Funding search · democracy and civic engagement · Wisconsin
Who funds democracy and civic engagement work in Wisconsin
15 funders have a record of paying for democracy and civic engagement work by Wisconsin recipients: 97 grants totaling $9.8M, most recently in 2025 — mostly grantmaking charities, which often run real application cycles. The largest by matched giving are State Voices ($1.1M), Wisconsin Voices ($832,400) and The Schmidt Family Foundation ($425,000).
From IRS Form 990-PF and 990 Schedule I filings, 2019–2025. Grants already paid to Wisconsin recipients — evidence of what these funders back, not open calls.
State VoicesWashington, DCCharity · may take applications
36 matching grants · $1.1M · through 2023Largest: $90,000 to SOUTHSIDE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE — public education and nonpartisan civic engagement
Wisconsin VoicesMilwaukee, WICharity · may take applications
30 matching grants · $832,400 · through 2024Largest: $72,000 to SHARE THE LOVE INC — civic engagement
Largest: $200,000 to FREEDOM INC — strengthening civic engagement
California Community FoundationLos Angeles, CACharity · may take applications
4 matching grants · $160,000 · through 2024Largest: $100,000 to RETHINKING SCHOOLS LIMITED — civic engagement
The Wisconsin InitiativeVerona, WICharity · may take applications
4 matching grants · $182,080 · through 2023Largest: $60,347 to WE ALL RISE AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE CENTER — general support for civic engagement activities
Largest: $500,000 to WORKMONEY FOUNDATION INC — civic engagement
Alliance for Youth ActionWashington, DCCharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $975,250 · through 2024Largest: $782,500 to LEADERS IGNITING TRANSFORMATION ACTION FUND — civic engagement, voter education
Greater Milwaukee FoundationMilwaukee, WICharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $80,500 · through 2024Largest: $40,500 to PASTORS UNITED COMMUNITY ADVOCACY INC — souls to the polls 2024 civic engagement project
Dayton Foundation PlusDayton, OHCharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $75,000 · through 2022Largest: $25,000 to VOCES DE LA FRONTERA — civic engagement initiatives
Alliance for Youth OrganizingWashington, DCCharity · may take applications
2 matching grants · $3.1M · through 2024Largest: $50,000 to WISCONSIN CONSERVATION VOICES — civic engagement
Movement Strategy Resource ProjectPhiladelphia, PACharity · may take applications
1 matching grant · $80,000 · through 2025Largest: $80,000 to Center for the Working Poor — program support for civic engagement and research and publications activities
Largest: $550,000 to WORKMONEY FOUNDATION — civic engagement & protecting democracy - addressing disengaged and disaffected citizens.
This is one topic and one state. PaperOrbit reads your actual paper and searches on everything in it — then explains why each funder fits.
Start with one paperBroader: democracy and civic engagement funders nationally · all Wisconsin-based grantmakers