GMF: Cycle 3 Grant

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Cycle 3 discretionary grantmaking supports diverse projects that align with its vision of fostering a thriving Milwaukee for all. Priorities include Arts and Culture, Aging and Older Adults, Early Childhood Education, Entrepreneurship, and Environmental sustainability. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $75,000 aim to enhance community well-being and equity. Eligible candidates include 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental agencies, with a focus on supporting underrepresented populations in Milwaukee and surrounding counties.

NOTE: Here are the pages for Cycle 1, Cycle 2 - Project Support, Cycle 2 - General Operating Support and Cycle 2 - Capital Support.
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s discretionary grantmaking supports projects and programs that align with priorities that support our strategic vision of creating a Milwaukee for all.
Funding Priorities
Arts and Culture – The Greater Milwaukee Foundation supports targeted arts education and arts and culture strategies representing visual, performing and multidisciplinary art projects and programs.Grantmaking focus:Arts education programs in traditional or nontraditional educational environments for children/youth from birth to high school
Creation and exhibition of art that engages the community in creative and substantive ways
Artists-in-residence within community-based settings
Programming that cultivates and supports an appreciation of diverse cultures and art forms
Projects that integrate arts and creativity into community planning and developmentAging and Older Adults – The health outcomes of older adults are impacted by the ongoing harm of racial disparities in our health care system. Access to appropriate health services and improving health outcomes are this portfolio's main priorities. Our grant investment strategy aims to shift power, representation and policy toward racial equity. Grantmaking focus:Projects/organizations that help residents age in place in transforming or disadvantaged neighborhoods
Projects/organizations that develop intergenerational support/cohesion
Projects/organizations that build solidarity and collaboration among service providers and community in their sector/work
Projects/organizations that build narrative and actual power for oppressed communities
Projects/organizations engaged in advocacy efforts, including antiracist organizational development which transforms influence in their sector/work
Projects/organizations addressing health impacts of racial inequity, particularly interventions that are disproportionately underfunded
Projects/organizations that help residents age in place, especially within transforming neighborhoods facing multiple barriers.
Projects/organizations which develop intergenerational support/cohesion/beloved community
Underfunded health servicesEarly Childhood Education – High quality early childhood care and education is the key to giving every child the start in life they need and deserve. It has been shown to have a significant impact on a child’s long-term academic, social, and developmental success, and enables parents to participate in the workforce. Furthermore, research supports that physical learning environments matter. Facilities and the child-centered spaces within them can enhance children’s development by inspiring a range of social and cognitive learning experiences, as well as encouraging the development of gross motor skills. Indoor and outdoor spaces can increase students in a variety of hands-on learning experiences, collaboration, exploration, and play. That is why the Greater Milwaukee Foundation is prioritizing early childhood care and education. Grantmaking focus:Facility upgradesEntrepreneurship and Small Business Development - Through these grants, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation provides access to resources and technical assistance that help small businesses get to the next level.Grantmaking focus:Small business growth and retention
Access to capital
Creative business solutions  Environment – Grantmaking focus:Protection and conservation of environmental assets
Strengthening local and community-based food systems
Access to appropriate health services and improving health outcomes are this portfolio's main priorities. Our grant investment strategy aims to shift power, representation and policy toward racial equity. Grantmaking focus:Projects/organizations that address Black maternal/child health disparities.
Projects/organizations that decolonize maternal health care
Projects/organizations that build solidarity and collaboration among service providers and community in their sector/work
Projects/organizations that build narrative and actual power for oppressed communities
Projects/organizations engaged in advocacy efforts, including anti-racist organizational development which transforms influence in their sector/work
Projects/organizations addressing health impacts of racial inequity, particularly interventions that are disproportionately underfunded.
Projects/organizations that address Black maternal/child health disparities
Projects/organizations that provide culturally specific and integrative maternal and child health care
Funding
The typical grant range is $5,000 to $75,000. The maximum request for a capital grant is $100,000.This grant range applies to these funding priorities:Arts and CultureAging and Older AdultsHealthy Birth OutcomesThe typical grant range is $5,000 to $50,000. The maximum request for a capital grant is $100,000.This grant range applies to these funding priorities:Entrepreneurship and Small Business DevelopmentEnvironmentThe maximum request for a capital grant is $100,000. This grant range applies to this funding priority:Early Childhood Education

Eligibility

Who may apply:501(c)(3) organizations and, on occasion, governmental agencies An organization that is not a 501c3 may be eligible to apply if it is able to secure a fiscal sponsor agreement with an otherwise eligible organization. Eligible nonprofits must have board membership that is at least 10 percent people of color. The term “people of color” refers to African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans and all other persons who are not categorized as white. Organizations that provide programs/projects that support Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties.Type of funding available:Project support General operating support Capital supportFor the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s grant cycles, we only accept one application per organization per grant cycle.