Applying for Grants

Great Rivers United Way’s Community Investment Fund has two priority areas:

• Community Mental Wellbeing
• Basic Needs

Two separate granting cycles are open to any health and human services 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating in Buffalo, Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon, and Trempealeau counties in Wisconsin; the city of Black River Falls in Jackson County, Wisconsin; and Houston County in Minnesota. Please see timelines below.

Basic Needs (food, shelter, and safety)
Basic Needs grants are awarded annually; current grantees may re-apply.

• Application Available: August 15, 2025 – see Community Force for details
• Basic Needs Office Hours – join us on Teams
  • Friday, August 22, 12:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, August 26, 3:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, September 16, 10:00 a.m.
  • Tuesday, September 23, 10:00 a.m.
• Applications Due: September 26, 2025
• Volunteer Grant Review: October 1-21, 2025
• Notification of Awards: December 5, 2025
• Grants Paid Monthly: January 15-December 15, 2026

Please see our Basic Needs Fund Applicant Guide (PDF) for more information.

Community Mental Wellbeing
Grant applications for our second priority area (currently Community Mental Wellbeing) will be accepted every three years, reflecting priorities identified in the 2027 Compass Report.

Timeline to be posted for our next grant cycle in Spring 2028.

Questions? Please contact our Community Impact Director, Liz Evans, at levans@gruw.org or (608) 706-1400, ext. 105.