The Rural Vitality Grant supports the rural and farming communities of Fond du Lac County and Dodge County. It is offered by the Fond du Lac Area Foundation and the Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation in partnership with Compeer Financial, and it funds projects that strengthen the people, organizations, and local economies of smaller communities across the region.
If your nonprofit or school serves a rural community and has a project in mind, we invite you to learn more about the grant below. Our team is happy to talk with you about whether a project may be a good fit before you begin an application.
The Rural Vitality Grant is made possible through a partnership between three organizations.
To come: The Rural Vitality Grant is focused on rural and farming communities. Nonprofit organizations and schools in Fond du Lac County and Dodge County that serve these communities are eligible to apply. The city of Fond du Lac is not included, because the grant is intended for smaller communities. community population guidelines for eligibility, including whether the city of Beaver Dam is included, to be confirmed during implementation
As with all of the Foundation’s grants, your organization must have 501(c)(3) status and an EIN from the IRS. A school applies using its own charitable status. If you’re unsure whether your organization or community qualifies, we encourage you to contact us.
The grant’s focus areas include agriculture, community development, small-business development, housing, youth and adult leadership, rural education, and workforce development.
In 2025, Rural Vitality grants supported projects such as youth mental health screening, free and low-cost mental health services, an entrepreneurship program for veterans, local leadership development, early childhood education, a school fitness room, and new classroom equipment for a high school. Past awards are listed on Past Grantees.
Photo: Students using new equipment in a classroom at a rural school in Dodge County
The request range and application dates for the next Rural Vitality Grant cycle will be posted on this page, and in the grant table on Apply for a Grant, as soon as they are set.
To come: request range, application dates, current focus areas, and any change to how awards are paid for the next cycle, to be confirmed during implementation
As with other Foundation grants, once the funded project has run, your organization completes a grant evaluation describing how the grant was used and how it positively impacted the community. The grant evaluation is a required step to be eligible for future grant opportunities.
The Rural Vitality Grant supports projects that strengthen rural and farming communities in Fond du Lac County and Dodge County. It is offered by the Fond du Lac Area Foundation and the Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation in partnership with Compeer Financial. Nonprofit organizations and schools with 501(c)(3) status that serve these communities can apply through the Foundation’s online grant portal when the cycle is open.
The grant is offered by the Fond du Lac Area Foundation and the Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation, with support from Compeer Financial as the program’s funding partner.
The Rural Vitality Grant is intended for smaller rural communities, so the city of Fond du Lac is not included. Organizations serving the city are welcome to explore the Foundation’s other grant opportunities. See Types of Grants.
Yes. Schools serving rural communities in Fond du Lac County and Dodge County can apply, using the school’s own charitable status and EIN.
Dates for the next cycle have not been set yet. They will be posted on this page and on Apply for a Grant as soon as they are. In the meantime, we’re happy to answer questions about eligibility and whether your project may be a good fit.
If you’re considering a Rural Vitality Grant application, we’d be glad to hear about your project and help you find the right grant opportunity for your organization.
