The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s discretionary grantmaking supports projects and programs that align with priorities that support our strategic vision of creating a Milwaukee for all. Learn more about our first grant cycle timeline, priorities, guidelines and the appropriate program officer to contact with any questions.
Cycle 1
Important dates
Application opens: March 17, 2025
Program officer hours: March 14, 2025
Application closes: April 4, 2025
Community Investment Committee meeting: June 2025
Board meeting: June 2025
Area served
Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties
Who can apply
Grants are made to 501(c) (3) organizations that have boards consisting of at least 10 percent people of color. The executive director of the organization should not be included in that calculation. The term "people of color" refers to African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic/Latino and all other persons who are not categorized as white by the U.S. Census.
Nonprofits must have at least four unrelated board members.
Grant amount
Requests for up to $50,000 per year for up to three years will be considered. Organizations are encouraged to apply for the funds and length of award necessary.
Grantmaking framework
Our grant investment framework aims: to ultimately support policies that benefit communities of color; to increase diverse representation (reflective of the racial and ethnic composition of communities served) in the decision-making bodies of institutions; and to change rules of engagement so that power is built, shared, and wielded equitably in order to produce just and sustainable outcomes.
Priorities and guidelines
Select the portfolio most aligned to your work to learn more about additional grantmaking guidelines:
Priorities and guidelines
Select the individual priority area to learn more about its focus and typical grant amount available.
Arts and culture
Background
A strong arts sector is crucial for a vibrant greater Milwaukee area. Intentional efforts to unify arts and culture with inclusive community and economic development will help to overcome decades of disinvestments, particularly in communities of color.
Grantmaking focus
Strengthen art and natural history museums, symphonies and theaters, dance companies and arts education programs, public sculptures, murals and more to honor and celebrate the vibrant cultures in and across greater Milwaukee.
General operating, capital/facilities and project/program grants are available.
Examples of potential applications include but are not limited to those seeking funds for one or more of the following:
Foster arts education: Provide arts education programs for children and youth from birth to high school, cultivating creativity and cultural understanding.
Engage communities through creation: Support the creation and exhibition of art that engages the community and reflects diverse perspectives and experiences.
Integrate artists in communities: Embed artists-in-residence within community-based settings to facilitate creative exploration, cultural expression and the documentation of community narratives.
Promote cultural appreciation and preservation: Develop programming that cultivates and supports an appreciation of diverse cultures and art forms, including preserving cultural heritages through archiving and documentation.
Cultivate creative community development: Integrate arts into community planning, development and historical preservation.
Contact LaShawndra Vernon to learn more about this priority area.
Basic Needs
Background
Access to food and shelter are basic human rights. Due to inequitable systems, many of our neighbors experience food insecurity and homelessness. Meeting basic needs is essential for the health and well-being of individuals and families. We are partnering with nonprofits throughout the greater Milwaukee area to leverage existing community strengths and assets to increase access to healthy, local food systems and shelter.
Grantmaking focus
Support food pantries and meal sites in reducing food insecurity and supporting access to healthy food.
Multi-year general operating requests for up to $50,000 per year for three years are encouraged.
Examples of potential applications include but are not limited to those seeking funds for one or more of the following:
Purchasing equipment for storing and cooking food (e.g., refrigerators, freezers and cookware)
Designing and implementing projects to support the acquisition and distribution of food
Using general operating dollars to staff and run a food pantry or meal site
Contact Dani Breen to learn more about this priority area.
Housing
Background
Housing is a major building block of life, health and wealth. It is the foundation upon which people can pursue and achieve their goals, build stronger, more stable communities and build generational wealth. When people cannot afford safe housing, they are forced to make difficult choices that impact their health, their community connections, or their children’s educational opportunities and their financial lives. Stable housing can improve student attendance rates, reduce crime, increase employment and improve health.
Grantmaking focus
Increase quality affordable housing, pathways to homeownership, and eviction prevention.
Multi-year general operating or project/program requests are encouraged.
Examples of potential applications include but are not limited to those seeking funds for one or more of the following:
Support for current renters and homeowners such as down payment assistance, preventing eviction and foreclosure
Support for an increase in homeownership such as development of affordable homes and homebuying counseling programs
Contact Theresa Scott to learn more about this priority area.
Physical health
Background
The greater Milwaukee region faces significant racial health disparities that lead to differences in disease outcomes, life expectancy and overall quality of life. These disparities are driven by systemic racism. Our communities are rich with cultural resilience, strong social networks, and innovative grassroots organizations working to address our health disparities. Community-led initiatives are improving outcomes by leveraging these strengths and showcasing greater Milwaukee’s ability to harness its collective resources and wisdom to foster equitable health outcomes for all residents.
Grantmaking focus
Increase transformative, community-led investments that support access to appropriate health services and improve health outcomes.
General operating, capital/facilities and project/program grants are available.
Examples of potential applications include but are not limited to those seeking funds for one or more of the following:
Building solidarity and collaboration among service providers and the community they serve
Creating and sharing stories of communities overcoming systemic barriers
Engaging in advocacy and organizing efforts, including anti-racist organizational development
Addressing the health impacts of racial inequity, particularly health interventions that are disproportionately underfunded
Advancing an integrative approach to well-being
Increasing access to culturally reverent and affordable health care
Delivering community-led health interventions that meet care needs not traditionally covered by insurance and/or in locations with inadequate access
Contact Benjamin Porter to learn more about this priority area.
