Three Local Grant Opportunities

See These Grant Application Invitations

The City of Madison is announcing three opportunities for neighborhoods, local non-profit organizations and even individuals to obtain grants for community-building activities. Grants are small but potentially impactful.

Neighborhood Grants

The Planning Division is now accepting applications for neighborhood grants to support community enhancement or leadership and capacity building projects. Visit the city’s webpage for grant guidelines and applications in multiple languages, and other information on how to apply.

By February 3, please send an email to Linda Horvath and Angela Puerta at neighborhoods@cityofmadison.com with a basic project description and budget. We will reply with guidance on eligibility and application requirements.

Applications are due February 10 by 4:30 p.m.

In 2025 the Arbor Hills Neighborhood Association (AHNA) used their grant to expand and improve distribution of their neighborhood newsletter in order to reach all residents more equitably and strengthen community participation in free neighborhood events. “Together, these efforts led to significantly higher event attendance than in recent memory, including participation from residents who had not previously attended, strengthening connections, building trust, and fostering a more engaged, inclusive, and resilient neighborhood community.”

Image credit: Arbor Hills Neighborhood Association

Madison Arts Commission Grants

The Madison Arts Commission (MAC) is now accepting applications for annual grants.

Annual Arts Grants 

• Project Grants ($1,000-$5,000)
• Legacy Grants ($1,500)
• Individual Fellowship Grants ($1,000 - $2,000)

Projects must occur between June 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027, within the City of Madison.

We encourage projects that:

• Engage Madison residents in arts and cultural activities
• Expand artists' reach in the community
• Create participatory creative experiences
• Provide arts activities for PK-12 students
• Reach diverse or under-served communities
• Celebrate identity, groups, or neighborhoods

Annual Arts grant applications are due March 1 by 11:59 p.m.

Call for Existing Works of Art – Rolling Deadline
This City of Madison purchases, loans, and licenses art for city projects.  Artists can submit up to 10 works annually across any medium - 2D, 3D, digital, or time-based. Submissions are reviewed a few times a year as needed.

Image credit: Grantee: Girls Rock Camp; Artists: Campers; Photographer: Blue Umbrella

Seed Grants

The City of Madison Food Policy Council is opening the 2026 SEED Grants cycle to address food access issues in our community.

SEED Grants are small grants designed to support new and recently emerging projects or programs that support access to healthy food in our community. The City of Madison 2026 Budget includes $50,000 in grant funds to be distributed by the Madison Food Policy Council.

The Madison Food Policy Council is encouraging any organization, group, or agency that is devoted to making food more accessible to City of Madison residents to apply. Any proposal that improves the local food system will be considered. The maximum of any one grant will be limited to $10,000.

Interested applicants should go to the City of Madison SEED Grants webpage for the grant application background letter and application form.

Applications are due onFriday, February 20, 2026 by 11:59pm, and should be submitted to the Madison Food Policy Council at mfpc@cityofmadison.com.

Applications will be reviewed and funding recommendations made to the Madison Food Policy Council by the SEED Grants Review Group of the Madison Food Policy Council in March 2026. 

Final decisions will be announced in late March/Early April 2026. Additional questions can be emailed to mfpc@cityofmadison.com and staff will respond as quickly as possible.

Image credit: Madison Food Council