Community Impact Grants

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priority areas

Because our 2023 Community Impact grant cycle was particularly competitive, we will not be introducing any new grant or technical assistance opportunities in the short-term. The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation will continue to focus on Nonprofit Resilience with opportunities designed to help organizations build the capacity required to adapt to a changing ecosystem and maximize their ability to achieve their missions. In 2024, the Community Impact program will focus on support for:

  • Digital Marketing – Work with an expert to analyze your website and social media efforts and implement improvements.
  • Programming and Small Capital Needs – Strengthen your nonprofit’s ability to serve its clients and achieve its mission.
  • Peer-to-Peer Learning – Engage with other nonprofit professionals in roundtable discussions around curated conversation topics.
  • Leadership Development – Participate in a year-long experience to improve your critical thinking and communications skills, grow your knowledge of all aspects of nonprofit operations, and improve your ability to work collaboratively and problem solve within a team.

PURPOSE

To help nonprofits build the capacity required to adapt to a changing ecosystem and maximize their ability to achieve their missions.
Geographic scope: Winnebago County, Waushara County, Green Lake County, or the city of Ripon
Contact: Amy Putzer, [email protected] or 920-426-3993

nonprofit resilience priorities

Leadership Development – Nonprofits located in the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation service area can now apply to be part of the 2025-26 cohort of the Nonprofit Leadership Institute offered by the Nonprofit Leadership Initiative. This year-long learning experience is led by content experts in leadership, governance and board effectiveness, financial management, fundraising, human resources, marketing and communications, and ethics. The program is designed for new or seasoned executive directors, or senior leaders within nonprofits with at least one paid staff person and an annual budget of $250,000 or more. The Community Foundation will provide scholarships for up to four leaders to participate. A co-investment of $1,500 is required from each participating nonprofit. Learn more and apply by January 20, 2025.

Digital Marketing – Support from digital marketing experts retained by the Community Foundation to employ online marketing tactics to amplify your mission, encourage donations, attract volunteers, and help your organization grow. Organizations can apply to receive a brand audit and recommendations to help identify and prioritize opportunities for improvement along with up to 45 hours of service provision. Learn more and apply by July 10, 2024.

Programming and Small Capital Needs – Support for programs or one-time capital expenses that will help a nonprofit better meet the needs of our communities and achieve its mission. Learn more and apply by April 12, 2024.

Peer-to-Peer Learning – Connect with your peers on hot topics identified by participating nonprofit leaders. Nonprofit Roundtable events were held in fall 2023 and fall 2024.

PAST GRANTS

View stories about past Community Impact grants
Grants Awards – July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023

WHAT WE DO NOT FUND

  • Annual fund drives, fundraising events or endowment-building campaigns
  • Reduction of debt, including payments for expenses incurred before grant approval
  • Religious programs for the purpose of religious education or proselytization
  • Political or lobbying activities
  • One-time experiences, such as camps, trips, conferences, and events
  • Medical, scientific, or academic research

HOW TO APPLY | ACCESS SAVED APPLICATION

support for community impact grants

Community Impact grants are supported by generous donors who have entrusted the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation with the responsibility of using their charitable gifts to address emerging community needs. These contributions are pooled  because together we can accomplish so much more than we could alone.

Several donors have established named endowment funds, which support Community Impact grants, including:

  • Reuben H. Bitter Fund
  • Richard Bork Fund
  • William and Helen Burger Fund
  • Clarendon J. Combs and Jessie Clark Combs Fund
  • Louis C. Draheim Fund
  • Marjorie Drexler Fund
  • Horace M. Foulk Memorial Fund
  • Mary Malnar Fund
  • Richard and Doris Martin Fund
  • Helen H. and Harry G. Meeleus Fund
  • Julia D. and Ralph E. Petersen Fund
  • Norma E. Sartwell Estate Fund
  • June F. Schwalm and A. Thomas Schwalm Fund
  • Merlin R. and Ruth I. Wegner Community Impact Fund
  • E. B. Williams Fund
  • Herbert C. Yagers and Mae Yagers Memorial Fund
  • Mary Ziebell Legacy Fund