Best Vilas County Grants for Nonprofits in Wisconsin

The PLTW Launch program, in collaboration with Huber, offers grants to public schools seeking to initiate or expand their PLTW offerings for the 2026-2027 academic year. Schools can utilize the $5,000 grant to enhance their curriculum by adding new modules, increasing student participation, or training more teachers. Eligible districts span across several states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, and Texas, providing opportunities for a diverse range of schools to benefit from this initiative.

May Family Foundation

Eleanor Jean May established the May Family Foundation in 2000, as a gesture of gratitude to the communities that shaped her life. The May Family Foundation is dedicated to identifying programs that strongly resonate with our mission and values as we work together to empower and uplift lives within our communities.

Our foundation provides resources and opportunities that empower young individuals to thrive and reach their full potential. Our goal is to create a brighter future for under-resourced youth in our local communities.

May Family Foundation Social Services Grant

Our foundation strives to be engaged in our local communities beyond grant funding. We support select programs that align with our goals and form a connection through potential volunteering opportunities, site visits, and recognition of successes.

We welcome grant applications for financial support in social services:

• Programs that protect vulnerable children and support families in need of assistance.
• We also support projects that improve community safety and guide youth to become productive and engaged adults.

May Family Foundation

Eleanor Jean May established the May Family Foundation in 2000, as a gesture of gratitude to the communities that shaped her life. The May Family Foundation is dedicated to identifying programs that strongly resonate with our mission and values as we work together to empower and uplift lives within our communities.

Our foundation provides resources and opportunities that empower young individuals to thrive and reach their full potential. Our goal is to create a brighter future for under-resourced youth in our local communities.

May Family Foundation Education Grant

Our foundation strives to be engaged in our local communities beyond grant funding. We support select programs that align with our goals and form a connection through potential volunteering opportunities, site visits, and recognition of successes.

We welcome grant applications for financial support in education:

• Programs and services that offer a range of activities and academic support, such as
  • homework help,
  • tutoring, and
  • extracurricular activities.
• Scholarships and financial support that help students meet their required expenses while in school.

Mission Catholic dioceses in Vilas County, Wisconsin can apply for Catholic Extension’s Francis Grants to fund major diocesan events and leadership development. These grants support occasions like a new bishop’s ordination, diocesan anniversaries, papal visits, or a bishop’s continuing education in pre-approved poor mission dioceses across the U.S.

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.

Environmental nonprofits and community organizations working on Great Lakes watershed health and climate resilience in Vilas County, Wisconsin can access funding through the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation. Grants over More than US $10,000 support freshwater conservation, environmental justice, and policy efforts that build community leadership and strengthen a flourishing, resilient Great Lakes ecosystem.

Nonprofits, schools, governments, and other organized groups serving Boulder Junction in Vilas County, Wisconsin can seek project funding to address unmet community needs and enhance local quality of life. With a mission to preserve and enhance Boulder Junction, Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin supports initiatives in human services, education, health and recreation, arts and culture, environment, and community development.

Catholic Extension provides essential funding to support the construction, expansion, or renovation of churches and community facilities. This initiative aims to meet the facility needs of under-resourced Catholic dioceses across the U.S. By focusing on active projects, Catholic Extension ensures that communities can enhance their worship spaces and support local ministries, ultimately fostering a stronger church community. Funding is available for both minor and major requests, with an emphasis on urgent needs and robust funding strategies.

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 Building Foundation Grants by Catholic Extension aim to support essential pastoral and administrative functions in under-resourced communities. These grants provide salary subsidies and operational funding to ordained, religious, and lay ministers, ensuring access to Catholic services. Prioritizing areas with significant financial need, this initiative seeks to sustain the church's presence where it is most critical, enabling continued ministry and outreach for those who may otherwise be underserved.

Nonprofit and educational organizations in Vilas County, Wisconsin working on Great Lakes wilderness cruising, marine safety education, or freshwater conservation can apply for Great Lakes Foundation support. Funding may assist projects like environmental protection, marine research, publications, seminars, or other efforts that preserve cruising areas and foster the art and science of cruising.

The Wisconsin Public Service Foundation offers Local Community Grants to support initiatives that enhance community development, health, arts, education, and the environment. Nonprofit organizations in the service areas are eligible for funding. The foundation emphasizes partnerships that promote educational opportunities and community improvement. With a history of providing financial support since 1964, the foundation encourages projects that engage local residents and foster collaboration among diverse groups. Preference is given to specific programs or projects that align with their mission.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Vilas County, Wisconsin can apply for Wisconsin Public Service Foundation’s grants to support specific programs or projects in arts and culture, education, environment, health and human services, and community development. Eligible organizations must be within the utility’s service area and focus on one or more of these priority areas.

The Building Leaders Grants by Catholic Extension aim to enhance the recruitment, education, and ongoing formation of church leaders. This initiative provides critical funding for the professional development of both ordained and lay leaders in mission dioceses. By fostering partnerships with various organizations, it addresses the need for trained ministers and supports various funding areas, including seminarian sponsorship and diaconate formation, ensuring a robust future for church leadership.

Vilas County, Wisconsin environmental and conservation organizations can access funding through the Great Lakes Protection Fund for projects that deliver measurable, regionally significant improvements to the Great Lakes ecosystem. Eligible teams may include nonprofits, universities, government agencies, for-profit businesses, and individuals, as long as projects use sound science and drive basin-wide, action-oriented change.

The Engaging Young Catholics Grants aim to support ministries that provide faith formation to children, teens, young adults, and families. By focusing on the pastoral needs of young Catholics, the program enhances community vibrancy and fosters new leadership within the church. Catholic Extension prioritizes operational support and seed funding for initiatives that develop youth and young adult ministries, ensuring that dioceses can effectively reach and engage younger generations in their faith.

Vilas County, Wisconsin fire, law enforcement, and rescue agencies can access funding through Wisconsin Public Service Foundation to purchase lifesaving equipment and professional development as part of one-time, safety-focused projects. Eligible emergency response organizations in the WPS gas or electric service area may receive up to US $2,000 per project, with funds usable within two years.

Nonprofit organizations improving affordable telecommunications access for low-income residents, people with disabilities, or high-cost service areas in Vilas County, Wisconsin can seek support for related programs or projects. Focused on technology access and digital literacy, Wisconsin Public Service Foundation’s Nonprofit Access Grant helps expand essential telecom services for underserved households.

The Building Capacity Grants by Catholic Extension aim to enhance the financial and operational capabilities of dioceses. This initiative focuses on funding projects that promote efficiency, financial stability, and effective fiscal management, ultimately fostering a self-sustaining community. Eligible programs include fundraising development initiatives and operational assessments, ensuring resources are utilized efficiently while supporting professional development for church leadership. This grant empowers dioceses to strengthen their foundations for future growth.

Catholic Extension's Enhancing Pastoral and Social Ministry Grants aim to empower the church to broaden its outreach and foster societal transformation through targeted pastoral and social initiatives. This program supports specific elements of the church's ministerial efforts, including funding for catechetical resources, marriage and family ministries, and social outreach for vulnerable populations. By investing in these areas, Catholic Extension seeks to enhance the church's role in communities, especially following disasters.

Catholic school educators in Extension dioceses, including Vilas County, Wisconsin, can apply for Catholic Extension’s leadership development program; awards cover most tuition plus travel for a one-year online certificate in Catholic school administration. Participants deepen mission effectiveness, operational management, and instructional leadership skills and commit to at least two years of service in their diocesan schools.

State agencies or their designees implementing approved aquatic invasive species management plans in Great Lakes states can apply for competitive grants supporting prevention and control work, including in Vilas County, Wisconsin. Grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service use Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funds and range from US $100,000 - US $600,000 for State AIS Plan implementation.

The B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation Grant, established in 1998, supports projects under $5,000 that enhance arts, education, health, economic, and social development in North Central Wisconsin. Applications are reviewed monthly, with deadlines on the last Wednesday of each month. The foundation encourages diverse funding sources and prefers not to fund the same organization more than once a year. Clear and concise applications are welcomed to ensure meaningful community impact.

The B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation provides grants over $5,000 for meaningful projects in North Central Wisconsin that enhance arts, education, health, economic, and social development. Applications are accepted six times a year, with deadlines on the last Wednesday of January, March, May, July, September, and November. The foundation encourages innovative initiatives that engage diverse communities, improve well-being, and support productive citizenship, while promoting appreciation for the area’s natural resources.

County, local, and volunteer fire, law enforcement, and rescue agencies in Vilas County, Wisconsin can seek funding for one-time, safety-related equipment and professional development projects. We Energies Foundation supports first responder initiatives with grants up to US $2,000 per project for lifesaving gear and training within its service area.

Grants from the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin help Vilas County, Wisconsin nonprofits fund specific projects in health and human services, community and economic development, education and vocational programs, and environmental enhancement. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in communities formerly served by Mid Wisconsin Bank may receive up to US $1,000 for their initiatives.

Research institutions and organizations conducting fisheries and ichthyology studies in Vilas County, Wisconsin can access funding through Great Lakes Fisheries Trust to support ecological and biological research that informs fishery management. Grants up to US $1,300,000 back hypothesis-driven projects, tools, and capacity-building to improve ecosystem health, fish community resilience, and sustainable, self-sustaining fish populations.