Fund for Lake Michigan Grant

The Fund for Lake Michigan Grant supports initiatives aimed at enhancing the health of Lake Michigan through projects that yield both immediate and long-term benefits. Eligible applicants include non-profits, government agencies, and educational institutions focusing on water quality improvement. Grants range from $700,000 to $900,000 quarterly, with priorities on projects that directly impact water quality and promote sustainable practices. This grant fosters economic growth while ensuring the preservation of vital water resources.

We Make Grants for Lake Michigan
Our grants support organizations and communities committed to enhancing the Lake’s health though projects with both immediate and long-term benefits. The growing economic and environmental impact of this work is reflected not only in improved water quality but also in Wisconsin job creation, property value increases, and new economic activity.
Grant seekers are welcome to submit pre-proposals to the Fund for Lake Michigan at anytime throughout the year for projects that fit within our mission and grant making priorities. We make grant decisions four times a year at our quarterly board meetings (March, June, September and December). The mission of the Fund for Lake Michigan is to improve the health of Lake Michigan, its shoreline and river systems, for the benefit of the people and communities that depend on it for water, recreation and commerce.
Grant Making Priorities
The Fund for Lake Michigan gives priority to on-the-ground projects that have near-term, direct and quantifiable impacts on water quality in the Lake Michigan watershed. These projects include protecting critical natural habitats, reducing polluted runoff and generally making water resources more swimmable, fishable and drinkable. The Fund also supports water quality monitoring and planning that informs and leads to on-the-ground restoration and water-quality improvement projects. We plan to award between $700,000 and $900,000 in grants each quarter.

Eligibility

501(c)3 non-profit organizations, local units of government, government agencies, tribes, universities and other educational institutions are eligible for funding.Geographically, Fund for Lake Michigan grants are targeted to the Lake Michigan shoreline, near shore areas and watersheds within the Lake Michigan basin in Wisconsin, with priority given to projects in Southeastern Wisconsin. The Fund for Lake Michigan will also consider a small number of grants outside the Lake Michigan watershed and within the Madison Gas and Electric’s service territory.

Ineligibility

The Fund typically does not support stand-alone advocacy efforts, general research projects, or education. The Fund may consider applied research projects that provide information important in advancing on-the-ground conservation or restoration. Similarly, education might be considered as a component of outreach plans embedded in larger projects