There are two grant programs for Friend Groups and Partner organizations to lead educational programs and purchase equipment. 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. Mini Grants can fund a full or partial project/program between $250-$2,000. The 2023 grant period opened February 1 and had an initial review on March 15, 2023.
The Mini Grant program is now closed, as we 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.
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 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.
To apply for a Mini 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.
The Mini Grant 2023 application period is now CLOSED.
$6,000 is available for the program. 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.
When the Dane County Environmental Council was sunset in the summer of 2022, UW-Extension and Dane County Parks both agreed that the Environmental Council’s Community Partners grant program was important and wanted it to continue in some way. In the 2023 budget, funding from the Environmental Council Community Partners grant program was transferred to Dane County Parks. Dane County Parks used this funding to set-up the Mini Grant program.
