Community Grants Program

Background

Since 1982, Cream City Foundation has strengthened the Greater Milwaukee region’s nonprofit ecosystem through philanthropy, partnership, and community connection. Over the years, the Foundation has worked to address the economic, health, safety, and equity barriers that limit full inclusion and acceptance for LGBTQ+ communities. Rather than focusing on a single issue, Cream City Foundation supports whole lives—helping ensure LGBTQ+ individuals have the resources, opportunities, and community support needed to thrive.

At the heart of this work is a commitment to building a Greater Milwaukee region that respects, embraces, and celebrates its multifaceted, multigenerational LGBTQ+ community. Through strategic generosity, convening, and collaboration, the Foundation works to nurture the LGBTQ+ community, empower its initiatives, and engage allies in advancing shared progress.

Cream City Foundation’s grants program supports organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community in the Greater Milwaukee region, with a particular emphasis on uplifting LGBTQ+ people of color and members of the transgender community. Priority is given to smaller, grassroots organizations that are closely connected to the communities they serve and often underrepresented in traditional funding spaces.

Click Here to Apply for our 2026 Grant Program (Applications open April 13th)

Who can apply 

Grants are awarded to non-profit organizations, designated as tax-exempt by the Internal Revenue Service, or occasionally, to select government agencies. Grants will not be made to individuals.

Grantmaking Focus 

Priority will be given to projects pertaining to:

• Serve the LGBTQ+ community in the Greater Milwaukee region
• Uplift and center LGBTQ+ people of color and members of the transgender community
• Are led by or closely connected to the communities they serve
• Are implemented by smaller, grassroots organizations
• Support organizations and initiatives that are often underrepresented in traditional funding spaces

Grant Amount 

Average grant awards range from $2,500 to $5,000, the program aims to provide meaningful, flexible support to organizations as described above.

Evaluation Criteria 

Cream City Foundation’s grantmaking is guided by a volunteer board of directors comprised of individuals representative of the LGBTQ+ community. Board members bring a wide range of experience in business, philanthropy, and community leadership.

Grant proposals are reviewed by a committee of the board, with funding decisions informed by the Foundation’s mission and priorities, the potential benefit to LGBTQ+ communities in the Greater Milwaukee region, and the availability of funds.

Reports

Organizations receiving grants are not required to submit a formal written final report. Instead, the Foundation will schedule a mid-year check-in by phone or virtual meeting with grantees. This conversation is intended to understand how the work is progressing, learn from successes and challenges, and stay connected to the impact happening in the community.

These conversations also help inform the Foundation’s learning and strengthen future grantmaking. Participation in the mid-year check-in is expected for organizations seeking to remain eligible for future funding.

2026 Timeline 

• April 13: Grant application opens
• May 15 : Grant application closes
• July – Meeting to make grant decisions.

Cream City Foundation will review online proposals. All applicants receive written notification of the final decision within two weeks of decision.  Grant decisions are expected in late Summer 2026.