Strengthening organizations that drive local development
Wisconsin’s Capacity Building Grant Program is designed to further WEDC’s efforts to foster an advanced economic development network within the state of Wisconsin.
Eligible Projects
The amount of funding per project will generally be up to $50,000, with matching required. Funds may be used for activities including:
- Local or regional assessments of the economic competitiveness of the area (e.g., workforce, infrastructure, sustainability) that will result in a third-party certification
- Initiatives that will assist or enhance an organization’s ability to develop or deliver economic development programming that helps to identify or address issues or challenges of an area or the state.
Implementation or replication of successful pilot programs or economic development best practices
Factors Considered in Determining Grant Awards
- The likelihood that the proposed effort will result in long-term benefits to the organization, its members, the region or state, or its clients
- The degree to which the organization can influence state or regional economic conditions (e.g., number of localities served, geography, membership size)
- The extent to which the problem has been approached through regional collaboration with other economic development groups and other local jurisdictions
- The extent to which the project will provide impact to smaller communities/rural areas of Wisconsin
- The financial need demonstrated by the applicant
- The extent to which the proposed effort can be replicated throughout Wisconsin
No past costs prior to application are eligible for the grant or match.
