DONATE LIFE WISCONSIN INC logo

2026 Registry Mini-Grants Program

DONATE LIFE WISCONSIN INC

Funding Amount

Up to $5,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

2026 Registry Mini-Grants Program

Overview: Mini-Grants are available to non-profit organizations seeking financial support for short-term or pilot projects focused on increasing the number of individuals who are not currently registered as organ, eye and tissue donors.

Geographic Scope: Wisconsin

Focus Areas:

  • Projects targeting specific demographics with low registration rates:

  • - Ages 15-19 and 20-24 (largest drops in registrations 2024-2025)
    - Hispanic/Latino populations (significant registration drops)
    - African American populations (significant registration drops)
    - American Indian populations (significant registration drops)
    - Men (lower registration rates compared to women)
  • In-person interactions promoting new donor registrations

  • Online donor registry engagement (celebrating 15th anniversary)
  • Award Amount: Up to $5,000 per project

    Eligibility:

  • Must be a 501(c)(3) exempt organization

  • Must be able to provide proof of charitable status in Wisconsin (if applicable)

  • Must be able to submit documentation of expenses and reconciled financial statement at project conclusion

  • Organizations applying for 2027 Innovation and Impact Grants are not precluded from applying for 2026 Mini-Grants

  • Collaborative projects welcome; at least one organization must meet eligible organization criteria

  • Organizations providing services in multiple states must limit DLW funding to Wisconsin activities
  • What They Fund:

  • Project-related expenses: office supplies, postage, copying, contract/consultant/staff time

  • Donate Life Wisconsin merchandise (if required for project)

  • Indirect costs up to 10% of total direct costs
  • What They Do NOT Fund:

  • Event participant food, beverages (including alcohol), or entertainment

  • Clinical care or costs associated with treatment or direct care

  • Direct or indirect lobbying activities or legal fees

  • Financial gifts (scholarships, aid, gift cards)

  • Expenses billed to/reimbursed from federal/state agencies or other entities (e.g., CMS)

  • Support/sponsorship for specific community events (parades, festivals, fundraising events)

  • Sales tax

  • Event planning expenses unrelated to project intent
  • Implementation Timeline:

  • Project completion deadline: December 31, 2026 (no extensions granted)

  • Organizations must begin implementation on or shortly after approval
  • Reporting Requirements:

  • Final Report form submission

  • Invoice with complete expense documentation

  • Funds are reimbursed based on project completion and documentation

  • Recognition of DLW support on all public-facing materials, displays, presentations, and trainings
  • Contact: chuber@donatelifewisconsin.org

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    Application Method: Online Letter of Intent form

    Submission Timeline:

  • Applications accepted on an ongoing basis until budgeted funds are depleted

  • 45-day review period after submission
  • Required Components:

    1. Organization Information:
    - Legal name
    - Address
    - EIN
    - Website
    - Phone

    2. Contact Information:
    - Project Staff Contact (name, title, email, phone)
    - Fiscal Staff Contact (name, email, phone)
    - Supervisory approval confirmation
    - Financial oversight awareness confirmation

    3. Project Need Section:
    - Description of how project encourages new enrollees in Wisconsin Donor Registry
    - Target audience from demographics outlined (age, race/ethnicity, sex, or other groups)

    4. Project Information:
    - Project name
    - Target audience
    - Project overview including:
    - Description of project
    - Internal/external partners
    - Number of individuals intended to reach
    - How success will be measured (e.g., booth visitors, materials distributed, registry enrollments)

    5. Project Budget (itemized with calculation formulas):
    - Materials/Supplies (list items with cost calculations)
    - Equipment/Technology (list items with cost calculations)
    - Marketing/Printing (list items with cost calculations)
    - Professional Fees/Services (list items with cost calculations)
    - Meetings/Events (list items with cost calculations)
    - Postage/Shipping (list items with cost calculations)
    - Other items (list items with cost calculations)
    - Total Amount Requested: Must not exceed $5,000

    6. Required Attestations (all must be checked):
    - Supervisory approval to submit
    - Financial oversight awareness
    - Project can be completed by December 31, 2026
    - Organization can begin project on or shortly after approval
    - Will use DLW materials when available
    - Will recognize DLW support on public-facing materials
    - Organization is 501(c)(3) exempt
    - Federal tax exemption not revoked; operations consistent with tax-exempt status

    7. Certification:
    - Name of certifying individual
    - Job title
    - Email
    - Date

    Allowed Materials:

  • Applicants may duplicate and use DLW educational materials:

  • - Facts About Living Donation
    - Facts About Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation
    - What Can Be Donated
    - DHS Registry Fact Sheet
  • Materials branded solely by OPO or other recovery/transplant organizations should not be used
  • Budget Development Instructions:

  • Budgeted expenses must reflect work plan activities

  • Detail must provide justification with math formula

  • Example: "20 staff hours at $50 per hour = $1,000"

  • DLW does not provide reimbursement for sales tax
  • Saving Progress:

  • Option to save progress and continue later

  • Return link provided and valid for 30 days

  • Recommended to save link for records and print completed form
  • Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    nonprofitsminorities

    Categories

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