New awards from Wisconsin Partnership Program strengthen community organizations through funding and training

The Partnership Program is pursuing this new direction in grantmaking in direct response to feedback from nonprofit organizations across the state. Grants totaling $1.5 million were awarded to five Wisconsin community-based organizations whose missions promote health equity.

In addition to four years of technical assistance tailored to each organization, each grantee will receive $300,000 in funding. The Wisconsin Partnership Program is pleased to announce this year’s inaugural awards to:

• Common Wealth Development: a non-profit community development corporation working to support and preserve the vitality of neighborhoods in the Madison Metropolitan area through an approach centered on racial equity and community level health improvement
• Family Health La Clinica and the Central Wisconsin Health Partnership: organizations working together to improve health outcomes in the six-county region of Adams, Juneau, Green Lake, Marquette, Waupaca and Waushara Counties
• Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness: a non-profit committed to eliminating health disparities impacting the lives of Black women and girls
• Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH): a multi-racial interfaith organization committed to addressing social justice issues that impact communities including Milwaukee, Chippewa Valley and Fox Cities
• Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association: a community organization committed to reducing health disparities that adversely affect African American men and boys residing in Dane County

The new grant program was designed in response to feedback sought from nonprofit organizations across the state. “What we heard loud and clear was that in addition to funding, organizations want to build their capacity to be more effective in their communities – and that the resources of the university can support those interests,” says Patrick Remington, MD, MPH, Associate Dean of Public Health at the School of Medicine and Public Health.

“It’s the Wisconsin Idea in action — we are building relationships with communities; working and learning alongside them to strengthen their ability to develop community-driven goals and implement action plans. In doing so, we are working to ensure these organizations are equipped to make lasting change in their communities — enduring beyond the grant period,” says Remington.