UW-La Crosse Foundation Small Grants Program

The UW-L Foundation is dedicated to the enhancement of the learning environment and promotion of the University and its mission statement. Support is provided for instruction, research, and public service. Grants are awarded by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Foundation Grants Review Committee on a fiscal year basis. The funds are provided by alumni, local businesses, matching gift companies and other friends of the University who graciously donate unrestricted gifts to the UW-L Foundation. 

Grant Procedures

 Eligibility: 

 Any member of the university community may apply. Student and/or campus organization applications must be endorsed by a UW-L faculty or staff member. Application forms are available in the Advancement/Foundation Office, Cleary Alumni & Friends Center. 

Project directors must submit 12 copies of the proposal to the UW-L Foundation Office, Cleary Center, by 4:00 p.m. the third Wednesday of March. 

NOTE:   The application form will ask you to indicate whether or not you have applied for other sources of funding with the expectation that traditional sources should be explored before or alongside Foundation funding.  Below is a list of the type of potential funding sources that we might expect to see and that may be of use to you.  

How much is awarded?

The UW-L Foundation Small Grants Program amounts may vary from year to year. The average award during the past four years has been $1,000. Once the committee has made its recommendations to the Foundation Board of Directors, letters of award or denial will promptly be sent to each individual/organization. An appropriate account will then be established to disburse the grant monies. Awards are generally made for one year periods, beginning July 1 through June 30. Multiple year awards will not be made. 

NOTE:  If you have an opportunity that needs “emergency” funding, please contact Kenna Christians.  However, only situations that have arisen unexpectedly and will yield positive outcomes for the university will be considered.

Proposal Guidelines

Applicants must include a completed and signed cover page. Proposal narrative should include:

  • Project objectives
  • Benefits to the University 
  • Relationship between project to the applicant’s field of interest or expertise
  • Methods used to accomplish objectives 
  • Evaluation procedure 
  • Budget – should include how costs were determined, as well as what costs are identified. Costs must clearly relate to the project methods and objectives 
  • Proposal narrative should not exceed three (3) pages, including budget narrative 

Review Process 

The UW-L Foundation Grants Review Committee will read and evaluate each proposal on its own merits and significance to the mission and case statement of the institution.  The amount of funding may vary from year to year.

Factoid:   In recent years the annual Phonathons have proven to be the single largest resource of unrestricted gifts.

UW-L Foundation Grants Review Committee

This is a joint committee of the UW-L faculty, academic staff Foundation representatives.  Its charge is to review the grant proposals submitted, and to make awards based on the intrinsic value of each proposed project, on the priorities established in the University's Mission Statement, and on the funds available to the committee.  The Grants Review Committee reserves the right to set its own funding priorities in any given year.  Proposals requesting food and beverage funds are discouraged unless such requests are intrinsically related to programs fully explained in the proposal.  Proposals for international travel, or requests for stipends for classified staff, academic staff, or faculty will not be considered.  Due to limited resources, proposals seeking multi-year support cannot be funded.  Requests for up to 50 percent of the cost of minor equipment purchases will be considered.  The UW-L Foundation confirms its commitment to the UW System Design for Diversity.  The Grants Review Committee invites proposals featuring ethnic and minority diversity.

Award Procedure

The committee makes its grants decisions on behalf of the Foundation Board of Directors; letters of award or denial will be sent to each individual/organization.  An account will be established to disburse the grant moneys.  Grants are awarded by the UW-L Foundation on a fiscal year basis (July 1 – June 30).  FINAL REPORTS:  By accepting an award, the grantee agrees to file an accomplishment report with the Foundation office within 90 days of the project ending date.  Forms will be distributed with award letters.