Waupaca Community Enhancement Grants

Purpose

The Waupaca Area Community Foundation (WACF) is currently offering a $25,000 Community Enhancement Grant, calling on nonprofit organizations serving community members in the Waupaca area to propose visionary projects or programs related to our 2023 focus on Waupaca’s Future, specifically our young children from birth to five years old and their families and caregivers. Successful grant applications will demonstrate bold ideas and forward thinking that will have a big impact on the community. 

Applications will be accepted April 29-June 10 in conjunction with WACF’s existing annual competitive grant cycle (which provides grants of up to $7,500 for various programs, projects and events that enrich the quality of life in Waupaca). Applicants may apply for either or both grant opportunities, however they should review the guidelines for both opportunities carefully prior to applying.

What We Fund

Our 2023 Community Enhancement Grant focus is on Waupaca’s Future, specifically our young children from birth to five years old and their families and caregivers. Research demonstrates the positive impacts of high-quality early childhood experiences on cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development for children and their families and by extension, the whole community. How can we better support children from birth to age five and their families and caregivers? What gaps exist in Waupaca related to early childhood development, childcare (both home-based and center-based), COVID learning loss or enrichment programs? Successful grant applications will focus on children from birth to five and include some or all of the following criteria:

Successful grant applications will answer these critical questions, and include some or all of the following criteria:

• Innovative thinking
• Inclusive leadership and collaboration
• Community input
• Clear/detailed planning
• Consideration of changing demographics

Nonprofit organizations, schools, 3K and 4K programs, nonprofit childcare centers, and tribal and governmental entities are all eligible. Applicants from throughout the greater Waupaca area will be considered (Waupaca, Weyauwega, Fremont, Iola, Scandinavia).

Direct service, new programs or program expansions, systems-level work, and capital projects will all be considered. 

Range of grantmaking: A single grant of $25,000 will be awarded. WACF is seeking proposals where a one-time grant of that amount will make a significant difference. 

Deadline: June 10 at 11:59 p.m. Grant decisions are made in mid-August.

What We Don't Fund

The Community Enhancement Grant will not fund:

• Fundraisers
• Multiyear requests
• General operating expenses not related to the proposed project
• Initiatives that do not serve the greater Waupaca area

To Apply

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Our new grant portal is now open! See more details here.   

• Read our general grant policies.  
• Go to our new Grant Portal landing page (link) where you will find information on registration, new features, FAQs, and helpful tutorials.  

If you need assistance, contact:  

Carolyn Desrosiers  
Community Engagement Manager  
[email protected]    
920.702.7625