SFFI: General Operating Grants

SFFI: General Operating Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Schlecht Family Foundation Inc
Last Updated: November 05, 2025

Summary

The Schlecht Family Foundation offers General Operating Grants aimed at transformative support for organizations in Dane County and rural Wisconsin. These grants prioritize capacity building, innovative ideas, and measurable impacts. Eligible applicants must be 501-C3 organizations or have fiscal sponsors, and should not engage in lobbying. The foundation emphasizes meaningful work, character development for youth, and connections to nature for improved community well-being.

Overview

We are here to be transformational - not transactional. We are looking for instigators; people and organizations bringing fresh ideas and approaches to the complex issues facing our communities in Dane County and rural Wisconsin. Our grantmaking and investments support organizations working on the three focus areas below and fall into four types of support: Capacity Building Grants for building organizational effectiveness and efficiency; Seed Grants for developing new ideas; General Operating Grants for mature organizations with a track record of impact; and Impact Investments that provide special financing to mission-aligned projects. Occasionally, we will make grants at the Board of Directors’ discretion; grants that fall outside of our focus areas and geography. Meaningful Work Work gives people a sense of purpose and meaning. Our funding supports organizations dedicated to creating a pathway for people who have a vision and the desire to pursue it. Forging Character We support organizations helping our youth, ages 12-24, develop confidence, skills and stick-to-itiveness for a purposeful life. Connections to Nature We believe relationships to the natural world improve mental, physical, and spiritual health. We want to enable those connections for more people - especially children - through education and conservation. General Operating Grant We provide general operating support for mission-aligned organizations with a track record of measurable impact.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. We have a few boxes that need to be checked before you go any further: Your organization is a 501-C3 or has a fiscal sponsor. Your organization serves people in Dane County or rural Wisconsin. Your organization is not going to lobby or influence an election.

Ineligibility

We prefer not to fund capital campaigns or endowments.