2024 grant guidelines

Arts and culture

Background

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation supports targeted arts education and arts and culture strategies representing visual, performing and multidisciplinary art projects and programs.

Area served 

Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties

Who can apply

Grants are made to 501(c) (3) organizations that have board membership that comprises at least 10 percent people of color.

Grantmaking focus

• Arts education programs in traditional or nontraditional educational environments for children/youth from birth to high school
• Creation and exhibition of art that engages the community in creative and substantive ways
• Artists-in-residence within community-based settings 
• Programming that cultivates and supports an appreciation of diverse cultures and art forms
• Projects that integrate arts and creativity into community planning and development

Grant amount

The typical grant range is $5,000 to $75,000. The maximum request for a capital grant is $100,000.

Contact LaShawndra Vernon to learn more about this priority area.

Aging and older adults

Background  

The health outcomes of older adults are impacted by the ongoing harm of racial disparities in our health care system. Access to appropriate health services and improving health outcomes are this portfolio's main priorities. Our grant investment strategy aims to shift power, representation and policy toward racial equity. 

Area served 

Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties  

Who can apply 

Grants are made to 501(c) (3) organizations that have board membership that comprises at least 10 percent people of color. 

Grantmaking focus 

• Projects/organizations that help residents age in place in transforming or disadvantaged neighborhoods 
• Projects/organizations that develop intergenerational support/cohesion 
• Projects/organizations that build solidarity and collaboration among service providers and community in their sector/work  
• Projects/organizations that build narrative and actual power for oppressed communities 
• Projects/organizations engaged in advocacy efforts, including antiracist organizational development which transforms influence in their sector/work 
• Projects/organizations addressing health impacts of racial inequity, particularly interventions that are disproportionately underfunded 
• Projects/organizations that help residents age in place, especially within transforming neighborhoods facing multiple barriers. 
• Projects/organizations which develop intergenerational support/cohesion/beloved community 
• Underfunded health services

Grant amount 

The typical grant range is $5,000 to $75,000. The maximum request for a capital grant is $100,000. 

Contact Benjamin Porter to learn more about this priority area.

Early childhood education

Background  

High quality early childhood care and education is the key to giving every child the start in life they need and deserve. It has been shown to have a significant impact on a child’s long-term academic, social, and developmental success, and enables parents to participate in the workforce. Furthermore, research supports that physical learning environments matter. Facilities and the child-centered spaces within them can enhance children’s development by inspiring a range of social and cognitive learning experiences, as well as encouraging the development of gross motor skills. Indoor and outdoor spaces can increase students in a variety of hands-on learning experiences, collaboration, exploration, and play. For the well-being of our children and the future of our economy, we need to act now. That is why the Greater Milwaukee Foundation is prioritizing early childhood care and education. 

Area served 

Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties. 

Who may apply 

Grants are made to 501(c) (3) organizations that have board membership that comprises at least 10 percent people of color. 

Grantmaking focus 

Facility upgrades

Grant amount 

The maximum request for a capital grant is $100,000. 

Contact Jeannie Fenceroy to learn more about this priority area.

Entrepreneurship and small business development

Background 

Through these grants, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation provides access to resources and technical assistance that help small businesses get to the next level.  

Area served 

Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties. 

Who may apply 

Grants are made to 501(c) (3) organizations that have board membership that comprises at least 10 percent people of color.  

Grantmaking focus 

• Small business growth and retention 
• Access to capital  
• Creative business solutions  

Grant amount 

The typical grant range is $5,000 to $50,000. The maximum request for a capital grant is $100,000. 

Contact Theresa Scott to learn more about this priority area.

Environment

Area served 

Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties.  

Who may apply 

Grants are made to 501(c) (3) organizations that have board membership that comprises at least 10 percent people of color. 

• Grantmaking focus 

• Protection and conservation of environmental assets 
• Strengthening local and community-based food systems 
• Programming focused on youth engagement and conservation leadership development 

Grant amount 

The typical grant range is $5,000 to $50,000. The maximum request for a capital grant is $100,000. 

Contact Dani Breen to learn more about this priority area.

Healthy birth outcomes

Background 

Healthy birth outcomes are impacted by the ongoing harm of racial disparities in our health care system. Access to appropriate health services and improving health outcomes are this portfolio's main priorities. Our grant investment strategy aims to shift power, representation and policy toward racial equity. 

Area served 

Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties 

Who may apply 

Grants are made to 501(c) (3) organizations that have board membership that comprises at least 10 percent people of color. 

Grantmaking focus 

• Projects/organizations that address Black maternal/child health disparities.  
• Projects/organizations that decolonize maternal health care 
• Projects/organizations that build solidarity and collaboration among service providers and community in their sector/work  
• Projects/organizations that build narrative and actual power for oppressed communities 
• Projects/organizations engaged in advocacy efforts, including anti-racist organizational development which transforms influence in their sector/work 
• Projects/organizations addressing health impacts of racial inequity, particularly interventions that are disproportionately underfunded.
• Projects/organizations that address Black maternal/child health disparities 
• Projects/organizations that provide culturally specific and integrative maternal and child health care  

Grant amount  

The typical grant range is $5,000 to $75,000. The maximum request for a capital grant is $100,000.  

Contact Benjamin Porter to learn more about this priority area.

Medical research

Background  

Medical research is impacted by the ongoing harm of racial disparities in health outcomes. Access to appropriate health services and improving health outcomes are this portfolio's main priorities. Our grant investment strategy aims to shift power, representation, and policy toward racial equity. 

Area served 

Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties 

Who may apply 

Grants are made to 501(c) (3) organizations that have board membership that comprises at least 10 percent people of color. 

Grantmaking focus 

• Research on health outcomes, patient empowerment and clinical training addressing local racial health disparities 

• Research proposals focused on cancer, AIDS, ALS, spinal cord injury, polymyalgia and muscle inflammation disease, multiple sclerosis, lupus, leukemia, heart disease and Parkinson’s are particularly encouraged.  

• Projects/organizations that build solidarity and collaboration among service providers and community in their sector/work 
• Projects/organizations that build narrative and actual power for oppressed communities 
• Projects/organizations engaged in advocacy efforts, including anti-racist organizational development which transforms influence in their sector/work 
• Projects/organizations addressing health impacts of racial inequity, particularly interventions that are disproportionately underfunded 

Grant amount 

The typical grant range is $5,000 to $75,000. The maximum request for a capital grant is $100,000. 

Contact Benjamin Porter to learn more about this priority area.