Funding search · early childhood education · Wisconsin
Who funds early childhood education work in Wisconsin
15 funders have a record of paying for early childhood education work by Wisconsin recipients: 99 grants totaling $7.1M, most recently in 2025 — mostly private foundations, plus grantmaking charities. The largest by matched giving are United Way of Greater Milwaukee & ($4.2M), The Roots and Wings Foundation ($500,000) and Greater Milwaukee Foundation ($526,718).
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.
United Way of Greater Milwaukee &Milwaukee, WICharity · may take applications
30 matching grants · $4.2M · through 2024Largest: $587,676 to COA YOUTH & FAMILY CENTERS — donor designations,opportunities, chances, and decisions,early childhood education,hippy (home instruction for parents of preschool youth),youth development
Largest: $125,000 to ANIMAL CRACKERS — unrestricted funds for preschool
Greater Milwaukee FoundationMilwaukee, WICharity · may take applications
8 matching grants · $526,718 · through 2024Largest: $109,058 to YMCA OF METROPOLITAN MILWAUKEE — ymca early childhood education program (y-ece)
Largest: $50,000 to Malaika Early Learning Center — early childhood education
Milwaukee Jewish FederationMilwaukee, WICharity · may take applications
6 matching grants · $369,217 · through 2024Largest: $160,871 to JEWISH BEGINNINGS LUBAVITCH PRESCHOOL — general donations
Largest: $5,000 to MALAIKA EARLY LEARNING CENTER — early childhood education programs
Greater Watertown Community HealthWatertown, WICharity · may take applications
5 matching grants · $102,132 · through 2023Largest: $30,000 to GINGERBREAD PRESCHOOL AND CHILD CARE CENTER INC — childcare site expansion - gingerbread
Largest: $20,000 to JEWISH BEGINNINGS LUBAVITCH PRESCHOOL — program support
Largest: $25,000 to SCHLITZ AUDUBON CENTER — preschool programs
Largest: $20,000 to JEWISH BEGINNINGS LUBAVITCH PRESCHOOL — support of operating budget
United Way of Racine CountyRacine, WICharity · may take applications
4 matching grants · $113,740 · through 2023Largest: $39,000 to ST PATRICK'S PARISH (JOHN XXIII EDUCATIONAL CENTER) — early childhood education
Largest: $3,600 to MALAIKA EARLY LEARNING CENTER — excellence in early childhood education
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: early childhood education funders nationally · all Wisconsin-based grantmakers