organizations to implement innovative, community-centered programs that address the evolving needs of people living with HIV.

The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research offers the Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarships for doctoral candidates, providing up to $15,000 annually. This scholarship supports students who have completed their coursework and exams, aiming to foster impactful research careers in physical therapy. Applicants may receive a total of $30,000 during their candidacy phase, with a maximum of $45,000 throughout their doctoral program. This initiative prioritizes academic excellence and alignment with APTA research priorities.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is providing a funding opportunity for research aimed at restoring cisco populations in Lakes Huron and Erie. This involves hiring a structured decision-making expert and facilitating a workshop for fisheries managers to create a restoration plan. Additionally, a scientist will be engaged to conduct experiments to identify optimal environmental conditions for producing high-quality cisco in hatcheries, enhancing reintroduction efforts.

This project aims to develop a robust method for correcting solution chemistry interferences in electrochemical sensor measurements of complex environmental water matrices. By employing a ratiometric comparison approach, it seeks to enhance the detection of harmful contaminants like PFAS in drinking water. This initiative aligns with the priority of safeguarding public health through early detection and informed decision-making, ultimately ensuring access to safe, clean drinking water for communities.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) offers a funding opportunity for CESU partners to conduct research on national-scale biogeographic information for aquatic organisms. This project aims to enhance species distribution models and habitat assessments using advanced analytical methods and artificial intelligence. By aligning with Department of the Interior priorities, it supports informed conservation decisions for aquatic ecosystems and species management, benefiting local communities and scientific collaboration.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) aims to enhance its mission through the Implementation and Evaluation of Databases to Examine AIDS Consortium. This initiative merges clinical, genomic, and epidemiologic data to foster evidence-based research and implementation science. By leveraging advanced data science and AI technologies, the consortium addresses HIV morbidity and mortality, improving prevention and treatment strategies. This work aligns with the U.S. Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, ensuring impactful contributions to public health.

Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants- Technical Education Equipment Grant

The objective of the Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) expanded grant program is to award funds that reimburse the costs of workforce development activities, as specified in the Grant Program Announcement (GPA).

Technical Education Equipment Grant

The purpose of this grant is to train high school students in advanced manufacturing and construction fields to help address Wisconsin’s skilled worker shortage.

This expanded grant is open to Wisconsin school districts or consortia that include at least one school district that are eligible for sparsity aid. At least one third of grant moneys awarded in a two-year budget cycle are provided to districts eligible for sparsity aid or consortia including at least one school district that is eligible.

Amount available:

• Up to $1 million.

Grant Amount:

• Range from $5,000 to $100,000

The OJP FY 2026 Integrity in American Elections Grant Program aims to enhance election integrity across the United States. This initiative, supported by the US Department of Justice, focuses on empowering state and local prosecutors to effectively prevent and prosecute voter fraud and maintain the integrity of voter rolls. By safeguarding elections against illegal voting and registration practices, this program is vital for upholding public confidence in democratic processes and ensuring that every American's vote counts.

Parrot Head Emergency Phund Guidelines

Purpose

The purpose of the Emergency Phund is to aid Parrot Heads with financial assistance during difficulties resulting from a natural disaster. The Phund is maintained by the Board of Directors on the Lone Palm Foundation and applications will be reviewed by this board. Assistance approval is based on Board review and availability of funds.

Application Procedure

Please be as detailed as possible when completing your application. This will ensure The Lone Palm Foundation Board has all the information they need to review and make a decision on your application. Once your complete application and verification documents have been submitted, it will be reviewed in the order it was received. If the Lone Palm Foundation Board should need additional information, please be sure to provide this in a timely manner. Failure to provide the information in a timely manner could result in loss of consideration for funding.

Repayment and Donation

There is no requirement for repayment of the financial assistance provided through the Lone Palm Foundation Emergency Phund. We do encourage all Parrot Heads to help The Lone Palm Foundation continue its operations by making a donation once the crisis has passed. This donation will allow us to help many other Parrot Heads who find themselves in the same situation.

About the Grant: The Rebecca Broussard Developing Rider Grants are bestowed by the Broussard family through the USEA Foundation in memory and honor of Rebecca Chaney Broussard. “Becky” supported numerous international riders through both her generous financial contributions and horse ownership. The Rebecca Broussard Developing Rider Grants are designed to assist and to encourage the education and development of event riders at the highest level of the sport. These grants are awarded to offset some of the travel and training expenses in the pursuit of achieving the qualities of an international rider. These grants are not available to any rider that has already achieved the honor of representing the United States at the Pan American Games, Olympics or World Equestrian Games.The Rebecca Broussard Developing Rider Fund is separated into three types:

1. Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider Grant (also known as the “Big Becky”) awards $50,000 for the educational development of an international quality rider based on competition in eventing on the global stage. 

2. Rebecca Broussard National Developing Rider Grant (also known as the “Little Becky”) awards $15,000 for the educational development of an international quality rider based on competition in eventing on the national stage. 

3. Rebecca Farm Travel Grants are smaller grants made available to better assist riders to visit The Event at Rebecca Farm in order to interview for the Developing Rider Grants. 

The Fiscal Year 2026 Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program offers federal funds aimed at reducing flood risks for buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program. This initiative supports states, U.S. territories, and local governments in implementing various flood mitigation activities, thereby lessening the financial burden on the NFIP. FEMA prioritizes applications that enhance multistate or regional capabilities, contributing to a safer infrastructure and community resilience against flooding.

The NIJ FY 2026 opportunity invites research proposals focused on violent crime linked to gangs and organized criminal groups, both domestically and internationally. This initiative aims to evaluate strategies that assist law enforcement in combatting these threats, including rigorous assessments of intervention methods. Projects may utilize various evaluation designs to analyze the impact of crime reduction strategies, specifically targeting violent crimes such as murder and robbery, while encouraging collaboration with law enforcement agencies.