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Madison Community Foundation’s Community Impact grants advance initiatives that have a long-term impact on lives and our community.
2022 Grantmaking Update: Organizations applying for funding must submit a Letter of Inquiry by 4:30 p.m. on August 1, 2022
MCF’s grantmaking supports opportunities to strengthen innovative or high-performing nonprofits, and invest in the initiatives and natural and cultural assets that create a thriving community. Community Impact grants will be used to provide grants in five focus areas that improve the quality of life for residents in greater Madison:
These grants fall into three broad categories:
Program Grants support new programs or the expansion of existing programs that have a track record of success.
Capital Grants support the construction, purchase and renovation of facilities, land acquisition, and occasionally the purchase of vehicles or equipment.
Endowment Challenge Grants build capacity and sustainability by helping nonprofits leverage additional funds and incorporate endowment fundraising as a regular part of their ongoing development program. Typically, endowment challenge grants are two-to-one matches but may vary by the size of the grant awarded. Learn more about endowment challenge grants.
Approximately 25% of grant applications are funded at some level. We are rarely the sole financial supporter of projects; we expect organizations to also seek additional resources to accomplish project goals. For examples of grants we have funded in the past, visit Recent Grants.
Organizations must meet the following criteria:
MCF awards Community Impact grants to nonprofits working in five areas of focus: Arts and Culture, Community Development, Environment, Learning, and Nonprofit Capacity Building.
MCF's Community Impact grantmaking process begins with organizations submitting a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). MCF staff review these letters to ensure the organizations are eligible to apply and that the requests conform to MCF's mission and focus areas. The deadline for LOIs is August 1 by 4:30 p.m.
Organizations with approved LOIs are invited to submit a full grant application for consideration. The deadline for applications is October 3 by 4:30 p.m.
The Grantmaking Committee reviews the grant applications and forwards recommendations to the Board of Governors, which makes the final decision on funding at its December meeting. Grants will be announced on December 22.
If you have any questions about grant proposals, please contact Tom Linfield
Your grant is not about what you are going to do but what you're going to change."
– Tom Linfield, Vice President, Community Impact
For more information, visit our Nonprofit Resources
Tom Linfield(608) 232-1763 Email Tom