TruStage Foundation — Community Grants Program (2026)

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Grants Supporting Economic Mobility Through Education & Housing

The TruStage Foundation provides grant funding to nonprofit organizations working to advance economic mobility. With a strong commitment to equity and social justice, the Foundation prioritizes initiatives that create systemic change in underserved and marginalized communities.

Organization

TruStage Foundation

Support Type

Charitable grants

Geographic Focus

Priority given to:

Madison / Dane County, Wisconsin
Cedar Valley region, Iowa (Waverly, Waterloo, Cedar Falls)

Additional support:

Nationwide (limited, primarily through employee giving campaigns)

About the Funder

Established in 1967, the TruStage Foundation is the philanthropic arm of TruStage. The Foundation is committed to advancing equity and dismantling systemic barriers by investing in organizations that support economic mobility. Their approach centers on uplifting underrepresented communities and creating long-term, structural change.

What This Program Supports

The Foundation focuses on economic mobility through two key areas:

Education

K–12 literacy programs
Mentoring and tutoring initiatives
Academic support for underserved students

Housing

Affordable housing initiatives
Homelessness prevention and support
Rental assistance programs

Programs should demonstrate a clear connection to improving long-term financial stability and opportunity.

Eligible Support Types

Programmatic funding for education or housing initiatives
Community-based programs advancing economic mobility
Initiatives serving marginalized or underrepresented populations

Eligibility & Preferences

Applicants should:

Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Align with the Foundation’s focus on economic mobility
Center equity and inclusion in program design and delivery
Demonstrate measurable community impact

Strong preference is given to organizations located in priority regions (Wisconsin and Iowa).

Ineligible Requests

The TruStage Foundation does not fund:

Programs outside economic mobility focus areas
Requests unrelated to education or housing
Arts, animal welfare, sports, or recreation programs
Capital campaigns
Individuals or fraternal organizations
Political or religious causes (non-educational)

Funding Amounts

TruStage Foundation does not publicly list standard grant amounts. Awards vary based on alignment, impact, and available funding.

Timeline & Review

📅 Cycle 3 Application Deadline: August 14, 2026
📅 Decision Date: September 21, 2026

Additional 2026 cycles:

Cycle 1: Closed (Feb 13 deadline)
Cycle 2: Closed (May 1 deadline)

Applications are only accepted during designated cycle windows.

Application / Request Process

Applications are reviewed by the CSR team and presented to the Foundation Board. Applicants should:

Clearly demonstrate alignment with education or housing priorities
Show how the program advances economic mobility
Highlight impact on underserved communities
Submit within the designated application window

Apply / Learn More:

➡️ https://www.trustage.com/about-us/csr/foundation

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This grant is ideal for organizations that:

Focus on education or housing as pathways to economic mobility
Serve marginalized or underrepresented communities
Operate in Wisconsin or Iowa priority regions
Can demonstrate systemic, long-term impact

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Cyclical (3 cycles annually)
Typical Lead Time: Apply within designated cycle windows
Best Suited For: Nonprofits focused on economic mobility, education, and housing

New to corporate grant fundraising?
Read our Corporate Grants for Nonprofits: Ultimate Guide to learn how corporate funding works.