Dane County Parks is pleased to offer several opportunities for grant funding throughout the year. Our current offerings include:
Note that the Spring 2023 Mini Grant program received more applications during the initial application period than funding available. The Foundation for Dane County Parks generously made up the funding deficit to award each of the eligible applicants their full amount requested. Dane County Parks is grateful for the Foundation’s partnership on these grant awards.
This grant funding is available for Dane County Parks Friend Groups and partner organizations to lead educational programs, implement small projects, and purchase equipment for volunteer workdays. This collaborative grant program can fund a full or partial project/program between $250-$2,000. The grant application period will run from September 1, 2023 to October 15, 2023.
To apply for a Collaborative Grant, an entity must:
Grants will be awarded for projects or programs on county parkland. Projects meet the following minimum eligibility requirements to be considered for funding:
Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
Grants will NOT be awarded for the following projects:
There is no match required for this grant. This grant may be used as partial funding for an activity or project that fits the criteria.
Complete the 2023 Fall Collaborative Grant Application (PDF) and return it to dane-parks@countyofdane.com by October 15, 2023. You may also mail your completion application to: Dane County Parks, 4318 Robertson Rd, Madison, WI 53714.
$13,000 is available for the fall 2023 application period. The standard grant amount will be up to 100% of the requested amount with a maximum grant award of $2,000 and a minimum grant award of $250.
The Foundation for Dane County Parks has now raised more than $800,000 establishing an endowment fund to support Dane County Parks. Beginning in 2019, funds from the endowment distribution have been awarded to friend groups and other partner organizations to enhance Dane County Parks through volunteerism, education, and interpretation.
In the summer of 2022, the Dane County Environmental Council was sunset, and the Environmental Council’s Community Partners grant program funding was transferred to Dane County Parks. In the spring of 2023, Dane County Parks used this funding to set-up the mini-grant program. To provide more impactful funding to benefit the parks and to improve efficiencies for organizations applying for funding, the Foundation for Dane County Parks and Dane County Parks have combined available funds to offer a collaborative annual grant program for friend groups and partner organizations.
Capital Grants will fund up to 75% of the total project costs and can range from $2,000 - $18,750. All Capital Grants must be matched 25% with cash. The 2023 grant period opened February 1 and had an initial review on March 15, 2023. Applications are accepted throughout the year and grants are awarded on a rolling basis as long as funding is available.
To apply for a Capital Grant, an entity must:
Grants will be awarded for capital projects on county parkland. Capital improvements are generally defined as permanent changes that have a life expectancy of at least ten years. Projects must be far along in the planning process and meet the following minimum eligibility requirements to be considered for funding:
Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
Grants will NOT be awarded for the following projects:
Eligible expenses for projects include construction materials and contracted services. Donations of cash and grants from private foundations, state or federal grants are acceptable match. In-kind services are NOT accepted as match, such as donated labor, materials, supplies or discounts from vendors.
Complete the 2023 Capital Grant Application (PDF) and return it to dane-parks@countyofdane.com. Staff will review the applications and recommend projects to the Dane County Park Commission for consideration. The review and approval process may take a few months.
If you have questions, contact:
Lael Pascual
Engagement & Visitor Services Manager
Dane County Parks
pascual.lael@countyofdane.com
608-220-7509
$100,000 is available for the program. The standard grant amount will be up to 75% of the project costs with a maximum grant award of $18,750 and a minimum grant award of $2,000. All grants must be matched with cash.
The Friends Capital Grant Program was created in the 2020 Dane County Budget and provides matching funds to Friends groups and other nonprofit organizations to implement capital improvements on Dane County parkland.
