wf grant application process

Our Grant Program awards grants to nonprofits doing the work to advance equity for women (and girls) in Greater Milwaukee.

You must…

  • Have 501(c)3 status or a fiscal sponsor. No exceptions.
  • Focus on advancing equity for women (and girls).
  • Encompass social change (and not service delivery or social services).
  • Do your work in the Greater Milwaukee area.

If your work is outside of Greater Milwaukee, we will not consider your application. FYI: There are other Women’s Funds in Wisconsin and throughout the country.

Notes

  • We define social change as a shift in attitude, behavior, and/or culture.
  • Proposals need to impact at least one of these areas: economic empowerment, leadership development, or education.
  • Your request for funding may be for advocacy, programmatic, operational funds, or capital expenditures.
  • The grant can be for seed funding, capacity building, programs, evaluation, projects, collaborations, and research.
  • You can submit a proposal for something with proven outcomes or it can be for an innovation.
  • It can be for a one-time project, or on-going programming.
  • Multi-year requests are entertained.

Limitations

  • Endowments, debt reduction, fundraising events, scholarships, political campaigns, and programs that promote religious or sectarian activities.
  • All grants are made to entities/organizations, not individuals.

Application Materials

Click here to watch the Grant Information Session replay
from June 2025.

Click here to download the presentation slides.

Preliminary Application Overview 2025
Download PDF 

Preliminary Application 2025
Download PDF | Word Document

Important Dates 2026

WF Grant Information Session
After June 1, 2026 (virtually)
Registration required

Preliminary Application Available
TBD

Preliminary Applications Due
TBD

Decisions and Invitation to Apply for Grant Notification
TBD

Final Application Due
TBD

Decision Notifications
TBD

Grant Checks Distributed
January 2027

Frequently Asked Questions

How many grants are made annually?

The number of grants made annually changes year over year. We usually have between 8 – 12 Grant Partners annually.

What is the dollar range of grants made?
The grants are in the range of $5,000 – $25,000.
Do you grant money to individuals?
No, we do not grant money to individuals for any purpose.
Do you fund direct-service-only organizations?
We do not fund social service work. We fund organizations that are doing social change work. These organizations may also be doing direct service.
Do you fund for-profit efforts?
No. We award grants to 501(c)(3) type organizations/projects that are working to advance equity for women.
Will my submission be acknowledged?
Yes. An email will be sent that acknowledges the receipt of your application.
Additional questions? Please contact the Women’s Fund at info@womensfundmke.org or 414-290-7350.

Why It Matters

Women have higher rates of poverty and much lower rates of business ownership than men in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia, despite having made significant progress over the last 25 years in attaining a college education.