Bi-Annual Grant Cycle – Click here for full summary

The Fond du Lac Area Foundation awards grants twice a year through scheduled, competitive application processes. Grant committees complete a rigorous review of each application to determine how funding is distributed based on the mission of the Foundation. The Community Fund is an unrestricted fund that provides all grant monies for the bi-annual grant cycles. Grant requests may range from $500 – $5,000.

Impact Grants – Click here for full summary

The Foundation awards Impact Grants once a year through a competitive application process. These grants are made for programs likely to make a clear difference in the quality of life of a substantial number of people. Impact Grants support endowment building, matching grants, capital projects, capacity building, community leadership, community betterment, and entrepreneurial proposals. Grant requests may be up to $100,000.

Rural Vitality Grants – Click here for full summary

In partnership with partner with Compeer Financial, the Fond du Lac Area Foundation and Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation open the Rural Vitality Grant cycle annually to support communities of less than 10,000 people or rural micropolitans of less than 50,000 people create and maintain an active, strong, and thriving economy. Fond du Lac and Dodge County nonprofits and schools are eligible to apply, with the City of Fond du Lac and City of Beaver Dam being ineligible due to population. Approved areas of granting include agriculture, community development, entrepreneurship/small business development, housing expansion, youth/adult leadership development, rural education, and workforce development. Grant requests may be $500 – $25,000.

Fondy 100 Gives

Fondy 100 Gives brings together 100 passionate individuals to fund projects that provide an immediate, positive impact in our community. At 100 members, each project funded will receive a grant for $7,500 with $2,500 added to build the Fondy 100 Gives endowment fund for future community projects. Nonprofits serving Fond du Lac County are encouraged to submit grant applications. All applications are entered into a live drawing where three submissions are randomly selected. The three selected nonprofits present their grant proposals to the 100 members of Fondy 100 Gives. Click here to visit the Fondy 100 Gives page and learn more.

Donor Recommended Grants

The Foundation stewards a variety of donor advised funds. Grants from these funds are awarded based upon the recommendation of the donor or their designated representative to the causes and organizations they choose. These grants are not open or competitive application opportunities.

The Foundation can only award grants to nonprofit organizations which are tax-exempt under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code.