Matching personal philanthropy with community need. For Good. For Ever.
Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin Inc blends county-based community funds, donor-established funds, and more than 35 competitive grant programs into a local grantmaking platform serving southern Wisconsin. Recent awards show a broad mix of capital support, general operating support, and project grants, with money flowing to schools, human service providers, community venues, and public spaces. In Janesville, a $203,702 grant to YMCA of Northern Rock County Inc covered general support and a new HVAC system, while Healthnet of Rock County Inc received $187,943 for building fund support and the Seal-A-Smile project. The foundation also backs school enrichment through awards such as $171,328 to Lancaster Community Schools for fitness and reading programs and $59,325 to School District of Monroe for student activities and podcasting and broadcasting equipment for a new course. Its philanthropy reaches beyond institutions alone, with grants supporting senior services, animal welfare, and community gathering spaces across southern Wisconsin communities.
Education appears in both school enrichment and scholarship support. Lancaster Community Schools received $171,328 for fitness and reading programs, and the School District of Monroe received $59,325 for student activities plus podcasting and broadcasting equipment for a new course. The foundation also supports student aid through scholarships, including $56,097 to Inspiring Community Inc. Community development and placemaking are another clear thread. The City of Platteville received $103,000 for an inclusive playground, while the Village of Benton received $122,037 for community development. Lancaster Public Library Foundation also received $87,812 for community development. Health and human services show up in direct service and basic-needs work. Healthnet of Rock County Inc received $187,943 for the Seal-A-Smile project, and General Federation of Womens Club received $65,000 for Christmas stocking project, care packages, food boxes, and elderly cheer packages. Animal welfare is also visible through $161,126 to Grant County Humane Society Inc for animal-related needs.
Typical grants cluster in the low five figures: the 25th percentile is $7,772, the median is $11,949, and the 75th percentile is $24,835. The recent grants list also includes larger capital and operating awards, which shows that the foundation can write both routine program checks and major project grants. Grantmaking is recurring rather than one-off, with annual activity visible across 2023, 2024, and 2025. The foundation uses a competitive and fund-based model: community fund grants, field-of-interest grants, county community funds, and donor-established miscellaneous funds all appear in its program list. Unsolicited applications are accepted through several programs.
$6.2M
$92.3M
$9.7M
$6.3M
Most grants fall between $8K and $25K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$25K
About 96% of grants go to recipients in WI.
WYATT JACKSON
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Giving is overwhelmingly local and concentrated in Wisconsin, with 96% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Recent awards cluster in Janesville, Lancaster, Platteville, Monroe, and other southern Wisconsin communities, including grants to Janesville-based YMCA of Northern Rock County Inc and Rotary Botanical Gardens, Lancaster Community Schools and Lancaster Public Library Foundation, and City of Platteville. Outside Wisconsin, recent grants also reached Winterset, Iowa, and Staten Island, New York, but those appear as isolated exceptions rather than the main pattern.
Across its grantmaking, the 25th percentile is $7,772, the median is $11,949, and the 75th percentile is $24,835. Recent grants include both smaller awards and larger capital or operating grants, so the distribution has a strong middle tier with some higher-dollar exceptions.
Its stated focus areas include education, community development, economic development, health and human services, arts and culture, environment, animal welfare, public safety, and scholarships. Recent grants also show support for senior services, recreation and sports infrastructure, and basic-needs assistance.
Yes. Multiple active programs are marked as accepting unsolicited applications, including High School Scholarships, Excellence in Education Grants, Community Fund Grants, Community Fund & Field of Interest Grants, Grants by County, County Community Funds & Miscellaneous Donor Funds, Women's Fund, and Miscellaneous Grants.
Its grantmaking is local and concentrated in Wisconsin. The top state by grant count is WI, and 96% of grants go to recipients in Wisconsin.
Yes. The foundation runs High School Scholarships and Scholarships programs for graduating seniors at local high schools, and recent grants also include scholarship support through Inspiring Community Inc. The scholarship work is one part of a broader education portfolio that also funds school enrichment and student programs.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YMCA OF NORTHERN ROCK COUNTY INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $203,702 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, NEW HVAC SYSTEM |
| ROTARY BOTANICAL GARDENS | JANESVILLE, WI | $141,576 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAPLE STREET KIDS DAYCARE CENTER INC | LANCASTER, WI | $122,974 | 2025 | NEW BUILDING NEEDS- HVAC, FIRE ALARM LIGHTS/SYSTEM & CABINETS, SUPPLIES |
| CITY OF PLATTEVILLE | PLATTEVILLE, WI | $103,000 | 2025 | INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND |
| FISCC INC - FRIENDS OF THE WOODMAN'S CENTER | JANESVILLE, WI | $102,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT |
| KANDU INDUSTRIES INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $65,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, CAMPAIGN SUPPORT |
| GREEN COUNTY FAMILY YMCA INC | MONROE, WI | $60,501 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN, GENERAL SUPPORT, BUILDING SUPPORT |
| CITY OF SHULLSBURG | SHULLSBURG, WI | $60,000 | 2025 | SENIOR CENTER SUPPORT, TABLE AND BENCH REPLACEMENT |
| CITY OF LANCASTER | LANCASTER, WI | $59,700 | 2025 | GOLF COURSE ENHANCEMENT, THEATER ENHANCEMENT, COMMUNITY SUPPORT |
| INSPIRING COMMUNITY INC | PLATTEVILLE, WI | $56,097 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF JANESVILLE | JANESVILLE, WI | $55,184 | 2025 | BUILDING SUPPORT, GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LANCASTER PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | LANCASTER, WI | $54,491 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, FUNDRAISING MATCH |
| GENERAL FEDERATION OF WOMENS CLUB | MONROE, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | CHRISTMAS STOCKING PROGRAM |
| ADVANCE SHULLSBURG | SHULLSBURG, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | PARK FUND SUPPORT |
| TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MONROE | MONROE, WI | $49,232 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT, CLASSROOM UPDATES, CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, EDUCATOR AWARDS, LAUNCH CLASSROOM SUPPORT, TOURNAMENT SPONSOR |
| GIRLS ON THE RUN OF SOUTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN | MADISON, WI | $46,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM EXPANSION, PARTICIPANT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE |
| LYBSA INC | LANCASTER, WI | $45,500 | 2025 | CONCESSION STAND WITH RESTROOMS AND STORAGE |
| CITY OF JANESVILLE PARKS DEPARTMENT | JANESVILLE, WI | $45,162 | 2025 | PURCHASE OF TREES, IMPROVEMENTS TO PEACE PARK, CAPITAL CAMPAIGN, PARK TRAIL ENHANCEMENTS |
| MONROE ARTS CENTER INC | MONROE, WI | $43,515 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SWISS CENTER OF NORTH AMERICA INC | NEW GLARUS, WI | $41,531 | 2025 | CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, EQUIPMENT IMPROVEMENT |
| SHULLSBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT | SHULLSBURG, WI | $40,420 | 2025 | DONATION FOR SHS ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT, CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, TECHNOLOGY |
| CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF ROCK COUNTY | JANESVILLE, WI | $40,250 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT, BUILDING SUPPORT |
| PLATTEVILLE LIBRARY FOUNDATION INC | PLATTEVILLE, WI | $39,100 | 2025 | LIBRARY CAMPAIGN, READING MATERIALS |
| LANCASTER ASSOCIATION OF CHURCHES | LANCASTER, WI | $37,044 | 2025 | FOOD PANTRY OPERATIONS, AED PURCHASE, MAINTENANCE |
| SCHOOL DISTRICT OF JANESVILLE | JANESVILLE, WI | $35,355 | 2025 | CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, TRIP SUPPORT |
| LANCASTER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | LANCASTER, WI | $33,300 | 2025 | CAREER EXPLORATION, BLEACHER REPLACEMENT, FIELD TRIP SUPPORT |
| ROCK PRAIRIE MONTESSORI INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $26,323 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, TUITION ASSISTANCE |
| BETHANY HOME - RETIREMENT CENTER | DUBUQUE, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREEN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | MONROE, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | HOME CONSTRUCTION, HOUSING REHABILITATION |
| BEHRING SENIOR CENTER OF MONROE | MONROE, WI | $23,836 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, FEASIBILTY STUDY |
| VILLAGE OF ARGYLE | ARGYLE, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | PURCHASE OF TNT TOOLS |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION-MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | MATHIAS KOCH FUND |
| ROCK TRAIL COALITION | JANESVILLE, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | PEACE TRAIL TRAILHEAD ARCHES |
| NORTH CRAWFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT | SOLDIERS GROVE, WI | $19,316 | 2025 | PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, |
| TURNER HALL OF MONROE INC | MONROE, WI | $19,149 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT |
| HEALTHNET OF ROCK COUNTY INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $17,939 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY | MILTON, WI | $16,850 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, ART PROJECT |
| PARKVIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT | ORFORDVILLE, WI | $16,850 | 2025 | CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, LIBRARY FURNITURE, ENVIROMENTAL PROJECTS |
| FORWARD FOUNDATION INC | JANESVILLE, WI | $16,666 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| MONROE PUBLIC LIBRARY | MONROE, WI | $16,320 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, RENOVATIONS, DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS |
| CITY OF MONROE PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT | MONROE, WI | $16,214 | 2025 | MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF CITY PARKS, RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING |
| YWCA ROCK COUNTY | JANESVILLE, WI | $15,295 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP |
| LANCASTER FIRE DEPARTMENT FUND INC | LANCASTER, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | LANCASTER FIRE EXTRICATION EQUIPMENT |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IN WALWORTH COUNTY INC | LAKE GENEVA, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | CONSTRUCTION PROJECT |
| GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH | LENA, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, MISSION SUPPORT |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF WISCONSIN - BADGERLAND COUNCIL INC | MADISON, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE |
| COUNTY OF IOWA DBA IOWA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES & ADRC | DODGEVILLE, WI | $14,120 | 2025 | ADRC TAXI PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GIFTS MEN'S SHELTER | JANESVILLE, WI | $13,100 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT, ROOF REPLACEMENT |
| VILLAGE OF BENTON | BENTON, WI | $13,008 | 2025 | ENVIROMENTAL STUDY, BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS, CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
YMCA OF NORTHERN ROCK COUNTY INC
$203,702GENERAL SUPPORT, NEW HVAC SYSTEM
ROTARY BOTANICAL GARDENS
$141,576GENERAL SUPPORT
MAPLE STREET KIDS DAYCARE CENTER INC
$122,974NEW BUILDING NEEDS- HVAC, FIRE ALARM LIGHTS/SYSTEM & CABINETS, SUPPLIES
CITY OF PLATTEVILLE
$103,000INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND
FISCC INC - FRIENDS OF THE WOODMAN'S CENTER
$102,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT
KANDU INDUSTRIES INC
$65,000GENERAL SUPPORT, CAMPAIGN SUPPORT
GREEN COUNTY FAMILY YMCA INC
$60,501CAPITAL CAMPAIGN, GENERAL SUPPORT, BUILDING SUPPORT
CITY OF SHULLSBURG
$60,000SENIOR CENTER SUPPORT, TABLE AND BENCH REPLACEMENT
CITY OF LANCASTER
$59,700GOLF COURSE ENHANCEMENT, THEATER ENHANCEMENT, COMMUNITY SUPPORT
INSPIRING COMMUNITY INC
$56,097SCHOLARSHIPS
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF JANESVILLE
$55,184BUILDING SUPPORT, GENERAL OPERATIONS
LANCASTER PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$54,491GENERAL SUPPORT, FUNDRAISING MATCH
GENERAL FEDERATION OF WOMENS CLUB
$50,000CHRISTMAS STOCKING PROGRAM
ADVANCE SHULLSBURG
$50,000PARK FUND SUPPORT
TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MONROE
$49,232PROGRAM SUPPORT, CLASSROOM UPDATES, CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, EDUCATOR AWARDS, LAUNCH CLASSROOM SUPPORT, TOURNAMENT SPONSOR
GIRLS ON THE RUN OF SOUTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN
$46,000PROGRAM EXPANSION, PARTICIPANT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
LYBSA INC
$45,500CONCESSION STAND WITH RESTROOMS AND STORAGE
CITY OF JANESVILLE PARKS DEPARTMENT
$45,162PURCHASE OF TREES, IMPROVEMENTS TO PEACE PARK, CAPITAL CAMPAIGN, PARK TRAIL ENHANCEMENTS
MONROE ARTS CENTER INC
$43,515GENERAL SUPPORT
SWISS CENTER OF NORTH AMERICA INC
$41,531CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, EQUIPMENT IMPROVEMENT
SHULLSBURG SCHOOL DISTRICT
$40,420DONATION FOR SHS ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT, CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, TECHNOLOGY
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF ROCK COUNTY
$40,250CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUPPORT, BUILDING SUPPORT
PLATTEVILLE LIBRARY FOUNDATION INC
$39,100LIBRARY CAMPAIGN, READING MATERIALS
LANCASTER ASSOCIATION OF CHURCHES
$37,044FOOD PANTRY OPERATIONS, AED PURCHASE, MAINTENANCE
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF JANESVILLE
$35,355CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, TRIP SUPPORT
LANCASTER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
$33,300CAREER EXPLORATION, BLEACHER REPLACEMENT, FIELD TRIP SUPPORT
ROCK PRAIRIE MONTESSORI INC
$26,323GENERAL SUPPORT, TUITION ASSISTANCE
BETHANY HOME - RETIREMENT CENTER
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GREEN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$25,000HOME CONSTRUCTION, HOUSING REHABILITATION
BEHRING SENIOR CENTER OF MONROE
$23,836GENERAL SUPPORT, FEASIBILTY STUDY
VILLAGE OF ARGYLE
$20,000PURCHASE OF TNT TOOLS
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN FOUNDATION-MILWAUKEE
$20,000MATHIAS KOCH FUND
ROCK TRAIL COALITION
$20,000PEACE TRAIL TRAILHEAD ARCHES
NORTH CRAWFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT
$19,316PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, CLASSROOM SUPPLIES,
TURNER HALL OF MONROE INC
$19,149GENERAL SUPPORT, BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT
HEALTHNET OF ROCK COUNTY INC
$17,939GENERAL SUPPORT
MILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$16,850GENERAL SUPPORT, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, ART PROJECT
PARKVIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT
$16,850CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, LIBRARY FURNITURE, ENVIROMENTAL PROJECTS
FORWARD FOUNDATION INC
$16,666CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
MONROE PUBLIC LIBRARY
$16,320GENERAL SUPPORT, RENOVATIONS, DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
CITY OF MONROE PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
$16,214MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF CITY PARKS, RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING
YWCA ROCK COUNTY
$15,295GENERAL SUPPORT, CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP
LANCASTER FIRE DEPARTMENT FUND INC
$15,000LANCASTER FIRE EXTRICATION EQUIPMENT
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IN WALWORTH COUNTY INC
$15,000CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT, MISSION SUPPORT
GIRL SCOUTS OF WISCONSIN - BADGERLAND COUNCIL INC
$15,000GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
COUNTY OF IOWA DBA IOWA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES & ADRC
$14,120ADRC TAXI PROGRAM SUPPORT
GIFTS MEN'S SHELTER
$13,100PROGRAM SUPPORT, ROOF REPLACEMENT
VILLAGE OF BENTON
$13,008ENVIROMENTAL STUDY, BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS, CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Current and upcoming funding from Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Grants are offered to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; the foundation cannot award grants to individuals.
Deadline: Sept. 1
Who can apply: Grants are offered to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; the foundation cannot award grants to individuals.
Deadline: Sept. 15
Who can apply: Grants are offered to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; the foundation cannot award grants to individuals.
Deadline: Sept. 15
Who can apply: Grants are offered to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; the foundation cannot award grants to individuals.
Deadline: Sept. 15
Who can apply: Grants are offered to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; the foundation cannot award grants to individuals.
Deadline: Sept. 15
Who can apply: Grants are offered to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; the foundation cannot award grants to individuals.
Deadline: Oct. 1
Who can apply: Grants are offered to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; the foundation cannot award grants to individuals.
Deadline: Oct. 1
Who can apply: Grants are offered to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; the foundation cannot award grants to individuals.
Deadline: Oct. 15
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