We are currently accepting grant applications from Milwaukee-based licensed nonprofit childcare providers for grants to support early childhood education initiatives. Click Here to Apply.

Eligibility: Licensed nonprofit group or family childcare providers who operate in the city of Milwaukee are eligible for grants to support early childhood education (ECE) initiatives that are designed to enhance the quality of existing services and programming, expand programming or classroom capacity, or build organizational capacity and financial sustainability.

Grant Size: Maximum grant is $60,000, minimum grant is $15,000

Criteria: Grants are intended to help ECE providers in Milwaukee invest in initiatives to improve the quality of their educational services and programming, expand their classroom capacity or hours of operation, improve educator retention and recruitment, build organizational capacity, or enhance financial stability and sustainability. We are particularly interested in proposals that allow ECE providers to implement or scale up new educational initiatives or business-related strategies. In addition, we encourage proposals that involve collaboration between two or more ECE providers or between an ECE provider or providers and one or more community-based organizations or educational nonprofits to offer new early learning opportunities or improve organizational efficiency and sustainability. Providers may apply for more than one grant if a second grant involves a collaboration with at least one additional entity. This program does not fund capital campaigns, general operations, fundraising/gala events, or scholarship programs. If specifically linked to added capacity, enhanced quality or safety, or improved financial sustainability, grants for physical improvements to facilities will be considered. Applications are due by midnight on July 11 -- no exceptions will be granted.

In mid-April we completed a solicitation for applications to support small arts and culture groups, new arts and culture programming or projects, arts education, and arts awareness. The application process for these arts-related categories is now closed until 2026.

We also accept grant applications for civic improvement projects by invitation only. Staff will reach out to prospective grantees if we identify a project or program of interest in that category.