Best Health Care Grants in Wisconsin

The West Wind Fund Grant, provided by the Boreal Waters Community Foundation, aims to support the preservation of historic sites in Bayfield. This grant encourages innovative restoration projects and co-funding partnerships with organizations and individuals. Eligible applicants must be charitable organizations or have a fiscal sponsor, and they should serve the Bayfield community. The fund prioritizes initiatives that include professional consultations, infrastructure repairs, and educational outreach related to local history.

About Us

The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation was established in 1983 by visionary community leaders. We are a collection of hundreds of endowed funds established by individuals, families, private foundations, and businesses to enhance the quality of life in our region. Since our inception, we have distributed more than $40 million in grants and scholarships and currently administer over 360 different funds, each with its own charitable purpose. The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation promotes private giving for the public good.

Community Opportunity Fund

The Community Opportunity Fund is at the heart of our work at Boreal Waters Community Foundation. It’s how we connect generosity with possibility to support bold ideas, local leadership, and long-term solutions across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.

Each year, this fund helps nonprofits tackle critical challenges, strengthen communities, and ensure that everyone in our region can thrive.

A Grant Program Rooted in Community and Collective Generosity

As our region’s permanent civic endowment, the Community Opportunity Fund helps nonprofits and community groups respond to challenges, create solutions, and build a better future. In 2023, we restructured the fund to offer larger, more flexible grants—supporting not just programs, but long-term vision and systems change.

We focus on these interconnected areas:

Community Opportunity Fund: Resilience Grant Focus

Projects must enhance the ability of organizations, families, or communities to anticipate, adapt to, and recover from challenges, creating sustainable, long-term solutions that reduce risk and promote resilience.

Examples include:

• Leveraging partnerships and resources to implement scalable, lasting solutions that strengthen community resilience.
• Expanding access to knowledge, training, and tools that improve economic, social, or environmental stability for individuals and families.
• Developing community-driven solutions that address housing stability, food security, workforce resilience, or climate adaptation.
• Applying innovative or proven strategies that increase a community’s ability to prepare for and respond to systemic challenges (e.g., disaster preparedness, economic shifts, public health crises).

Community Opportunity Fund: Belonging Grant Focus 

Community Opportunity Fund: Opportunity Grant Focus

What We Fund

We support a wide range of community-driven, equity-centered work. Funding can be used for:

• Program or Project Support: To launch, expand, or sustain work in Opportunity, Resilience, or Belonging
• General Operating Support: To build strength and stability
• Capacity Building: To grow organizational effectiveness or leadership
• Community-Led Solutions: Especially those involving lived experience and cross-sector collaboration
• Systems Change and Upstream Impact: Projects that address root causes—not just symptoms

The Samuel F. Atkins and Barbara H. Atkins Memorial Fund Grant, managed by the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, supports projects that assist low-income individuals and address animal welfare. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, governmental entities, and tribal governments located in specific counties in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The fund prioritizes projects demonstrating financial need, including emergency services and training programs for the physically disabled. This grant exemplifies the foundation's commitment to enhancing community welfare.

The Four Cedars Environmental Fund, supported by the Boreal Waters Community Foundation, offers financial assistance for programs that protect and educate about the unique natural resources of the western Lake Superior watershed. Eligible applicants include charitable organizations and those serving specific counties in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The fund aims to enrich local environmental initiatives through capital requests, start-up costs, and technical support, fostering sustainable practices within the community.

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to animal welfare in the U.S. It aims to maximize the benefit to animals through education, spay and neuter initiatives, and positive advocacy. The foundation focuses on impactful programs, encouraging grants that align with their mission to end animal overpopulation and cruelty. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits, while individuals and political lobbying efforts are excluded from funding.

The Folke H. Peterson Foundation Grant aims to prevent cruelty to animals and enhance their welfare. It provides funding for organizations focused on animal protection, medical assistance, and food supplies, ensuring these efforts directly benefit animals. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations within the United States. Notably, the foundation will not support any organization involved in euthanizing healthy animals, reinforcing its commitment to animal welfare.

The Owen Family Foundation Grant supports charitable organizations primarily in East Texas and the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, focusing on health, education, human services, and religious initiatives. Organizations must have a 501(c)(3) status and past funding is required for Twin Cities applicants. The foundation is committed to promoting philanthropy and ensuring access to funding for eligible charities, while maintaining a non-discriminatory policy.

The Ray Rowe Trusts for Animals Grant provides funding for programs aimed at the welfare of animals, particularly dogs, and the protection of wildlife habitats, especially for canid species. There are no application deadlines; grants are distributed from early March until the year's funding is exhausted, typically by the end of November. To apply, organizations must hold 501(c)(3) status, while general administrative costs are generally not supported.

The Elizabeth Nash Foundation Scholarship supports individuals affected by cystic fibrosis (CF) in their pursuit of higher education. Since its inception in 2005, over 200 scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 have been awarded to undergraduates and graduates at accredited U.S. institutions. The selection process considers academic performance, character, leadership, community service, and financial need. To qualify, applicants must have a CF diagnosis and be U.S. citizens.

The Career Guidance for Trainees Grant, offered by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, aims to enhance the career development of early career administrators focused on PhD scientists. This grant supports a workshop that equips participants with research evaluation skills to create impactful career-focused interventions. Participants will receive a $15,000 grant to implement their projects, develop networks, and share findings at national meetings, fostering a diverse scientific workforce essential for research innovation and public service.

The Ittleson Foundation, established in 1932, focuses on enhancing mental health, AIDS prevention, and environmental initiatives. It funds not-for-profit organizations aiming to improve public policy and the lives of citizens. The Foundation is particularly interested in innovative projects addressing mental health stigma, advancing preventative efforts, and supporting underserved populations. While it funds new initiatives, it does not typically support capital projects, endowments, or direct service programs outside New York City.

The Conagra Brands Foundation offers Community Impact Grants to nonprofit organizations in the USA that address food insecurity and promote healthy lifestyles. Eligible organizations must align with core focus areas like food access, nutrition education, and cooking skills. Grants support initiatives that foster community engagement and provide entrepreneurial skills. Nonprofits must uphold a non-discrimination policy protecting various characteristics. Applications are accepted through a Letter of Intent from January 1 to February 15, 2025.

The AAD Annual Meeting Registration Scholarship Program offers scholarships to international dermatologists, excluding those from the U.S. and Canada, to support their attendance at the AAD's Annual Meeting. Each country can nominate up to two applicants, who will receive complimentary registration, access to a post-graduate session, and an invitation to the International Scholarship Recipient Reception. This initiative promotes global participation in dermatology.

The Clarence S. Livingood, MD, Memorial Award and Lectureship recognizes outstanding contributions to dermatology. Established by the Department of Dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital, it honors Dr. Livingood's legacy. The award includes a $10,000 cash prize and the opportunity to present a lecture at the AAD Annual Meeting. Nominations are accepted annually until January 15, remaining active for five years, and are open to experts beyond dermatologists, emphasizing communication and expertise in relevant issues.

The Everett C. Fox, MD, Memorial Lectureship honors a distinguished dermatologist and offers a $10,000 award to the selected lecturer, who will present a 30-minute lecture at the AAD's Innovation Academy. Nominations are open until June 15 for the upcoming selection cycle, with entries held for five years. Candidates must be practicing clinical dermatologists with proven communication skills, ensuring the recognition of expertise within the field.

The AAD Young Investigator Awards recognize promising dermatology researchers in the U.S. and Canada, offering a $6,000 prize and plaque for outstanding research in either basic/translational or clinical tracks. Eligible applicants must have a DO, MD, or PhD, and their research should be completed and submitted for publication. The application window is open from June 1 to September 1, encouraging diversity within research topics and applicants.

PetSmart Charities' Adoption Partnerships and Event Grants support organizations in finding loving homes for pets. With over 10 million pets placed, the program offers resources like cash rewards for adoptions and grants for event support. Eligible partners include registered charities and educational institutions. The maximum grant available is $5,000, aimed at maximizing the impact of adoption events. Join us in enhancing the lives of pets and their new families through collaboration and community engagement.

The Ted & Shannon Skokos Foundation Grant, established in 2008, supports nonprofit organizations in arts, education, humanity, and faith. It prioritizes visionary leadership, community impact, sustainability, organizational strength, and collaboration. The foundation seeks to fund eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits that align with its mission and positively influence communities, particularly in Dallas, Texas, and Arkansas, where the founders have personal connections.

The Impact Fund provides recoverable grants to legal services nonprofits and small law firms working on social, environmental, and economic justice issues. With over $10 million awarded since 1992, the fund supports impactful litigation addressing systemic injustices. Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000 and prioritize cases directly involving affected communities. Recipients must repay the grant amount with interest if they recover fees or costs, ensuring sustainability for future funding.

The Blanchardville/Hollandale Area Fund, established in 2007, is a permanent endowment dedicated to supporting the communities of Hollandale and Blanchardville. Each year, it allocates grants to local non-profits, schools, and government agencies that contribute to community welfare. As a component of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, it aims to enhance local charitable efforts and improve the quality of life for residents through strategic funding.

The Darlington Excellence in Education (EIE) Fund, established in 2003, inspires teachers and students in the Darlington area by promoting innovative educational programs and recognizing outstanding achievements. With nearly $107,000 returned to the community, the fund supports both public and private schools, emphasizing quality education through community involvement and charitable resources. Grants are awarded annually for projects outside the school district's operating budget, fostering creativity and excellence in education.

The Argyle Community Fund, managed by The Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, is a permanent endowment dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Argyle area. Each year, grants are awarded to local non-profits, schools, and government agencies to support various charitable projects. These grants focus on education, youth, healthcare, historic preservation, and the arts, ensuring that community needs are met effectively.

The Benton Community Fund, established in 2011 by dedicated volunteers, aims to enhance community life in Benton through annual grants. With an initial goal of $50,000, the Fund supports local organizations, school districts, and government agencies providing charitable programs. It operates as a component of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, ensuring a permanent endowment for community development. However, grants are not available to individuals, maintaining focus on community-centric initiatives.

The Shullsburg Fund Grant, established in 2004, supports community-enhancing projects in Shullsburg, Wisconsin. Managed by the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, this grant focuses on funding non-profit organizations, local schools, and government agencies that contribute positively to the community. Grants are awarded annually in June, with a commitment to improving the local quality of life. Note that individual applicants are ineligible for funding.

The Darlington Area Community Fund Grants, established in 1999, is a vital endowment supporting charitable, educational, and cultural initiatives in the Darlington area. Managed under the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, these grants are awarded annually to non-profit organizations and local agencies that benefit the community. The fund relies on community support to sustain its growth and impact, making it essential for local development and community well-being.

The Platteville Community and Excellence in Education Funds support various charitable initiatives in the Platteville area, promoting projects in arts, education, health, and environmental preservation. Established in 2002, these funds provide grants to enhance community services and educational needs not covered by school budgets. With a focus on local engagement, the fund encourages contributions from individuals and organizations to foster a vibrant community, ensuring that diverse educational and cultural opportunities thrive for all residents.