Field of Interest Grants

Field of Interest Grants is sponsored by Madison Community Foundation. These grants support a specific area of interest or geographic region within Dane County, WI. Funding priorities can include services for adults, children, individuals with disabilities, and those facing barriers to stability.

Field of Interest Grants - Madison Community Foundation Discover the Impact Find the Goodman Nonprofit Center Find Grant Opportunities Field of Interest Grantmaking Overview Field of Interest (FOI) Funds support a specific area of interest or geographic region. FOI Funds are designed to provide one time, smaller grants to organizations through an open application process with funding decisions made quarterly throughout the year.

FOI Funds may be used to benefit a wide variety of an organization’s projects or needs. Field of Interest Fund grant proposals are accepted throughout the year through MCF’s GoApply Grant Portal. Applications are reviewed quarterly by MCF’s Community Impact Committee with grant decisions made by MCF’s Board of Governors.

Field of Interest due dates are as follows: Application Budget Template Field of Interest Funding Categories Aging: Supports programs that improve the quality of life, dignity, and well-being of seniors in Dane County–especially those with low incomes or limited support systems. MCF funds services that provide assistance, aid, or comfort to older residents, as well as enhancements that go beyond basic needs to enrich daily living.

Priorities include outreach, social connection, health and wellness, access to resources, and support for aging in place. Children & Youth: Supports programs that promote healthy development, education, and well-being of young people in Dane County.

The funds prioritize initiatives that serve underserved children and youth; provide access to critical services such as housing, food, education, and health care; and offer meaningful opportunities for learning, leadership, recreation, and cultural enrichment for those who may not otherwise have access. Funding is also available for early childhood education, family support programs, and violence prevention efforts for children.

Essential Services: Supports efforts that meet basic needs and promote well-being across the community. Funding priorities include services for adults, children, individuals with disabilities, and those facing barriers to stability–including women and children escaping abusive homes and seeking to establish new lives.

Funding is available to support direct services, outreach, or programs that strengthen the social safety net and improve quality of life for residents of Dane County, WI. Food: Supports nutritional and food programs for low-income citizens living in Madison and Eastern Dane County. Unhoused: Supports programs that benefit unhoused citizens throughout Dane County, WI.

Health & Wellness: Supports initiatives that promote health, fitness, inclusion, and community well-being including programs and events that encourage active lifestyles, amateur athletics, and public awareness of healthy living. Available funding exists to support accessible sports and recreation programs.

Berbee Derby Technology Education: Supports organizations that provide and promote technology education and technology literacy, including facilitating knowledge of computer usage or programming, information networks, or artificial intelligence Theater in Overture: Supports professional theater performances at the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, WI.

Funding is intended to enhance the quality and accessibility of live theater for the community through professional-level performances at the Overture Center. *Organizations with a Great Performance Endowment Fund are not eligible for funding from Theater in Overture. The 2026 grant round for Theater in Overture is closed.

Miscellaneous: MCF has a variety of FOI funds that have narrowly defined focus areas. If your project does not align with one of the above categories, please consult with CI Staff about potential project alignment. Field of Interest Funding Source Field of Interest Funds have been built over time through generous contributions from community donors who want to address specific issues and causes they care about.

These funds continue to grow as others with shared interests contribute. The FOI structure leverages MCF staff expertise to evaluate grant distributions through a competitive review process. Madison Community Foundation 111 N Fairchild Street, Suite 260 Madison Community Foundation is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) community trust.

EIN: 39-6038248.

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