Wisconsin Public Service – Charitable Grants
Community, Health, Education, Arts, and Environment in WPS Service Areas
Organization: Wisconsin Public Service
Funder: Wisconsin Public Service Foundation
Parent Company: WEC Energy Group
Support Type: Charitable grants
Geographic Focus: Communities served by Wisconsin Public Service (WPS)
Application Deadline: April 30, 2026 (quarterly cycle)
About the Funder
The Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Foundation supports nonprofit organizations working to strengthen communities across WPS’s service territory. In 2024, the Foundation donated $2.02 million to nonprofit organizations. Most charitable giving is delivered through the WPS Foundation, funded by WEC Energy Group shareholders. WPS also matches employee charitable contributions and conducts an annual workplace giving campaign benefiting United Way.
What This Program Supports
WPS welcomes funding requests aligned with the following priority areas:
- Community & Neighborhood Development
- Health & Human Services
- Arts & Culture
- Education
- Environment
Support Types
- Program or project funding (preferred)
- Capital campaigns and event sponsorships
- Limited general operating support
Operating support is rare for individual United Way agencies that already receive WPS support. However, United Way–supported organizations may apply for project, program, capital campaign, or event sponsorship funding.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- Be located within WPS’s service area
- Align with one or more of the funding priorities listed above
Ineligible Requests
WPS does not fund:
- Individuals
- Fraternal, religious, or political organizations
- Trips, tours, pageants, or athletics
- Team or extracurricular school events or student exchange programs
- Organizations outside service areas (unless funding a specific project delivered directly to customer communities)
- Organizations without IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status
- Organizations that discriminate on any basis, including race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, national origin, or sexual orientation
- Private foundations
Funding Amounts
The WPS Foundation does not publish standard grant amounts. Awards vary based on project scope, organizational capacity, alignment with priorities, and available funding.
Timeline & Review
📅 Quarterly Deadlines: January 31, April 30, July 31, October 31
📩 Review Timeline: Grant requests are reviewed following each deadline; applicants are notified by email of funding decisions.
Application Process
- A new applicant portal will launch in 2026, allowing organizations to manage applications through a single Blackbaud account.
- Important: Application histories will not transfer to the new system; applicants are encouraged to download prior submissions.
Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://www.wecenergygroup.com/community/wps-community.htm
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This grant program is a strong fit for nonprofits that:
- Serve communities within Wisconsin Public Service’s service territory
- Seek project-based funding with limited operating support available
- Demonstrate local impact in community development, health, education, arts, or environmental initiatives
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
- Review Type: Quarterly deadlines
- Next Deadline: April 30, 2026
- Best Suited For: Local nonprofits delivering community-centered programs in WPS communities
