Eligible Projects
The University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives is inviting proposals to receive $5,000-$25,000** to fund development of Wisconsin-based cooperatives or cooperative groups (e.g. associations, networks, informal collaborations) in these areas:
-
- Forest management
- Forest-related products
- Biomass energy
- Forest-owner policy initiatives
- Support for existing forestry cooperatives or associations
Eligible Applicants*
Recipients of these funds are limited to:
- non-profit organizations
- cooperative organizations
*Please note that in previous years UW/County Extension offices were encouraged to apply. Given the reorganization of UW Extension within UW-Madison, we can no longer award grant funds to UW/County Extension. However, Extension offices and agents can be partners on projects and otherwise support other types of applicants.
**Cost Share
Applicants must match at least 50% of the grant funds received. This match can be in the form of money, in-kind services, or both. It may not include money received from the State of Wisconsin. In-kind services paid for by State funds (i.e. DNR or Extension employee salaries) are also not eligible to be counted.
For example, a project that requests $5,000 in grant funding must provide a minimum of $2,500 in match. A project that requests $25,000 in grant funding must provide a minimum of $12,500 in match.
To Apply
Please send a description of your proposed project (2 to 4 pages) and letters of commitment from individuals or organizations providing in-kind match by February 16, 2026 to Kelly Maynard, University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives, kelly.maynard@wisc.edu, (608) 262-9751. Your 2-4 page project description should include:
- Background information about the organization doing the project
- Description of the need/opportunity for the project
- Description of partnerships that will help with project implementation or be developed as a result of the project
- Specific project deliverables
- How proposed work is connected to or builds on prior/current work (only required of previously funded applicants)
- Project budget table that includes amounts and sources of match (see example on next page)
Sample Budget Table:
| Budget Item | Grant Funds | Matching Funds and Source |
| Personnel (salaries, benefits) | $5,000 | $3,000 (foundation grant) |
| Travel | $1,000 | – |
| Meeting/Workshop/Event Expenses | $1,250 | $1,500 (host site; donated food; donated publicity) |
| Other Materials & Supplies | $300 | – |
| Consultant Fees | $2,500 | $1,000 (in-kind, John Smith) |
| TOTAL | $10,050 | $5,500 |
Deadlines and Dates
Application Deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026
Award Notification: March 16, 2026
Project dates: Duration of the project should be one (1) year beginning sometime between May 1, 2026 and July 1, 2026
Scoring Criteria
Applications are scored based on the following criteria:
- How close the entity is or will be to a cooperative structure
- Match provided
- Potential impact of work proposed to advance cooperative forestry in the state
- Strength of deliverables proposed
- Strength of partnerships and letters of support provided
- Likelihood of grant funds having impact
Questions and Assistance
We hope that you’ll consider applying for this funding. UW Center for Cooperatives staff is available to assist in forming and supporting cooperative groups, and we will be happy to support your efforts. If you have any questions, please get in touch with Kelly Maynard (kelly.maynard@wisc.edu, (608) 262-9751).