Information for Grant Seekers
The La Crosse Community Foundation uses returns on its restricted and unrestricted endowments to support organizations which make contributions for the betterment of the people who live in the greater La Crosse area. General, or unrestricted, funds, field of interest funds, and some donor advised and supporting organization funds are distributed through a competitive grant process.
General Fund
Field of Interest Funds - applications available now
General Fund
The General Fund is designed to serve community needs through a perpetual fund. The most flexible of La Crosse Community Foundation funds, it can respond quickly to changing community needs.
How to apply
Qualified applicants, representing charitable, tax exempt organizations, recognized by the I.R.S. as 501(c)(3) groups, located in La Crosse County, and organizations which serve area residents, may request a standard application form available from the Foundation.
Contact the Foundation at: (608) 782-3223 or email lacrosscommfound@centurytel.net.
If the organization and/or project meets basic criteria and needs of the community, an application will be sent to the nonprofit 501(c)3 organization seeking grant support.
To be eligible for review, the original application and fourteen copies need to be returned to the Foundation for Board of Directors' review.
Deadlines:
January 15 for the February meeting
April 15 for the May meeting
July 15 for the August meeting
October 15 for the November meeting
Criteria
The La Crosse Community Foundation carefully screens requests for funds from community organizations for projects which enhance the quality of life. General categories of support include: education, health services, cultural activities, social services and civic projects. The Foundation gives priority to those projects which:
- Seek to meet a new or growing need of a broad segment of the community consistent with Foundation goals and priorities.
- Demonstrate need for extraordinary budget or one-time funds based on careful planning.
- Encourage additional funding or matching gifts from other donors, consumers or agencies.
- Provide realistic plans for future funding.
- Promote cooperation among agencies without duplicating services.
- Encourage self-help activities by the population served through the grant program or service.
- Utilize volunteers to the extent possible.
- Enhance or improve agency self-sufficiency and efficiency.
- Yield substantial benefits to the community for the resources invested by the Community Foundation through its grant.
The Foundation does not make grant awards to individuals. In general, the Foundation’s unrestricted fund does not make grants for:
- Support for ongoing operating expenses of well established organizations or debt retirement.
- To fund needs more properly funded through the operating budget of the applicant organization or by other sources.
- To mature endowment funds.
- For sectarian or religious purposes.
- For travel by individuals or groups.
Upon completion of the grant project, an evaluation is required to determine the effectiveness of Foundation support. The Foundation discourages more than one application from the same agency within a twelve-month period. Reconsideration of a denied proposal is made only with significant changes at the request of the Board of Directors.
Foundation staff welcomes questions about the application process, as well as other Foundation services. Further information is available from the:
La Crosse Community Foundation
300 Second St. N.Ste. 320
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 782-3223
lacrosscommfound@centurytel.net
Field of Interest Funds
Field of interest funds are created to support particular areas of interest and may have separate application and grant cycles. The Zielke, Global Awareness, and Bridge Builders funds will accept applications from February 1 until their deadlines in March. Click on the links below for an application. Please contact the Foundation with any questions.
Corrine Zielke Baseball Fund
A bequest from Corinne Zielke, a successful businesswoman who died in 2000, established this fund to support baseball programs. Baseball programs in La Crosse County are eligible to apply.
Global Awareness Fund
The Global Awareness Fund was established by individuals to support and encourage a global world view that begins with cultural understanding among all peoples. The advisory committee reviews grant requests to assist with funding for participation in introductory programs including travel and specially-designed conferences. Grants include plans for sharing new appreciations gained from these experiences.
Mary Grace Sieber Fund
Through a bequest, Mary Grace Sieber wanted to ensure that young people living with physical, emotional or mental disabilities have opportunities to lead independent lives through education programs, enrichment activities and community events.
Bridge Builders Fund
The Bridge Builders Fund promotes communication, understanding and appreciation between the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities and the straight community in La Crosse County. The fund’s goal is dignity and respect for all people.
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