Donate

GRANT GUIDELINES AND POLICIES

WCF's Priorities for its 35th Funding Cycle are those priorities developed by the WCF founders in 1982. We choose these priorities as a confirmation of WCF's continued commitment to funding groups that are marginalized in this society yet speak the truth about the systemic changes needed for this society.

INTRODUCTION

Wisconsin Community Fund raises money and gives it away to progressive grassroots groups that are too new, too small, or too controversial for mainstream funders.  The Fund channels charitable contributions to grassroots organizations working for progressive social change in every part of the state. 

Wisconsin Community Fund’s mission and grant programs are consistent with the principles of our local leadership as well as those of our national membership organization, the Funding Exchange Network (FEX).  FEX's "Statement of Political Principles" includes the following and a detailed explanation is available upon request.   

  • Change, not charity. ™
  • Economic Justice
  • Anti-Oppression and Racial Justice
  • Grassroots Social Change
  • Commitment to Growth and a Strong Network

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for a grant, a recipient must demonstrate that it:

  • is located in, works in, and/or benefits residents of Wisconsin;
  • is not-for-profit and exempt from federal taxes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or utilizing a fiscal sponsor with an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter;
  • is working for fundamental social change and demonstrating practical alternatives to economic and social injustice; 
  • has an annual budget under $400,000;
  • plans to spend the grant on projects and/or general operating expenses.

 PRIORITIES

Preference in funding will be given to organizations or projects that rank highly according to scoring by the Fund’s Grant Making Committee.  Proposals for funding will be rated according to the above eligibility requirements, as well as the following priorities:

 

  • Responds to current and emerging needs and issues, especially movement-building and issues of structural change.
  • Includes coalition-building aspects, with groups from different issue areas working together toward a common goal.
  • Works to protect and expand basic human rights and increase opportunities for the poor, the disenfranchised, and people of color.  This may include supporting other progressive groups and issues in the community while working on a single, seemingly different issue or set of issues. 
  • Promotes and strengthens local community control and seeks more equitable distribution of wealth, power and other resources.  Elements of genuine grassroots or community leadership could include the make-up of the grant applicant’s board and staff or other formal power structures, as well as outreach to and involvement of an appropriate constituency. 
  • Includes organizing against racism and other forms of oppression. Challenging racism (prejudice plus power) may involve having diverse boards, staff and volunteers as well as organizing against oppression.
  • Uses a range of tools and strategies to work for a more democratic and equitable society. Tools may include community organizing, coalition-building, action-oriented research and advocacy.  Clear, well-defined effective strategies develop local leadership, empower people/constituents, and reflect awareness of broader social policy issues.
  • Demonstrates limited or no access to other sources of funding.
  • Has realistic goals for the time and resources allocated.

LIMITATIONS

Wisconsin Community Fund does not fund:

  • Projects individual, national, academic, or religious in nature.
  • Social or community service, legal fees, academic research, education or cultural projects, unless there is an organizing or direct action component.
  • Endowments or capital campaigns.

OTHER GRANTEE REQUIREMENTS

We require grantees to:

  • Submit a funding application according to the procedures and timelines of the Community Grant Making event, which is scheduled to conclude at 5:00 p.m. on Novermber 1, 2011 and is subject to change.
  • Receive final approval by Wisconsin Community Fund Board of Directors, which is committed to honoring the decisions activist donors that comprise Grantmaking Committee, provided that the grants do not violate legal or other essential policies of the Fund.
  • Provide Wisconsin Community Fund, when possible, with concrete, newsworthy ideas of the group’s work and results of the grant, to be used primarily for fundraising communications.  At minimum, a photo and paragraph about results, ideally tied to the WCF grant, are required and will be discussed with each grant recipient individually to ensure expectations are reasonable.
  • Provide a final report, consisting of a one-page narrative accompanied by an itemization of expenses for which the grant paid, in order to show the grant was used in a manner consistent with the budget submitted with their application.
  • Spend grant funds within one year.  Any changes must be approved in writing by the Wisconsin Community Fund. 

ANTI-RACIST ORGANIZING: WCF has committed itself to the defeat of racism in American society. The WCF Grants Allocation Committee is very interested in seeing that the groups we fund have boards, staff and volunteers that reflect their constituency. Challenging racism involves having diverse boards, staff and volunteers as well as organizing against oppression.

Organizations supported by WCF use a broad range of tools to work for a more democratic and equitable society. These tools include community organizing, coalition-building, action-oriented research and advocacy.  WCF seeks to support grassroots groups with a clear and well-defined strategy for developing local leadership and empowering their constituents, and which reflect awareness of broader social policy issues.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

In reviewing funding requests, the Grantmaking Committee will ask questions like these about each proposal:

  • Do the strategies employed or proposed by the organization or project work to empower people?
  • Are the strategies likely to be effective?
  • How well does the organization/project challenge the dominant institutions and attitudes of society?
  • Are other sources of funding likely to be available for this organization or project?
  • Does the organization or project include outreach to and involvement of an appropriate constituency?
  • Are the project goals realistic for the time and resources allocated?