Best Transportation Grants in Wisconsin

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with at least one year of status and innovative human services approaches may be eligible for Creag Foundation support, including those in Wisconsin. Focused on new solutions to social problems, this invitation-only fund may benefit groups improving public transportation, community safety, health access, or related services.

The DanPaul Foundation aims to enhance early childhood development by training teachers and parents, protecting children from abuse, and promoting social responsibility. They provide grants to non-profits for programs that focus on education, health, and welfare of youth. Key initiatives include scholarships, environmental education, and support for underprivileged children. Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 annually, with a focus on impactful, community-driven projects.

Early-stage, impact-first nonprofits and mission-driven for-profits in Wisconsin and other priority regions can seek up to US $300,000 over three years for scalable social or environmental solutions that benefit underserved communities. Grants from Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation help organizations with proven pilots, measurable impact, and strong growth potential access capital, capacity-building, and a global support community.

Individuals and families in Western Wisconsin counties facing emergency basic needs, including transportation costs like car repairs, can receive up to US $500 in one-time assistance. United Way St Croix Valley provides Wisconsin residents with support for housing, utilities, medical expenses, and transportation when other community resources have been exhausted and the applicant can share in the cost.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on health, education, or community services in Wisconsin can seek funding for healthcare access, food pantries, STEM programming, and related initiatives. Labcorp Charitable Foundation supports U.S.-based charities, with common opportunities for underserved patient services, meal programs, and preventative healthcare that may benefit transportation-linked community programs.

The McKnight Foundation provides Wisconsin nonprofits and government entities with grants for climate-focused transportation, clean energy, and related systems-change work. Organizations working on public transit, electrification, reducing vehicle miles traveled, and equitable mobility in the Midwest may be eligible for operating or project support; proposals are accepted on a rolling basis.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

Wisconsin nonprofit charities running community, educational, humanitarian, environmental, or arts programs may be eligible for philanthropic support that can also benefit local transportation access or infrastructure. Focused on humanitarian and social development, science education, community and environment, and arts and culture, Roche directs country-level requests to its local affiliate offices for consideration.

Legal services nonprofits, solo practitioners, and small law firms pursuing impact litigation for economic, environmental, racial, or social justice in Wisconsin and nationwide can seek recoverable grants covering out-of-pocket litigation expenses. The Impact Fund awards US $10,000 - US $50,000, which may help transportation-related civil rights or environmental justice cases affecting public transit users and communities.

Environmental and policy-focused organizations working on climate solutions or Great Lakes and drinking water issues in Wisconsin and other Great Lakes states can seek funding for advocacy and systems-change work. The Joyce Foundation supports clean energy policy, freshwater protection, equitable water access, and environmental justice efforts that advance these priorities in the Great Lakes region.

Public entities and eligible sponsors in Wisconsin seeking to improve walking, biking, and other transportation alternatives can apply for the Transportation Alternatives Program, which reimburses more than US $20,000 for qualifying projects. Funded by the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation, this program supports projects like Safe Routes to School and bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Wisconsin working on community services, environmental conservation, or peacebuilding projects can apply for the Dudley T Dougherty Foundation Grant. Programs that improve transportation access or public transit as part of broader community or environmental efforts may be eligible for this national funding opportunity.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Wisconsin located within 15 miles of a TJX store, distribution center, or office can seek funding for basic needs, at-risk youth enrichment, workforce readiness, and domestic violence safety programs. The TJX Foundation supports community-focused initiatives helping vulnerable families and children access resources and opportunities to build better futures.

Nonprofit organizations, tribal nations, and counties in Wisconsin can seek funding to provide reentry case management and support services for people returning to Milwaukee County from prison or jail. Wisconsin Department of Health Services supports reentry services in Wisconsin by funding staff who coordinate housing, transportation, counseling, employment assistance, and other community-based resources to reduce recidivism.

Nonprofits and community organizations supporting transportation access in Wisconsin communities served by Alliant Energy can apply for Community Grants to assist with needs like bus passes and ride share support. Grants from Alliant Energy help eligible Wisconsin groups enhance mobility as part of broader hunger, housing, workforce readiness, and community safety efforts.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

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.

Destination marketing organizations and Native American tribes in Wisconsin can receive up to US $30,000 to cover facility, host, and in-community transportation costs when bidding on regional or national meetings and conventions. Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Meetings Mean Business grants support events that generate hotel overnights, visitor spending, and significant local economic impact.

Wisconsin community-based organizations, schools, tribes, and local governments can access funding to run adult angler education and participation programs, including costs like staff time, fishing gear, supplies, and transportation rentals. Administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, this program supports recruitment, retention, and reactivation of anglers, which may benefit groups integrating outdoor recreation with transportation to fishing sites.

Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities, tribal communities, and accredited schools in Wisconsin can apply for Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin’s Go Outside Fund; awards US $100 - US $1,500 for youth outdoor, nature-based learning. Funding can cover transportation, field supplies, substitute teachers, or educator costs, which may benefit school or program transportation needs.

Wisconsin 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on substantial, ongoing arts education for youth up to age 18 can receive US $5,000 - US $40,000 to strengthen programs and organizational capacity in Milwaukee. The Richard & Ethel Herzfeld Foundation supports initiatives such as artist residencies, afterschool or summer arts programs, and projects improving access, including transportation assistance.

Wisconsin EMS agencies running leave behind overdose-prevention programs can apply for Wisconsin Department of Health Services support, receiving fentanyl and xylazine test strip kits at no cost. Eligible providers must be EMS services and participants in the DHS Naloxone Direct Program, helping expand community-based substance use and preventative healthcare efforts in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin rural public entities and nonprofit corporations can access funding for rural business development and related infrastructure projects through USDA Rural Development. Grants support technical assistance, training, land and facility development, rural transportation improvement, and community or technology-based economic development. Transportation-focused initiatives benefiting small rural businesses may be especially competitive.

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.

Wisc​onsin 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving people with disabilities can access funding for programmatic needs, including transportation, housing, assistive devices, and inclusive education or recreation. Wispact provides Wisconsin disability care organizations with grants to improve daily living conditions, expand existing services, and purchase equipment that enhances accessibility and fulfillment for individuals with disabilities.

Wisconsin 501(c)(3) public charities and public institutions can apply for Kohler Foundation grants up to US $10,000 to support arts and education programs, including STEAM and access-to-arts initiatives. Rural communities and Sheboygan County projects, including those improving transportation access to arts experiences, may be especially competitive.