West Central Initiative is accepting applications now through Monday, March 24, at 5 p.m. for grant funding to support sustainability, equity, and civic engagement projects in our region. 

Rebecca Lynn Petersen, Director of Development at West Central Initiative, emphasized the importance of these grant opportunities in promoting a healthy and resilient region. 

“Sustainability, equity, and civic engagement are essential pillars for our communities,” said Petersen. “We created our West Central Initiative Grants with those priorities in mind.” 

West Central Initiative will award grants in three focus areas: 

• Sustainability Grants  will support community-led projects and nonprofits with a focus on sustainability and climate action.  

• Equity Grants will support organizations working to make our region more equitable by supporting historically marginalized populations.  

• Civic Engagement  Grants will support nonpartisan organizations that bring about social change, cultivate local leadership, provide community education on government and other civic systems, and encourage participation in public meetings. 

To simplify the application process, organizations can submit only one application, however, applications can cover multiple focus areas. Most grants will range from $3,000-10,000—although organizations may apply for up to $25,000.  

West Central Initiative will host information webinars on Tuesday, March 4, at 2 p.m. and Thursday, March 6, at 6 p.m. to explain the guidelines and new application process and answer questions.  

Visit www.wcif.org/west-central-initiative-grants to learn about the grant details and eligibility criteria.