Madison Rotary Foundation: Innovation Grants Program
Funding Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grant Type
foundation
Overview
Madison Rotary Foundation: Innovation Grants Program
Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Madison Rotary Foundation
Amount: Up to US $5,000
Last Updated: June 21, 2025
Summary
The Madison Rotary Foundation's Innovation Grants Program offers one-time grants up to $5,000 to inspire local non-profits in the Madison area to implement innovative solutions for community challenges. With approximately $50,000 available for grants, organizations are encouraged to explore new services, improve existing programs, and reach underserved demographics. This initiative aims to foster creativity and enhance the support provided to those in need, making a significant impact in the community.Overview
Innovation Grants Program Our Madison Rotary Foundation is transitioning to Innovation Grants this year which are one-time grants of up to $5,000 intended to encourage not-for-profit organizations within the greater Madison area to try new things, inspire change and creativity, and foster new approaches to community challenges. We encourage you to innovate ways to enable your organization to better serve those in need. Innovations might include exploring the validity of potential new services, programs, efficiencies, alliances, or service areas; reaching new demographics, or improving the delivery of existing services. Other innovation types will also be considered. Funding The Foundation expects to award approximately $50,000 in community grants during the next year with each innovation grant awarded for up to $5,000.Eligibility
You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The Madison Rotary Foundation, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Madison, invites proposals from 501(c)(3) or other tax-exempt charitable organizations in the Madison area for grant support.Only one grant will be awarded per organization per year.In the case of an application from a church or other religious organization, will consider an application only if its purpose is unrelated to a religious purpose and doesn’t promote a religion or sect.The foundation does not discriminate in the awarding of community grants on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, creed, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry or age, or any other basis prohibited by law. Recognizes that applicants may limit their services or opportunities to specific targeted populations within the community; however, any such limitations must be reasonably related to the effective provision of the services/opportunities.In the case of an income-generating organization (e.g., day care, summer camp, acting company, orchestra, private school), considers an application only if its purpose is to pay additional costs the organization will incur to permit participation of people who otherwise could not afford the organization’s program.What Madison Rotary Foundation actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2025
- Grants in 2025
- 6
- Total given
- $214K
- Median grant
- $33K
- Range
- $14K–$71K
- By dollars: Wisconsin 100%. Top recipient cities: Madison, WI.
- 20% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Example grants
Urban League of Greater Madison · Madison, WI
Comprehensive array of youth empowerment programming
$50K
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Dane County Inc · Madison, WI
Expanding, enhancing 2 school based mentoring programs
$40K
One City Schools · Madison, WI
Volunteer tutoring program
$25K
Simpson Street Free Press Inc · Madison, WI
Stipends to students, admin & operating costs
$14K
Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras (Wyso) · Madison, WI
Growing and enriching its music makers ensemble programs
$14K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
Categories
Browse similar grants by category
Related Grants
Open grants from this funder and similar programs
Madison Rotary Foundation: Student Veterans Assistance Fund Grant
Madison Rotary Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Palisades Community Fund (PCF)
Palisades Community Association
Amount
Varies
Deadline
October 15, 2026
Northfield Shares Competitive Grants Program
Northfield Shares
Amount
Varies
Deadline
October 15, 2026
Frederick S. Upton Foundation Grants
Berrien Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
October 15, 2026
Mid Wisconsin Legacy Foundation Grants (Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin)
Community Foundation of
Amount
Grants generally do not exceed $1,000
Deadline
October 15, 2026
Collaborative Leadership Grant (Ames Fund)
Northfield Shares
Amount
$25,000
Deadline
October 15, 2026
Ready to apply for Madison Rotary Foundation: Innovation Grants Program?
Grantable helps you assess fit, draft narratives, and track deadlines — so you can submit stronger applications, faster.