Opportunity Grants

AMOUNT

Up to $4,000

FOR

Nonprofit
Organizations
based in WI

DEADLINES
  • July 1st at 5:00 pm
    (Decision by August 9th)
  • November 1st at 5:00 pm
    (Decision by December 6th)
  • March 1st at 5:00 pm
    (Decision by April 9th)

Opportunity Grants open the door for smaller organizations that are building healthier communities one public program at a time.

When you receive a WH grant, you become part of a vibrant statewide network of communities like yours, working together to address critical issues. Opportunity Grants support cultural sharing and learning, and your telling of crucial, underheard stories and histories. We support initiatives that foster understanding and civic engagement.

Nonprofits in underserved and rural communities are especially encouraged to apply. Tell us more about you!

When Rubber Hit the Road gathering of former UniRoyal workers in Eau Claire

“When Rubber Hit The Road: The Loss and Legacy of Uniroyal,” a documentary film funded in 2023

Funding Priorities for Opportunity Grants

Wisconsin Humanities is committed to funding organizations that have been historically underserved statewide and recognizes that every community has stories to share, traditions to explore, and challenges to tackle. All nonprofits in Wisconsin are eligible to apply and we encourage organizations who meet any of the following points below to apply.

  • Led by or primarily serving Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC); members of religious minorities; women and girls, LGBTQI+ persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality; and individuals who belong to multiple such communities.
  • With annual expenditures of less than $500,000 in the last completed fiscal year.

“Whose Land? Race, Settlement and Dispossession in Rural and Urban Wisconsin” with Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, funded in 2021

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

If you are a first-time applicant, it is extremely important that you first confirm whether your project is eligible for funding from Wisconsin Humanities. Schedule a 20-30 minute consultation with our Grants Director: meghan.dudle@wisconsinhumanities.org

As of January 15th, 2024, WH can award organizations a maximum of two grants in a 24-month period. After being awarded this maximum, the organization must take a one-year break before applying again.

Applicants from organizations such as city departments, academic departments at institutions of higher education, and departments/branches of organizations with multiple locations are considered separate organizations. Please consult with WH staff if you have questions.

Requirements

Step 2: Application Process

Opportunity Grant Applicants may choose to submit a written application or schedule an appointment by Zoom  (see below to learn more). 

The best way to prepare for either type of application is to download the Opportunity Grant Application Instructions.  Please pay attention to all requirements and application sections.

Written applications must be submitted through our online portal. We recommend writing your project description first offline. Then you can copy-and-paste it into the online application. You may also want to download and fill out the forms so you are ready to upload them into the online application.

Request A Video Appointment

If you are a new grant writer, have a staff of five or less without a grant writer on staff, and would prefer to submit the application information during an online appointment, reach out to meghan.dudle@wisconsinhumanities.org at least four weeks ahead of the application deadline to arrange a time to talk. During this Zoom session, you will be invited to share your finalized thoughts on the project you are proposing and provide detailed responses to each section of the application. Please note that a limited number of appointments are available based on our own small staff capacity. Conversations will be recorded and transcribed, and you will have the chance to approve the final document. A few required forms still need to be filled out and uploaded.

Draft Review

You can request a review of your draft application from our Grant Program staff. Contact us at least three weeks before the grant deadline to ensure a thorough review of your draft BEFORE you hit ‘submit'. Contact meghan.dudle@wisconsinhumanities.org 

Step 3: Required Forms

You will be prompted to upload forms in the online application. All forms can be downloaded while you are working online or in advance on our Forms & Resources Page.  Whether writing or utilizing our video application, the forms will need to be uploaded to the grant portal.

Step 4: Submission

1. CREATE AN ACCOUNT FOR OUR ONLINE PORTAL

All applications must be submitted electronically through our online portal. If you need assistance with creating an account, see this guide.

To start, you will create an organization identity for the Fiscal Sponsor Organization. This is the organization to whom the check will be written if you are awarded a grant. The Fiscal Sponsor Organization must have a UEI and be based in Wisconsin.  

If your organization is NOT able to receive funds on its own behalf, create an account using your Fiscal Sponsor’s information.

2. FILL IN THE APPLICATION

To apply, select the Opportunity Grant round you want to apply to, then respond to all prompts and upload all forms. If you don’t see the round you are looking for, it is not yet ‘open’ in the system. Come back three months before the deadline. If you need to collaborate with other team members the “collaborate” button in the upper right hand corner of the page will allow you to share the application.

3. SEEK REVIEW

If you want to have your draft reviewed, you need to do it before you click 'submit' on your application. Contact meghan.dudle@wisconsinhumanities.org to set up a review at least three weeks before the deadline.

4. SUBMIT

When your application is ready click 'submit.' You need to do this before the deadline, 5 pm on the date the application is due.

 

Opportunity Grants
Q & A Sessions

Join us for an hour-long virtual Q & A session and overview of the Opportunity Grants! Register below by clicking on the date that works for you and bring your application questions.

DATES:

Register for November 21st from Noon-1:00 PM 

Register for December 9th from 4:00—5:00 PM