The Janesville Foundation Inc focuses on strengthening Rock County’s civic infrastructure by funding local health services start-ups, economic development initiatives, cultural institutions, and historic preservation. Grants are overwhelmingly local and mission-specific—supporting early operations or capital needs for organizations that boost community health, downtown vitality, and cultural tourism. The foundation favors a small number of sizable, targeted awards and often provides repeat support to organizations as they scale or complete capital projects.
A $1 million, five-year pledge to the ARISE downtown revitalization effort is one of the clearest markers of Janesville Foundation Inc’s approach: the foundation backs place-specific projects that shape Janesville and Rock County’s civic and economic life. In recent grantmaking, that shows up in support for a mental and behavioral health provider launching initial operations, a children’s museum capital campaign, and a business hub startup tied to local entrepreneurship. The foundation’s grants also reach cultural and historic assets, including museum upgrades and event-space improvements that support tourism, community programming, and public use. The pattern is project-oriented rather than broad operating support. Several awards are designed to cover startup expenses, capital campaigns, building improvements, or limited-term program work. The foundation has also supported leadership and organizational development, such as a director search and a leadership development program tied to local civic capacity. Across the recent grants listed, the work is concentrated in Janesville and nearby Rock County communities, with recipients spanning health services, education, arts, and downtown redevelopment. The result is a grantmaking profile centered on building the institutions and spaces that local residents use every day.
Mental and behavioral health is one of the foundation’s clearest program areas. It gave $160,000 in 2023 and $140,000 in 2024 to Healthnet of Rock County Inc for initial operations, and another $10,000 in 2024 to Agrace Foundation Inc for grief support for Janesville schools. Education-focused grants also appear in practical, community-based forms. Junior Achievement of Wisconsin Inc received $2,500 for financial literacy programs in Janesville schools, while the School District of Janesville received $2,000 for Bags of Hope food distribution and another $2,000 in 2023 for holiday food distribution. Arts and accessibility show up through programming support. Janesville Performing Arts Center Inc received $15,000 for strategic programming, plus $5,000 for a play featuring American Sign Language. The foundation also backed a public mural through Forward Foundation Inc, with $5,000 for the JACVB-Art Infusion mural project.
$702K
$8.9M
$2M
$909K
Most grants fall between $4K and $50K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Concentrated, place-based giving in Janesville/Rock County with a small portfolio of relatively large grants; repeats funding for core grantees and mixes seed/operational support with capital campaign investments.
Notable grantees: HealthNet of Rock County Inc, Forward Foundation Inc, Children's Museum of Rock County Inc, Milton Historical Society, Downtown Janesville Inc
Typical award sizes cluster in the mid-range: p25 is $3,750, median is $15,000, and p75 is $49,500. The recent grant list shows both large project commitments and smaller program grants, which points to a mixed approach of capital support and targeted operating or program funding. Repeat support is common. Healthnet of Rock County Inc appears in consecutive years, as do Forward Foundation Inc, Milton Historical Society, Janesville Performing Arts Center Inc, School District of Janesville, and Candid Inc. The foundation awards grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and accepts grant inquiries year-round through a General Grantmaking / Grant Inquiry Program. It also has a separate ARISE pledge tied to specific redevelopment priorities.
Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in Wisconsin, with 91% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. The top giving geography is also local, centered on Janesville and nearby Rock County communities. Recent grants land most often in Janesville, with additional awards to Milton and Monona. Outside Wisconsin, the recipient list includes a single New York grantee: Candid Inc in New York, NY. The overall country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The foundation accepts grant inquiries year-round through its General Grantmaking / Grant Inquiry Program. That program is open to area individuals, businesses, and nonprofit groups, and grants are awarded to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.
Its stated focus areas include community development, economic development, education, and human services. Recent grants also show support for downtown revitalization, mental and behavioral health, historic preservation, arts programming, and school-based food distribution.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $3,750 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $49,500 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards range from $1,500 to $160,000.
Yes. Multiple recipients appear in more than one year, including Healthnet of Rock County Inc, Forward Foundation Inc, Milton Historical Society, Janesville Performing Arts Center Inc, School District of Janesville, and Candid Inc.
Its giving is local, and 91% of grants go to recipients in Wisconsin. Recent grants are concentrated in Janesville, with additional recipients in Milton and Monona.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Janesville Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Priority given to projects aligned with the ARISE plan and downtown/riverfront revitalization goals; grants awarded to 501(c)(3) nonprofits or projects implemented via nonprofit partners.
Deadline: Pledged funding distributed over a five‑year period; grant inquiries accepted throughout the year.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF JANESVILLE | JANESVILLE, WI | $300,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF ROCK COUNTY | JANESVILLE, WI | $100,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| YMCA OF NORTHERN ROCK COUNTY | JANESVILLE, WI | $75,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT THE 135 AND BEYOND INITIATIVE |
| MILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY | MILTON, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | CREATION OF VIRTUAL TOURS |
| CANDID INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,750 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| READING IS BETTER WITH H AND CHEDDAR INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $1,500 | 2026 | READING VISITS W/ SDJ 1ST GRADE STUDENTS |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF WISCONSIN | MONONA, WI | $1,000 | 2026 | 2026 JOB FAIR FOR STUDENTS IN JANESVILLE |
| FISCC INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $260,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT THE WOODMAN'S SPORTS AND CONVENTION CENTER |
| KANDU INDUSTRIES INC | MILTON, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO FUND NEW FACILITY |
| YMCA OF NORTHERN ROCK COUNTY | JANESVILLE, WI | $60,000 | 2025 | GRO DEVELOPMENT STUDY |
| MILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY | MILTON, WI | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TWO NEW STAFF POSITIONS |
| ECHO INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | TRANSITIONAL HOUSING RENOVATION |
| ROTARY BOTANICAL GARDENS | JANESVILLE, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ECHO INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | JANESVILLE STORM DAMAGE RELIEF |
| CANDID INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HEALTHNET OF ROCK COUNTY INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $140,000 | 2024 | MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH - SUPPORT INITIAL OPERATIONS |
| MILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY | MILTON, WI | $50,000 | 2024 | MILTON HOUSE UPGRADES AND TOUR ENHANCEMENTS |
| FORWARD FOUNDATION INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $50,000 | 2024 | JANESVILLE BUSINESS HUB- START UP EXPENSES |
| DOWNTOWN JANESVILLE INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $30,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL AND LABOR EXPENSES |
| FORWARD FOUNDATION INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $25,000 | 2024 | WSCC PROJECT AND COMMUNICATIONS/PR MANAGERS |
| FORWARD FOUNDATION INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $16,200 | 2024 | FORWARD JVL LEADERSHIP DEVELOMENT PROGRAM |
| AGRACE FOUNDATION INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $10,000 | 2024 | GRIEF SUPPORT FOR JANESVILLE SCHOOLS |
| JANESVILLE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $5,000 | 2024 | STRATEGIC PROGRAMMING |
| FORWARD FOUNDATION INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $5,000 | 2024 | JACVB-ART INFUSION MURAL PROJECT |
| JANESVILLE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $5,000 | 2024 | PLAY FEATURING AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF WISCONSIN INC | MONONA, WI | $2,500 | 2024 | FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMS IN JANESVILLE SCHOOLS |
| SCHOOL DISTRICT OF JANESVILLE | JANESVILLE, WI | $2,000 | 2024 | BAGS OF HOPE FOOD DISTRIBUTION |
| YWCA ROCK COUNTY | JANESVILLE, WI | $2,000 | 2024 | LDA PROJECT- CHILDREN'S ROOM RENOVATION |
| CANDID INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HEALTHNET OF ROCK COUNTY INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $160,000 | 2023 | MENTAL & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH - SUPPORT INITIAL OPERATIONS |
| CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF ROCK COUNTY INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $100,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| FORWARD FOUNDATION INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $75,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT THE WOODMAN'S SPORTS & CONVENTION CENTER |
| FORWARD FOUNDATION INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $49,000 | 2023 | DIRECTOR SEARCH FOR FORWARD JANESVILLE |
| MILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY | MILTON, WI | $32,000 | 2023 | UPDATES TO THE TOMAH COMMUNITY ROOM, BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS, AND EDUCATION/TOUR UPDATES. |
| JANESVILLE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $15,000 | 2023 | STRATEGIC PROGRAMMING |
| CITY OF JANESVILLE | JANESVILLE, WI | $10,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR THE LION'S CLUB PAVILION AT LION'S BEACH |
| SCHOOL DISTRICT OF JANESVILLE | JANESVILLE, WI | $2,000 | 2023 | BAGS OF HOPE HOLIDAY FOOD DISTRIBUTION |
| CANDID INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,500 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF ROCK COUNTY
$100,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
MILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$20,000CREATION OF VIRTUAL TOURS
CANDID INC
$1,750GENERAL SUPPORT
READING IS BETTER WITH H AND CHEDDAR INC
READING VISITS W/ SDJ 1ST GRADE STUDENTS
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF WISCONSIN
$1,0002026 JOB FAIR FOR STUDENTS IN JANESVILLE
FISCC INC
$260,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT THE WOODMAN'S SPORTS AND CONVENTION CENTER
KANDU INDUSTRIES INC
$100,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO FUND NEW FACILITY
MILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$30,000SUPPORT TWO NEW STAFF POSITIONS
ROTARY BOTANICAL GARDENS
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CANDID INC
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH - SUPPORT INITIAL OPERATIONS
MILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$50,000MILTON HOUSE UPGRADES AND TOUR ENHANCEMENTS
FORWARD FOUNDATION INC
$50,000JANESVILLE BUSINESS HUB- START UP EXPENSES
DOWNTOWN JANESVILLE INC
$30,000OPERATIONAL AND LABOR EXPENSES
FORWARD FOUNDATION INC
$25,000WSCC PROJECT AND COMMUNICATIONS/PR MANAGERS
FORWARD FOUNDATION INC
$16,200FORWARD JVL LEADERSHIP DEVELOMENT PROGRAM
AGRACE FOUNDATION INC
$10,000GRIEF SUPPORT FOR JANESVILLE SCHOOLS
JANESVILLE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER INC
$5,000STRATEGIC PROGRAMMING
FORWARD FOUNDATION INC
$5,000JACVB-ART INFUSION MURAL PROJECT
JANESVILLE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER INC
$5,000PLAY FEATURING AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMS IN JANESVILLE SCHOOLS
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF JANESVILLE
$2,000BAGS OF HOPE FOOD DISTRIBUTION
YWCA ROCK COUNTY
$2,000LDA PROJECT- CHILDREN'S ROOM RENOVATION
CANDID INC
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
MENTAL & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH - SUPPORT INITIAL OPERATIONS
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF ROCK COUNTY INC
$100,000SUPPORT THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
FORWARD FOUNDATION INC
$75,000SUPPORT THE WOODMAN'S SPORTS & CONVENTION CENTER
FORWARD FOUNDATION INC
$49,000DIRECTOR SEARCH FOR FORWARD JANESVILLE
MILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$32,000UPDATES TO THE TOMAH COMMUNITY ROOM, BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS, AND EDUCATION/TOUR UPDATES.
JANESVILLE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER INC
$15,000STRATEGIC PROGRAMMING
CITY OF JANESVILLE
$10,000SUPPORT FOR THE LION'S CLUB PAVILION AT LION'S BEACH
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF JANESVILLE
$2,000BAGS OF HOPE HOLIDAY FOOD DISTRIBUTION
CANDID INC
$1,500GENERAL SUPPORT
