WCF: Community Grants

The Winona Community Foundation offers competitive grants aimed at addressing critical needs in the Winona area, supporting a variety of charitable organizations. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and government agencies within a fifteen-mile radius of Winona. The foundation prioritizes projects that enhance community wellbeing, environmental conservation, and public access to nature. Note that grant recipients from cycle 2 of 2023 are ineligible for this cycle, and only one application per nonprofit is accepted annually.

NOTE: All applicants must discuss their grant proposal with the President/CEO prior to submission.
Purpose
An important part of the Winona Community Foundation’s mission is realized though awarding community grants to meet the ever-changing needs of the community through a competitive process. By doing so, a variety of interests are supported with the goal of helping local charities make a difference in the Winona area. Our community grants for nonprofits are broad and inclusive to meet the current community needs in the Winona area.
Capacity Building Request
Eligible nonprofits may request up to $15,000 to support new projects, programs or equipment, or expansion of current programs that will enhance or grow an organization.
Sustaining Request
Eligible nonprofits may request up to $5,000 to provide sustaining support for operations and programming, or bridge funding.

Eligibility

Who can apply:Charitable organizations with a 501(c)(3), government agencies, or organizations with a fiscal agent agreement with a 501(c)(3) organization, operating within the Winona area.
What is the “Winona area”? This includes Wisconsin and programs that have operations in Winona but may have their headquarters elsewhere.

Ineligibility

Who cannot apply:Nonprofits that have received funding from the Foundation’s Community Grant Program but have not submitted their final grant report
Nonprofits who have received Community Grant Program funding within the same calendar yearExclusions:

• Activities that are non-secular or promote a religious doctrine
• Academic or medical research
• Annual fundraising campaigns or events
• Creation of, or addition to, endowment funds
• Payment of debt or legal settlements
• Political or partisan purposes
• Capital improvements or additions to public or private educational institutions
• Funding of capital campaigns
• Funding for school/classroom supplies, equipment for educational institutions
• Grants that provide direct support to an individual or one-time experiences to individuals such as camps or field trips
• Projects that are already in progress or have already been completed