Best Grants for Nonprofit Healthcare Programs in Wisconsin

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.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations improving health care access, community health education, or health equity in Wisconsin can receive support through CommonSpirit Health’s Community Health Improvement Grants. Grants up to US $150,000 fund defined projects that address significant needs identified in community health needs assessments through participating CommonSpirit hospitals outside the Mountain Region.

Nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin offering healthcare services or improvements can apply for the M3 Insurance Foundation Grant to support medical care, community health, and related initiatives. Programs that also advance financial literacy, promote insurance careers, or improve safety and disaster relief may be eligible under this funding opportunity.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing healthcare, mental health, dental care, or related human services in Wisconsin can seek support for program costs. Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund also considers projects in social services, education, environment, and arts that benefit under-resourced communities in metropolitan Chicago and across Wisconsin.

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. 

Investing in Dental Care Technology: Grants to Improve Rural Dental Efficiency and Access

Funding opportunity summary

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is seeking applications for competitive grants to support dental clinics in adopting technologies that improve efficiency and increase access to care in rural and semi-rural communities. Dental practices, particularly in more rural areas of the state, face challenges that result in reduced access to care. These challenges include high rates of uninsured patients, low and unpredictable patient volumes, dental workforce shortages, and limited capital resources to adopt innovative technologies. This funding opportunity seeks to address these challenges through increased access to dental technological innovations, which improve dental services in rural Wisconsin by increasing the speed of appointments while maintaining quality of care. This funding will allow dental practices to purchase technologies to deliver high-quality and efficient services. Applicants may apply to multiple Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding opportunities for which their organizations are eligible.

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.

Hospitals, FQHCs, Rural Health Clinics, and other maternal health care teams in Wisconsin can seek funding to support care delivery transformation and infrastructure under this maternal health model. Focused on maternal and perinatal health, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services invites organizations to participate in administering and overseeing provider infrastructure payments, with awards up to US $100,003.

Interdisciplinary research teams led by eligible UW School of Medicine and Public Health faculty in Wisconsin can apply for University of Wisconsin Madison’s Collaborative Health Sciences Program, with awards up to US $600,000 over three years. Funding supports innovative projects improving health, health care delivery, or health equity, including community-engaged work with Wisconsin-based nonprofit healthcare and community organizations.

Postdoctoral trainees, fellows, clinical fellows, and research associates at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health in Wisconsin can apply for University of Wisconsin - Madison’s Postdoctoral Grant Program; awards Up to US $20,000 for one-year research, education, or professional development projects improving health, health care, or health equity.

Smaller or newer Wisconsin-based nonprofits, schools, and government entities working on health equity or social determinants of health can seek up to US $20,000 for capacity-building projects. Focused on organizational development, the Community Capacity Grant from the University of Wisconsin - Madison funds strategic planning, operational improvements, technology, and professional development that strengthen healthcare-related community work.

Focused on innovative health and medical research, this program invites Wisconsin-based faculty at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health to seek up to US $200,000 in one-time start-up funding. Projects must rapidly advance high-impact education or research that improves health or health equity, with a clear plan for long-term sustainability.

Small to medium Wisconsin-based nonprofits, schools, and government entities addressing health inequities and social determinants of health can apply for University of Wisconsin Madison’s Community Impact Level One: Engage awards, up to US $250,000 for three years. Funding supports project-related personnel, evaluation, and partnership initiatives to advance community health and health equity.

Wisconsin nonprofits and small to medium-sized organizations addressing health care access, delivery, and social determinants of health can access funding through the University of Wisconsin - Madison for community-led health equity initiatives. Grants up to US $250,000 over three years support project-related costs, including personnel, evaluation, and partnership development within Wisconsin communities.

First- and second-year medical students at schools with active Alpha Omega Alpha chapters, including Wisconsin institutions, can receive US $7,000 for mentored medical research projects. Focus areas include clinical investigation, basic science, epidemiology, health services, leadership, or professionalism, with additional travel reimbursement to present results at a national conference.

Nonprofit and community organizations in Wisconsin running physician-led, evidence-based health programs can seek funding for education, outreach, and pilot initiatives. Grants from Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation help Wisconsin healthcare providers address health disparities, expand mental and behavioral health access, improve health literacy, and promote disease prevention and early intervention in community and clinical settings.

Wisconsin 501(c)(3) nonprofits and governmental units providing health care access, basic human needs, or community services can access funding through Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation. Grants support community betterment, health and wellness programs, and related services in states where the insurer operates, so eligible healthcare-focused organizations in Wisconsin may benefit.

Nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin working on health care access, basic human needs, youth development, education, or arts programs may be eligible for this funding. Grants from Little Rapids Corporation Egan Family Foundation help communities near its Northeast Wisconsin facilities, with preference for projects that benefit many people over an extended period.

Wisconsin nonprofit healthcare and education organizations can access funding through L B Research and Education Foundation to expand proven programs improving health access, mental health, and educational outcomes for underserved populations; awards range from US $10,000 - US $75,000. Eligible 501(c)(3)s are typically small to mid-sized, with established staff, budgets, and at least two years of operating history.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing health care access and delivery in Wisconsin can apply for the James M Cox Foundation Grant to support capital projects or special program expansions. Eligible U.S. organizations must operate in a Cox business service area, and those outside metropolitan Atlanta need a local Cox management endorsement letter.

Wisconsin municipal governments seeking help securing federal funding for health care access and delivery can receive free support through the Great Lakes Federal Grant Navigation Program. National League of Cities provides one-on-one assistance and peer cohorts to help eligible cities navigate ARPA and IIJA grant applications across health, housing, transportation, workforce, and related community needs.

Health care and health sciences employers and partners in Wisconsin can receive US $5,000 - US $400,000 to provide customized worker training and upskilling. Grants from Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development help healthcare-focused collaborations fund short- and medium-term training that fills critical skill gaps, supports long-term employment, and advances the state’s health workforce capacity.

Schools, public libraries, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting K–12 students struggling with reading can use this funding to implement or expand youth literacy programs, technology, and materials. Focused on literacy, Dollar General Literacy Foundation invites Wisconsin organizations within 20 miles of a Dollar General store to apply for up to US $5,000, which may benefit health-related education programs.

The Dr. Harry J. Heeb Foundation Grant supports underprivileged and abused children, providing medical attention for related disabilities in the fields of eye, ear, nose, and throat health. It also funds education and training for healthcare providers and nurses. Operating primarily in Florida and Wisconsin, the foundation seeks to improve the lives of those in need through both direct support and research. Grants typically range from $2,500 to $20,000.

The Amyloidosis Fund, managed by the HealthWell Foundation, provides essential financial assistance to underinsured patients facing treatment costs for Amyloidosis. The program covers prescription copays, insurance premiums, and related expenses, ensuring that patients can access necessary medications without financial strain. With a maximum award of $8,000, the fund aims to alleviate the burden of healthcare costs for those diagnosed with this complex disease, promoting better health outcomes and quality of life for patients across the United States.

The NIHCM Foundation's Television and Audio Journalism Award honors outstanding television and audio reporting that contributes to enhancing the affordability, accessibility, and quality of healthcare in the U.S. With a prize of $20,000, the award seeks entries that showcase creativity and originality while providing new insights relevant to health plans, policymakers, and consumers. Eligible entries include stories broadcasted in 2025, focusing on critical healthcare issues.

The NIHCM Foundation's Policy Research Award honors outstanding research published in peer-reviewed journals that significantly contributes to improving the affordability, accessibility, and quality of healthcare in the U.S. The winner will receive a $20,000 prize. Eligible entries must address healthcare affordability and be published in 2025, with a maximum of three submissions per author. This award aims to recognize innovative insights that can inform policymakers and stakeholders in the healthcare sector.