Creating a better community by promoting philanthropy, awarding effective grants, and providing leadership on important community issues … today & forever.
A $950,000 general-support grant to the School District of Horicon is the largest recent award listed for Fond Du Lac Area Foundation, and it points to a grantmaker that uses large unrestricted gifts to support local institutions. The foundation gives across education, health, human services, arts and culture, youth development, environment, entrepreneurship and small business development, housing, workforce development, and agriculture or rural vitality. Its recent grants also show repeat support for community anchors such as St. Mary's Springs Academy, City of Beaver Dam, Fdl YMCA, and Moraine Park Foundation. The foundation’s grantmaking is built around flexibility. Its stated philosophy includes general operating support, unrestricted support, core operating funding, and non-project-specific funding, and many of the recent awards are labeled general support. That approach fits a community foundation structure that holds more than 500 community and donor-established funds and uses donor intent to direct some giving through scholarships, named funds, and affiliated community foundations. Alongside its own competitive grant programs, the foundation administers scholarship support and donor-directed funds for the Fond du Lac area and affiliated communities. Recent grant activity also shows a mix of county-level public institutions, schools, nonprofits, and community organizations, with awards reaching communities such as Beaver Dam, Horicon, Waupun, and Oakfield. The foundation’s work is local and centered on Fond du Lac County and nearby communities.
Education is a major part of the foundation’s work. Recent general-support grants include $247,243 to St. Mary’s Springs Academy and $63,700 to Fdl School District, alongside scholarship programs for students pursuing higher education. Those awards sit within a broader education focus that includes postsecondary support and local school funding. Health and human services are another clear thread. The foundation gave $352,674 to Church Health Services Inc and $118,410 to Care Inc, both in general support, and also supported Holy Family, St. Vincent De Paul Society, and the Fdl County Humane Society. These awards suggest a preference for operating support to organizations serving basic community needs. Community infrastructure and public-purpose grants also appear. The foundation awarded $300,000 to City of Beaver Dam, $74,618 to City of Waupun, and $96,543 to Mt Calvary Fire Department. In rural vitality, it runs a grant program tied to agriculture, entrepreneurship, housing expansion, and leadership development in smaller communities.
$2.3M
$78M
$5.9M
$3.7M
Most grants fall between $10K and $40K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$40K
GREG GILES
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Typical grant size centers on mid-sized awards: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $15,000, and the 75th percentile is $40,000. Recent records also include much larger general-support grants, showing that the distribution extends well above the median for select institutions and public entities. The foundation’s recent list includes repeat recipients across multiple years, such as St. Mary’s Springs Academy, City of Beaver Dam, Fdl YMCA, Moraine Park Foundation, Mclean Hospital, and City of Waupun. That pattern fits a community foundation model with more than 500 donor and community funds, plus scholarship and donor-directed giving. Several current grant opportunities accept unsolicited requests, including the FDL Impact Grant, Rural Vitality Grant, and affiliate community foundation cycles.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly in Wisconsin: 94% of grants go to recipients in the state, and all listed recipient-country data is in the US. Recent awards concentrate in Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam, Horicon, Waupun, Oakfield, and Saint Francis. The largest named recipient cities include Fond du Lac and Beaver Dam, with multiple awards also landing in Horicon and Waupun. A smaller share reaches outside the immediate area, including Somerville, Massachusetts through Mclean Hospital.
Its focus areas include education, health, human services, arts and culture, youth development, environment, entrepreneurship and small business development, housing, workforce development, and agriculture or rural vitality. Recent grants also went to schools, hospitals, city governments, fire departments, and human-service organizations.
Yes. Its philosophy tags include general operating support, unrestricted support, core operating funding, and flexible or non-project-specific funding. Recent grants are often labeled general support, including awards to public entities, schools, and nonprofits.
The grant-size distribution is centered at $10,000 for the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $40,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes larger awards for institutions such as schools, counties, and city governments.
Yes. Current opportunities marked as accepting unsolicited requests include the FDL Impact Grant, the Rural Vitality Grant, the Family of Funds listing, the Scholarships program, the Establish a Fund service, and affiliate community foundation grant cycles such as Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation and Oakfield Community Foundation.
Its giving is highly local. Wisconsin recipients account for 94% of grants, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely US-based. Recent awards are concentrated in Fond du Lac County and nearby communities such as Beaver Dam, Horicon, Waupun, and Oakfield.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Fond Du Lac Area Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofits serving Fond du Lac County are encouraged to submit grant applications. Applications are entered into a live drawing and three submissions are randomly selected to present to the 100 members.
Deadline: Accepting applications on a year-round basis for quarterly consideration.
Who can apply: Local nonprofit organizations and students who meet application criteria. Grants are directed using local expertise and the volunteer advisory board.
Deadline: Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation Grant Cycle I: March 1 - April 1. Grant Cycle II: September 1 - October 1. Affiliate Impact Grant: September 1 - October 1 (per affiliate guidelines).
Who can apply: Applications are considered for projects or programs that provide a direct benefit to the people of a respective community. Applicant must be a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Individuals and families are not eligible.
Deadline: Application window: December 15-January 15.
Who can apply: Fond du Lac and Dodge County nonprofits and schools are eligible to apply. Projects must support communities of less than 10,000 people or rural micropolitans of less than 50,000 people. City of Fond du Lac and City of Beaver Dam are ineligible due to population. Projects should be capacity building, enhancements to current special projects, expanded programming, or building projects and be planned and moving forward.
Deadline: Application window: October 1-November 15, 2027.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDL COUNTY | FOND DU LAC, WI | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST MARY'S SPRINGS ACADEMY | FOND DU LAC, WI | $229,743 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF BEAVER DAM | BEAVER DAM, WI | $190,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FDL YMCA | FOND DU LAC, WI | $155,762 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MCLEAN HOSPITAL | SOMERVILLE, MA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE SALESIANUM TRUST | SAINT FRANCIS, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF WAUPUN | WAUPUN, WI | $62,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FDL COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | FOND DU LAC, WI | $60,218 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MORAINE PARK FOUNDATION | FOND DU LAC, WI | $55,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF FDL | FOND DU LAC, WI | $55,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY | FOND DU LAC, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BLANDINE HOUSE | FOND DU LAC, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOLY FAMILY | FOND DU LAC, WI | $44,774 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FDL SCHOOL DISTRICT | FOND DU LAC, WI | $36,908 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BEAVER DAM ROTARY CLUB | BEAVER DAM, WI | $33,340 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BADGERLAND YOUTH FOR CHRIST | FOND DU LAC, WI | $27,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FOND DU LAC ROTARY CLUB CHARITIES | FOND DU LAC, WI | $25,444 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DIVERSE OPTIONS | RIPON, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MT CALVARY FIRE DEPARTMENT | FOND DU LAC, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL | FOND DU LAC, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OAKFIELD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY | OAKFIELD, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VILLAGE OF IRON RIDGE | IRON RIDGE, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RAWHIDE BOYS RANCH | NEW LONDON, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ALDO LEOPOLD FOUNDATION | BARABOO, WI | $17,681 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FDL COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT | FOND DU LAC, WI | $15,800 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF FDL | FOND DU LAC, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHURCH HEALTH SERVICES INC | BEAVER DAM, WI | $14,840 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THELMA CENTER FOR THE ARTS | FOND DU LAC, WI | $14,280 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BEAVER DAM UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | BEAVER DAM, WI | $13,939 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FDL HIGH SCHOOL | FOND DU LAC, WI | $13,525 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | FOND DU LAC, WI | $12,691 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOLUTIONS CENTER SHELTER & SUPPORT | FOND DU LAC, WI | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAMARITAN FREE CLINIC | FOND DU LAC, WI | $10,723 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DODGE COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION | BEAVER DAM, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FONDY FOOD PANTRY | FOND DU LAC, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AGNESIAN FOUNDATIONHOSPICE HOPE | FOND DU LAC, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEW BEGINNINGS PREGNANCY CARE CENTE | FOND DU LAC, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST LAWRENCE SEMINARY | MT CALVARY, WI | $9,840 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FDL FIRE DEPARTMENT | FOND DU LAC, WI | $8,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | SOUTH MILWAUKEE, WI | $8,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF FOND DU LAC PARKS DEPARTMEN | FOND DU LAC, WI | $8,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST CHARLES CEMETARY | FOND DU LAC, WI | $7,691 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| REBUILDING TOGETHER--FOX VALLEY INC | APPLETON, WI | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ROSENDALE-BRANDON SCHOOL DISTRICT | ROSENDALE, WI | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH | BEAVER DAM, WI | $7,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TRIER-PUDDY POST 75 | FOND DU LAC, WI | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FDL PUBLIC LIBRARY | FOND DU LAC, WI | $5,561 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
FDL COUNTY
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST MARY'S SPRINGS ACADEMY
$229,743GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF BEAVER DAM
$190,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MCLEAN HOSPITAL
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE SALESIANUM TRUST
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF WAUPUN
$62,500GENERAL SUPPORT
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF FDL
$55,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BLANDINE HOUSE
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HOLY FAMILY
$44,774GENERAL SUPPORT
FDL SCHOOL DISTRICT
$36,908GENERAL SUPPORT
BEAVER DAM ROTARY CLUB
$33,340GENERAL SUPPORT
BADGERLAND YOUTH FOR CHRIST
$27,500GENERAL SUPPORT
FOND DU LAC ROTARY CLUB CHARITIES
$25,444GENERAL SUPPORT
DIVERSE OPTIONS
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MT CALVARY FIRE DEPARTMENT
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
OAKFIELD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
VILLAGE OF IRON RIDGE
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FDL COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
$15,800GENERAL SUPPORT
THELMA CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$14,280GENERAL SUPPORT
BEAVER DAM UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$13,939GENERAL SUPPORT
FDL HIGH SCHOOL
$13,525GENERAL SUPPORT
THE SALVATION ARMY
$12,691GENERAL SUPPORT
SOLUTIONS CENTER SHELTER & SUPPORT
$12,500GENERAL SUPPORT
DODGE COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FONDY FOOD PANTRY
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NEW BEGINNINGS PREGNANCY CARE CENTE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST LAWRENCE SEMINARY
$9,840GENERAL SUPPORT
FDL FIRE DEPARTMENT
$8,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$8,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF FOND DU LAC PARKS DEPARTMEN
$8,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST CHARLES CEMETARY
$7,691GENERAL SUPPORT
ROSENDALE-BRANDON SCHOOL DISTRICT
$7,500GENERAL SUPPORT
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH
$7,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TRIER-PUDDY POST 75
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FDL PUBLIC LIBRARY
$5,561GENERAL SUPPORT
