U.S. Venture, along with the community foundations in the Fox Valley, Greater Green Bay, and Greater Oshkosh areas, are looking forward to an exciting 2023.

As we look to the future of the Basic Needs Giving Partnership, we have much to celebrate. Most importantly, we celebrate our nonprofit partners who, in the midst of an increasingly unstable time, continue to support families impacted by financial challenges, prepare children, youth, and young adults for school, support seniors to age with dignity, and broaden impact by enhancing collaboration across the region. We also celebrate our 15-year history of collaboration with funding partners that has led to $49 million in grantmaking across Northeast Wisconsin. Finally, none of the work of the Basic Needs Giving Partnership would exist without the generosity of hundreds of donors across the region and nation.

As we’ve been communicating over the last several months, beginning in January 2023, the Basic Needs Giving Partnership will leverage its collective impact, voice, and experience by centralizing and coordinating all initiatives and activities under a single regional organization that supports the people and places advancing equity and economic well-being for everyone in Northeast Wisconsin. We will continue to partner with nonprofits and local community foundations to embrace shared values of trust and collaboration, curiosity and learning, and equity with a systems-based approach.

Today, I’m sharing two items:

  1. We are hiring!
  2. A grantmaking update

BNGP is hiring! 

Please see our LinkedIn page to view two new job descriptions, including information on how to submit a resume to [email protected].

  • Director of Grantmaking: We are looking for an experienced, strategic, and equity-focused nonprofit professional to lead and oversee all aspects of grantmaking.
  • Operations Manager: We are seeking a detail-oriented, resourceful, and strategic team member to oversee operations.

Both positions will be based in Northeast Wisconsin with flexibility for hybrid work arrangements. Our team will excel in adaptability, creativity, humility, and entrepreneurial spirit. We will work hard to build an environment that is supportive, personal, and grounded in our organizational values.

Grantmaking Update

As we look to 2023, we are proud to carry forward our key commitments. Since its inception, the Partnership has committed its resources to supporting collaboration among nonprofits locally and regionally. Over the last few years, and even more so since COVID, the Partnership has supported increased stability for nonprofits by awarding more multi-year grants. Our aim in making these commitments has been to ensure that nonprofits have the runway to plan long-term, adapt to emerging needs, and focus on their intended impact. In 2023, we know the bulk of funds raised from our 2022 U.S. Venture Open will go to support multi-year commitments already made to nonprofits in the region. These organizations continue to address current needs and support long-term solutions to ending poverty.

At the same time, with remaining grantmaking dollars, we are eager to lean into our new strategic framework, guided by our mission to support the people and places advancing equity and economic well-being for everyone in Northeast Wisconsin. We’ll continue to collaborate, advocate, and distribute resources in ways that not only address current needs in our communities, but that also actively work to disrupt the systems, policies, and practices that hold poverty in place. We’ll center our shared values of trust and collaboration, curiosity and learning, and equity with a systems-based approach as we work towards our vision of thriving, equitable communities across Northeast Wisconsin.

To build on our Fall 2022 grantmaking update and information sessions:

In 2023, here’s what will stay the same:

  • Basic Needs Giving Partnership funding will continue to support local organizations across Northeast Wisconsin.
  • If your organization currently has an active multi-year Basic Needs Giving Partnership grant, those funds will continue to be disbursed via your local community foundation for the duration of the grant period.
  • We will continue to provide general operating support grants.

In 2023, here’s what will change:

  • New grants will be administered through the new centralized regional Basic Needs Giving Partnership.
  • We will accept grant applications April 1 through May 15 with funding decisions announced by the end of June.
  • The grant guidelines, released by late January, will focus on a specific element of our new strategic framework.
  • Grant awards during the June grant cycle will be one year in duration.
  • Grant decisions will be made by a committee that will include current community foundation representatives serving as local advisors to the committee.

As we continue to navigate this transformation process, we are committed to transparent communication with our partners. As always, we invite your feedback as we continue to learn, adapt, and respond to emerging needs in collaboration with you. Thank you for all that you do on behalf of our communities.

Please reach out to Lynn Coriano, Executive Director, at [email protected] with any questions about our 2023 grantmaking.

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