We help children grow strong from the roots up by partnering with nonprofit organizations that support low-income children and their families to reach their full potential, prioritizing prevention, early intervention, and in-depth programming.
The Roots and Wings Foundation Inc concentrates on children from the prenatal period through age 3, pairing unrestricted support with program-specific grants for early learning, maternal and perinatal care, and family stabilization. Its recent awards show a repeat pattern of large commitments to Wisconsin organizations, including $2,000,000 unrestricted grants to Wisconsin Early Childhood Assoc in both 2024 and 2025, and $1,500,000 unrestricted support to Dane Co Parent Council in 2024 and 2025. The foundation also backs early childhood infrastructure, such as the $1,000,000 Goodman South Early Learning Campus grant to Madison Area Technical College Fdn. Health and family well-being are another throughline: it provided $1,000,000 unrestricted support to Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin in 2025 and $820,000 to NYC Health Hospitals for prenatal through age three work. Across these examples, the foundation combines direct service funding, advocacy-related support, and capital or campaign-style grants tied to specific community needs. Its grantmaking reaches beyond Wisconsin while keeping a strong emphasis on families with young children and the systems that serve them.
Early childhood development is a central theme. The foundation gave $2,000,000 to Wisconsin Early Childhood Assoc for unrestricted support, and it also funded Madison Area Technical College Fdn with $1,000,000 for the Goodman South Early Learning Campus. That mix points to both field-building and site-based early learning infrastructure. In family health, it awarded $1,000,000 to Access Community Health Centers on an unrestricted basis, alongside $1,000,000 to Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin for unrestricted support, reflecting investment in safety-net care. The foundation also funds prenatal-through-age-3 work outside Wisconsin, including $755,000 to Hennepin Healthcare Fdn and $730,000 to Contra Costa Regional Health Fdn. For family supports, it gave $650,000 to YWCA Madison unrestricted and $800,000 to Rise Wisconsin unrestricted, both in Madison.
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $52,500 at the median, and $150,000 at the 75th percentile, while the recent grants list also includes multi-million-dollar awards. Recurring support is common: Wisconsin Early Childhood Assoc, Dane Co Parent Council, Rise Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Alliance Infant Mental Health each appear in multiple years. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund, makes program-related investments only indirectly through grants rather than PRIs, and funds individuals. Unsolicited applications are not part of the listed program structure, which is organized around named program areas.
$66.6M
$611.8M
$136.2M
$71.7M
Most grants fall between $10K and $150K, with a median of $53K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$53K
75th Percentile
$150K
About 7% of grants go to recipients in WI.
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Grant activity is national, but Wisconsin receives the most awards by count, and only 6% of grants go to recipients in Washington. Recent recipients also appear in New York, Minnesota, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, and Mississippi. In Wisconsin, cities such as Madison, Milwaukee, Fitchburg, Middleton, and Green Bay appear repeatedly, with Madison showing up especially often. Outside Wisconsin, examples include New York City through NYC Health Hospitals, Minneapolis through Hennepin Healthcare Fdn, and Boston through Reach Out & Read. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
It funds nonprofit organizations serving low-income children and families, with emphasis on prenatal-through-age-3 development, early learning, maternal and perinatal care, basic needs, health, and safety and justice. Its active program areas also include advocacy, home visiting, childcare and preschool, food security, housing and eviction prevention, and legal aid or re-entry services.
The distribution centers on $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $52,500 at the median, and $150,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards range much higher, including multiple $1,000,000 and $2,000,000 grants.
Yes. Several recipients appear in consecutive or repeated years, including Wisconsin Early Childhood Assoc, Dane Co Parent Council, Rise Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Alliance Infant Mental Health, and University of Mississippi Fdn.
Wisconsin receives the most grants by count. The foundation also gives nationally, with recent recipients in New York, Minnesota, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, and Mississippi. Only 6% of grants go to recipients in Washington.
No. The listed active program areas all say they do not accept unsolicited applications.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Roots and Wings Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations whose work supports low-income children and families (with emphasis on PN-3). Roots & Wings funds direct service and advocacy organizations; prioritizes prevention and early-intervention. Particular geographic emphasis on Wisconsin, Washington, and Oregon but makes grants nationally.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WISCONSIN EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSOC | FITCHBURG, WI | $2,000,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| DANE CO PARENT COUNCIL | MADISON, WI | $1,500,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| ACCESS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS | MADISON, WI | $1,000,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| WISCONSIN ALLIANCE INFANT MENTAL HEALTH | MIDDLETON, WI | $1,000,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE FDN | MADISON, WI | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GOODMAN SOUTH EARLY LEARNING CAMPUS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,000,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| MADISON COMMUNITY FDN | MADISON, WI | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GOODMAN NONPROFIT CENTER |
| NYC HEALTH HOSPITALS | NEW YORK, NY | $820,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE |
| RISE WISCONSIN | MADISON, WI | $800,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| HENNEPIN HEALTHCARE FDN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $755,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE |
| UNIV OF NEW MEXICO FDN | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $750,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE |
| DENVER HEALTH FDN | DENVER, CO | $730,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE & UNRESTRICTED |
| CONTRA COSTA REGIONAL HEALTH FDN | MARTINEZ, CA | $730,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE |
| UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI FDN | OXFORD, MS | $680,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE |
| YWCA MADISON | MADISON, WI | $650,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| REACH OUT & READ | BOSTON, MA | $650,000 | 2025 | REACH OUT & READ WISCONSIN |
| RIVERSIDE UNIV HEALTH SYSTEM FDN | MORENO VALLEY, CA | $620,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE |
| METROHEALTH FDN | CLEVELAND, OH | $620,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE & UNRESTRICTED |
| PARKLAND FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $610,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE |
| SEA-MAR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER | SEATTLE, WA | $600,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| HENRY W GRADY HEALTH FDN | ATLANTA, GA | $565,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE & UNRESTRICTED |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $550,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS FOR INT'L MEDICAL RELIEF PROGRAMS |
| VALLEY HEALTH FDN | SAN JOSE, CA | $535,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE & UNRESTRICTED |
| 2ND HARVEST FOODBANK OF S WISCONSIN | MADISON, WI | $500,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| MOORESTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL | MOORESTOWN, NJ | $500,000 | 2025 | A COMPASS FOR OUR FUTURE CAMPAIGN |
| ZERO TO THREE | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH | MADISON, WI | $500,000 | 2025 | MORE FOR MADISON |
| FDN FOR UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NJ | NEWARK, NJ | $475,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE & UNRESTRICTED |
| HURLEY FOUNDATION | FLINT, MI | $475,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE |
| BAYVIEW FDN | MADISON, WI | $450,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| VALLEYWISE HEALTH FDN | PHOENIX, AZ | $450,000 | 2025 | OBGYN GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION & SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS SERVING PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE |
| COMMUNITY ACTION COALITION OF S CENTRAL WI | MADISON, WI | $440,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| ROAD HOME DANE CO | MADISON, WI | $440,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| ACLU FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $440,000 | 2025 | CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM & UNRESTRICTED |
| ONE BROOKLYN HEALTH SYSTEM | BROOKLYN, NY | $435,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE |
| BROOKLYN HOSPITAL FDN | BROOKLYN, NY | $420,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE |
| ESKENAZI HEALTH FDN | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $410,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE |
| UNIVERSITY HEALTH FDN | KANSAS CITY, MO | $410,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE & UNRESTRICTED |
| HARRIS CO HOSPITAL DISTRICT FDN | BELLAIRE, TX | $410,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE & UNRESTRICTED |
| HEALTH CARE FDN FOR VENTURA COUNTY | VENTURA, CA | $410,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE |
| ACCESS COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK | CHICAGO, IL | $405,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| MADISON AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE FDN | MADISON, WI | $400,000 | 2025 | GOODMAN SOUTH EARLY LEARNING CAMPUS |
| CAMBRIDGE HEALTH ALLIANCE FDN | MALDEN, MA | $400,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE & UNRESTRICTED |
| START EARLY | CHICAGO, IL | $400,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS FOR START EARLY WASHINGTON & NATIONAL |
| UMC FOUNDATION | LAS VEGAS, NV | $385,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE |
| AGENA | TOPPENISH, WA | $375,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER | BOSTON, MA | $370,000 | 2025 | BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORTS FOR PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE CHILDREN AND/OR THEIR CAREGIVERS |
| SIXTEENTH ST COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $365,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| GOLDEN VALLEY HEALTH CENTERS FDN | MERCED, CA | $360,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| COOPER FDN | CAMDEN, NJ | $355,000 | 2025 | PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE & UNRESTRICTED |
DANE CO PARENT COUNCIL
$1,500,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF WISCONSIN
$1,000,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
NYC HEALTH HOSPITALS
$820,000PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE
HENNEPIN HEALTHCARE FDN
$755,000PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE
DENVER HEALTH FDN
$730,000PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE & UNRESTRICTED
CONTRA COSTA REGIONAL HEALTH FDN
$730,000PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE
SEA-MAR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
$600,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
HENRY W GRADY HEALTH FDN
$565,000PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE & UNRESTRICTED
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$550,000UNRESTRICTED FUNDS FOR INT'L MEDICAL RELIEF PROGRAMS
VALLEY HEALTH FDN
$535,000PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE & UNRESTRICTED
MOORESTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL
$500,000A COMPASS FOR OUR FUTURE CAMPAIGN
ZERO TO THREE
$500,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH
$500,000MORE FOR MADISON
FDN FOR UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NJ
$475,000PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE & UNRESTRICTED
VALLEYWISE HEALTH FDN
$450,000OBGYN GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION & SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS SERVING PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE
COMMUNITY ACTION COALITION OF S CENTRAL WI
$440,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
ROAD HOME DANE CO
$440,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
ACLU FOUNDATION
$440,000CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM & UNRESTRICTED
ONE BROOKLYN HEALTH SYSTEM
$435,000PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE
UNIVERSITY HEALTH FDN
$410,000PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE & UNRESTRICTED
UMC FOUNDATION
$385,000PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE
AGENA
$375,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORTS FOR PRENATAL THROUGH AGE THREE CHILDREN AND/OR THEIR CAREGIVERS