Spark a vision for a more robust community

Madison Community Foundation community impact grantmaking is designed to select ideas and advance initiatives that make our community more robust for the long-term.

Madison Community Foundation grants address specific areas of interest: Arts & Culture, Children, Community Development, Elderly, Environment, Learning and Youth.

• Arts: Young people will participate in high quality arts experiences. Artistic events will feature local or regional artists and/or themes.
• Children: Parents/guardians of children ages 0-10 will be active partners in the child’s development and education. Parents/guardians will have the skills to build healthy relationships with their children. Children will be prepared for school.
• Community Development: There will be more affordable housing for individuals and families. There will be more employment opportunities that build the self-sufficiency of individuals. Residents will be actively engaged in the development of their neighborhoods.
• Elderly: There will be more affordable housing for seniors. Older adults will have services necessary to be as independent as possible. Older adults will participate in life-enhancing activities.
• Environment: Natural resources will be preserved and restored. Citizens will be involved in stewardship of natural resources.
• Learning: Young people will read at grade level. Community-based facilities (libraries, community centers, etc.) will be modern centers of lifelong learning. Residents will be knowledgeable stewards of their health and wellbeing.
• Youth: Young people in grades 6-10 will be regularly engaged in a variety of healthy activities during out of school hours. Youth will be leaders.

TYPES OF GRANTS

• Capital Grants: Capital Grants support the construction, purchase and renovation of facilities, land acquisition, and occasionally the purchase of vehicles or equipment.
• Program Grants: Program Grants support new programs or expansion of existing programs that have a track record of success.  

GRANTMAKING CRITERIA
Projects will:

• have a long-term impact on Dane County residents and/or physical environments in Dane County
• include meaningful, reasonable, and measurable outcomes
• use innovative approaches to address community issues
• strengthen and enhance community assets
• build the self-sufficiency of individuals and/or organizations
• attract additional funding
• use partnerships and/or collaboration  

ELIGIBILITY FOR GRANTS
Organizations must meet the following criteria:

• Non-profit organizations, exempt from Federal income taxes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or governmental bodies, including schools and municipalities that serve the people of Dane County
• Conduct business without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual preference, age, marital status, disability or national origin
• Government bodies, including schools and municipalities
• Non-profit organizations who serve the people of Dane County

WHAT THE MADISON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DOESN’T FUND

• Individuals
• Endowments not held by the Madison Community Foundation
• Debt retirement
• Lobbying
• Annual campaigns
• Scholarships
• Religious organizations for religious purposes
• Short-term events such as conferences, festivals, fund raising functions and celebrations
• Substance abuse treatment
• Health care services, including mental health
• Capital grants to support ongoing maintenance

SCOPE OF FUNDING
Program grants average $35,000, while capital grants average $55,000. Approximately 25% of grant applications are funded at some level. The foundation is rarely the sole funder of projects; we anticipate that other resources will be sought to accomplish project goals.

Click here to begin the Letter of Inquiry process.