How to Apply
Community Grants Request Guidelines
The Waukesha County Community Foundation will accept grant requests from qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Discretionary funds used to support grants are currently limited. Only requests from organizations serving the people of Waukesha County will be considered. Grants from the Community Grants Fund will support programs in the following broad program areas:
- Arts and Culture
- Community Development
- Health and Human Services
- Education
- Environment and Conservation
- Historic Preservation
Grants will not be made to individuals or for religious, governmental or political purposes. Grants will not be made for capital campaigns or general operating support and are not repeated for the same program or purpose in consecutive years.
The Foundation will give preference to proposals and programs that respond to pressing needs within Waukesha County and that enhance the quality of life for the people of Waukesha County.
How to Apply for a Grant
The grant application process begins with a letter of intent and may progress to a full proposal application at the invitation of the Foundation's Board of Directors. Each organization may submit only one letter annually. Letters of intent must be submitted by August 1st of each year. The letter of intent should be no longer than two pages and should include the following:
- Organization name
- Organization mission, goals and objectives
- Description of the type and size of constituency served
- The amount requested and a description of the goals and objectives of the grant
- Description of activities planned to accomplish the goals
- Timetable for program implementation
- Other organizations collaborating in the program (if any)
- Expected outcomes from the grant and program
- How success will be measured and defined
- How the organization will sustain the program after initial funding.
The Waukesha County Community Foundation will respond in writing to each letter of intent. Following receipt of the letter of intent, the Board will determine if a full proposal is of interest. Organizations invited to submit a full proposal are asked to use the Common Grant Application form used by many area foundations. Full proposals must be submitted by October 1st of each year and must seek support for the purpose stated in the approval letter of intent.
Each letter of intent and full proposal will be assigned to the Grants Review Committee to review and present to the Board for action. All organizations submitting full proposals will receive written notification of the Board's decision during the fourth quarter of each year.
Grant seekers are also encouraged to consider the Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County, a field of interest fund within the Waukesha County Community Foundation.
- Common Grant Application (.pdf format)
- Common Grant Application (.doc format)