2026 Registry Mini-Grants Program

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)

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

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