CFPD Grants
The Community Foundation of Portage and District has a commitment to enrich the quality of life for people in the local area by supporting projects and initiatives of charitable, not-for-profit community organizations. The CFPD does this by providing grants each year, from interest earned the preceding year through the endowed funds held with us. We have two granting programs—Community Grants and 150 Women Who Care Grants.
Community Grants
Application deadlines for Community Grants are March 15 and October 15 of each year (Spring Grants and Fall Grants).
The CFPD Grants Committee carefully considers all eligible applications received, giving priority to applications for projects that address any of the challenges identified in the 2023 Community Assessment, including but not limited to:
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Alcohol & Substance Abuse
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Poverty
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Crime & Safety
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Mental Illness
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Housing
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Transportation
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Racism
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Childcare
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We invite inquiries and applications from not-for-profit, community-based groups working in the following areas:
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Social Services
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Arts & Culture
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Medical Services
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Physical Fitness & Health
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Education
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Welfare of Children, Youth Development, & Family Well-being
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Environment
150 Women Who Care Event Grant
Applications are closed for 2025.
Every February, the CFPD holds the annual 150 Women Who Care event, whereby one non-profit community group is awarded a $10,000 grant. Each attendee (150 women) donates $100 to attend, and then votes for 1 group out of 5 groups to win the award. The Special Events Committee selects these 5 groups from all of the applications we receive, to make their pitch as to why they should receive the $10,000 grant.
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For the 150 Women Who Care Event, pitch applications are invited from not-for-profit community groups working in the aforementioned areas, similar to the Community Grants.
150 Women Who Care Fund Grant
Applications are closed for 2025.
Each year, the earnings from the 150 Women Who Care event is added to the Women Who Care Fund, and the investment income grows. Each year at this event, a grant is awarded to an organization, project, or initiative that focuses on supporting, empowering, educating, and/or investing in women and girls.
Note: This grant is different from the $10,000 event grant detailed above, and has its own application form (applicants to this Fund Grant do not have to make a pitch at the event).
For the 150 Women Who Care Fund Grant, applications are also invited from not-for-profit community groups working in the aforementioned areas, similar to the Community Grants—however they must focus on women and girls in their organization, project, or initiative.
Examples of where your donation goes when you make a gift to CFPD:
"Without the CFPD, we would not have been able to complete this project that has, and will continue to, help countless families for years to come".
—Cathy Dowd, Executive Director of PLLC (on receiving a grant to install a second bathroom in their daycare, which allowed them to increase childcare space from 15 to 20 spots).