How We Work
We support non-profit organizations working to shape, strengthen and sustain our hometown of Beloit Wisconsin.
Quality conversation based on respect and candor.
We support non-profit organizations working to shape, strengthen and sustain our hometown of Beloit Wisconsin.
We carefully consider whether a project
can make a meaningful impact
through our investment
and work closely with our grantees
throughout the funding lifecycle.
We carefully consider whether a project
can make a meaningful impact
through our investment
and work closely with our grantees
throughout the funding lifecycle.
Our Process
Our grantees are partners; they are at the core of our work, enabling us to bring our mission to life and create shared impact in our community. We strive to forge strong and supportive partnerships through:
Clear communication intended to offer constructive feedback that is timely, consistent and provides helpful information and feedback from the point of initial contact through the application, decision-making, grant award, and reporting process.
Support & feedback with give-and-take, including negotiated adjustments to project activities, timelines or reporting, when and if that helps us achieve mutual goals.
Our Process
Our grantees are partners; they are at the core of our work, enabling us to bring our mission to life and create shared impact in our community. We strive to forge strong and supportive partnerships through:
Quality conversation based on respect and candor.
Clear communication intended to offer constructive feedback that is timely, consistent and provides helpful information and feedback from the point of initial contact through the application, decision-making, grant award, and reporting process.
Support & feedback with give-and-take, including negotiated adjustments to project activities, timelines or reporting, when and if that helps us achieve mutual goals.
Grants
In line with the Foundation’s mission, vision and values, we provide grant support to organizations to achieve local measurable impact in five key priority areas.
We are guided by the following grant-making principles, seeking to invest in organizations and projects that demonstrate the following:
- A “hands-up” approach that supports the freedom of each individual to pursue their own dreams and create their own future;
- Solutions that are locally designed and implemented; neighbors helping neighbors;
- Innovative or entrepreneurial approaches to solving local challenges;
- Meaningful collaboration and partnerships;
- Investments or contributions from multiple funding sources; and
- Reasonable plans to support sustainability.
The types of grants made by the Foundation include:
- Impact grant
- Operating grant (new or existing project activity)
- Capital grant
Grants
In line with the Foundation’s mission, vision and values, we provide grant support to organizations to achieve local measurable impact in five key priority areas.
We are guided by the following grant-making principles, seeking to invest in organizations and projects that demonstrate the following:
- A “hands-up” approach that supports the freedom of each individual to pursue their own dreams and create their own future;
- Solutions that are locally designed and implemented; neighbors helping neighbors;
- Innovative or entrepreneurial approaches to solving local challenges;
- Meaningful collaboration and partnerships;
- Investments or contributions from multiple funding sources; and
- Reasonable plans to support sustainability.
The types of grants made by the Foundation include:
- Impact grant
- Operating grant (new or existing project activity)
- Capital grant
What We Do Not Fund
The Foundation will generally only consider requests from qualified not-for-profit tax-exempt organizations. The Foundation will not provide support or grants to individuals.
Examples of areas the Foundation will not fund:
- Direct donations or grants to individuals.
- Sponsorships.
- Endowments.
- Legislative lobbying or activities to influence public elections.
- Requests that duplicate projects or activities the Foundation currently supports.
Geographic Limitations
Foundation investments are made primarily in the community of Beloit, Wisconsin. In those times when we are called upon to stretch beyond Beloit, we carefully consider the opportunity it provides us to cultivate and sustain our values and vision, and to support and strengthen the work within our own community.
Organizations should be prepared to speak to Beloit-based existing, meaningful partnerships, current measurable program activity and anticipated measurable impact of proposed activities.
Stateline Area Outside Beloit
The Foundation may consider applications for a project in other Stateline Area communities, generally defined as South Beloit, Roscoe and Rockton, Illinois. The Foundation rarely considers applications that do not also include significant measurable activity and impact in Beloit.
Regional, State and National Focus
The Foundation will not consider a request from a regional, state or nationally-focused organization. We appreciate the impact of regional, state and national efforts and understand they can strengthen local efforts. The Foundation intends to devote our resources to activities that directly impact our home community of Beloit.
Rock County WI
In limited circumstances, the Foundation will consider applications for a Rock County project that includes activity in Beloit. A preliminary discussion of the potential project with Foundation staff prior to application is encouraged.
Replication or Expansion into Beloit
The Foundation may consider applications for a Beloit replication or expansion project that has been successful in another community. Meaningful and sustainable impact requires an organization be an invested part of our community. If your organization is not currently engaged in existing, meaningful Beloit partnerships and collaborations, we recommend you undertake this work prior to approaching the Foundation about a potential application.
Resources for potential grant applicants: