Best Local Government Grants in Wisconsin

Local government entities and other Wisconsin nonprofits supporting youth education, family food and housing security, cultural or scientific institutions, or civic projects may be eligible for grants that strengthen community programs. Grants from the Jerome J. and Dorothy H. Holz Family Foundation prioritize Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties, including civic support in Hales Corners and related civic engagement and education efforts.

Government entities and tax-exempt nonprofits in Wisconsin working on climate and energy systems change can seek operating or project support for advocacy, organizing, and policy work. The McKnight Foundation funds efforts like clean energy transitions, decarbonizing transportation and buildings, climate-smart working lands, and civic engagement that advances equitable, climate-resilient communities; proposals are accepted on a rolling basis.

Community organizing groups in Wisconsin focused on social justice and civic engagement can apply for Needmor Fund for Social Justice’s Core Grants, which provide multi-year general operating support. Eligible organizations organize primarily low- and moderate-income people, maintain a dues-paying membership base, and pursue multi-issue campaigns that build community power and democratic participation.

Local government agencies and other organizations in Wisconsin that engage AmeriCorps members in community service or capacity-building projects can apply for Serve Wisconsin’s AmeriCorps State Competitive Program Grant. Grants support evidence-based interventions in civic engagement, education, environmental stewardship, public safety, and other human needs by funding a portion of program costs and member living allowances.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Wisconsin can seek project or program funding for community services, civic engagement, health, environment, animal welfare, and related needs. Grants from Green Bay Packers Foundation help Wisconsin local government partners and community-focused groups address annually rotating priorities such as homelessness, education, athletics, and health and wellness, with awards from US $3,000 - US $8,000.

Local governments and other organizations in Wisconsin can seek funding for public humanities programs such as exhibitions, performances, community discussions, and workshops. Wisconsin Humanities Council awards US $20,001 - US $10,000 Major Grants three times per year to projects where the humanities are central, encouraging civic engagement, education, and reflective community experiences, especially in underserved areas.

Wisconsin local governments, schools, and nonprofits can access funding for community health, wellness, poverty reduction, and neighborhood improvement initiatives. Through its Thriving Community Impact Fund Core Contribution Grants, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation offers US $2,500 - US $49,999 for programs aligned with its Community Health Improvement Plan within its 21-county Western Wisconsin, Southeast Minnesota, and Northeast Iowa service region.

Local governments and 501(c)(3) or 170(c)(1) organizations in Wisconsin can seek program-specific support for community revitalization, affordable housing, and services for low- and moderate-income residents. With a mission to build healthy, vibrant communities, Huntington National Bank provides funding within its footprint for initiatives like workforce development, financial empowerment, food security, and digital inclusion; invitation to apply is required.

Local government entities and 501(c)(3) organizations in Wisconsin can apply for the James M Cox Foundation’s funding to support capital projects or special initiatives in conservation, early childhood education, family empowerment, or health. Applicants must be in a Cox service area; those outside metropolitan Atlanta need a local Cox management endorsement letter.

Better Food Policy Fund 

Since its inception, the Better Food Policy Fund has set its strategic direction in a participatory fashion. We are intentionally building capacity for engagement to ensure the Fund aligns with the needs of food policy council stakeholders.   

Thus far, the Fund has engaged 300+ food policy council stakeholders to help co-develop the Fund. We are immensely grateful for the individuals who helped shape the initial direction of this fund. We view this growing stakeholder audience as the people to whom the Fund’s governing body, the Independent Advisory Committee, is ultimately accountable.

Grantmaking

The Better Food Policy Fund invests in US-based food policy councils, empowering community and government collaboration for progressive food policy. We utilize participatory processes to enhance equity and redistribute power in the funding landscape. We seek to celebrate and uplift the work of food policy councils, and believe every food policy council is worthy of financial support.

We define “food policy councils” as councils, networks, coalitions, or other groups working across boundaries at the tribal, municipal, county, state, or regional level.  

We support actions aimed at ensuring an enabling environment for policy change, such as: 

• increasing levels of inclusive and equitable stakeholder engagement in public processes
• engaging systems thinking when tackling complex food system challenges
• facilitating collaboration with and across local government agencies and departments 
• developing or revising local policies and plans  

We define “better food policy” as practices, procedures, ordinances, laws, etc. of governing institutions which strengthen community-based food systems.

We define “civic collaboration” as people joining together at the intersection of community and government to address public issues.

The James B and Lois R Archer Charitable Foundation offers Large Grants for requests exceeding $10,000. Focused on fostering positive change, the foundation supports initiatives in Arts and Culture, Civic Engagement, Education, Health, and Human Services. Eligibility includes 501(c)(3) organizations, while restrictions apply to consecutive grant cycles and non-qualifying purposes such as endowments and fundraising events. Organizations are encouraged to apply for various projects to enhance community well-being.

The M J Murdock Charitable Trust offers the Strategic Projects: Program & Staff Grants to support nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest. These grants focus on capacity-building for mission-driven projects and infrastructure investments. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to community flourishing, with funding available for new programs or expansion of existing ones. The Trust prioritizes initiatives that align with its strategic goals, fostering sustainable nonprofit growth and impact in the region.

Wisconsin civic engagement and education organizations can access funding through M J Murdock Charitable Trust’s Strategic Projects: Equipment & Technology Grants to purchase new long-lived equipment or technology, with awards typically more than US $50,000. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities, certain government and tribal entities, and nonprofits working in areas like community services, education, health, environment, and research, primarily serving the Pacific Northwest.

Local government and public-serving entities in Wisconsin with eligible 501(c)(3) or governmental partners can seek more than US $50,000 for capital construction, renovation, or property purchase projects that expand nonprofit capacity. Focused on artistic and cultural expression, civic engagement and community services, education, health, environmental stewardship, and scientific research, M J Murdock Charitable Trust prioritizes diversified funding and projects in the Pacific Northwest but may support broader U.S. impact.

Grassroots organizing groups in the U.S. can seek rapid-response funding for urgent nonviolent activism, including civic engagement and social justice actions. A.J. Muste Memorial Institute supports immediate needs and timely political opportunities with grants up to US $5,000; Wisconsin-based efforts involving local governments or community advocacy may be eligible.

Graduating high school seniors interested in communications, journalism, leadership, or historic preservation can apply for Coral Gables Community Foundation’s Jeannett Slesnick Community Spirit Scholarship; awards US $500 - US $2,500 for up to four years of college tuition. Students must show financial need and plan full-time enrollment at an accredited four-year institution.

Wisconsin local governments and partner entities working in rural civic engagement can access funding through Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ Trust for Civic Life Civic Experiment Grants. Eligible 501(c)(3)s, local or tribal governments, community colleges, foundations, cooperatives, and similar entities in rural U.S. regions can receive up to US $25,000 for non-partisan, community-led programs that spark civic participation and long-term civic infrastructure.

Youth-led civic engagement and leadership teams in Wisconsin can apply for the Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness Fellowship to run community-based projects. Focused on civic engagement and youth development, Institute for Citizens & Scholars offers up to US $4,500 in stipends and project support for informal or formally affiliated teams of 14–24-year-olds across the U.S.

Youth-led groups and young people ages 5–25 in Wisconsin can receive US $250 - US $500 to design and run community service, advocacy, or civic engagement projects with their peers. With a mission to empower youth changemakers, Youth Service America provides support for projects during Youth Service Month and Global Youth Service Day that build social awareness, relationships, and local impact.

Local government and other 501(c)(3) organizations in Wisconsin working on civic engagement, voter education, and election participation can seek support for year-round, on-the-ground organizing. Park Foundation funds state-based and national groups that mobilize voters, protect voting rights and election integrity, and counter efforts to suppress participation in the democratic process across the U.S.

Nonprofit public charities working on national civic engagement, democracy, or gun violence prevention initiatives in the U.S., including Wisconsin, may be eligible for this program supporting multi-state projects. Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund backs efforts to protect voting rights, reduce money in politics, and strengthen policy and education to prevent gun violence.

Local government entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Wisconsin working on civic engagement, financial literacy, housing insecurity, community development, or technology education can seek funding for scalable, high-impact programs. Affirm Cares supports U.S.-based initiatives that promote vibrant communities, technology access, and economic inclusion; applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

The Thriving Community Impact Fund supports local events and initiatives that promote health and well-being in the community. Applications should be submitted at least 12 weeks prior to the event date. The fund prioritizes non-profit organizations, schools, and government agencies that align with the Health System’s Community Health Improvement Plan. Event sponsorships, local memberships, and partnerships are encouraged to enhance community engagement and address social needs, ultimately fostering a healthier community.

The Pipeline Grants Competition by the Russell Sage Foundation aims to bolster early-career scholars and enhance diversity in the social sciences. It supports innovative research focusing on economic mobility and systemic inequalities in the U.S. Eligible applicants can receive up to $35,000 individually or $50,000 in teams. The foundation emphasizes methodological diversity and interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging novel data usage. Projects should align with RSF's mission to improve social conditions, prioritizing underrepresented scholars from under-resourced institutions.

The Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Mini-Grant supports events that honor civil rights activist Ruby Bridges by encouraging students to walk to school and engage in discussions about activism, anti-racism, and anti-bullying. Grants of $500 or $1000 are available based on the number of students reached. This initiative aims to inspire positive changes within communities and promote meaningful dialogue among young people about social justice issues.

Grant Guidelines

To advance its mission to build a responsible and equitable technology ecosystem, the Kapor Foundation makes strategic grants across three focus areas: (1) Computing Education, (2) Innovation, and (3) Governance.

Within each focus area, we fund research on critical topics at the intersection of racial equity and tech, capacity-building that strengthens coalitions and movement-building infrastructure, and policy advocacy that drives systemic change.

Funding Priorities

We fund organizations and initiatives aligned with our core focus areas:

Given advances in Al, a new vision of education is urgently needed — one that ensures students are equipped with the technical skills to build emerging technologies and the critical skills to navigate their socio-technical implications. We fund computing education initiatives across K-12, postsecondary, and alternative pathways that expand computing participation at scale, shift policy to ensure equitable access, and expand the pipeline of educators prepared to teach computing.

2. 

Al is being designed, developed, and deployed rapidly, yet the communities most affected by its impacts are largely excluded from its creation and subsequent economic benefits. We support organizations and individuals that build responsible Al technologies, leverage technology to close gaps in access and opportunity, and invest in initiatives and coalitions that advance responsible Al in the entrepreneurship and venture capital ecosystems.

3.

As Al adoption accelerates, bolder approaches to regulation are necessary to protect marginalized communities from technological harm, expand economic opportunity, and ensure the benefits of technology reach everyone. We support efforts that build awareness of key policy issues, develop policy agendas, and mobilize coalitions.

For 2026, our priority advocacy areas are: 1) computing education, 2) algorithmic bias, 3) Al safeguards for children, 4) data center development, and 5) surveillance and civil rights.

About Madison Community FoundationSince 1942, Madison Community Foundation (MCF) has been building a stronger, more generous community and helping people like you make a lasting impact through charitable giving. Mission : MCF will engage Greater Madison in philanthropy to advance a more vibrant and equitable community.About Portage Area Community Fund (PACF) GrantPACF is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the greater Portage area for present and future generations.Key interest areas include:

• Civic and cultural enrichment,
• Natural and historic preservation,
• Parks and recreation,
• Community development,
• Youth and educational resources, and
• The needs of the community in the Portage area.