Milwaukee Area Workforce Funding

Otto Bremer Trust

St Paul, MN

The Otto Bremer Trust supports people and communities through grants for work benefiting residents of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin; its 2024 grants had a median award of $50,000, with amounts ranging from $3,500 to $1.4 million. It does not accept unsolicited direct requests, but some Community Responsive Fund grants are available through selected intermediary partners.

Petrovic Gubin Foundation

Pennington, NJ

Anon Charitable Trust

Milwaukee, WI

The trust supports youth services, education, housing, community organizations, and historic preservation, with nearly all its giving going to Wisconsin and a small share to Illinois. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,000 to $125,000, with a median of $10,000; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

United Way of Greater Milwaukee &

Milwaukee, WI

United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County funds local human services and community programs focused on housing stability, digital access, employment, teen mental wellness, and community resilience. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to about $2 million, with a median of about $34,000, and most funding went to Wisconsin, especially its four-county region. It requires a Letter of Intent before a full application; the listed 2026–27 Letter of Intent deadline has passed.

Kelben Foundation Inc

Milwaukee, WI

The foundation supports social services, scholarships and college access, health services, and animal welfare, with nearly all 2024 grant dollars going to Wisconsin. Its 2024 grants had a median of $1,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Waukesha County Community Foundation

Waukesha, WI

Waukesha County Community Foundation funds nonprofits working in education, arts and culture, health and human services, environment and conservation, community development, and historic preservation, with a focus on serving Waukesha County. Its competitive Community Grants generally range from $1,000 to $10,000; organizations start with a letter of intent, and full proposals are submitted by invitation.

Greater Green Bay Community

Green Bay, WI

The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation funds nonprofit programs and projects in areas including basic needs, education, health, arts and culture, the environment, and youth development, with its general grants program serving Brown, Kewaunee, and Oconto counties. Its Funds for Greater Green Bay program typically awards up to $20,000; applicants are asked to discuss proposals with the Foundation’s Community Impact Team before applying.

Union Pacific Foundation

Omaha, NE

The Union Pacific Foundation funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Union Pacific communities, prioritizing safety, workforce development, community vitality, environmental sustainability, and local needs. Its annual local grants are typically $5,000–$30,000, though awards overall ranged from $5,000 to $600,000 in 2025; it prioritizes local operating communities, with the most 2025 funding going to Nebraska. It accepts online applications during designated periods and says it does not limit giving to preselected organizations.

Careerworks Inc

Seattle, WA

Careerworks, inc. Connects young adults from under-resourced communities to lasting, stable careers through free training, and builds supportive partnerships advancing equitable economic opportunity. Careerworks creates an environment where everyonecan achieve meaningful careers, economic stability, and all communities thrive.

Forward Careers Inc

Waukesha, WI

Forward careers, inc. (forward careers) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with over 30 years of administering and implementing job training programs across southeast wisconsin. Our mission is to develop a thriving workforce and strong economy by being the preferred source for career exploration, education and skills training, and employment connections to every person and business.

Baird Foundation Inc

Milwaukee, WI

The foundation funds nonprofits in health and human services, education, the arts, youth, and other areas, with grants across multiple states and the largest share of 2025 funding going to Wisconsin. Its 2025 grants had a median of $500, though awards ranged widely; it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing

Appleton, WI

Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing distributes donor-directed and program donations to a broad range of causes and organizations in local, national, and global communities. Its 2024 grants had a median of $11,520 and ranged from $5,006 to $5 million. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.