Forest County Potawatomi Grants

Forest County Potawatomi Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Forest County Potawatomi Foundation
Last Updated: December 10, 2025

Summary

The Forest County Potawatomi Foundation aims to combat poverty and promote community development through grants to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations. With a commitment to responsible citizenship, the foundation supports initiatives in arts, education, health, and environmental services, focusing on areas with significant economic challenges. Since its inception in 1999, it has allocated over $30 million to various charitable causes, fostering self-sufficiency and improving the quality of life for families in Forest County and the Greater Milwaukee area.

Overview

Note: Proposals should be submitted at least 4 months prior to or the beginning of programs and or projects. Organizations may apply only once per 12 month period. About The Foundation “Consistent with the Potawatomi heritage, the mission of the Forest County Potawatomi Foundation is to fight poverty, promote economic opportunity, strengthen communities and provide an example of responsible citizenship by assisting charitable organizations and support the pursuit of education by offering scholarships". The Potawatomi were once a large nation with much land, but after forced removal and the loss of millions of acres, scattered pockets of Potawatomi across regions of the United States and Canada resulted. Although diminished in number, our ancestors who remained in Wisconsin would eventually become known as the Forest County Potawatomi Community, Bodwe’wadmi, Keepers of the Fire. For many generations, we relied on the environment for sustenance. We recognized the importance of using what one needs and giving away what one can. Our tribe took only what the earth and land was able to replenish. Unfortunately, our people struggled with oppressive poverty that made for a very difficult life. But throughout our history, we have maintained our traditional ways, guided by tribal values that include reverence for the wisdom of our elders, embracing responsibilities for family and tribe, respect for the environment, and a willingness to share. With the advent of Indian gaming, our tribe was able to establish and build two casinos — the first in Forest County, followed by one in Milwaukee. The revenue generated by gaming has had an impact on our way of life beyond our imagination. Our people now have good jobs, good homes, exceptional health care, and are closer to the realized vision of self-sufficiency. The resulting impact of these two businesses on the surrounding communities has been positive as well, through our family-supporting jobs and shared revenue payments that fund services for citizens. Through our casinos and tribal ventures, our tribe is the largest employer in Forest County, and among the top employers in Milwaukee. When building the Milwaukee business, we realized early on that simply being located in the community wasn’t enough. We longed for a way to express our belief in giving back. We were committed to investing in, and providing, promising futures to individuals and families in the community. And so it was in 1999, that the Forest County Potawatomi Foundation was born with these guiding principles: to help fight poverty, promote economic opportunity, strengthen communities and provide an example of responsible citizenship by assisting charitable organizations. To date, the Foundation has proudly contributed over $30 million to charitable causes in both Forest County and in the Greater Milwaukee area. But the story does not end here. Through the work of our Foundation, our tribe’s vision of building a better tomorrow for future generations continues … the fire still burns. The Foundation is a result of the rich history and beliefs of the Potawatomi tribe. The cornerstone of those beliefs is the Circle of Life. Paralleling the seasons of nature, the Circle of Life is a demonstration of the Potawatomi reverence for all living things and nurtures the belief that they are a self-reliant and self-determined nation of people. Difficult times have sometimes made that self-reliance seem impossible to achieve. The Potawatomi people have witnessed both young and old struggle against the oppression of poverty. They have learned much in their past struggles, and the Circle of Life guides them to use the fruits of these lessons to help others overcome their obstacles. Therefore, a major effort of the Foundation and its funds is to assist charitable organizations that help those people who are faced with economic challenges. As a result, the Foundation targets its resources to those areas with a high percentage of individuals with low and very low incomes. Program Areas Considered: Arts & CultureCivic & CommunityEconomic DevelopmentEducation (After School Programs Only)ElderlyEnvironmentalHealth & Human ServicesNative AmericanVeteransYouth Development

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants must be 501C(3) as determined by the IRS and is validated within the Foundation’s GIFT Management System.Eligible criteria:Must have 3 years of operating experience as a registered 501C(3)Understands the mission of the FCP FoundationAbility to accomplish stated proposalBoard Members profileHistory & reputation of the organizationFinancial stability and the ability to leverage other fundsQuality of performanceHarmony with the environment

Ineligibility

The FCP Foundation Does Not Consider Support Of:Foundations, Groups or Organizations that re-grant the funds to other Organizations or InstitutionsFiscal or Fiduciary Agents on behalf of Organizations that lack a Registered 501C(3) statusGeneral Operating ExpensesCapital ProjectsSponsorships, Fundraising Events or FestivalsIndividual causes or RequestsPolitical causes, Candidates or CampaignsChurches or Religious Organizations (unless it is a program that benefits the community)