How to Apply

Applying for a Grant

Black Business Hub building on Madison's south side

The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation welcomes grant applications from any nonprofit organization in Madison, Wisconsin or Dane County whose project applies to one of its four focus areas: 

  • education
  • health care
  • human services
  • research

The foundation is currently most interested in funding senior support services and K–12 mental health projects but will consider any request that falls into the focus areas.

The foundation strives to be responsive to the Madison community’s emerging needs is here to help applicants in securing grants for projects that will have an immediate positive impact on local residents’ quality of life, as well as enrich and improve lives into the future. Visit our Grant Recipients page to view examples of recent foundation-funded projects.

How to Apply

The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation requests a brief Letter of Inquiry, submitted through our online GOapply portal. Letters of Inquiry may be submitted at any time throughout the year. It is strongly recommended that your organization contacts President Jenni Jeffress via email at jenni.jeffress@rennebohm.org or by phone at 608.492.4282 prior to submission of a Letter of Inquiry to verify that the request meets the requirements.

The foundation reviews the Letters of Inquiry and invites select organizations, who meet the current areas of focus, to complete a grant form in GOapply. Materials are reviewed by the foundation’s Board of Directors, and grantees are notified of their grant status. 

Instructions and Frequently Asked Questions for GOapply are below.

Grant flexibility is important to the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation’s community mission and will consider multiyear commitments.

The foundation does not provide funding for:

  • Organizations not granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Grants to individuals
  • Event sponsorships or ticket purchases
  • Youth/adult sports programs, school teams, and extracurricular activities
  • Endowments
  • Political action committees or lobbying efforts
  • Organizations supporting arts and culture, except on a case-by-case basis
Group of people served by Literacy Network
Bascom Hill and UW–Madison campus in the fall
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is my organization eligible for a grant?

Any public charitable organizations recognized as such by the Internal Revenue Service under IRC section 501(c)(3), and under sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) may apply for a grant.

What is the Letter of Inquiry deadline?

Letters of Inquiry may be submitted at any time throughout the year.

When are decisions made?

The board reviews Letters of Inquiry and grant forms several times throughout the year. The President will notify organizations once a grant is awarded.

What will I need to provide once my organization is awarded a grant?

Grantees will be asked to return to GOapply to complete a form for payment via ACH through bank accounts. You will also be required to complete an interim or final report form in GOapply.

Who can I contact with questions?

If you have questions about the grant process, are unsure whether your organization or project is eligible, email jenni.jefress@rennebohm.org. or call 608.492.4282. You will receive a prompt response via phone or email.