Sprouts Fund

Sprouts Fund

Funder: Milwaukee Parks Foundation (MPF)

Mission: Supporting Milwaukee County Parks through partnerships with community groups that anchor the parks they call home, with focus on historically disinvested communities.

Program Overview

The Sprouts Fund distributes grants of up to $10,000 per project with a total of $50,000 distributed annually. Whether it's resident activation, community programming, or small physical improvements, MPF invites neighbors to create projects that meaningfully connect their park and community.

Geographic Scope

• Location: Milwaukee County Parks, Wisconsin
• Priority: Projects in High Equity Index Parks and their neighborhoods (communities historically disinvested due to systemic racism)
• Geographic Eligibility: Milwaukee County Parks

Focus Areas

Projects must embody one or more of these focus areas:

1. Healing & Health - Advancing wellbeing, restoration, and/or physical activity
2. Community Care - Responding to the needs of a park's immediate community
3. Collective Joy - Sharing fellowship, happiness, connection, laughter, or however you define joy

Eligibility

• Eligible Applicants:
- 501(c)(3) organizations (including fiscal agents) - LLCs - Individuals - Grassroots community groups with authentic community ties
• Match Required: No
• Contact for eligibility questions: info@mkeparksfoundation.org or 414-514-3017

Project Guidelines

• Funds can support resident activation, community programming, or small physical improvements
• Project budgets must account for all permits and rentals from Milwaukee County Parks
• Compensation for community labor (organizers, programmers, project management) is encouraged
• Contingency planning for potential issues (traffic, weather, safety, etc.) is expected
• MPF provides support in navigating Milwaukee County Parks processes and relationship-building

Physical Improvements Guidelines

• Grant approval from MPF does not automatically mean physical modifications are approved by Milwaukee County Parks
• Examples requiring additional approval: public art, gardens, signage
• Projects with physical infrastructure and long-term park impact must include a maintenance plan and budget for at least 3 years
• Maintenance may include work plans (e.g., community care) or contracted services (e.g., artist touch-ups for murals)
• Timelines for County approval may extend completion dates into following years
• MPF provides guidance on navigation of approval processes

Reporting Requirements

• Track number of events, attendees, and provide photo documentation
• Upon project completion, engage in preferred reporting method (written, digital, or in-person)
• Reporting informs potential for second-year funding

What MPF Does NOT Fund

• The website does not explicitly list exclusions, but encourages established organizations with other funding access to collaborate with grassroots organizations

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are reviewed by MPF's Program Committee (diverse community leaders) using a rubric with four criteria:

1. Community Connection - Applicant's connection to community served and collaboration history
2. Parks Connection - Collaborators' history with involved park(s) and how project serves them
3. Sprouts Fund Focus Areas - How project embodies Healing & Health, Community Care, or Collective Joy
4. Project Assessment - What excites applicant about project and confidence in accomplishment

Priority: Given to projects connected to High Equity Index Parks

Contact Information

• Email: info@mkeparksfoundation.org
• Phone: 414-514-3017
• Address: Milwaukee Parks Foundation, 1531 W Vliet St, Milwaukee, WI 53205
• Website: mkeparksfoundation.org

Background

Milwaukee Parks Foundation was established in 2019 with the mission of engaging the community in supporting Milwaukee County Parks to collectively steward a thriving park system. MPF acknowledges the long history of systemic racism and prioritizes resources for grassroots groups working in most historically disinvested communities as ranked within the Milwaukee County Parks Equity Index.