Learn about grants to nonprofits in Wisconsin by browsing our curated list of top funders below. Members can also research funding opportunities in Wisconsin using the search tool for Grant Finder. Become a member.
Giving Trends in Wisconsin
More than than 2,500 foundations exist in Wisconsin, according to the Funding Information Center at Marquette University, as of 2022. Candid reports that more than 4,000 funders based within and outside of the state made more than $2 billion in grants for Wisconsin in 2021.
Information about grants for Wisconsin flows through the Wisconsin Philanthropy Network, as well as the Funding Information Center at Marquette University and the Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. In 2021 alone, WPN reports, Wisconsin foundations invested over $797 million. That said, it appears that philanthropy in Wisconsin is evolving quickly to meet the demands of the state’s changing needs. A 2022 Wisconsin Gives report found that collaborative funding and trust-based philanthropy represent increasing interest areas for Wisconsin grantmakers. Many Wisconsin grantmakers are also making more capacity-building grants to state-based nonprofits. Given the state's unique needs, rural philanthropy, racial equity, and health remain important concerns across Wisconsin’s funcind scene.
Grants for Wisconsin come from a mix of family, community, private, and corporate foundations. Top funders of Wisconsin grants include the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Give Back Foundation, United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, Kern Family Foundation, Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Madison Community Foundation, Bader Philanthropies, Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, Lunda Charitable Fund, Milwaukee Jewish Federation, and Anheuser-Busch Foundation.
Foundations in Wisconsin
ARGOSY FOUNDATION
The Argosy Foundation supports art, culture, humanities, education, environment, health, human services and public benefit needs in Wisconsin and beyond.
BADER PHILANTHROPIES
Bader Philanthropies supports the elderly, arts, Jewish education, faith and human services in Wisconsin through its two charitable funds.
PATTY AND JAY BAKER FOUNDATION
The Patty and Jay Baker Foundation supports performing arts, education and healthcare in Wisconsin and beyond.
LYNDE AND HARRY BRADLEY FOUNDATION
The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation supports programs that promote civil society, Constitutional order, free markets and informed citizens in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and beyond.
BREWERS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Brewers Community Foundation supports health, education, recreation and basic needs in Wisconsin.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE FOX VALLEY REGION
The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region supports arts and culture, basic needs and self-sufficiency, community development, environmental sustainability and nonprofit effectiveness in Wisconsin.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN
The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin supports education, the arts, health, human services and the preservation of historical, cultural and natural resources in Wisconsin.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN WISCONSIN
The Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin supports education, community development, economic development, health, human services, arts and culture, the environment, animal welfare and public safety in a nine-county region of Southern Wisconsin.
ENDRES MANUFACTURING COMPANY FOUNDATION
The Endres Manufacturing Company Foundation supports education, technology, business, environmental issues, the arts and human services in Dane County, Wisconsin.
EAU CLAIRE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Eau Claire Community Foundation supports arts and culture, education, the environment, recreation, animals, social services, accessibility needs and the needs of elders in Wisconsin.
GREATER GREEN BAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation supports efforts for poverty, arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, basic needs, women and girls, the elderly, neighborhoods and community in Wisconsin.
GREATER MILWAUKEE FOUNDATION
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation supports community capacity, arts and culture, equitable economic opportunity, physical environment, early childhood education, K-12 success and opportunities for youth in the four-county Milwaukee region of Wisconsin.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON FOUNDATION
The Harley-Davidson Foundation supports education, health, neighborhoods and community vibrancy in Wisconsin.
RICHARD AND ETHEL HERZFELD FOUNDATION
The Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation supports arts and culture, education and civic improvements in the Greater Milwaukee region of Wisconsin.
HOVDE FOUNDATION
The Hovde Foundation supports clinical research in search of a cure for multiple sclerosis and charitable relief in devastated areas around the world.
INCOURAGE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Incourage Community Foundation supports education, human services, health, economic opportunity, economic growth and resident engagement in Wisconsin.
JOHNSON CONTROLS FOUNDATION
The Johnson Controls Foundation supports health, social services, education, arts and culture and civic activities in Wisconsin and other places where the Johnson Controls company does business.
KOHLER FOUNDATION
The Kohler Foundation supports the arts and education in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin and other small towns throughout the state.
GEORGE KRESS FOUNDATION
The George Kress Foundation supports human services, libraries, Christian agencies, churches, higher education, arts and culture, historical preservation, health, recreation, children and youth and community development in Wisconsin.
LA CROSSE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The La Crosse Community Foundation supports arts and humanities, culture and diversity, education, environment, faith, health and human services, recreation and wellness and community improvement in Wisconsin.
MADISON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Madison Community Foundation supports community development, the environment, learning, arts and culture and nonprofit capacity building in Dane County, Wisconsin.
MARSHFIELD AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Marshfield Area Community Foundation supports arts, education, the environment, animals, sports and leisure, youth development, human services and community development in Wisconsin.
NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL FOUNDATION
The Northwestern Mutual Foundation supports fighting childhood cancer, education and neighborhoods in Wisconsin.
OSHKOSH AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation supports basic needs and self-sufficiency, the arts, education, economic impact, the elderly, women and girls, youth and other community needs in Wisconsin.
L.E. PHILLIPS FAMILY FOUNDATION
The L. E. Phillips Family Foundation supports Jewish causes, higher education, arts and culture, human services, health, education and youth in Wisconsin.
SENTRY INSURANCE FOUNDATION
The Sentry Insurance Foundation supports education, arts and culture and social services in Wisconsin and other places where the company operates.
SIEBERT LUTHERAN FOUNDATION
The Siebert Lutheran Foundation supports the Lutheran religion, education and human services in Wisconsin.
WAUKESHA COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Waukesha County Community Foundation supports arts and culture, community development, health, human services, education, environment and conservation and historic preservation in Wisconsin. It also conducts grantmaking for women and girls through its affiliated Women & Girls Fund of Waukesha County.
RUTH ST. JOHN AND JOHN DUNHAM WEST FOUNDATION
The Ruth St. John and John Dunham West Foundation supports Education, youth, arts and culture, environment, historical preservation, health, human services, libraries and other community needs in Wisconsin.
WINDHOVER FOUNDATION
The Windhover Foundation supports social services, women and children, health, libraries, arts and culture, parks and playgrounds and basic needs in Wisconsin.
MEAD WITTER FOUNDATION
The Mead Witter Foundation supports higher education, youth, social services and arts and culture in Wisconsin.
ZILBER FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Zilber Family Foundation supports neighborhoods, basic needs, personal safety, economic opportunity, affordable housing and youth programs in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
