Best Public Radio Grants in Wisconsin

The Community Possible Grant Program by U.S. Bank aims to foster economic and workforce advancement, as well as safe and affordable housing. By partnering with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, the program seeks to drive lasting change within communities through collaborative grantmaking. Priority is given to organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and that address multiple pillars of work, home, and play. This initiative reflects U.S. Bank's commitment to creating a more equitable society.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on children, education, or health and human services can apply for monetary support from Costco Foundation to strengthen community programs. Wisconsin public radio organizations with eligible youth, educational, or community service initiatives may be considered if they meet these priorities and other program criteria.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with innovative human services or social problem-solving programs in Wisconsin may be eligible for support, especially smaller or evolving groups. Focused on new approaches to societal issues, the Creag Foundation invites inquiries from organizations that are rethinking service delivery, which can include public radio entities working on community-focused initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving youth programs in Wisconsin can seek funding for health, education, development, and welfare initiatives, including child advocacy, homelessness, poverty, and refugee enrichment. The Dan Paul Foundation supports child-focused work such as early childhood development, scholarships, and environmental education, offering up to US $15,000 per year for qualifying projects worldwide.

Early-stage independent nonprofits and impact-first, mission-driven for-profits in Wisconsin tackling urgent social or environmental problems can access funding through Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation; awards up to US $300,000 over three years for scalable, systems-focused solutions. Public radio and other media organizations serving underserved communities may be eligible if they meet DRK’s stage, geography, and impact criteria.

Nonprofit and NGO media or public radio organizations in Wisconsin using technology to serve economically underserved communities can apply for Global Impact Cash Grants, with awards up to US $100,000. Grants from Cisco Systems Foundation help fund innovative, tech-enabled programs in crisis response, education access, and economic empowerment that reach broad community audiences.

U.S. 501(c)(3) cultural institutions with audited expenses over $2 million can seek more than US $100,000 to support arts and science programming, capital projects, or limited general support, including in Wisconsin. Grants from William Randolph Hearst Foundation favor arts education, STEAM-focused science programs, and artist training that measurably engage youth and broad audiences, which may benefit public radio organizations with qualifying cultural or educational initiatives.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations in Wisconsin working in health and welfare, education, or community services can seek funding for programs like food pantries, healthcare access, STEM education, and preventive health. Labcorp Charitable Foundation supports initiatives that may benefit public radio entities engaged in these focus areas.

Nonprofits, social enterprises, schools, and other organizations working on education, children’s health, or family economic stability in Wisconsin and other U.S. locations can seek project or scale-up support over US $50,000. Michael & Susan Dell Foundation backs initiatives serving urban low-income children and youth in the U.S., India, and South Africa, which may include public radio education programming.

Wisconsin accredited charities running humanitarian, educational, environmental, or contemporary arts projects may be eligible for philanthropic support that promotes sustainable development and engages Roche employees. Focused on community, science education, environment, and arts, Roche invites local organizations to work with its Wisconsin affiliate on high-quality, locally based initiatives, which can include media and radio-related programming.

Focused on global health, education, and humanitarian aid, nonprofits supporting marginalized communities in Wisconsin and worldwide may be eligible for Semnani Family Foundation funding. Organizations working in areas like health care access, disaster relief, literacy, and human and social services, including those connected to public radio outreach or education, can seek support.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits conducting charitable, scientific, medical, or educational work can seek funding usable in Wisconsin and nationwide. Sidney Stern Memorial Trust provides support to soundly managed organizations with broad impact and strong service to their communities, which may include public radio or other radio-related educational and public service programming.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting community development, housing, workforce education, basic needs, arts, environment, or inclusion can apply for Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s sponsorship support. Wisconsin public radio and media organizations that are tax-exempt and contribute to local economic, social, or cultural life may be eligible for these regional sponsorships.

Wisconsin public radio and other 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding through Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation to produce storytelling projects that highlight their community impact. Organizations working in preservation, education, or wellness, including wildlife conservation groups eligible for unsolicited applications, may receive more than US $50,000 to share powerful, mission-driven stories.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving communities in the Southern U.S. can seek funding for education, youth and family services, poverty relief, disaster response, health, conservation, animal welfare, veterans, and religious initiatives. Focused on tangible impact, the Robinson Foundation invites applicants with at least three years of activity; Wisconsin public radio partners serving Southern audiences may be eligible.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Wisconsin can apply for Dudley T Dougherty Foundation’s funding to support charitable initiatives. Programs in community services, environmental conservation, or peacebuilding that intersect with public or community radio activities may be eligible for support under this broad, change-focused grant opportunity.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and qualified local government entities in Wisconsin communities near Georgia-Pacific manufacturing facilities can seek funding for education, environment, entrepreneurship, and community enrichment programs. Georgia-Pacific Foundation provides support to initiatives that improve long-term well-being and sustainability in the areas it serves, which may include public radio or related community media projects.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Wisconsin that support basic needs, at-risk youth enrichment, workforce readiness, or domestic violence safety may be eligible for funding if located within 15 miles of a TJX site. The TJX Foundation invites aligned nonprofits to complete an eligibility questionnaire and, if qualified, submit a letter of inquiry for consideration.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and libraries in Wisconsin seeking support for environmental or human services programs can apply for unrestricted grants of US $5,000 - US $10,000. Focused on environment and human services, Lawrence Foundation invites eligible organizations, including those operating public radio initiatives within these areas, to request general operating or project support.

Wisconsin nonprofit organizations promoting one-time or one-of-a-kind events that drive tourism and local economic impact can receive up to US $28,250 to reimburse qualified marketing costs. Wisconsin radio and public media outlets partnering on major events may be eligible for Travel Wisconsin’s Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grants supporting regional and Midwest-wide promotional campaigns.

Nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin and across the U.S. can seek funding for community-based programs, cultural institutions, education, health facilities, and environmental or wildlife initiatives. Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation awards US $1,000 - US $20,000, prioritizing projects where relatively small grants can make a significant impact, which may include public radio-related efforts.

Wisconsin public radio and other 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding through Ameriprise Financial for programs that meet basic needs, support community vitality, or are strongly volunteer-driven. Eligible U.S. nonprofits should demonstrate measurable outcomes, financial stability, and may be especially competitive if they engage Ameriprise employees or advisors as volunteers.

Wisconsin public radio and other U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits improving local quality of life can seek project, operating, or capital support for community-focused programs. The O'Reilly Automotive Foundation funds efforts in economic stability, workforce development, health and social services, and disaster relief in communities where O’Reilly Auto Parts has a business presence.

Wisconsin 501(c)(3) public charities running safety, workforce, community vitality, or environmental programs in Union Pacific–served communities can apply for Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants, with awards of US $5,000 - US $30,000. Public radio and media nonprofits may be eligible if their programming advances these priority areas and DEI goals locally.

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors exemplary nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that foster collaborative partnerships across sectors. Annually, a national competition showcases numerous organizations demonstrating impactful community partnerships. Six organizations receive recognition, including the Thomas J. Moran Award, which offers $100,000, and the Frances R. Hesselbein Award, granting $75,000. Since 1996, the award has acknowledged 262 partnerships, emphasizing Mutual of America's commitment to societal improvement through collaboration.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.