Dane County Application Period for the 2025 Partners in Equity Racial Equity and Social Justice Grant Programs is now Open

August 27, 2025
execmedia@danecounty.gov, (608) 800-1127
County Executive, Office for Equity & Inclusion

DANE COUNTY - County Executive Melissa Agard announced that community-based organizations can now apply for the Partners in Equity Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Grant. The Partners in Equity Grant Program supports Dane County-based community groups that propose to use funding to address systemic racial inequities in the criminal justice system.

“Equity and justice must be more than aspirations - they need to be reflected in the systems that shape people’s daily lives,” said Dane County Executive Melissa Agard. “The Partners in Equity Grant program empowers local organizations to lead that work by addressing barriers in health, education, employment, and criminal justice. I am proud that Dane County continues to invest in community-driven solutions that confront systemic inequities and create opportunities for every resident to thrive.”

Grants are awarded to Dane County based community group(s) that will use the funding to address systemic racial inequities in the following areas: Health, Education, Employment, and Criminal Justice. Individual organizations may apply for up to $15,000.  Partnerships or collaborations of two or more eligible organizations may apply for up to $50,000.

“The Partners in Equity grant is a true testament of Dane County's will to embrace diversity while supporting local community organizations,” Greg Jones (OEI Advisory Chair) said. “We encourage local organizations to apply. Each application underscores the urgency of addressing systemic disparities and helps advance a more inclusive culture.”

Applicants may go to the following website https://oei-exec.countyofdane.com/Pie-Grant to obtain the application instructions and the application.  If organizations would like a paper copy mailed to them, they may email OEIGrantSubmission@countyofdane.com or call 608-283-1391 for an application.  Potential applicants may call number listed if they have questions.

The PIE-RESJ Grant application must be received by the Tamara D. Grigsby Office for Equity and Inclusion no later than 4:00 PM, Friday, September 26, 2025. Applications may be mailed to or dropped off at 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, RM 356, Madison, WI 53703 by the deadline. Or, applicants may submit a completed applications to the email address listed above. 

The Office for Equity and Inclusion furthers Dane County’s ongoing commitment to addressing racial, gender, and disabilities disparities.