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Green Bay Packers Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.5M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.0M
Decision Time
4mo
Success Rate
40%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1.5 million
  • Endowment: $55.4 million (as of March 2024)
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months (April submission to July notification)
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $8,000
  • Geographic Focus: Wisconsin statewide
  • Success Rate: Approximately 400 grants awarded annually from rising number of applications
  • Total Impact Since 1986: Over $29.5 million distributed

Contact Details

Website: packers.com/foundation Application Portal: Online applications accepted through packers.com/foundation Questions: Contact via email through website for eligibility and application questions

Overview

Founded in 1986 by Judge Robert J. Parins (former Green Bay Packers president, 1982-1989), the Green Bay Packers Foundation serves as the charitable arm of the Green Bay Packers organization, ensuring the team maintains strong community outreach throughout Wisconsin. With an endowment of $55.4 million, the Foundation distributes approximately $1.5 million annually to civic and charitable organizations across the state. The Foundation's mission focuses on supporting organizations that promote families and athletic values, contribute to player and fan welfare, ensure child safety and education, and prevent animal cruelty. In recent years, the Foundation has awarded between 370-457 grants annually, with the number of applications rising each year. The Green Bay Packers are the primary financial contributor to the Foundation, which is legally separate from the team but governed by 10 trustees drawn from the Packers' Board of Directors. The Foundation also partners with the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation on Give BIG Green Bay, contributing $250,000 in matching funds annually to this 24-hour giving event that has raised over $17 million since its inception.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Annual Grant Program: $3,000 - $8,000 per organization

  • Fixed annual deadline (applications accepted February 2 - April 1)
  • Organizations can apply once during each four-year cycle
  • Recipients may not receive full requested amount as distributions vary based on applications received
  • Grants distributed in late August/early September

Four-Year Rotating Grant Cycle (2026-2029):

  • 2026: Animal welfare, homelessness, human services
  • 2027: Arts/culture, environmental, hunger
  • 2028: Athletics, education
  • 2029: Elderly, health/wellness

Scholarship Program: Established 2002

  • $53,000 distributed annually to Brown County students
  • Supports both four-year and two-year educational programs

Give BIG Green Bay Partnership:

  • $250,000 annual matching grant to Greater Green Bay Community Foundation
  • Two-day giving event (typically late February)
  • 50 Brown County nonprofits selected to participate annually

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports organizations that align with its mission to:

  • Perpetuate a community environment that promotes families and the competitive value of athletics
  • Contribute to player and fan welfare
  • Ensure the safety and education of children
  • Prevent cruelty to animals

Organizations that fit multiple focus areas are encouraged to submit during the year when their most urgent funding need aligns with the annual focus area.

What They Don't Fund

  • Annual appeals
  • Camp scholarships
  • Capital campaigns
  • Debt retirement or deficit financing
  • Endowments
  • Fundraising event or activity sponsorships
  • Individuals
  • Lobbying or legislative activities
  • Scholarship funds
  • Projects impacting fewer than 25 individuals
  • Projects that don't address current year focus areas

Governance and Leadership

The Green Bay Packers Foundation is governed by 10 trustees, all of whom serve on the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors:

Wilson Jones - Chairperson Other Trustees: Jan Allman, Michael Barber, LeRoy Butler, Mike Haddad, Bill Jartz, Mark Kasper, Laurie Radke, Mike Simmer, Chris Woleske

Leadership Perspective

Wilson Jones, Chairperson, describes the Foundation's approach and values: "It's just a way for us to say, 'Hey, here's some support money and thanks for what you're doing.' I like to say it's the everyday heroes. These are people that get up every day -- most of them are from small organizations that don't have big budgets, don't have endowments -- and it's kind of the Packer Way to support the everyday hero."

Jones calls the annual grant recipient event "the everyday hero day at Lambeau," stating "We have people who get up every day and take care of our communities here in Wisconsin." Regarding the organizations receiving grants, he notes: "We like to say that they're doing the good work. The common theme between these groups is that everybody matters."

On the Foundation's commitment: "Our organization has always had community support. We wouldn't be where we are without that."

The Foundation emphasizes: "The Foundation continues to receive a rising number of grant applications each year and our volunteer Trustees are committed to reviewing each application thoroughly to ensure they are responding to the demonstrated needs the community is facing."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be classified as tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3)
  • Must have had valid IRS Tax ID for minimum of two years
  • Must be Wisconsin-based
  • Projects/programs must directly impact at least 25 individuals
  • Projects must align with the current year's focus areas

Application Method:

  • Online applications only through packers.com/foundation
  • No paper or email applications accepted
  • One application per organization per four-year cycle (2026-2029)
  • Grant requests can range from $3,000 to $8,000

Key Restriction: Organizations that apply and are not awarded a grant are not eligible to apply again until the next four-year cycle (e.g., if you apply in 2026 and are declined, you cannot reapply until 2030).

Decision Timeline

  • February 2, 2026: Applications open (first day of submission)
  • April 1, 2026, 11:59 PM CT: Application deadline
  • May - June 2026: Trustee review period; trustees may contact applicants during this time
  • July 2026: Trustees finalize grant recipients
  • July 2026: Notification emails sent to all applicants
  • Late August/Early September 2026: Grants distributed

Total Timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from submission to notification

Success Rates

While specific acceptance rates are not published, the Foundation provides insight into competitiveness:

  • 2024: 398 organizations awarded grants (457 total awards including some organizations receiving multiple program grants)
  • 2023: 321 organizations awarded grants (370 total awards)
  • 2025: 395 organizations awarded grants

The Foundation notes they receive "a rising number of grant applications each year," suggesting increasing competition. With $1.5 million distributed annually and grant amounts ranging from $3,000-$8,000, approximately 200-500 grants are awarded each cycle.

Reapplication Policy

Strict Four-Year Cycle Rule: Organizations can submit only ONE application during the entire four-year cycle (2026-2029). Organizations that fit multiple focus areas must strategically choose which year to apply based on their most urgent funding need.

Critical Restriction: If an organization applies for funding and is NOT awarded a grant, it is not eligible to apply again until the next four-year cycle begins in 2030. This makes the application decision particularly strategic.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Timing

The Foundation explicitly advises: Organizations that fit into multiple focus areas are encouraged to submit during the year when their most urgent funding need aligns with the focus area. Given the one-application-per-cycle rule, applicants should carefully consider whether 2026's focus (animal welfare, homelessness, human services) represents their best strategic opportunity or whether waiting for a later year (2027: arts/culture, environmental, hunger; 2028: athletics, education; 2029: elderly, health/wellness) would be more advantageous.

Alignment with Foundation Values

The Foundation prioritizes supporting "everyday heroes" - smaller organizations without large budgets or endowments that serve their communities daily. Wilson Jones emphasizes they're looking for organizations where "everybody matters" and that are "doing the good work" in their communities.

Demonstrated Community Impact

Projects must directly impact at least 25 individuals. Applications should clearly demonstrate measurable community benefit and address demonstrated community needs that align with the annual focus areas.

Wisconsin Connection

All funded organizations must be Wisconsin-based. The Foundation demonstrates statewide commitment - in 2025, of $1.5 million distributed, $149,450 went to 38 Brown County organizations while $1,350,550 supported 357 organizations across the rest of Wisconsin.

Examples of Recent Grant Recipients

2024 Recipients (Arts/Culture, Athletics, Education focus):

  • Boys & Girls Club of Greater Green Bay
  • Children's Museum of Green Bay Inc.
  • Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum (Two Rivers)
  • Madison Ballet Inc.
  • Madison Youth Choirs Inc.
  • Literacy Network Inc.
  • Allouez Village Band
  • Green Bay Blue Ribbons Baseball Club Inc.

2025 Recipients (Animal welfare, health/wellness, civic/community, environmental focus): 395 organizations received grants focusing on these areas, including programs addressing drug/alcohol issues, domestic violence, and environmental causes.

Trustee Review Process

Trustees review each application thoroughly and may contact applicants during May-June for additional information or clarification. Being responsive to trustee inquiries during this period is important.

Financial Realism

Grant recipients may not receive their full requested amount. Distributions vary annually based on the number of applications received and total funding approved by trustees. Applications should demonstrate how they would use funding effectively even if receiving less than the full request.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • One shot per four years: With only one application allowed per four-year cycle and no reapplication if declined, strategic timing is critical. Carefully evaluate whether the current year's focus areas represent your best opportunity.

  • Focus on being the "everyday hero": The Foundation explicitly values supporting smaller organizations without large endowments that do daily community work. Emphasize grassroots impact and community service over institutional prestige.

  • Demonstrate "everybody matters": Applications should reflect the Foundation's philosophy that everyone in the community matters. Show how your work serves diverse populations and creates inclusive community benefit.

  • Wisconsin community connection: Strong emphasis on statewide impact and serving Wisconsin communities. Demonstrate deep roots in and commitment to Wisconsin communities.

  • Impact threshold matters: Projects must serve at least 25 individuals directly. Clearly quantify your reach and impact in measurable terms.

  • Align tightly with annual focus: With limited opportunities to apply, ensure your project aligns strongly with the specific year's focus areas. The Foundation will not fund projects outside the current focus areas.

  • Responsive communication: Trustees may reach out during May-June review period. Be prepared to respond quickly to trustee inquiries with additional information or clarification.

References

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