Women’s Fund of Greater La Crosse: Mini Grant

The Women’s Fund of Greater La Crosse offers a Mini Grant program for organizations seeking funding for projects that primarily benefit women and girls. With a funding range of $1,500 to $15,000, this initiative supports inclusive and impactful programs that address critical needs in education, transportation, and housing. Prioritizing equity, the fund aims to empower women and girls in La Crosse and surrounding counties, fostering pathways to economic independence and self-sufficiency.

NOTE: Applications are open throughout the year and reviewed at monthly board meetings.
Women’s Fund of Greater La Crosse (WFGL) enriches the lives of women and girls so they can do the same for others. We do this by making grants each year to support local nonprofit programs that elevate women and girls in our community. Our grant program is funded by our two endowments and annual donors. Despite the dramatic advancement of women in recent decades, women are still far more likely than men to be homeless, live in poverty, be unemployed or under-employed, face violence, and have substandard housing and inadequate healthcare. Through our grant program, we aim to support local programs that are working to increase literacy, prevent violence, promote social, educational, physical and emotional health and well-being, and encourage artistic and personal growth and economic self-sufficiency for women of all ages.
Since our founding in 1998, we have granted over $1,000,000 to local organizations that:
Foster an impact on attitudes and actions that benefit women and girls Promote opportunity for health and self-sufficiency for women Encourage women and girls to develop as philanthropists
Funding Priorities
We are committed to helping make the greater La Crosse area a more inclusive and equitable place for all women and girls. In general, we fund programs that:

• Serve mostly or all women and girls
• Address women’s and girls’ current and critical needs
• Are welcoming and inclusive of all identities of women and girls
• Promote the inclusion of women and girls in all of society, including giving back to the community
• Funding

The Women’s Fund Board of Directors has made $94,200 available for new grant awards in 2026. Grant awards typically range between $2,000 and $15,000. Organizations seeking funding less than $2,000 will have the opportunity to apply for a mini-grant later this year through a simplified process.

Eligibility

We invite the following organizations to apply:Public charity, exempt from federal income taxes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or governmental bodies, including schools and municipalities, if the project is above and beyond regular budgeted items and does not fill budget gaps OR; Must have a formal fiscal sponsor relationship with an IRS verified 501(c)3 nonprofit. Must be located in and primarily serve women and girls in La Crosse, Monroe, or Trempealeau Counties in Wisconsin and Houston County in MinnesotaRequests for programs for boys and men that relate to healthy relationships and support women and girls may be considered.

Ineligibility

Applicants cannot be seeking funding for programs designed for both boys and girls or men and women (i.e. playground equipment at a school that serves both boys and girls). We will not provide funding to:Individuals For-profit businesses Lobbying efforts Political campaigns Annual campaigns Debt retirement Building or capital improvements, unless needed to address an imminent safety need for women and girlsProjects or programs that require specific religious participation or affiliation