Wisconsin State & Local Government Funding Assistance Programs
The following information is for individuals and organizations looking for Wisconsin state and local government funding and assistance programs.
Keep in mind that because many of the programs offered are often funded by grants themselves, they may run out of money temporarily or permanently. The Grants Information Collection therefore does not assume responsibility for the accuracy and currency of the information posted by the agencies listed in this site.
For other governmental funding programs and assistance also see: Federal Funding.
General
State of Wisconsin Department of Administration
Wisconsin Catalog of Community Assistance (WCCA) offers searching options for finding aid to state agencies. One also look at the entire WCCA Catalog. This Department also has a number of funding and assistance programs described in the Public Services and Technology links, where there are programs listed in the areas of Energy, and Federal Procurement Grants and Loans, and more. Opportunities are particularly for local governments and nonprofits.
The official State of Wisconsin home page. Includes a Subject Directory, and provides links to all Wisconsin State Agencies, including the topics of Business and Education.. A good place to search for programs not listed below or for further information and contacts.
FirstGov.gov: State and Local Employees
This federal site lists resources and assistance programs for state and local government. Categories, among others, include Agriculture and Environment, Grants and Financial Management, Education and Employment (with grants options), Economic Development and Infrastructure (Economic Development, Housing, Managing Growth, Rural and Community Development, Transportation and Tourism), Technology and Science, and more.
By Topic
Aging
Includes numerous services, programs, and resources - among them the Community Options Program, Assisted Living, Adult Protective Services, Elderly Nutrition, Senior Employment, Spousal Impoverishment, SeniorCare Prescription Drug Assistance, and much more. A site of the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. Provides also a link to a Benefits Specialist.
Agriculture
WHEDA: Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
Provides information on HOME loan financing from low to moderate income and first-time home buyers. Also provides home improvement loans and major rehabilitation financing. Agribusiness guarantees and farm and crop production financing programs are described here.
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection
Site describes this site as a "directory for farmers and rural citizens to find helpful information and services offered by public and private agencies across the state." Be sure to use the links to the Farm Center and the Farmer's Resource Guide.
Arts and Humanities
Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission
Offers grants, mostly to nonprofit organizations, school districts, and municipalities. Includes some grants to individuals - mostly for local history and arts initiatives. Site provides links to GRANTS: Arts-in-Schools, Local History, and Capital Ventures, and LOCAL RESOURCES: Arts & Crafts Fairs, Cultural Groups, Local Foundations which provide support for the arts, and LINKS to related sources of arts funding, among others. Also provides online application forms.
A municipal arts agency to foster an appreciation for the arts through sponsoring diverse artistic activities. Supports the arts in Madison, Wisconsin and site provides a link to Funding Opportunities such as ArtWORKS!, Blink, Signature Grants for new work, and Project will provide support for artists and non-profit arts organizations for arts projects, performances, exhibits or events that enrich the cultural lives of Madison’s residents.
Web site describes the site as "created by the partners of the Cultural Coalition of Wisconsin to support the state's culture, arts, humanities, and history." Funding sources are listed in forums, opportunities, partners, resources, and other areas of this site.
Sponsors grant programs for Wisconsin arts organizations and artists. Also frequently offers other programs on fund raising, proposal writing, and related grantwriting areas. Includes link to Wisconsin Art Service Organizations, a general listing of advocacy and nonprofit groups serving the arts, some of which offer grants. See its Arts News of opportunities state-wide.
Offers a funding to to Wisconsin organizations at its Grants site. Additionally, small grants are awarded directly to individuals for research in the humanities; otherwise, individuals must apply for other grants through organizational sponsorship. Provides an online newsletter, Perspectives. Offers news on other grants such as those from the NEH. Sponsors the annual Wisconsin Book Festival.
Business
See also COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT and other pertinent categories.
Build Your Business: Wisconsin
A site maintained by the staff at Wisconsin.gov. Includes among other helpful links, Toolkit for Entrepreneurs, Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Network, Grants, Minority Business, Financing, Startup, and much more. A good place to begin for starting, financing, expanding, and relocating a business. Resources also include information for international business programs, programs for disadvantaged entrepreneurs, technical resources available, and much more.
U.S. Department of Energy: Industrial Technologies Program.
The site, Wisconsin Financial Assistance Programs for Manufacturers., describes programs for business finance, expansion, and relocation, such as the Development Zone Program and the Rural Development Loan Funds, the Small Business Clean Air Assistance Program, the Wisconsin Energy Bureau, and more. Includes a link to the Wisconsin Technical Assistance Programs for Manufacturers.
U.S. Small Business Administration: Wisconsin District Office
Provides access information to the Counseling and Training Resources with links to the Online Business Counseling and Training, Small Business Development Centers and Wisconsin Women's Business Centers. Veterans Business Development, SBA: Women and Online Women's Business Center, Disaster Assistance, Technology Information Resources (TECH-net), and others. Includes a link to the SBA's home pages with Startup Basics and Startup Guide.
WHEDA: Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
Small Business/Agriculture Financing. See also AGRICULTURE and HOUSING categories.
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection
See especially the Got Moo-La? Where to Go for Business in Wisconsin booklet online. It is an excellent resource for any entrepreneur, regardless of type of business.Wisconsin Department of Commerce: Business
Includes Financing Your Business in Wisconsin with links to local and regional development managers and associations, regional planning commissions, and more. See especially Starting a Business in Wisconsin, where be sure to see an excellent PDF document, Starting a Business? Here's Help. Also includes information on Expanding a Business, Disadvantaged Entrepreneurs, Wisconsin as a Business Location, International business, Technical Resources, and much more. For an overview of business grant and technical assistance programs see the Wisconsin Facts Request Hotline Publications site.
Wisconsin Small Business Development Center
Offers information on counseling and workshops on business financing and business start-up. Includes an online entrepreneurial training course and an SBDC Business Answerline. All SBDC contacts are listed here. A section, Grants/Funding, gives information on the Early Planning Grant, Entrepreneurial Training Program Grant, PeerSpectives Grant, SBIR, and the Business Answerline.
Child Care and Children
See also HUMAN SERVICES below.
Support programs in Wisconsin on prevention of child abuse and neglect. A public-private partnership created by the legislature of the State of Wisconsin. It's grant requests for proposals are located here.
Wisconsin Child Care Improvement Project
A statewide nonprofit agency which provides all kinds of resources on starting a child care business in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services: Child/Youth Services
Filled with links to Adolescent Pregnancy and Prevention, Adoption, Child Care, Child Abuse and Protective Services, Children with Special Health Care Needs, Emergency Medical Services, Maternal and Child Health, and many other state services.
Child Care Start-Up Information is posted in the DHHS site here as well.
COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
See also BUSINESS, HOUSING and related categories.
USDA Rural Development: Wisconsin Programs
Provides information on all USDA-sponsored programs "committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America." Information is provided for Nonprofits and Public Bodies, Developers, Lenders, and Individuals and Families. Site links to opportunities and programs for business and community and community development, housing, and utilities.
Crime and Victim Assistance
Wisconsin State. Department of Justice: Office of Crime Victim Services.
Describes victim assistance programs, compensation, victims' rights, and program information for administrators and providers of such programs.
See also Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services: Child Abuse and Neglect Services (Child Protective Services)
Wisconsin State. Office of Justice Assistance
Provides information on finding and applying for grants, programs and projects, and a search engine for looking within the entire site. A Current News link at the Home Page offers information on current funding announcements.
Disabilities
Disability Resource Monthly: DRM Regional Resource Directory: Wisconsin
A directory of assistance programs and information for Wisconsin residents. However, may be outdated in spots.
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. TEPP: Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program
A program to help people with disabilities by equipment needed for basic telephone services, and funded by the Commission's Wisconsin Universal Service Fund.
Wisconsin Office for Persons with Physical Disabilities: Disability Programs & Information
Includes links to numerous state programs such as WisTech and TEPP (both described above) Has separate sections for Blind and Visually Impaired, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, Development Disabilities Services and Programs, State and County Service Agencies for People With Disabilities, and more. A site of the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services.
WisTech: Assistive Technology Program
Lists resources and information on assistive technology for persons with physical, cognitive, learning, hearing or visual disabilities.
A list of disability-related state agencies and organizations, advocacy groups, parent organizations, technology-related assistance groups, and more. A site of the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities.
Education and Educational Technology / Telecommunications
See also LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
University of Wisconsin System: Grant and Funding Resources
These programs offer not only faculty and researchers of UW campuses, but also Wisconsin educators funding and program opportunities for professional development, research, curriculum development, and other support, particularly in the implementation of educational technology.
University of Wisconsin System. Vit2al: Virtual Initiatives for Technology, Teaching, & Learning
Describes professional development programs for such as Wisconsin PK-16 Initiative: Teacher Quality Initiative, and T2E - Technology in Teacher Education for teachers for infusing technology into the curriculum. Related programs are described, with links to more information under Funding Opportunities , listing grants such as the ESEA Title II Higher Education Professional Development Programand more on the PK-16 Initiative: Teacher Quality Initiative .
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction: Grants and Financial Assistance
See site map for DPI Divisions and Teams. A vast, all-purpose and well-maintained site for finding Wisconsin state education-related funding for all educational levels and population groups, and in a variety of programs. For both individuals and educational institutions and organizations. Be sure to look at other Topics in the drop-down menu, which in turn link to state and federal grant opportunities. The News and Home sites also have recent announcements.
Education, Higher
State of Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board and its Financial Aid Programs
Describes the assistance programs of this board, which "administers programs of student financial aid, including grant and loan programs; the Minnesota-Wisconsin reciprocity agreement; a contract for dental education services; and the contracts associated with the Medical College of Wisconsin."
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Check under the Topics site for finance and grants along with News for updates. Provides information on state and federal student grants and loans, See the Divisions & Teams section for menu options, such as Wisconsin Student Financial Aid: Middle School, High School, and College and Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Programs, Federal Programs/Grants/Loans among others.
Employment
Department of Workforce Development
Information for both workers and employers. Workers can find such topics as child care and child support, family and medical leave, school-to-work, vocational rehabilitation, food stamps, and similar support programs. Employers can find information on finding workers, what employers need to know, and business development resources.
Environmental and Natural Resources
Funding and Grants Sources in the Great Lakes Region
Environmental funding programs available from a variety of government and private sources in the midwestern region of the United States. A site of the Great Lakes Network. Scholarships for environmental projects are also listed.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. Forest Service.
Information from the St. Paul, MN office on programs for forest health protection, stewardship and landowner assistance, fire protection, reforestation nurseries and genetic resources, urban and community forestry, and more. Other related information and publications provided here also. The Forest Stewardship program for the Northeastern Area has links to Getting Assistance in Your State. Financial Assistance, and other pertinent links. The Stewardship and Land Owner Assistance site for Wisconsin is excellent.
University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Program: Funding
Described as "a statewide program of basic and applied research, education, and outreach and technology transfer dedicated to the stewardship and sustainable use of the nation's Great Lakes and ocean resources." The University of Wisconsin Sea Grant College Program "funds university research, outreach and education on ocean and Great Lakes subjects."
Includes opportunities intended for Wisconsin faculty or principal investigators and students from the University of Wisconsin System or another Wisconsin college or university.
University of Wisconsin. Water Resource Institute: Funding Opportunities
Provides information on state and federal funding opportunities in the area of water resource protection, particularly for study and research.
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services: Environmental Health Programs
A multi-purpose site listing federal, state, and local environmental agencies and programs on specific topics such as asbestos, recycling, water, radon, chemicals, environmental organizations, pesticides, and much more.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
A variety of Wisconsin state environmental programs are featured in this site, particularly in the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection sections. See also the site for the Community Financial Assistance, within which its "program staff work closely with local governments and interested organizations to develop and support projects that protect public health, natural resources, the environment and outdoor recreational opportunities." (Note: try the CFA Site Map or the contacts listed within the Natural Resources Board site for anything not listed below.) Includes additional links to a Financial Assistance Directory and More Funding Sources, the latter of which includes national sources.
Financial Assistance Programs : a listing of programs administered by the Bureau of Community Financial Assistance. (Note that this list is not a full list of programs administered by all bureaus of the DNR.)
Environmental Loans Includes grants for brownfield programs and loans for clean water (wastewater treatment facilities), safe drinking water, land recycling.
Environmental Grants Funding for pollution abatement, waste reduction and recycling, water quality protection and management, and more.
Grant Awards by Program An alphabetical list of all Wisconsin DNR grant awards by program.
Financial Resources for Cleaning Up & Redeveloping Contaminated Properties Includes funding for redevelopment, dry cleaning facilities cleanup, brownfields tax incentives, land recycling programs, and more.
Funding Sources: Water and Wastewater A publication that provides information regarding financial and technical assistance for drinking water and wastewater projects, by Wisconsin Drinking Water and Wastewater Funding Sources Committee.
Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Includes lake grants and related information on Wisconsin water resources.
Wisconsin Environmental Education Board
Its Grant Program offers funding information for statewide initiatives and local projects for the "development, dissemination, and implementation of environmental education programs."
Health Care
Information on low-cost or free health insurance for children through age 18. Includes links to other resources, including the Wisconsin BadgerCare Health Insurance for Adults and Children.
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
A vast informational site on Programs and Services in all human services areas: Disabilities, Long Term Care, Public Health (for instance, Addiction Services, Immunization Program, Health Care Benefits/Programs (includes SeniorCare and Wisconsin Well Woman), Child/Youth Services, Services for the Elderly, Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services, Nutrition/Hunger relief,and more. Consumer information is also listed on such topics as choosing a nursing home. A search engine is provided.
Housing
USDA Rural Development: Wisconsin
Provides information on opportunities for nonprofits, public bodies, developers, lenders, and Opportunities for Individuals and Families, which " provides a number of home ownership opportunities to rural Americans as well as programs for home renovation and repair." Also, RHS also "makes financing available to elderly, disabled, or low-income rural residents of multi-unit housing buildings to ensure they are able to make rent payments." See also its Opportunities for Nonprofits.
This site also links to opportunities and programs for business and community and community development.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: HUD in Wisconsin
Great information for multiple programs for governments and nonprofits. Individuals may want to start with the Home Ownership: Wisconsin site. Offers links to other resources such as help with utility bills, emergency rental help, finding a housing counselor, avoiding foreclosure, homeless veterans services, legal assistance, and more.
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)
WHEDA provides home ownership opportunities for buyers, lenders, and services. Financing, tax credits, and asset management for multi-family development. More on small business and agribusiness guarantees and loan subsidies for women and minority-owned businesses. Farm and crop production financing as well.
Wisconsin Department of Commerce: Bureau of Housing
Describes both federal and state programs administered by the BOH to expand local affordable housing and support services to those in need of housing. Works closely with local governments and nonprofits with financial and technical assistance and their capacity-building efforts. Targeted population groups include the elderly, homeless, disabled, and low to moderate income residents. Programs include HOME programs, Community Development Block Grants, Homeless, and State Programs.
Justice and Law Enforcement
See also CRIME and VICTIM ASISTANCE
State of Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance Grant Programs
Grant programs and applications for anti-drug abuse, juvenile delinquency prevention, violence against women, block grants, and related funding.
Libraries and Information Technologies
See also EDUCATION AND EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY /TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Department of Public Instruction: Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning
Provides information on legislation and funding issues impacting libraries, and links to the Wisconsin Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) program grant.. The link to Technology Programs and Services highlights funding opportunities, special services and programs.
Natural Resources
See ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Public Utilities
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
A site for complaints and financial assistance programs.
Technology and Telecommunications
See EDUCATION AND EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY /TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Tourism
Wisconsin Department of Tourism
Wisconsin's DOT has links to a Programs and Services site. Programs include a Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grant program that "provides partnership funding to help non-profit Wisconsin organizations promote tourism in their area...To be funded, projects must demonstrate that they will generate an increase in visitors and make a positive economic impact in the local area." Provides assistance with several program initiatives: Destination Marketing, New Event, Sales Promotion, Existing Event, and One-Time, One-of-a-Kind.
Transportation
Wisconsin Department Transportation
See the Doing Business and the Programs for Local Government links for grants and aid for public transportation, highways and bridges, bicycle, rail, and specialized transit, and rustic roads.
Veterans
Wisconsin Department of Veteran's Affairs
"One-stop shopping" site for benefits and services eligible for Wisconsin veterans. The link to the Benefits section includes help regarding education, housing, home improvement, job retraining, personal loans, and more.
Water Resources
See ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES