(Dodge County) A non-profit group that serves Dodge and Fond du Lac counties has announced a new grant opportunity. The Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation and the Fond du Lac Area Foundation have partnered with Compeer Financial to support the strength and stability of rural communities through a $50,000 grant cycle.
The Rural Vitality Grant focuses on helping communities of less than 10,000 people or rural micropolitans of less than 50,000 people to 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. Applications for grant dollars can range from $500 to $25,000.
To be eligible for a Rural Vitality Grant, nonprofits must fit the following criteria:
- Grant applications may be directed toward capacity building, enhancements to current special projects, expanded programing, and building projects.
- Grant recipients should have a project that is planned and moving forward, not just proposed.
- The grant application has broad community support and leadership, including financial investments.
- Projects supported by these dollars will not be eligible for other gifts from Compeer Financial.
Approved areas for Rural Vitality Grant funding include:
- Agriculture – Programs, projects, and services that enhance the agricultural landscape and opportunities.
- Community Development – Contributing to the essential needs of the community, encompassing healthcare, daycare, and other areas impacting the quality of life for all community members.
- Entrepreneurship/Small Business Development – Helping creative, cutting-edge entrepreneurs and/or small business owners.
- Housing Expansion – Rural housing enhancements to single family, multifamily and work force housing.
- Youth and Adult Leadership Development – Inspire, train, and promote leadership for both youth and adults.
- Rural School Education – Enhancing programming, innovations, and experiences at preK-12 schools to ensure students have access to world-class education.
- Workforce Development – Attracting, retaining, training, and sustaining community members to vital careers and jobs in the community and agriculture.
Applications must be submitted through the Fond du Lac Area Foundation’s online grant portal by November 15th. Click HERE to access the portal.
