Applying for Grants

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

• 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.

Mental Wellbeing

• Pre-Application Information Session (virtual): February 21, 2025, 12:00 p.m. – sign up here
• Application Available: February 28, 2025 – see Community Force for details
• Open Office Hour (virtual): March 14, 2025, 12:00 p.m. – email levans@gruw.org for invite
• Applications Due: April 4, 2025
• Volunteer Grant Review: TBA
• Notification of Awards: June 1, 2025
• Grants Paid Monthly: July 15, 2025 through June 15, 2026

Mental Wellbeing Fund Applicant Guide coming soon!

Basic Needs (food, shelter, and safety)

• Application Available: August 2025 – see Community Force for details
• Information Sessions: TBA
• Applications Due: October 2025
• Volunteer Grant Review: TBA
• Notification of Awards: December 2025
• Grants Paid Monthly: January 15 through December 15, 2026

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

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