Herb Kohl was Wisconsin through and through. From his earliest days driving around the state opening his iconic grocery and department stores, to the countless trips he made as U.S. Senator to meet with Wisconsinites in their distinctive hometowns, he spent his life looking for and finding ways to support local communities. In that spirit, this grant program aims to help make communities stronger. We provide general support in the form of a homegrown grant to local people, inclusive organizations and innovative ideas striving to solve, rather than serve a need.
For example, a teacher is growing the school's farm and agricultural courses and would like to add a cow to the farm. Or a community health clinic is coping with an increase in patients and is in dire need of basic medical equipment. Lastly, a local community center would like to provide financial literacy classes for young adults and would like to send one of its employees to a specific training for the program. In both situations, the organizations are seeking to address a need facing their local communities and would be considered candidates for the Homegrown Grants.
Homegrown Grants of up to $5,000/year should be considered one-time grants.
Helping children and youth achieve their potential through education, building family well-being, helping families and individuals become financially stable and self-sufficient, or providing a direct, safety net resource or basic need. Collaboration with local partners is encouraged. The proposal or organization must do the following:
The Homegrown Grant Committee accepts and reviews applications on a rolling basis from July 1 - March 31. Each application is evaluated with emphasis placed on efforts that create the greatest positive impact through innovation and collaboration. Organizations receiving a homegrown grant are required to provide a report within 2 months of project or program completion. Acceptable reporting includes pictures of an event, news or media coverage, testimonials from participants, or a brief report from the Program Director or Executive Director.
The Homegrown Grants program hopes to harness the common sense, innovation and goodness found in local communities throughout Wisconsin. Inspired by Herb Kohl's dedication to Wisconsin, this program aims to help make communities stronger. The Homegrown Grants program provides support to local people, organizations and ideas striving to solve, rather than serve a hometown challenge.
Proposals should focus on helping children and youth achieve their potential through education, building family well-being, helping families and individuals become financially stable and self-sufficient, or providing a direct, safety net resource or basic need. Proposals must invest in people (i.e. increase skills, abilities, knowledge, and/or well-being), engage the people it serves, and strengthen community connections and/or resources.
Any individual or organization that has an innovative, collaborative idea to address a local, hometown challenge.
Yes, individuals may apply for a homegrown grant as long as they are associated with a nonprofit organization that has a federal tax-exempt status or if they fall under the umbrella of a parent nonprofit with tax exempt status as a section 501(c)(3) public charity. The applicant must provide services within Wisconsin communities and funding requested may only be used to benefit Wisconsin residents.
The Homegrown Grant Committee will evaluate requests on a rolling basis. The committee will review and score each application according to the rubric guidelines. HKP Board provides final approval.
Yes, grants are not for after-the-fact support or operating deficits. Grants may only be used to benefit Wisconsin residents.
Grants are accepted on a rolling basis from July 1 - March 31.
The grants are for a 12-month period.