The Community Foundation's core mission is serving the common good of the Dunn County region. The following opportunities are available to organizations in the community to apply for grant funding:
Community Grants
Competitive grants are available to non-profit organizations and community groups for projects or programs that fulfill a community need in such areas as health, the arts, culture, heritage, the environment, recreation, education, humanitarian needs and other civic initiatives.
The Community Foundation awards grants to non-profit organizations and community groups that support the arts, culture, heritage, the environment, recreation, education, health, humanitarian needs, and other civic initiatives through two competitive granting cycles each year, with deadlines on February 1 and August 1. Typical award amounts range from $500 to $5,000 or more.
The Foundation welcomes grant requests from nonprofit organizations and civic groups that serve Dunn County citizens. Eligible entities include:
- Independent nonprofit organizations
- Charitable organizations classified as 501(c)(3) under the Internal Revenue Code
- Local units of state or national organizations
- Groups of individuals or clubs organized to sponsor a charitable project
*This opportunity is not currently available and will resume in 2021.*
The Women's Giving Circle Grants Fund
The Women's Giving Circle (WGC) of Dunn County has been established to strengthen the spirit of women through collaborative philanthropy. The WGC awards grant funds to non-profit organizations that support the needs of women and families in Dunn County through one competitive grant cycle offered each June. Typical award amounts range from $500 to $2,500 or more.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Programs whose primary beneficiaries are women of all ages and/or children/families.
- The applicant must have a 501(c)(3) IRS tax exempt designation or be a governmental or educational organization.
- The applicant's proposal must have a geographical focus of Dunn County.
- The applicant's proposal must not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religion. It must demonstrate cultural sensitivity in the implementation of the project.
Field of Interest Funds
Field of Interest Funds have been established by individual donors to help support charitable causes they care about most, in perpetuity. Interests include a range of initiatives such as health, social services, the arts, environment, education or a geographical area.
- Byron and Catherine Olson Memorial Funding - Benefit individuals in Dunn County in need of supplemental medical care or services. This fund makes grants to individuals and children in emergency need for health-related items or services such as eyeglasses, dental care, prescriptions, medical care, food/gas, and more.
- Diabetic Care Fund - his fund helps to pay for the pharmaceutical and medical supply expenses of people with Type I or Type II Diabetes who are low income and/ or experiencing difficulty accessing supplies because they are uninsured or are unable to afford their current out-of-pocket expenses, including copays and deductibles.
- Kari Jo Bostrom Memorial Fund - provide teacher mini-grants for the School District of the Menomonie Area, as part of the Excellence in Education Teacher Mini Grant Program managed by the Community Foundation of Dunn County. Competitive grants ranging from $250 to $1,000 are available to school staff each year through an application process, to support school projects that promote learning and improve the academic achievement of students. This particular fund supports requests for projects that enhance children's experiences related to historical experiences or research, field trips to area museums or veterans' memorials, or projects that immerse students into various cultures or the arts.
- Marshall W. Hagen Fund - funding to area organizations whose work and mission helps improve the lives of community members living with cancer.
- Excellence in Education Teacher Mini-Grant - provide educational grant funding that enhances the learning of students. Monetary grants are awarded to SDMA teachers, public education support professionals, and/ or staff through a competitive grant cycle for projects that engage and motivate students to be active participants in their learning and improve the academic achievement of students. The application form is shared through the district office.