Dupaco's Gift of Innovation Grant

Dupaco's Gift of Innovation Grant is sponsored by Dupaco Community Credit Union. This grant provides innovation sessions, strategic planning, process development, financial sustainability, and business model improvements to nonprofits. The program is designed to help nonprofits overcome resource constraints.

Gift of Innovation Grant | Dupaco Looking for Solutions for Your Nonprofit? Dupaco’s Gift of Innovation is a grant program that offers innovation sessions for eligible nonprofit organizations to grow operations and capacity. The application period is now open!

The deadline to apply is Nov. 12, 2026. Innovation's Key for Nonprofits to Flourish Dupaco’s Gift of Innovation, powered by The Innovation Lab, is offering a variety of innovation sessions for nonprofit organizations (up to $40,000 in value).

It’s all about boosting your operations and capacity, ultimately helping the communities and people you serve. Instead of a traditional monetary award, this grant provides a range of innovation sessions: From one-day sessions to a full year of capacity-building services. What's an Innovation Session?

Watch our webinar to learn what’s involved and how an innovation session could help your organization. Download the presentation Want to Apply? Here's What to Know Applicant must have an active 501(c)(3) status.

Applicant must be 501(c)(3) public charity that is not a supporting organization or unit of state, local or federal government (e.g., public library, public university). Applicant agrees to abide by the program award timeline. Applicant submits a completed application in accordance with the procedures.

Applicant resides and operates in Dupaco Credit Union’s charter area: Illinois: Carroll, Jo Daviess, Rock Island, Stephenson, Whiteside Wisconsin: Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Walworth, Waukesha Note: Your organization does not need to be aligned with Dupaco’s community pillars/focus areas to apply for this grant.

To be considered for a grant, an applicant must: Meet the stated eligibility criteria. Submit a completed grant application at the link below. Provide any supplemental information needed to substantiate that the applicant meets the application requirements.

Agree that the organization has the capacity to commit the resources required for the Innovation Session(s) and timeline of the award. Receive a grant if the application is approved pursuant to the Credit Union’s grantmaking selection process. Grantmaking preference will be given to organizations that operate in the cities where Dupaco maintains a physical branch office .

Eligible grant applications will be evaluated on the following criteria: Organizational readiness and capacity to participate in innovation sessions. Level of impact the session would have on the organization and their service to individuals and the community. Level of impact the session would have on individuals served (e.g., improved service, new service, increased number of people served).

Organization’s stated needs fit well with the proposed process and expected outcomes of session. Quality of the application (clearly stated, feasible and appropriately focused, detailing how the session would impact the organization). Dupaco Credit Union’s community impact team will review applications and confirm that applicants meet the eligibility criteria.

A committee made up of the credit union and our partner, The Innovation Lab, will review and make final approval of award winners. Applicants may, at the discretion of the Credit Union, be given an opportunity to provide additional information to supplement their application. The Credit Union strives to promptly notify any applicants who are not eligible to receive a Grant due to a failure to meet the eligibility criteria.

The Credit Union anticipates applications will be reviewed and acted upon within eight weeks of submission, however this timeframe may vary based on the time of year and number of applications being submitted. Applicants will be notified by email whether their application was selected for an award. Tips for your application Evaluate the needs of your organization.

Think about how an innovation session will impact your organization internally or your organization’s impact in the community. Determine how much time your team, board or stakeholders will commit. Read examples of how other organizations have used their Gift of Innovation sessions: Habitat for Humanity Dubuque & Jackson County Choose a session that aligns with your needs.

See the chart below to learn about each session. All grantmaking decisions are subject to the discretion of Dupaco Credit Union. Grantmaking decisions are final and may not be appealed.

Dupaco anticipates awarding grants up to $40,000 in value. The actual number and total value of these awards may vary based on the applications received and the interest in specific sessions. Perfect for exploring a specific challenge or opportunity, creating high-level strategy, solving organizational effectiveness challenges, and leadership, governance or board development.

Engages teams of 12-40 stakeholders and focuses on creating new ideas and high-level strategy. Go deeper than a full-day session to create strategies, implementation plans and targets/milestones. Or work through more challenges than we have time for in a single day.

One-Year Capacity Builder A one-year process is a great way to engage your team and board in helping you build a more sustainable organization. We’ll deliver a combination of services that can combine 1:1 executive coaching, strategy, organizational effectiveness and business development.

Engages a variety of stakeholders to set strategy, create new ideas, re-think organizational structure, or make business model improvements focused on impact and sustainability. Have Questions? Need Help?

Email us at grants@dupaco. com . Heads up!

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