Introducing a new, exciting grant-making program designed to help our community funds raise more money and lead the way in building stronger communities!

SWIFT, Southern Wisconsin Initiatives for Tomorrow, builds off the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin’s long history of philanthropy management and represents a new effort to help our community funds raise additional resources and further enhance their ability to improve the quality of life for their residents. The intent of SWIFT is truly mission-focused: matching personal philanthropy to community needs, for good for ever. This new program also responds to our community funds’ requests to build unrestricted endowments — funds not directed by a specific donor that they can direct to local need. Since it is an endowment-based program, it’s aimed at lasting long-term for the greatest sustainability.

How does SWIFT work?

The Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin is starting the SWIFT Program with $80,000 as a first-come, first-serve matching incentive for Community Funds to raise enough money to start a SWIFT endowment. For example, donors could name a fund personally under a Community Fund’s family of funds with an investment of $5,000 that would be matched dollar for dollar to the required $10,000 to establish the endowment. Community Fund Advisory Boards will be expected to recruit donors, market the match incentive and decide grant priorities, with CFSW staff’s help.

The SWIFT Program will require community funds to apply for a SWIFT Matching Grant. In addition it will require community funds to set this program up as an unrestricted endowment, which, over time, can provide community funds flexible resources to address local needs strategically.

To encourage residents, businesses and others to support unrestricted endowments in local communities, CFSW will provide $1 for every $1 donated for the community fund’s unrestricted endowments on a first-come, first serve basis with CFSW’s initial allocation of $80,000 total in matching funds.

In order for SWIFT to be successful, and because you are the people-power leading your community fund, CFSW encourages the personal engagement and philanthropy of advisory board members.

CFSW will give you all the tools you need to achieve your SWIFT goal, and will require 80% advisory board participation in a training on the development and management of your SWIFT grant program.

The community fund in which you serve has demonstrated its ability to spark creativity, generosity and commitment among local residents and donors. A SWIFT matching grant can help propel that.

SWIFT Program Guidelines

Each CFSW community fund will be eligible to receive grants on a first come, first serve basis. Only one application will be accepted per community fund. 

Each community fund that wishes to participate in the SWIFT Program must apply for participation and complete an essay within the application that addresses the amount of money the community fund would need to raise to fulfill identified plans and projects. The community fund may use any funds it receives under this program for the charitable purpose of building its endowment, using the spendable portion for charitable grant-making.

The community fund advisory board will be encouraged to include community participation in assessing and prioritizing its community’s charitable needs, however, CFSW staff will assist throughout the process.  

Training for the SWIFT program will encompass: · Identifying needs and fundraising goals, · How to raise funds successfully, · Advisory Board members’ roles in the SWIFT program, · Marketing, publicity, and communications.

All of our community funds have done remarkable work making life-changing and community-strengthening impact in their regions. The SWIFT Program adds another opportunity to
continue to respond to your community’s most pressing needs and mobilizing support to address them. In addition, the SWIFT Program helps each of our community funds build capacity and have more oversight of the use of their resources relative to meeting community need.

To speak to a staff member about SWIFT today, contact:

Three Offices/One Phone Number : 608-758-0883

JANESVILLE OFFICE
Wyatt Jackson, CEO
Office Address: 121 N. Parker Dr. Janesville, WI 53545
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 8125, Janesville, WI 53547-8125
Hours: M-Th, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.,
Friday by appointment.

MONROE OFFICE
Linda Gebhardt, Director of DSRs
Office Address: 1019 16th Ave.
Monroe, WI 53566
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 733
Monroe, WI 53566-0733
Hours: Call for an appointment.

PLATTEVILLE OFFICE
Dave Murphy, DSR
Office Address: Platteville Business Incubator
52 Means Drive, Suite 115B
Platteville, WI 53818
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 81
Platteville, WI 53818-0081
Hours: Call for an appointment.