APPLY FOR A GRANT

BACKGROUND

Women’s Fund of Greater La Crosse (WFGL) enriches the lives of women and girls so they can do the same for others. We do this by making grants each year to support local nonprofit programs that elevate women and girls in our community. Our grant program is funded by our two endowments and annual donors.

Despite the dramatic advancement of women in recent decades, women are still far more likely than men to be homeless, live in poverty, be unemployed or under-employed, face violence, and have substandard housing and inadequate healthcare. Through our grant program, we aim to support local programs that are working to increase literacy, prevent violence, promote social, educational, physical and emotional health and well-being, and encourage artistic and personal growth and economic self-sufficiency for women of all ages.

Since our founding in 1998, we have granted over $1,000,000 to local organizations that:

  • Foster an impact on attitudes and actions that benefit women and girls
  • Promote opportunity for health and self-sufficiency for women
  • Encourage women and girls to develop as philanthropists

Review a list of previous grantees.

ELIGIBILITY

Organizations that can meet the following criteria are welcome to apply:

  • Public charity, exempt from federal income taxes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or governmental bodies, including schools and municipalities, if the project is above and beyond regular budgeted items and does not fill budget gaps OR;
  • Must have a formal fiscal sponsor relationship with an IRS verified 501(c)3 nonprofit.
  • Must be located in and primarily serve women and girls in La Crosse, Monroe, or Trempealeau Counties in Wisconsin and Houston County in Minnesota
  • Compliance with the grant terms and conditions listed below

Mini-grant eligibility includes two additional criteria:

  • Organizations that haven’t already received a grant award from Women’s Fund this calendar year
  • Organizations with an annual operating budget of $500,000 or less

We will not provide funding to individuals, for-profit businesses, lobbying efforts, political campaigns, annual campaigns, debt retirement, building or capital improvements (unless needed to address an imminent safety need for women and girls), projects of programs that require specific religious participation or affiliation.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Mini Grant Program

Our mini-grant program exists outside of our annual standard grant program for requests of $1,500 or less. It was created to offer additional, more flexible resources to (1) meet an emergent critical need of local women and girls and/or (2) provide sponsorship support for an event that aligns with our mission and vision and offers positive marketing exposure to our target audiences.

Mini-grant applications are open beginning July 2, 2026. Requests are reviewed on a rolling basis by the Board of Directors at monthly board meetings between August and December, or until all annually allocated funds are depleted. The application must be submitted by the third Wednesday of the month to be considered at that month’s board meeting.

APPLY FOR A MINI GRANT

Standard Grant Program

Our standard grant program makes annual awards valued between $2,000 and $15,000 to programs that directly impact or serve mostly women and girls. We know that real, lasting change happens when there is a focus on removing existing barriers to self-sufficiency and prioritize awards for programs that are working to remove barriers to transportation, education, or housing for women and girls. Preference is also given to requests that promote and operate in alignment with diversity, equity, and inclusion best practices.

The 2026 standard grant program has closed. The 2027 standard grant program is expected to open March 1.

GRANT AWARD REQUIREMENTS & EXPECTATIONS

By accepting an award, recipients confirm that they understand and agree to the following terms and conditions:

  • Grant funds are used as proposed and approved
  • Women’s Fund of Greater La Crosse is recognized as a source of funding in all public announcements, marketing and outreach materials related to the program
  • Photos and/or stories demonstrating the program’s impact will be shared throughout the funding period as appropriate

Standard grant awards require two additional expectations:

  • A follow-up report will be completed 11 months after the grant is issued or before submitting another grant application.
  • Participation in a site visit with a Women’s Fund volunteer halfway through the funding cycle.

APPLICATION SUPPORT

For questions or technical assistance, don’t hesitate to contact our executive director Jamie Schloegel.
executive_director@womensfundlacrosse.org
608.780.5710