Best Grants for Museums in Wisconsin

The WAB Creative Communities Grants, offered by the Wisconsin Arts Board, aim to foster arts education and community development across the state. These grants support projects in Arts Education, Folk or Traditional Arts, and Local Arts, promoting collaboration and innovation. Eligible projects must be distinct from ongoing programs and involve community participation. This funding sustains Wisconsin's cultural vitality, enhancing educational and economic growth within local communities.

The WAB Creation and Presentation Grant provides vital support to established nonprofit arts organizations in Wisconsin that create or present significant arts programming. This grant emphasizes community impact and artistic quality, requiring applicants to demonstrate a history of consistent artistic activities and community engagement. Eligible organizations must be incorporated in Wisconsin, hold 501(c)(3) status, and provide a dollar-for-dollar match of funding. This multi-year grant program facilitates ongoing artistic development while ensuring accountability.

The WAB Woodland Indian Arts Grant, managed by the Wisconsin Arts Board, aims to support Native American arts in Wisconsin. This initiative provides funding to Native-led organizations that benefit local communities through artistic activities. Grants focus on professional development, documentation of cultural knowledge, and promoting Native artists. Eligible applicants include tribal governments and organizations with a proven track record in arts-related work. The program emphasizes long-term support for both traditional and contemporary art forms.

The Joyce Foundation's Education & Economic Mobility Grants aim to close income and race disparities in college and career success. The foundation prioritizes equitable access to high-quality education, supporting policies for effective educators, high school graduation, and affordable college credentials. Focused on racial equity and economic mobility, it addresses the needs of historically underserved young people in the Great Lakes region and invests in research, policy development, and advocacy to help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Grants program supports the state's agricultural and food industries by addressing marketing and distribution challenges. Administered by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the program provides up to $50,000 per project with a 50% matching requirement. Since 2008, it has funded 128 projects, generating significant local food sales and creating over 540 jobs, benefiting thousands of producers and markets across Wisconsin.

The Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants, provided by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection, aim to enhance soil and water quality in Wisconsin. By funding innovative, producer-led conservation practices, the program encourages farmer participation and has significantly increased funding and project numbers since its inception. With 41 projects funded, this initiative represents a commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and effective nonpoint source pollution management.

TC Energy’s Build Strong program supports vital organizations in communities near its operations. By providing grants, scholarships, and in-kind support, the program aims to enhance safety, education, environmental protection, and community well-being. Eligible applicants include non-profits and community groups addressing local needs. Ineligible activities include operational expenses and for-profit endeavors. The program prioritizes projects demonstrating measurable community impact, fostering a collaborative relationship between TC Energy and local stakeholders.

Bob's Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation supports non-profit organizations with resources rather than individual sponsorships. They require requests to be submitted on the letterhead of a qualified 501(c)(3) organization. This ensures that assistance reaches those in need through established channels. Interested parties should provide specific details regarding their requests to facilitate the application process. With a commitment to fairness, Bob's Cares aims to effectively support community initiatives across the country.

The National Sea Grant Law Center is inviting proposals for the Coastal Resilience Program to research laws and policies addressing coastal resilience challenges such as sea level rise and flooding. With a funding cap of $150,000 over two years, this initiative aims to assess the effectiveness of existing policies and promote informed decision-making in coastal management. Up to two projects will be selected for funding, supporting innovative solutions to enhance community resilience against environmental threats.

The federal Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) is managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Department of the Interior. The HPF is derived from federal offshore oil leases, not from tax revenues. The Catalog of Federal Assistance number is 15.904. In Wisconsin, subgrants from this fund are administered by the Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

The SHPO annually passes through 10% of our federal Historic Preservation Fund grant to Certified Local Governments (CLGs) through a competitive subgrant program. All proposed projects must assist Wisconsin historic resources in one of the following ways:

• Surveys of Communities or Neighborhoods
• Nominations of Historic Places to National Register
• Educational Projects about Historic Places
• Planning Documents
• Host CAMP Training

The GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness offers grants ranging from $2,000 to $15,000 to support projects that blend arts and wellness. Open to non-profit organizations, hospitals, and clinics across the Midwest, this fund aims to enhance community well-being through artistic initiatives. Eligible applicants must engage professional artists and provide activities that promote health and creativity. This funding round supports activities occurring between December 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, emphasizing the importance of arts in fostering wellness.

The GIG Fund, managed by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, provides grants ranging from $2,000 to $15,000 for nonprofit organizations to support public arts projects in Midwestern communities. This initiative aims to enhance access to arts for underserved audiences, including rural and economically disadvantaged groups. Eligible activities include performances and art festivals, with a focus on engaging professional artists. The funding period extends from December 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and requires a 1:1 match.

The Gil Gabanski Student Scholarship, provided by the MGWA Foundation, offers multiple $2,000 awards for undergraduate and graduate students studying at accredited institutions in Minnesota and nearby areas. This scholarship aims to ease educational expenses and foster interest in groundwater-related careers, including hydrogeology and groundwater geology. It also promotes mentorship opportunities for early-career students, honoring Gil Gabanski's legacy in the geosciences community.

The Arts Midwest GIG Fund offers grants ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 to support creative projects and educational events across the Midwest. This funding is available for nonprofit organizations with budgets of $1 million or less, focusing on the arts. Eligible applicants include arts organizations and tribal entities located in specific states. The fund prioritizes those who have not received a grant in the last two years, ensuring diverse cultural engagement and access.

The Hickory Fund Grant aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities in Wisconsin and South Carolina. Funding supports capital campaigns, new programs, general operating support, and social entrepreneurship. Grants under $5,000 require a Letter of Inquiry, while larger grants require both a Letter of Inquiry and a full application. Notably, funds are not allocated for endowments, individual grants, lobbying, scholarships, or medical research.

The DNR works in partnership with the National Park Services to expand outdoor recreation through the federally funded Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant program. LWCF grants provide local units of governments, tribes, and school districts opportunities to receive grants for outdoor recreation activities. 

Associated Bank Community Grants focus on enhancing the well-being of communities through charitable donations. Allocating 1% of annual pretax profits, the bank supports programs benefiting low- to moderate-income individuals and families. Philanthropic priorities include affordable housing, small business development, workforce development, sustainability, and racial/social equity. The bank collaborates with nonprofit organizations that align with its values, ensuring meaningful contributions to community growth and improvement.

The RMEF Grant Program lies at the core of advancing our mission.

RMEF established the program in 1986 to provide financial and logistical support to projects that align with our priorities and goals. Grant funds raised by RMEF members, volunteers and generous donors from across the country translate into significantly more conservation accomplishment when matched with partner funds. The RMEF Grant Program also aims to build recognition for RMEF’s work, grow engagement, and boost local fundraising efforts.

Governed by clear guidelines and criteria, the RMEF Grant Program seeks to foster meaningful collaborations and long-term impacts in the conservation of natural resources and outdoor traditions. Grant project partners include federal, state, local, and tribal wildlife and land management agencies, private landowners and local stakeholders, sportsmen and women, and conservation organizations, universities, foundations and the outdoor industry. Eligible projects primarily focus on habitat stewardship, land conservation and access, wildlife management, and hunting heritage.

We support organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)3 entity, federal, state, local, or tribal government entities, sportsmen’s organizations, or educational institutions. All applicants must have a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the IRS. RMEF does not offer grants to individuals.

Wildlife Management and Research

RMEF funds wildlife management and research to keep big game healthy and thriving, including disease surveillance, big game-friendly fencing, road management, and scientific studies that expand our understanding of big game habitat, movement, interactions, and overall herd health.

RMEF’s 2026 priorities include:

• Research on migration + connectivity, critical habitat + nutrition, big game population trajectories, challenges to big game populations, and big game management solutions
• Big Game-Friendly Fencing

The FY2025-27 Biennial Budget provided $4 million for Dam Grants with the majority being committed to fund eligible engineering and construction costs associated with the maintenance, repair, modification or abandonment and removal of municipally owned dams.The Municipal Dam grant program provides a cost-sharing opportunity for eligible engineering and construction costs for dam maintenance, repair, modification or abandonment and removal.  Applicants must have an Engineer's inspection order or directive and a Dam Failure Analysis sufficient to identify the hazard potential based on the current development in the hydraulic shadow downstream of the dam. Applicants must have an Engineer's inspection order or directive and a Dam Failure Analysis sufficient to identify the hazard potential based on the current development in the hydraulic shadow downstream of the dam.

The Bisexual+ Fund Grant, offered by the PFund Foundation, supports organizations that promote equity for bisexual+ individuals in the upper Midwest, including Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Grants range from $1,500 to $3,000 for general operating support, aiming to empower bisexual-led initiatives. Applications will open in late fall 2025, and eligible organizations must primarily serve LGBTQ+ populations and demonstrate commitment to bisexual+ communities.

The Surface Water Grants: Management Plan Implementation Projects, offered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, support initiatives aimed at enhancing and protecting surface water resources. With a focus on approved management plans, these grants facilitate projects that improve aquatic ecosystems. Applications are due by September 15 for pre-proposals and November 15 for full proposals. Each waterbody can submit one application, ensuring targeted, impactful management efforts for Wisconsin's vital water resources.

Rob-See-Co is an independent seed company with regional expertise, providing customers access to leading genetics and traits through the Rob-See-Co and Innotech® seed brands. Rob-See-Co also sells Masters Choice specialty silage and forage products, as well as Streamline Ag seed-driven crop inputs. Rob-See-Co works alongside its customers, building strong relationships and helping them plant the right seed for their long-term success, while keeping the process friendly, straightforward, and simple. 

Rob-See-Co Library Grant

In recognition of National Library Day, Rob-See-Co, an independent seed company located in Elkhorn, Neb. is proud to announce the continuation of its Rural Library Grant program.

Originally launched in 2023 to commemorate the company’s 10th anniversary and honor Agnes Robinson’s dedication to the rural library in Waterloo, NE, the program continues to hold special meaning. Agnes, great-grandmother of Jim Robinson, CEO of Rob-See-Co, was a passionate advocate for rural libraries. Today, the program extends support to libraries across rural communities within the company’s footprint. 

The focus areas for grant distributions from the Rob-See-Co Rural Library Grant program will assist local libraries with expanding book collections, core educational programs for adults or children, and computer or software upgrades. Examples of this would be new books, expansion of school visits or field trips, digitizing research materials, support for funding traveling exhibits and speakers.

Rob-See-Co will award ten grants to selected rural libraries across CO, IA, KS, MD, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, OK, PA, SD, TX and WI. Funds may be used for core educational, preservation and interpretive purposes, including collection development, facility improvements, traveling exhibits, guest speakers, staff training, programming, and publications. 

The Battlefield Preservation Fund Grant aims to support initiatives that preserve battlefields and related historic sites. This funding encourages planning and educational efforts, particularly those that engage new audiences in preservation activities. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofits in specified states. Grants can be used for staff support, consultant fees, and educational materials. Applicants must provide a one-to-one match for funding, ensuring strong community involvement in preservation efforts.

What does this program do?

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

• To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Wisconsin nonprofits working in education, health and human services, youth development, or the arts can seek support for community programs that benefit many people over time. Grants from Little Rapids Corporation Egan Family Foundation help organizations, including museums and cultural institutions in Northeast Wisconsin, advance access, equity, and participation in these focus areas.

The Mission Grant by the Dubuque Racing Association aims to enhance community well-being through support for non-profit organizations focused on population growth, retention, and tourism. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt entities, with a preference for projects that involve capacity building. The grant does not fund endowments, political causes, or personal benefits. This initiative seeks to bolster the tri-state area, specifically targeting Dubuque and surrounding counties to promote local tourism and economic development.

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.