MCF will engage Greater Madison in philanthropy to advance a more vibrant and equitable community.
A standout thread in Madison Community Foundation’s recent giving is its support for Madison Youth Arts Center, which received $2.8 million for capital costs in 2023 and another $515,000 for ongoing operations in 2024. That combination points to a funder that uses both large, project-based investments and operating support to build local institutions over time. The same pattern appears in other major awards, including $500,000 in 2025 to the Sokaogon Chippewa Community for a tribal health clinic expansion and $354,200 in 2025 for land purchase adjacent to the Sokaogon Chippewa Reservation. Those grants sit alongside support for public libraries, colleges, orchestras, and community-based services across Dane County. The foundation’s grantmaking covers arts and culture, learning, community development, health and wellness, basic needs, and nonprofit capacity building. Recent grants also include support for affordable homeownership, rental assistance and family support, accessibility improvements, and tribal community needs. Across these awards, Madison Community Foundation combines capital funding, general operating support, and targeted program grants. Its recent record shows a local funder making sizable commitments where institutions, public services, and community infrastructure intersect.
Arts and cultural institutions are a major part of Madison Community Foundation’s recent grantmaking. Madison Youth Arts Center received $2.8 million for capital costs in 2023, followed by $230,000 in 2023 for building construction and $515,000 in 2024 for ongoing operations. Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra also received repeated general support in 2023, 2024, and 2025, while Madison Symphony Orchestra received general charitable support in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Education and learning appear in several forms. Madison College Foundation received $350,000 in 2023 for general charitable purposes and additional support in 2024 and 2025 for the Frautschi Family Pathway Scholarship Fund. The foundation also backed Madison Public Library Foundation Inc. with grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, reflecting sustained support for public learning resources. On the community-need side, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County and The Rainbow Project Inc each received $200,000 in 2024.
$13.6M
$347.6M
$55.3M
$19M
Most grants fall between $9K and $25K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$25K
ROBERT SORGE
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Typical awards cluster in the five-figure range, with a p25 of $9,255, a median of $11,866, and a p75 of $25,000. The recent-grants list also shows a smaller number of much larger commitments, including multimillion-dollar capital support and seven-figure gifts. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Madison Youth Arts Center, Madison College Foundation, Madison Public Library Foundation Inc, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Madison Symphony Orchestra, and Sokaogon Chippewa Community. That pattern suggests recurring support rather than one-time-only grantmaking. Madison Community Foundation is classified as a mixed community foundation, and its active programs include both unsolicited and invitation-based routes depending on the fund.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local and concentrated in Wisconsin, with 92% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Madison is the most common recipient city in the recent list, alongside Middleton, Fitchburg, Monona, Columbus, Fall River, and Crandon. Portage-area grants extend to the Portage School District area and greater Portage community. The only non-U.S. recipient country in the dataset is the United States, with 100% of grants there.
Recent grants and active programs show support for arts and culture, education, community development, health and wellness, basic needs, and nonprofit capacity building. Specific recipients include Madison Youth Arts Center, Madison College Foundation, Madison Public Library Foundation Inc, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, and The Rainbow Project Inc.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Madison Youth Arts Center, Madison College Foundation, Madison Public Library Foundation Inc, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Madison Symphony Orchestra, and Sokaogon Chippewa Community. The pattern includes both general support and project-specific awards.
Typical grant size is p25 $9,255, median $11,866, and p75 $25,000. The recent grant list also includes much larger awards, such as $2.8 million for Madison Youth Arts Center and $1 million gifts to Africa6000 International.
Yes. Several active programs accept unsolicited requests, including A Fund for Women, Portage Area Community Fund, Altrusa International of Madison Grants, Altrusa Fund Grants, Monona Fund Grants, Altrusa Fund Grants (Altrusa International), Columbus Area Endowment Grants, Great Performance Fund for Theater, and Field of Interest Grants. Community Impact Fund Grants are competitive and do not accept unsolicited applications.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Madison Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicants must be 501(c)(3) public charities or governmental bodies, including schools and municipalities, and must serve the Rio community. One grant per 12-month grant cycle. Final report required within 12 months.
Deadline: September 30 annually
Who can apply: Qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving eligible Middleton-area communities. Does not fund endowments, loans, re-grant programs, multi-year commitments, religious activities, individuals, other foundations, discriminatory organizations, political activities, or travel expenses.
Deadline: April 30 and October 31 annually
Who can apply: Applicants must be qualified under 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and serve people residing in the Portage School District area. The fund does not support endowments, loans, re-grant programs, multi-year commitments, religious activities, individuals, other foundations, discriminatory organizations, political activities, or travel expenses. Recipients are limited to one grant every 12 months.
Deadline: Grant applications and grant reports are due by June 15 annually.
Who can apply: Qualifying tax-exempt organizations serving people residing in the area bounded by the Lodi School District. Does not fund endowments, loans, re-grant programs, multi-year commitments, religious activities, individuals, organizations without 501(c)(3) status, other foundations, discriminatory organizations, political activities, or travel expenses.
Deadline: July 1 annually
Who can apply: Applicants must provide proof of 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and serve the Columbus and Fall River communities. Recipients are limited to one grant per 12-month grant cycle and must submit a final report.
Deadline: Applications are due by August 15 annually.
Who can apply: Open application process for organizations seeking support for projects or needs aligned to a field of interest or geographic region. Exact eligibility varies by fund.
Deadline: Funding decisions made quarterly throughout the year.
Who can apply: Grant recipients must serve the Monona community. Applications must include proof of 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND | CINCINNATI, OH | $1,980,004 | 2025 | GUINN FAMILY FUND #1332554 |
| AFRICA6000 INTERNATIONAL | ERIE, PA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| SOKAOGON CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY | CRANDON, WI | $500,000 | 2025 | TRIBAL HEALTH CLINIC EXPANSION |
| SOKAOGON CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY | CRANDON, WI | $354,200 | 2025 | LAND PURCHASE (FROM REMAINING ASSETS, LAND IS ADJACENT TO SOKAOGON CHIPPEWA RESERVATION) |
| MADISON COLLEGE FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $275,000 | 2025 | FRAUTSCHI FAMILY PATHWAY SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION INC | MADISON, WI | $250,000 | 2025 | IN 1993, MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION (MPLF) WAS CREATED TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN APPROPRIATED CITY OF MADISON FUNDING AND THE EVER-RISING COSTS OF LIBRARY RESOURCES AND SERVICES TO MEET OUR COMMUNITY'S NEEDS. NINE FACILITIES SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE C |
| MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION INC | MADISON, WI | $248,572 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| WISCONSIN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA | MADISON, WI | $220,756 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MADISON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | MADISON, WI | $211,373 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF DANE COUNTY | FITCHBURG, WI | $209,845 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| WISCONSIN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA | MADISON, WI | $201,456 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| WISCONSIN YOUTH COMPANY | MADISON, WI | $180,000 | 2025 | OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME ADVOCACY POSITION PROPOSAL |
| MADISON OPERA INC | MADISON, WI | $154,434 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| MADISON COLLEGE | MADISON, WI | $150,000 | 2025 | MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE IS A PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE SERVING ALL OR PART OF 12 COUNTIES IN SOUTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN. THEY HAVE SEVEN CAMPUSES: THREE IN MADISON AND FOUR SERVING RURAL COMMUNITIES. THE COLLEGE SERVES SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF HISTORIC |
| SOKAOGON CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY | CRANDON, WI | $127,000 | 2025 | PURCHASE LAND ADJACENT TO RESERVATION |
| HANCOCK CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIES | MADISON, WI | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| HANCOCK CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIES | MADISON, WI | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THE ROAD HOME DANE COUNTY | MADISON, WI | $109,631 | 2025 | SUPPORT SERVICES AND RENTAL SUBSIDIES FOR FAMILIES |
| MADISON MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART | MADISON, WI | $105,837 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MADISON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | MOMENTUM CAMPAIGN |
| ACCESS ABILITY WISCONSIN | MINERAL POINT, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | PURCHASE OF WHEELCHAIRS AND EQUIPMENT |
| THE CENTER FOR BLACK EXCELLENCE AND CULTURE INC | MADISON, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL PROJECT |
| MADISON AREA COMMUNITY LAND TRUST | MADISON, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | EXPANDING PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN MADISON |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF DANE COUNTY | MADISON, WI | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION INC | MADISON, WI | $98,906 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THE FOUNDATION FOR BLACK WOMEN'S WELLNESS | MADISON, WI | $96,479 | 2025 | FFBWW PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS |
| MADISON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $91,714 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MADISON OPERA INC | MADISON, WI | $91,188 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| CTM | MADISON, WI | $89,979 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MADISON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $83,916 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CTM | MADISON, WI | $81,138 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| DANE COUNTY LIBRARY SERVICE | MADISON, WI | $77,064 | 2025 | HUMANITIES PROGRAMMING IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES |
| FELICIA'S DONATION CLOSET | DANE, WI | $75,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILD PROJECTFELICIA'S DONATION CLOSET IS A 100% VOLUNTEER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS WOMEN PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR SOCIETY AFTER FACING DOMESTIC ABUSE. FOUNDER, FELICIA RAYE DINY, IS A SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC ABUSE HERSELF. SHE BEGAN HELPI |
| COMBAT BLINDNESS INTERNATIONAL | MADISON, WI | $75,000 | 2025 | WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS: CERTIFIED OPHTHALMIC PARAMEDICS (COP) TRAINING PROGRAM AND THE AADYA INITIATIVE |
| BADGER PRAIRIE NEEDS NETWORK | VERONA, WI | $75,000 | 2025 | SINCE 1986, BADGER PRAIRIE NEEDS NETWORK (BPNN) HAS BEEN FIGHTING POVERTY AND ENDING HUNGER THROUGHOUT DANE COUNTY, OFFERING A RESPECTFUL AND DIGNIFIED EXPERIENCE FOR IMPOVERISHED INDIVIDUALS. THIS 100% VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION SERVES AS A CRUCIAL DISTRIB |
| CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES | HARLAN, IA | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MENTORING POSITIVES INC | MADISON, WI | $75,000 | 2025 | DARBO DREAM CENTERMENTORING POSITIVES (MP), JUSTDANE, AND THE AFRICAN CENTER FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HAVE MET INTENSIVELY FOR A YEAR TO ENVISION AND PLAN FOR THE DARBO DREAM CENTER (DDC), A COLLABORATIVE SHARED SPACE CENTERED IN THE CULTURALLY RICH AN |
| WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES ARTS & LETTERS | MADISON, WI | $74,400 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MADISON MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART | MADISON, WI | $67,186 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MADISON PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $64,126 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| FORWARD THEATER COMPANY | MADISON, WI | $62,023 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| OVERTURE CENTER FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $60,315 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT PROGRAMMING AND GENERAL OPERATING NEEDS. |
| MADISON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $60,121 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| PARTNERS IN HEALTH | BOSTON, MA | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| DOMESTIC ABUSE INTERVENTION SERVICES | MADISON, WI | $58,247 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| DANE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | MADISON, WI | $58,247 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $55,000 | 2025 | CHANCELLOR REBECCA BLANK GREAT PEOPLE SCHOLARSHIP FUND (XXX-XX-XXXX) |
| RAPE CRISIS CENTER INC | MADISON, WI | $55,000 | 2025 | EXPANDING CAPACITY FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION EDUCATION TO DANE COUNTY STUDENTS |
| VILLAGE OF BARNEVELD | BARNEVELD, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | MEMORIAL PARK FUND |
| ALDO LEOPOLD NATURE CENTER | MONONA, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVMENTS AS PART OF THE BUILDING LEGACY CAMPAIGN |
SOKAOGON CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY
$500,000TRIBAL HEALTH CLINIC EXPANSION
SOKAOGON CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY
$354,200LAND PURCHASE (FROM REMAINING ASSETS, LAND IS ADJACENT TO SOKAOGON CHIPPEWA RESERVATION)
IN 1993, MADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION (MPLF) WAS CREATED TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN APPROPRIATED CITY OF MADISON FUNDING AND THE EVER-RISING COSTS OF LIBRARY RESOURCES AND SERVICES TO MEET OUR COMMUNITY'S NEEDS. NINE FACILITIES SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE C
WISCONSIN YOUTH COMPANY
$180,000OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME ADVOCACY POSITION PROPOSAL
MADISON OPERA INC
$154,434SUPPORT OPERATIONS
MADISON COLLEGE
$150,000MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE IS A PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE SERVING ALL OR PART OF 12 COUNTIES IN SOUTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN. THEY HAVE SEVEN CAMPUSES: THREE IN MADISON AND FOUR SERVING RURAL COMMUNITIES. THE COLLEGE SERVES SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF HISTORIC
SOKAOGON CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY
$127,000PURCHASE LAND ADJACENT TO RESERVATION
HANCOCK CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIES
$125,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
HANCOCK CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIES
$125,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MADISON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM FOUNDATION
$100,000MOMENTUM CAMPAIGN
ACCESS ABILITY WISCONSIN
$100,000PURCHASE OF WHEELCHAIRS AND EQUIPMENT
MADISON AREA COMMUNITY LAND TRUST
$100,000EXPANDING PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN MADISON
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF DANE COUNTY
$100,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MADISON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM FOUNDATION
$91,714GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MADISON OPERA INC
$91,188SUPPORT OPERATIONS
MADISON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM FOUNDATION
$83,916GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
DANE COUNTY LIBRARY SERVICE
$77,064HUMANITIES PROGRAMMING IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES
FELICIA'S DONATION CLOSET
$75,000CAPACITY BUILD PROJECTFELICIA'S DONATION CLOSET IS A 100% VOLUNTEER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS WOMEN PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR SOCIETY AFTER FACING DOMESTIC ABUSE. FOUNDER, FELICIA RAYE DINY, IS A SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC ABUSE HERSELF. SHE BEGAN HELPI
COMBAT BLINDNESS INTERNATIONAL
$75,000WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS: CERTIFIED OPHTHALMIC PARAMEDICS (COP) TRAINING PROGRAM AND THE AADYA INITIATIVE
SINCE 1986, BADGER PRAIRIE NEEDS NETWORK (BPNN) HAS BEEN FIGHTING POVERTY AND ENDING HUNGER THROUGHOUT DANE COUNTY, OFFERING A RESPECTFUL AND DIGNIFIED EXPERIENCE FOR IMPOVERISHED INDIVIDUALS. THIS 100% VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION SERVES AS A CRUCIAL DISTRIB
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
$75,000GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MENTORING POSITIVES INC
$75,000DARBO DREAM CENTERMENTORING POSITIVES (MP), JUSTDANE, AND THE AFRICAN CENTER FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HAVE MET INTENSIVELY FOR A YEAR TO ENVISION AND PLAN FOR THE DARBO DREAM CENTER (DDC), A COLLABORATIVE SHARED SPACE CENTERED IN THE CULTURALLY RICH AN
OVERTURE CENTER FOUNDATION
$60,315TO SUPPORT PROGRAMMING AND GENERAL OPERATING NEEDS.
MADISON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM FOUNDATION
$60,121GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES
CHANCELLOR REBECCA BLANK GREAT PEOPLE SCHOLARSHIP FUND (XXX-XX-XXXX)
EXPANDING CAPACITY FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION EDUCATION TO DANE COUNTY STUDENTS
VILLAGE OF BARNEVELD
$50,000MEMORIAL PARK FUND
CAPITAL IMPROVMENTS AS PART OF THE BUILDING LEGACY CAMPAIGN
