Grants
Innovation and Impact Grants Program
Donate Life Wisconsin (DLW) supports its mission through the Innovation and Impact Grants Program. Funds are made available annually to support projects focused on either:
- Increasing organ, tissue, and eye donor registry sign-up
- Increasing the number of donated organs/tissues available for transplantation
Proposed 2027 projects may focus on any one or more of the following:
- Public Awareness: increase public awareness in a specific group (e.g. male, female, populations more highly impacted by transplantation) or setting (e.g. community, workplace, schools) around registry sign-up or addressing myths/misgivings.
- Donor Availability: increase, tissue, and eye donor registry sign-up or research or pilot project to increase organ, tissue, and eye donor availability.
- Professional Education: collaborative training or continuing education to impact organ, tissue, and eye donation or donor registry sign-up.
- Age Demographics indicate less than 55% enrollment in the 20-24 year old and 64+ year old age categories.
- Race/Ethnicity Demographics indicate less than 30% enrollment in people identifying as African American or Asian.
- Sex Demographics indicate only 52.3% men register as organ donors compared to 59.0% of women
Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) data from 2025 indicates the following observations:
For more data, review the 2025 National Survey of Organ Donation Attitudes and Practices: Report of Findings. To talk with an epidemiologist about the priority population in your geographic area, email dhsdonorregistry@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
Funding requests must be between $10,000-$50,000/project. Requests outside of this range will not be considered. All projects must be completed between January 1 and December 31, 2027 – no exceptions. Organizations must have the ability to begin a project on or shortly after January 1, with or without a signed agreement.
There is no limit to the number of projects an eligible organization may submit for consideration. Collaborative projects between organizations are welcome. However, at least one organization involved in a collaborative project submission must meet the “eligible organization” criteria.
Letters of Intent (LOI) online applications for 2027 projects accepted April 27, 2026 – June 1, 2026 (5:00 p.m. Central).
Questions about the 2027 DLW Grants process: chuber@donatelifewisconsin.org.
What is the DLW grants program?
DLW is authorized to provide funds to organizations to promote the donation of organs and tissue, to promote organ and tissue transplant research, and to advance patient services involving organ and tissue transplants in Wisconsin.
What is an eligible organization/who can apply?
Organizations that are eligible to apply or serve as the lead organization for a project must be recognized as exempt for federal taxation under Section 501(c)3 of the IRS Code, be able to provide proof of charitable status in Wisconsin (if applicable) and be able to submit an audited financial statement at the conclusion of the grant, if requested by Donate Life Wisconsin.
May organizations collaborate on a proposed project?
Organizations proposing to collaborate on a project must include at least one organization that meets all eligibility criteria. This organization will be considered the primary (lead) organization . The lead organization will sign the Grant Agreement, serve as the fiscal agent and assume responsibility to meet all reporting requirements.
Can an organization that provides services in states other than Wisconsin be eligible?
If an organization performs its programs in states in addition to Wisconsin, the Grantee must limit any funding that it receives from DLW to its Wisconsin activities.
Can an individual apply for a DLW grant to encourage organ and tissue donation?
Individuals are not eligible to receive grants.
What are permitted use of funds?
Project-related expenses may include office supplies; postage; copying and printing; contract,
consultant, or staff time to implement the project; and speaker-related expenses (e.g. honorarium,
airfare, hotel, and meals).
Indirect costs are allowed but may not exceed 10% of total direct costs.
Events or trainings cannot be specific to one recovery organization and its immediate partners.
What are examples of grant project expenses which are not permitted?
Non-allowable use of DLW grant funding:
- Costs or activities not directly related to project implementation
- Event participant food, beverages (including alcoholic beverages), hotel rooms, or entertainment
- Clinical care or costs associated with treatment or direct care
- Direct or indirect lobbying activities or legal fees
- Financial gifts, e.g., scholarships, aid or gift cards
- Expenses billed to/reimbursed from federal/state agencies or other entities e.g., CMS
What components must be In the letter of intent (LOI)?
Organizations must complete a separate Letter of Intent (LOI) for each project. The components of the LOI include:
- Organization information
- Project contact
- Project name
- Type and focus of the project
- Need project will address
- Data substantiating the need
- Project overview with anticipated outcomes
- Impact Statement (Answer one or both questions):
- How will this project increase the number of individuals who register to become organ, eye and tissue donors?
- How will this project increase the number of donated organs/tissues available for transplantation?
- Funding amount requested ($10,000-$50,000)
How can an organization apply for a DLW grant?
Eligible organizations complete and submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by the deadline. Organizations may be invited to submit a full proposal after review.
What are the largest and smallest amounts that an organization may request?
Each year, the Donate Life Wisconsin Board of Directors establishes the budget allocation for the Grants program.
What are the reporting requirements?
Grant project leads submit monthly reports about project progress, learnings and requests for expense reimbursement. Monthly financial reports include detailed use of grant funds, including receipts documenting expenses. At the conclusion of the project, grantees may be asked to submit an audited financial statement detailing the use of the grant funds.
What is the timeline?
The 2027 Innovations & Impact Grant program timeline:
- March-April 2026 – Assistance with envisioning projects, contact Cindy Huber at chuber@donatelifewisconsin.org
- April 27 – LOI online submissions open
- April 29 – Grants process (virtual) information session
- June 1 – LOI online submissions due
- June 15 – LOI submission status notification to applicants
- June 24 – Full grant proposal process (virtual) information session (12-1 p.m. CT)
- July 27 – Full grant proposals due
- September 8 – Notifications to grant finalists
- September 23 – Finalists’ presentations to DLW Board of Directors
- October 21 – Projects selected for 2027 announced