Instructions for The Collaboration Fund

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS 8-31-2026 through 9-25-2026 

Backing partnerships that look to solve problems, not just serve them.  

Collaboration is key to creating lasting change. HKP invites proposals from organizations working together across sectors to improve educational opportunities, strengthen civic engagement, and create healthier, more vibrant communities in Greater Milwaukee.   

This initiative reflects our belief that collaboration is not simply cooperation, it is a commitment to solving problems together. We know that effective collaboration can reduce duplication, fill gaps in service, connect programs operating separately, and allow organizations to accomplish together what they cannot do alone.  

Funding Priorities   

We are interested in initiatives that demonstrate authentic collaboration among two or more organizations working to solve a community problem. Priority is given to proposals that address complex challenges through coordinated strategies involving multiple sectors. Priority areas include: 

  • Education: early childhood development, kindergarten readiness, third-grade reading proficiency, student success, post-secondary and workforce success. 
  • Civic Engagement: community participation, civil dialogue, volunteerism, youth leadership, public trust, community problem-solving.  
  • Community Collaboration: projects that intentionally connect multiple partners and/or systems to improve outcomes for children, families, and communities.  

Successful collaboration should include: 

  • Shared planning 
  • Joint decision-making 
  • Shared measurement 
  • Clearly defined partner roles 
  • Shared accountability 
  • Coordinated implementation 
  • Long-term commitment beyond the grant period 

Applications consisting only of letters of support or referral relationships will generally not be considered collaborative projects.  

Grant Structure  

Grant amounts and duration will vary based on project scope and impact. Grants cover collaboration costs. Multi-year requests will be considered for strong proposals that have previously demonstrated success. Applicants may request one of the following, with the potential of progressing from one type to the next: 

  • Planning grants: $25,000 - $75,000 over 6-12 months to develop promising collaborations that are not implementation ready.  
  • Implementation grants: $250,000 - $750,000 over 2-3 years to support the direct execution of an existing plan.  
  • Transformational grants: up to $1 million+ over 3 years for collaborations capable of significant systems-level change.  

Eligibility 

Eligibility requirements: 

  • A 501c3 nonprofit organization or public entity 
  • Include at least one additional committed partner 
  • Identify one lead application responsible for grant administration 
  • Serve communities within the Greater Milwaukee area  
  • Demonstrate meaningful participation from all collaborating organizations. Not all partners need to be a 501c3 entity 

 Email of Interest Required 

  • Send us a brief email (maximum 300 words) defining your intended impact and outlining your request.  
  • Must be submitted to info@herbkohlphilanthropies.org  
  • Questions may be directed to the email above. 
  • Deadline: no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 25, 2026. 

Application Process 

  • Email of Interest deadline: 5:00 p.m. September 25, 2026  
  • Concept Proposal: if invited, Concept Proposals are due 30 days from the date you are invited to submit 
  • Full Proposal: if the Concept Proposal advances, finalists will meet with HKP staff, refine their approach, and be invited to submit a Full Proposal. This deadline will be personalized by proposal.  

Selection Criteria 

Proposals will be evaluated based on: 

  • Alignment with funding priorities 
  • Potential for meaningful and measurable impact 
  • Inclusivity and community reach 
  • Organizational capacity  
  • Sustainability beyond the grant period  

The Foundation awards grants exclusively to organizations recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3). We do not fund individuals, non-charitable entities, or Private Foundations.