STRATEGIC MISSION GRANTS

The Wilson Foundation is proud to launch the Strategic Mission Grant Program designed to strengthen nonprofit organizations providing critical services in our community. This grant opportunity supports organizations whose programs may no longer align with the Foundation’s refined strategic focus areas yet continue to serve critical needs.

OPERATE EFFECTIVELY AND DEMONSTRATE IMPACT

PURPOSE

This grant aims to assist organizations in:

  • Implementing and sustaining their board-approved strategic plans
  • Enhancing organizational capacity and leadership
  • Maintaining delivery of critical community services
  • Improving financial sustainability and readiness
  • Attracting additional funding interests

CRITICAL SERVICE FOCUS

Strategic Mission Grants will prioritize organizations addressing the following critical community needs that do not receive funding through the Empower or Engage portfolios.

• Chronic Disabilities, Diseases or Conditions• Emergency Services
• Chronic Homelessness• Food Security
• Educator Recruitment & Development• Trauma & Domestic Violence

RELATED LINKS

Strategic Mission Grant Guidelines

Printable Strategic Mission Grant Application Questions

Online Application

Have a question?

FUNDING STRUCTURE

This program will provide three years of general operational support:
• Year 1: $50,000
• Year 2: $30,000
• Year 3: $20,000

Funds may support operational expenses as aligned with the organization’s strategic plan.

Total Available Funding: Up to five grants awarded per year.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for this program, organizations must:

  • Be a graduate of the Capacity Building Institute (CBI)
  • Deliver a critical community service listed above
  • Have a strategic plan with at least 2 years remaining, or commit to creating one within 6 months
  • Be affected by a strategic alignment gap with the Foundation’s other focused initiatives (i.e. are not eligible for funding under the Empower or Engage portfolios)
  • Demonstrate readiness and board commitment to organization’s strategic plan goals

2026 APPLICATION PROCESS

June 8Letter of Intent Opens
June 18Letters of Intent due by 5 p.m. CST
July 6 Invitations for full applications sent
July 17Full applications due by 5 p.m. CST
July 21-22Consultation with applicants to discuss strategic plan and readiness assessment
October 31Final decisions announced

REVIEW CRITERIA

Applications will be evaluated based on:

  • Clarity and feasibility of strategic plan goals
  • Board engagement and leadership commitment
  • Organizational readiness and operational capacity
  • Alignment with identified critical needs
  • Potential for sustained impact and long-term growth

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Granted organizations will commit to:

  • In-Person Site Visits – Conducted annually during the grant period to explore unreported challenges
  • Annual Reports – Annual progress updates, including financial use and benchmarks; due December 2027 and 2028
  • Final Report – Outcomes achieved, sustainability improvements, and lessons learned; due December 2029

If you have questions about Strategic Mission Grants, please contact Jan Ross, EVP Philanthropy.