Applications Open for Second Round of Wisconsin Rural Equity Grant Program
October 21, 2024
Downtown Rhinelander, Wisconsin
We are now accepting applications for the second round of our Wisconsin Rural Equity Grant Program. This round is open to the five northeastern counties and seven Native nations within our Wisconsin service region (see below). As part of our commitment to northern Wisconsin businesses, we're offering a limited number of grants totaling $130,000, with up to $10,000 per grant.
Designed to assist small businesses in northern Wisconsin, particularly those that are underbanked and have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wisconsin Rural Equity Grant Program is open to established, underserved businesses for a wide range of business needs. See eligibility requirements here.
The second round of applications will be open to businesses owned by people located in following five counties or affiliated with the following Native nations:
- Florence County
- Forest County
- Marinette County
- Oneida County
- Vilas County
- Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Forest County Potawatomi
- Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Sokaogon Chippewa (Mole Lake)
- St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin
Applications are due Monday, November 4, 2024. APPLY HERE
Grant awards will be announced in early December.
In fall 2023, EFund allocated $170,000 through the first round of the Rural Equity Grant program to underserved businesses in northwestern Wisconsin. A total of 18 grants were awarded across eight counties and various industries such as childcare, hospitality, repair services, retail, and more.
The expansion of our services into northern Wisconsin is fueled by $8 million in Diverse Business Assistance and Diverse Business Investment grants from the state of Wisconsin. The funding is aimed at assisting small business owners who've experienced barriers to capital and who've been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information about our expanded services and grant opportunities in northern Wisconsin, visit efund.org/wi, email us at info@efund.org, or schedule a discovery call with a member of our Wisconsin team at efund.org/discovery.