Best Grants for Free Clinics in Wisconsin

The Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation Charitable Grant supports qualified charities focused on community betterment and basic human needs. Founded in 2016, it aims to enhance lives through initiatives such as affordable housing, health programs, and the arts. Organizations eligible for funding must be tax-exempt and serve areas where Frankenmuth Insurance operates. Notably, the foundation excludes support for individuals, political groups, and projects typically financed by governments, ensuring its resources benefit the wider community.

The James M. Cox Foundation Grant offers support to nonprofit organizations focused on conservation, early childhood education, family empowerment, and health. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and located in areas where Cox Enterprises operates. Grant applications are accepted year-round, with deadlines before Trustee meetings. Preference is given to organizations with a history of local engagement. This foundation embodies the philanthropic spirit of its founder, James M. Cox, by giving back to the community.

The Community Impact Grant Level One: Engage aims to enhance health equity in Wisconsin by supporting community partnerships that address social determinants of health. Open to Wisconsin-based organizations with less than $1 million in annual expenses, grants of up to $250,000 are available for three years. The program fosters collaboration among community leaders and aims to evaluate the impact of initiatives addressing health inequities, ensuring sustainable improvements in health outcomes for diverse populations.

The Little Rapids Corporation Egan Family Foundation Grant, established in 1986, supports charitable initiatives in communities where the company operates. The foundation emphasizes philanthropy in education, health and human services, youth development, and the arts. It seeks to fund projects that benefit many individuals over extended periods, with a preference for causes located in Northeast Wisconsin. This commitment reflects the family-owned structure's dedication to community enhancement and long-lasting positive impact.

CommonSpirit Health offers the Community Health Improvement Grant to enhance health equity and service systems for underserved populations. Through collaborative efforts with 501(c)(3) organizations, this initiative provides financial support for essential health projects. Grant amounts range from $19,500 for small grants to $150,000 for standard grants, varying by hospital. Participating hospitals include those under Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health, aimed at addressing significant community health needs.

The Cudahy Fund offers general community grants focusing on social services, health, education, environment, and arts for under-resourced populations in Metropolitan Chicago and Wisconsin. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The fund aims to support initiatives that enhance community well-being, providing safety nets for marginalized groups and promoting access to quality education and cultural experiences. This fund does not support individual grants or projects outside its geographic focus.

The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation is committed to enhancing health in Wisconsin by funding medical education and public health initiatives. Established in 1955, it supports physician-led programs that address health disparities, improve access to mental health services, and promote disease prevention. Preference is given to evidence-based projects with measurable outcomes that foster health equity. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity that prioritizes strategic, high-impact initiatives to benefit the community.

Allocations to Improve Health Services in Rural Wisconsin

The Rural Health Transformation Program will award an estimated $209 million over five years in technology grants. Grants will be rolled out in two rounds to different types of healthcare organizations. Through these grants, Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) seeks to bolster the state’s capacity to provide high-quality care to rural residents via technological innovations. Applicants may apply to multiple Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding opportunities for which their organizations are eligible. 

Purpose

These funds are intended to invest in technology that:

• Removes barriers to care for rural residents.
• Maximizes provider productivity.
• Ensures improved patient or community health outcomes.

The M3 Insurance Foundation Grant supports organizations focused on financial literacy, healthcare improvement, insurance career promotion, and safety enhancement. It aims to develop financial skills, improve medical services, educate about risk management, and assist communities affected by disasters. By providing financial contributions, the foundation seeks to make a significant impact in these vital areas, fostering growth and resilience within the communities they serve.

Community Health Workers Grants: Strengthening the Rural Health Workforce in Wisconsin

Funding opportunity summary

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) seeks to strengthen the Wisconsin rural health workforce by developing and expanding high-quality and impactful community health worker (CHW) programs in clinical and community settings. There are three main components to this funding opportunity:

• Hiring and supporting CHWs to carry out services in rural communities
• Training CHWs on core competencies and standards
• Building organizational capacity to sustain quality CHW service provision

Applicants may apply to multiple Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding opportunities for which their organizations are eligible.

2026-2027 Overdose Prevention Supplies Program

The Overdose Prevention Supplies Program provides overdose prevention supplies at no cost to eligible agencies for free distribution to people at risk of experiencing a drug overdose. This program provides three formulations of naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, and drug checking technologies.

The Division of Care and Treatment Services is allocating funding from SAMHSA's State Opioid Response Grant and state government's share of opioid settlement funds to supporting the Overdose Prevention Supplies Program.

The Overdose Prevention Supplies Program is open to eligible agencies interested in distributing naloxone and/or drug checking technologies throughout their community. Participating agencies will be expected to train individuals on how to effectively use naloxone and drug checking technologies and are encouraged to strategically partner with other community agencies to expand supply distribution.

The Great Lakes Federal Grant Navigation Program offers free assistance to local governments in accessing critical federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This program aims to simplify the grant application process, especially for smaller municipalities, by providing one-on-one support and facilitating collaboration among cohort members. By participating, cities can maximize the impact of federal dollars and strengthen their communities in the wake of economic challenges.

Transforming Maternal Health: Third-Party Administrator to Manage Disbursement and Oversight of Provider Infrastructure Payments

Overview

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is a recipient of a cooperative agreement through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a 10-year service delivery and payment model designed to improve maternal health outcomes for people enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model will test whether targeted technical (TA) assistance, coupled with payment and delivery system reforms, can drive a whole-person care-delivery approach to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care while reducing Medicaid and CHIP program expenditures. DHS is seeking a Third-Party Administrator (TPA) to manage the disbursement and oversight of Provider Infrastructure Payments (PIPs) under the CMS Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model. The purpose of the TMaH model is to expand access to maternal health care and improve maternal health outcomes. These payments support care delivery transformation for hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), and a broader "Maternal Health Care Team.” The effective date of the agreement awarded under this funding opportunity will be June 15, 2026.

Who We Are

Advancing Wisconsin to be the healthiest state in the nation

AHW provides funding and resources to researchers, organizations, and communities devoted to improving the health of the people of Wisconsin.

Call for Applications:

Community-Led Seed Grants

AHW’s Call for Applications: Community-Led Seed Grants supports community-driven efforts to design new strategies, test innovative ideas, and foster greater collaboration to build a foundation for future endeavors to address Wisconsin’s leading health challenges and produce deeper impact on health and health equity in Wisconsin’s communities. Eligible community-based organizations may request up to $50,000 for projects completed within a 12-month period, beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

To foster a collaborative approach to award selection, applicants will participate in a peer review process to assess proposals submitted to this funding opportunity by their fellow applicants. For the submitted application to be considered for funding, completion of all assigned reviews is required.

Following funding determinations, successful community-led applicant teams will be matched with an eligible MCW faculty member from a pre-formed pool developed through the Call for MCW Academic Partner for Community-Led Grants to serve as an additional resource to the funded community-led projects. 

The Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants provide essential funding for health care sector training, supporting projects that enhance collaboration between businesses and workforce partners. With awards ranging from $5,000 to $400,000, these grants aim to address skill shortages, ensuring workers gain necessary training for sustainable employment. This initiative focuses on the health sciences and related fields, promoting professional growth and economic advancement for participants while fostering partnerships among multiple employers.

The L.B. Research and Education Foundation Grant Program supports U.S.-based nonprofits focusing on innovative education and health solutions for underserved populations. Eligible organizations can apply by submitting a 400-word concept paper, and selected applicants may receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. The Foundation prioritizes projects that foster critical thinking and creativity, address health disparities, and encourage collaboration. There are no application deadlines, promoting year-round engagement.

The Postdoctoral Grant Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health aims to support the growth and professional development of postdoctoral trainees, fellows, and associates. With funding up to $20,000 for one year, recipients can engage in independent research projects, attend workshops, or cover open-access publication fees. This initiative enhances research capacity and promotes health equity in Wisconsin, addressing critical health challenges while fostering career advancement in the medical field.

The Community Impact Grant Level One: Engage supports community-academic partnerships aimed at addressing social determinants of health and advancing health equity in Wisconsin. Open to small to medium organizations, grants offer up to $250,000 over three years, promoting initiatives that tackle health inequities through authentic community leadership. Collaboration with academic partners, while encouraged, is not mandatory. The program emphasizes sustainability, evaluation, and a commitment to creating systemic change for affected populations.