Community Engagement
Community engagement at
Mayo Clinic Health System

Community Engagement

Community Giving

We understand that a person's health and well-being are influenced not only by the medical care they receive, but by the environment in which they live. We are proud of our partnerships with local and regional programs, initiatives and events in the La Crosse, Wisconsin, and surrounding area that make a positive, lasting effect on community well-being. Additionally, leaders and staff participate in dozens of community events, discussions, educational presentations and volunteer opportunities each year.

We support the well-being of the Southwest Wisconsin region of Mayo Clinic Health System by providing organizations, programs, events and initiatives with cash and in-kind support.

Learn more about funding opportunities:


Eligibility requirements

Requirements for all funding requests include:

  • Priority is given to requests that align with the Community Health Needs Assessments or promote health and well-being, but a wide array of requests are considered each year, including:
    • Mental health and substance abuse
    • Chronic disease and contributing factors
    • Access to care
    • Advancing equity, inclusion and diversity
    • Supporting social determinants of health efforts, such as transportation, food, housing, financial and personal safety needs
  • Requests must be from areas of the community where we have a presence in Southwest Wisconsin.
  • A W-9 must be submitted with all applications.

We are unable to support requests from or for:

  • For-profit organizations
  • Labor or fraternal groups
  • Organizations whose philosophy or mission contradicts or does not align with the mission or values of Mayo Clinic Health System.
  • Political campaigns, candidates, parties or partisan activities
  • Religious organizations for support of theological functions
  • Youth and adult sports leagues
  • Replacing funds already allocated or available in funded grants
  • Sole benefit of an individual
  • Entry fees or pledges
  • Projects that are a duplication of an existing service
  • Reimbursement of expenditures already incurred
  • Assistance with travel expenses and registration fees
  • Organizations with little or no presence in Mayo Clinic Health System's service area
  • Budget shortfalls
  • Programs and projects that limit participation for reasons of race, age, religion, national origin, marital status, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability (physical and intellectual), genetic, veteran status and status with regard to public assistance

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Sponsorships and community giving — $1,000 or less

Requests for event sponsorship or program needs requests of $1,000 or less are reviewed bi-weekly. Submissions should be submitted at least four weeks before your required deadline, with one request encompassing all your organization's activities for the year. If you wish to request sponsorship over $1,000, contact the Community Engagement team.

In addition to the exclusions above, we are unable to support sponsorship and community giving requests from or for:

  • Individual or group participation in competitions or camps
  • Individual youth and adult sports teams
  • Replacing funds already allocated or available in funded grants
  • Sole benefit of a small group (in-kind donations, such as door prizes or auction items, may be provided, as appropriate)
  • Capital campaigns (see Launch Grant)
  • Endowment funds
  • Projects that are a duplication of an existing service
  • Ongoing operations, rather than specific programs
  • Vehicles, buildings, professional dues, incentives, memberships and construction projects

Submit a sponsorship or community giving request.

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Hometown Health Grant — $1,000–$15,000

We are pleased to offer the Hometown Health Grant as part of our investment in improving the health of the communities we serve. We believe that health is more than the absence of illness. It includes an environment that supports the physical, emotional and social well-being of those who live, work and play in the community. Studies show that many factors that have the greatest health effects occur in the community. These grants help community-based organizations and residents to translate their vision for healthy communities into visible, concrete changes and, ultimately, a healthier hometown.

Funding from the grant can be used to launch a new or improve an existing program. Requests are reviewed quarterly in February, May, August and November, and must be submitted before the first of those months to be reviewed. Grant dollars must be used within one year of receiving funding. An outcomes report is required after the completion of the project. A report template will be provided.

In addition to the exclusions above, we are unable to support Hometown Health Grant requests from or for:

  • Endowment funds
  • Projects that are a duplication of an existing service
  • Vehicles, buildings, professional dues, incentives, memberships and construction projects

Submit a Hometown Health Grant request.

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Launch Grant — $15,000+

The Launch Grant provides momentum to get a project or program off the ground. Launch grants can be used to support capital campaigns for organizations that work to advance the health and well-being of our community. Launch Grants are awarded once a year.

Community partners in our Southwest Wisconsin region service area are invited to apply. Submit requests from Sept. 23 to Oct. 25, 2024. Applicants will be notified by Dec. 1.

In addition to the exclusions above, we are unable to support Launch Grant requests from or for:

Submit a Launch Grant request.

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In-kind request

Our partnerships with local and regional programs, initiatives and events that make a positive, lasting effect on community well-being is an important aspect of our work.

Submit an in-kind request to request giveaways or auction items for an upcoming event.

If you would like to request a speaker or have Mayo Clinic Health System present at a health fair or event, please visit the Partnerships and Education page to make a request.

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