Grant Calendar

In 2020, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation will open three grant cycles using a one-step application process without the traditional letter of inquiry. Please refer to the Grantmaking FAQs page for answers to commonly asked questions about the Foundation’s grantmaking process.

The calendar below lists the grantmaking priorities and deadlines for each cycle. Capital requests will be accepted as indicated. Click on the links to learn more about the priorities and who to contact to discuss potential projects or questions. *An organization may only submit one application per cycle.

We are no longer accepting applications for emergency needs for projects providing food, housing, medical or behavioral services in response to COVID-19.

Organizations that have had services and/or funding impacted by COVID-19 can complete and submit the 2020 General Operating Application in the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Grants Portal. The application will be made available from Friday, May 8 through Friday, May 22. Organizations who have received funding from the MKE Responds Fund, or applicants with an open grant with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, will not be eligible for General Operating Support grants from this particular opportunity.

Cycle 1

Targeted Funding Priorities:

Physical Environment – Affordable housing and homeownership
(Projects/programs ONLY in Metcalfe Park, Sherman Park East, Muskego Way, Clarke Square, Harambee, North Division, Silver Spring, Halyard Park and Brewers Hill neighborhoods)

Responsive Funding Priorities:

Health – Increase access to care and/or promote health education
Medical Research - Address health disparities in disease and chronic illness

Applications open: Nov. 18, 2019

Applications close: Dec 6, 2019

Board meeting: March 11, 2020

This grant opportunity is currently closed for 2019.

Cycle 2

Targeted Funding Priorities:

Early Childhood Education Workforce and Professional Development – Teacher development and recruitment

Responsive Funding Priorities:

Aging and Older Adults – Services and programs for low income seniors
Arts and Culture (project and capital requests) – Arts education and access, participation and engagement in the arts
Environment – Protection and conservation and community based food systems

Applications open: Feb. 24, 2020

Applications close: March 13, 2020

Board meeting: June 10, 2020

This grant opportunity is currently closed.

Cycle 3

Targeted Funding Priorities:

Healthy Birth Outcomes – Access to care and support
Early Childhood Education Facility Upgrades (capital requests) – Quality and access improvements

The following two funding priorities are for projects/programs ONLY in Metcalfe Park, Sherman Park East, Muskego Way, Clarke Square, Harambee, North Division, Silver Spring, Halyard Park and Brewers Hill neighborhoods:

Community Capacity – Resident led neighborhood priorities and solutions
Equitable Economic Opportunity – Entrepreneurship and small business

Responsive Funding Priorities:

Arts & Culture – Arts education and access, participation and engagement in the arts
Basic Needs (project and capital requests) – Emergency shelters and food pantries

Applications open: Aug. 10, 2020

Applications close: Aug. 28, 2020

Board meeting: Dec. 4, 2020

Other grant opportunities

A number of our funds each have their own separate grant cycles and application deadlines. For more information, visit the other grant opportunities page.

Grants Portal Access

Contact Us

For questions with the application process, contact Brad Ambelang.