Since 1992, Willy Street Co-op has contributed over $500,000 to local nonprofits and cooperatives to support developmental and educational projects for our community through Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF) grants. The grants are awarded to 501(c)3 and/or cooperative organizations working on projects benefiting Dane County with priority given to projects benefiting the Madison and Middleton metropolitan areas, projects proposed by organizations with limited access to funding, and projects that have not been funded in previous years by the Community Reinvestment Fund. Projects that support one or more of the following areas are prioritized: food justice and/or access, creating/developing cooperative businesses, sustainable agriculture, health and well-being, and/or social change. To see what projects have received CRF grants in the past, click here.
The Board of Directors has allocated $35,000 total funding for Fiscal Year 2022. Grants are competitive. In Fiscal Year 2021, the committee received 21 applications totaling $66,796 and made $25,000 in total awards to 10 organizations. Over the last three years, the average award provided to each organization has been $2,303.
Organizations representing minority and protected classes are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications for 2022 grants are due January 31, 2022, at 11:59pm. If you have questions, contact the Education and Outreach Coordinator at l.hawley@willystreet.coop.
