Each year, in addition to our ongoing program support and club projects, the Madison West Kiwanis club awards between $10,000 and $15,000 in grants. The grants are awarded in two categories, Youth Services Grants and Community Services Grants.
Past recipients include:
Youth Service Grants
- Orphan Train Project
- Exchange Center for Prevention of Child Abuse
- Special Olympics
- Ronald McDonald House
- Easter Seals — Camp Wawbeek
- West Madison Little League
- Madison 32 Masonic Learning Center for Children
- Monroe Street Fine Arts Center
- Satellite Family Child Care
- Lussier Community Center
- Pediatric Emergency Support — ER Bags
- United Cerebral Palsy of Dane County
- Wisconsin Safety Patrol
Community Service Grants
- Volunteer Brailists & Tapists
- Interfaith Hospitality Network
- Salvation Army
- Dean Foundation — BSP Free Clinic
- Habitat for Humanity
- Henry Vilas Zoological Society
- Hospice Care
- Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund
- Porchlight
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin
- First United Methodist Church Food Pantry
Grant Selection Criteria
Youth Grants will be focused on programs and opportunities that support:
- Madison area youth in their elementary through high school years.
Worthy youth, based on their:
- Past accomplishments, citizenship and community service and potential for future accomplishments.
- Youth who are in need of opportunity or financial resources and/or who are handicapped.
Community Grants will be focused on programs and opportunities that support:
- Area based adult educational and developmental programs.
- Adult support programs providing food and shelter.
- Job training programs.
Grants payments will be made directly to the youth, their sponsoring organizations or 501 ©(3) organizations. Where applicable, The Madison West Kiwanis Foundation must be named/credited for funding the grant.
Grant selection is based on thoughtfully considered and documentable needs, and on proposals prepared thereon. The process of solicitation, evaluation, and selection of proposals is both open and structured. Random funding requests to Madison West Kiwanis, outside this process, will be evaluated by the Club Board rather than the Foundation, but are rarely granted.
Other Grant Guidelines
Grants may be made to churches and other religious organizations if:
- The program or project otherwise meets these grant criteria, and
- The grant is unrelated to a religious purpose, and
- The grant does not have the effect of promoting a religion or sect.
Grant proposals must be submitted or renewed on an annual basis. However, individual donors to the Foundation may stipulate that their gifts be used to support continuing, long-term programs.
Generally, grants will not be approved for:
- Programs that are primarily athletic or recreational in nature.
- Any political campaign or effort to influence legislation in connection with any public office.