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Find similar grantsVibrant Spaces Grant is sponsored by Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Assists communities in creating vibrant public spaces to enhance local quality of life and boost foot traffic for area businesses.
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Encouraging placemaking efforts in Wisconsin communities The Vibrant Spaces Grant , an element of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC’s) Community Development Investment (CDI) Grant Program, is designed to assist communities in creating vibrant and engaging spaces that make it easier to recruit and retain residents, sustain a robust labor force, and enhance local quality of life.
With the help of this grant, new and enhanced public gathering places will foster community connections and provide accessible locations for the programming and amenities local residents desire—with the additional benefit of boosting foot traffic for area businesses. Click to view the FAQ and program information for this grant including the application process.
Grants in amounts from $25,000 to $50,000 are available to help local communities develop and enhance public spaces. The application must come from the municipality, and only one application per municipality will be considered per fiscal year. Previous awardees must wait at least one fiscal year between Vibrant Spaces awards (except for the City of Milwaukee, in which different commercial corridors may apply for a grant award annually).
A Vibrant Spaces Grant application does not affect a community’s broader eligibility for a CDI Grant. In the FY26 grant cycle, no more than 40 grants will be awarded. Applicants must provide a 1:1 match of the grant amount, with the exception of economically distressed communities or communities with population less than 5,000, which need only provide a 25% match.
Competitive projects will: Incorporate multiple improvements within or associated with one public space. Demonstrate community engagement and support via a community document/plan and/or via letters of support from public, private, and civic partners. Be ready to begin construction during the current WEDC fiscal year.
Create visible and lasting transformations that foster public activity.
Applications will be evaluated based on criteria including: Creation of visible and pedestrian-oriented public space Potential of the space to attract multiple user groups and activities Impact of the project on the community, the district, and nearby businesses Demonstrated community support for the project (e.g., multiple funding partners, civic organization participation) Map of previous recipients (Municipalities other than Milwaukee receiving a grant in most recent fiscal year are not eligible.)
Basic information on creating a strong application, the application process, review criteria, and the contracting process. Companies and communities are finding success in Wisconsin. news, plus info and resources, delivered right to your inbox.
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According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Municipalities in Wisconsin; only one application per municipality per fiscal year. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $25,000 - $50,000. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Vibrant Spaces Grant is funded by Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Wisconsin. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Ignite Wisconsin is a grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) that funds regional consortiums working to grow startup ecosystems and entrepreneurial activity across Wisconsin. The program invests in collaborative efforts to build robust innovation infrastructure, support early-stage companies, and strengthen regional networks of investors, mentors, and entrepreneurs. Past awards include $950,000 to the Wisconsin Frontier Technology Consortium. Eligible applicants are regional consortiums focused on expanding startup ecosystems throughout the state. The most recent application deadline was October 31, 2025. Check the WEDC website for information on future solicitation cycles and eligibility requirements for Ignite Wisconsin funding.
7 Rivers Small Business Revitalization Grant Program is a grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), administered by the 7 Rivers Alliance, that provides micro-grants of up to $10,000 directly to small businesses in Western Wisconsin, with a focus on rural communities. Funded through a $250,000 WEDC Small Business Development Grant, eligible uses include equipment and technology upgrades, building improvements, façade renovations, new signage, and startup working capital or rent assistance for up to three months. Applicants must participate in up to 20 hours of ongoing education, mentorship, or technical assistance, though businesses may substitute a 10% cash match in lieu of technical assistance. This program targets small businesses looking to stabilize, modernize, or launch operations in underserved rural communities across the 7 Rivers region of Wisconsin.
The Homeless Youth Program is a grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services that funds services for homeless and at-risk youth across Illinois. Administered through the Office of Community and Positive Youth Development, it supports nonprofit organizations delivering shelter, outreach, and support services to young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Eligible applicants are Illinois-based nonprofits with demonstrated capacity to serve youth. Awards range from $100,000 to $800,000 per year under CSFA number 444-80-0711. This is a FY 2026 funding opportunity with an application deadline of May 21, 2025.
Community Investment Tax Credit Program (CITC) is a grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development that provides state tax credit allocations to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, enabling them to attract private donations from individuals and businesses. Donors contributing $500 or more to approved projects receive tax credits equal to 50% of their contribution. The program has leveraged nearly $27 million in charitable contributions to approximately 700 projects statewide. Eligible project areas include education, housing, job training, arts and culture, economic development, and services for at-risk populations. Projects must be located in or serve residents of Maryland's Priority Funding Areas. The application period is typically held annually.
The Families First Community Grant Program is a competitive grant initiative from the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) offering approximately $27 million in funding to support nonprofit organizations serving low-income Tennessee families. Grants fund programs across four priority areas: education, health, economic stability, and family well-being, aligned with TANF goals of promoting self-sufficiency. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits based in Tennessee that provide direct services to economically disadvantaged families. The 2025 application cycle closed July 10, 2025. This program reflects Tennessee's broader commitment to strengthening communities through strategic investment in local organizations that address the root causes of poverty.
The Eli Lilly and Company Foundation's 2026 Open Call opened June 1 and closes July 3, across three focus areas: Global Health, K-12 STEM Education, and Economic Mobility. But two of the three only fund Marion County, Indiana. Here is how to read the geographic fine print, why the funder's commercial identity shapes what wins, and how to position a proposal that actually fits.
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Read articleThe Department of Education quietly published the FY2026 RPED competition in the May 29 Federal Register: $45M total, awards of $1.5M-$2.5M each over 48 months, applications due June 23 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The program funds rural community colleges and regional universities to build career pathways into high-wage industries. With FIPSE under structural review by the second Trump administration, this may be the last cycle under the existing rubric. Here's the eligibility math, the partner architecture that wins, the NCES locale codes that gate the absolute priority, and the 25-day sprint that determines who gets funded.
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