|
DOR Launches Innovation Planning Grants
As part of the significant local government funding package in the 2023-2024 legislative session, Act 12 contained a $300 million innovation fund and $3 million for innovation planning grants. Municipalities, counties, tribes, businesses, and nonprofits are encouraged to work together and partner to uncover efficiencies that could provide opportunities to transfer services to another entity. The League recognizes that many of our members have capitalized on consolidation efficiency already, but there may be additional municipal service areas to review. To qualify for the larger innovation grant, municipalities will need to transfer a service (or services) and realize a cost savings of at least 10%. To plan for a transfer of services, the innovation planning grants were created.
Innovation Planning Grants - Apply NOW through February 28, 2025
Who can apply? – Wisconsin municipalities and tribes with a population not exceeding 5,000. Remember, multiple municipalities and partners can work together when planning for the larger innovation grants.
Applying for the planning grant – e-file the Innovation Planning Grant application (Form SL-400) within MyDORGov
- For information on allowable services/duties, visit the Innovation Grants web page
- Determine if your community or a community you'll collaborate with can apply for the Innovation Planning Grant
- Discuss potential projects and efficiencies in the following eligible categories: n these service categories: public safety (including law enforcement, fire protection, emergency services), courts, jails, training, communications, public works, information technology, administration (including staffing, payroll, and human resource), economic development and tourism, public health, housing, planning, and zoning, and parks and recreation
Grant use - Fund your staffing or consultant expenses as your community plans the transfer of one or more allowable service/duty from a municipality or tribe to another entity.
Grant awards
- Distribution period – January-March 2025
- Award amount – DOR can distribute a maximum of $100,000 for each proposed project, with a total of $3 million available
-
Consider applying – an award is not contingent on the eventual success of a proposed innovation project plan.
The League and Department of Revenue will continue to provide updated information on the Innovation Planning Grant and the larger Innovation Grant (application coming in July 2025!)
⭐If you have questions contact DOR at lgs@wisconsin.gov.
| 
