Applying for Grants

New for 2024-25, Great Rivers United Way’s Community Investment Fund has two priority areas:

• Basic Needs
• Mental Wellbeing

Two separate granting cycles will be 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, Minnesota. Please see timeline below.

Mental Wellbeing

• Application Available: February 28, 2025 – see Community Force for details
• Information Session: TBA
• Applications Due: April 4, 2025
• Volunteer Grant Review: TBA
• Notification of Awards: TBA
• 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.