The Fund for Lake Michigan is accepting pre-proposals to improve the health of Lake Michigan, its shoreline, and river systems, for the benefit of the people and communities that depend on it for water, recreation, and commerce.
Donor Name: Fund for Lake Michigan
State: Wisconsin
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/15/2025
Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The goal of the Fund for Lake Michigan Grant Fund to invest in water quality initiatives that promise tangible near-term and long-term benefits to the plants, animals, and people of Wisconsin. The grants make beaches safer and drinking water cleaner. They restore and improve habitats to support fish and other species that are critical for healthy ecosystems and key to a strong economy. And they also promote human health and safety, an educated workforce, increased tourism, and a bright future for Wisconsin’s businesses and communities.
Priorities
- The Fund for Lake Michigan gives priority to on-the-ground projects that have near-term, direct and quantifiable impacts on water quality in the Lake Michigan watershed. These projects include protecting critical natural habitats, reducing polluted runoff and generally making water resources more swimmable, fishable and drinkable. The Fund also supports water quality monitoring and planning that informs and leads to on-the-ground restoration and water-quality improvement projects. Special consideration is given to projects that leverage significant public and private investments from other Lake Michigan and Great Lakes donors.
- The Fund typically does not support stand-alone advocacy efforts, general research projects, or education. The Fund may consider applied research projects that provide information important in advancing on-the-ground conservation or restoration. Similarly, education might be considered as a component of outreach plans embedded in larger projects.
Funding Information
They plan to award between $700,000 and $900,000 in grants each quarter.
Eligibility Criteria
- 501(c)3 non-profit organizations, local units of government, government agencies, tribes, universities and other educational institutions are eligible for funding.
- Geographically, Fund for Lake Michigan grants are targeted to the Lake Michigan shoreline, near shore areas and watersheds within the Lake Michigan basin in Wisconsin, with priority given to projects in Southeastern Wisconsin. The Fund for Lake Michigan will also consider a small number of grants outside the Lake Michigan watershed and within the Madison Gas and Electric’s service territory.
For more information, visit Fund for Lake Michigan.
