Best Grants for Rural Development in Wisconsin

Grants from Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation help Wisconsin municipalities, tribal entities, and designated private developers fund catalytic community redevelopment projects. Funding up to US $250,000 can support rural and small-city building renovation, historic preservation, new construction, infrastructure, infill, and mixed-use development that boost job opportunities, property values, tourism, and disaster preparedness in commercial corridors.

Focused on cooperative leadership education, Ralph K. Morris Foundation invites Wisconsin rural development organizations to seek support for training, professional development, and cooperative education events. Organizational applicants can use funds to offer scholarships for young and emerging rural leaders, with priority for programs and participants based in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Eligible tribal governments, community-based nonprofits, local governments, and educational institutions in Wisconsin and other EPA Region 5 states can seek Tier 1 funding for environmental and public health assessment and engagement projects. The Minneapolis Foundation provides up to US $150,000 for activities like GIS mapping, air and water monitoring, research, and community engagement in disadvantaged rural or urban areas.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

Wisconsin nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups working on meaningful work, youth development, or nature connections can seek capacity-building support to strengthen organizational effectiveness and efficiency. Focused on rural development and Dane County communities, the Schlecht Family Foundation funds activities and technical assistance that expand scale and improve program quality, excluding lobbying or election influence.

Nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored groups in Wisconsin can seek general operating support for programs that create meaningful work, build youth character, or foster connections to nature. Focused on community well-being, Schlecht Family Foundation invites mission-aligned organizations serving Dane County or rural Wisconsin to apply for flexible, impact-driven funding.

Nonprofit organizations or social enterprises in startup phase, or established 501(c)(3)s launching new programs, can seek seed funding to cover startup activities in Wisconsin, including rural areas. Grants from Schlecht Family Foundation help organizations serving Dane County or rural Wisconsin develop meaningful work, youth character, and connections to nature, which may benefit rural development efforts.

With a mission to strengthen economic development, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation provides Wisconsin rural development organizations and educational institutions with capacity-building support. Eligible local, regional, Tribal, and statewide nonprofits and public entities can apply for up to US $50,000 to plan or pilot economic and cooperative development projects that enhance thriving rural communities.

Workforce Innovation Grant: Healthcare Employment, Access, and Rural Transformation (WIG:HEART)The Workforce Innovation Grant: Healthcare Employment, Access, and Rural Transformation (WIG:HEART) grant program funds competitive grants for innovative projects that develop transformational solutions to workforce challenges that impact the quality and availability of healthcare in Wisconsin's rural regions and communities across Wisconsin. Grants support healthcare industry employers in finding workers and help workers prepare for and connect to better, higher-quality, and more family-sustaining jobs.

The four-year program is scheduled to run from Oct. 30, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2030. The current application is for Year 1 of the grant, which will run from Oct. 30, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027.

Coordinating Care Across Wisconsin: Innovating Healthcare Through Partnership Grants

This five-year grant funding opportunity is intended to catalyze innovative healthcare service models through partnerships across communities, systems, and sectors in rural Wisconsin. Through these grants, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) aims to address those points in a care continuum where community members are most likely to experience barriers to health-related services or fall out of care, and to directly address fragmented systems of care. Applicants may apply to multiple Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding opportunities for which their organizations are eligible.Application Phases

Applications for funding will be released in two distinct phases:

• Phase 1: Planning grant.
  • Applicants will submit a letter of application for an initial six-month planning or pilot grant.
  • The planning period will provide an opportunity for awardees to receive technical assistance for application development, build a strong foundation for program implementation, and develop strong partnership models.
  • We recognize that programs may be at different stages of development, from initial idea generation to ready-to-go projects and partnerships.
  • We welcome a range of planning period activities.
• Phase 2: Full award.
  • Planning grant awardees will be eligible to submit an application for a full award covering the remaining four-year grant period.
  • The full application will be released in February 2027.
  •  Only recipients of an approved letter of application will be eligible to apply for the full award.
  • Full award applications should reflect and build on the work done during the planning period and provide more in-depth program designs.

Through this funding opportunity, DHS aims to address these challenges by leveraging the resources and innovation within Wisconsin’s rural communities. This funding will ensure that healthcare services and resources can be delivered in the most efficient, accessible, and high-quality manner possible.

Public bodies, community-based nonprofits, and federally recognized Tribes in rural Wisconsin can use this program to purchase, construct, or improve essential community facilities and related equipment. With a mission to strengthen rural communities, USDA Rural Development provides support on a graduated scale based on local population size and median household income.

State and local governments, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes in rural Wisconsin can seek USDA Rural Development support to prepare for or recover from emergencies that threaten safe drinking water. Focused on rural development, this program funds waterline repairs, system extensions, and new water sources, with awards up to US $1,000,000.

Rural development organizations in Wisconsin that serve microenterprises can access funding through the United States Department of Agriculture to support entrepreneurship and rural development. Grants and loans help Microenterprise Development Organizations build rural microloan revolving funds and provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and microentrepreneurs, with awards up to US $500,000.

Nonprofit organizations working on education policy and economic mobility in Wisconsin and other Great Lakes states can seek funding for research, policy development, advocacy, and implementation efforts. Focused on closing racial and income gaps in college and career success, the Joyce Foundation supports work on effective educators, college and career readiness, and post-secondary success that may benefit rural communities.

Nonprofit and advocacy organizations working on environmental policy and justice in Wisconsin and other Great Lakes states can seek funding to advance climate solutions and protect Great Lakes drinking water. With a mission to strengthen climate and water policy, the Joyce Foundation provides support for initiatives like clean energy transition, water infrastructure, and equitable access to safe, affordable water.

Wisconsin small to medium-sized organizations addressing health inequities and social determinants of health can apply for up to US $250,000 to support project-related costs and community-led services. Grants from University of Wisconsin - Madison help rural, urban, and tribal communities advance health equity, with optional academic partnerships and access to a Learning Collaborative for shared evaluation and systems-change support.

Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) nonprofits, schools, and government entities addressing health inequities can apply for University of Wisconsin - Madison’s Community Impact Grant Level One: Engage, awarding up to US $250,000 for project-related costs. Rural communities working on social determinants of health and health equity may benefit from this multi-year support.

Eligible Medical College of Wisconsin-led research teams can secure up to US $250,000 to advance public and community health, health workforce development, and health equity in Wisconsin. With a mission to improve statewide health, Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment provides funding for collaborative projects that may benefit rural development through stronger health systems and policies.

Nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored groups serving rural LGBTQ+ communities in Wisconsin can apply for the PRISM Fund to build capacity and strengthen connections. With a mission to build equity with LGBTQ+ communities, PFund Foundation provides grants, trainings, and cohort collaboration that may benefit rural development efforts supporting queer residents.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations can seek project funding for education, health care, social services, civic and cultural, environmental, and community programs in Wisconsin and beyond. With a mission to support practical, compassionate solutions, Dr Scholl Foundation provides one-year grants of US $5,000 - US $25,000, with most awards going to U.S.-based applicants.

Farmers market vendors seeking support for education, marketing, or technology upgrades in Wisconsin can apply for Compeer Financial’s Farmers Market Grant Program, with awards up to US $500. Focused on rural development, Compeer Financial invites its existing clients using booths at bona fide farmers markets to request funding for items like branding, websites, mobile payment tools, and display equipment.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

Grassroots community organizing groups in Wisconsin can access general operating support to build power among low- and moderate-income residents and advance social, economic, and political justice. Grants from Needmor Fund for Social Justice help multi-issue, membership-based organizations engaged in direct action and long-term base building, including those serving rural communities, for up to three years of support.

Rural public entities and nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin supporting small rural businesses can apply for USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Development Grants, awarding US $100,000 - US $500,000 for technical assistance and community economic development. Funding may cover training, feasibility studies, revolving loan funds, infrastructure, incubators, and other rural business development projects in eligible rural areas.

Wisconsin medical students in the UWSMPH Wisconsin Academy of Rural Medicine (WARM) program seeking a global health education experience can access funding through the Medich Family Scholarship. Offered by BayCare Clinic Foundation, this scholarship provides up to US $2,500 to help defray travel and program costs while building skills that benefit rural and global communities.

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.