Fund For Lake Michigan

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Our Purpose

The Fund for Lake Michigan is focused on making a profound impact on the health of Lake Michigan and its communities. We are here to help ensure the Lake continues to be both an economic powerhouse and an environmental treasure to the citizens of Wisconsin and the Midwest. We do this by investing in projects that benefit local communities and the environment; by embracing a high standard of openness about what we support and the criteria that drives our decision-making; and by rigorously evaluating results. We aim to leverage the investments of other key Lake Michigan donors, pursue partnerships and use the Fund’s power as a convener to promote collaboration. Our grants focus on projects that achieve tangible near-term and long-term results such as protecting critical natural habitats and making water resources more swimmable, fishable and drinkable. Our Oversight Committee of Trustees manages the Fund, establishes grant making priorities and guidelines, and makes funding decisions. Trustees include representatives from We Energies, Madison Gas and Electric, Wisconsin Public Power, Inc., Clean Wisconsin, the Sierra Club, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. We invite you to learn more about grants, partnerships and how the Fund for Lake Michigan is clearly making a deep impact.

Mission & Values

The mission of the Fund for Lake Michigan is to support efforts, and in particular those in southeastern Wisconsin, that enhance the health of Lake Michigan and its shoreline and tributary river systems for the benefit of the people, plants and animals that depend upon the system for water, recreation and commerce.

Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes are among North America’s greatest natural resources, providing the Midwest with drinking water and food, as well as wonderful opportunities for recreation and commerce. The lakes are both an economic powerhouse and an invaluable environmental treasure to the citizens of Wisconsin and the Midwest. The resources of the Fund have the potential to make a profound impact on the health of Lake Michigan.

To fulfill our vital mission and seize the positive opportunities before us, the Fund and its Trustees are guided by core values and principles.

Accountability & Transparency

The Fund for Lake Michigan seeks input from a range of stakeholders to obtain community buy-in and ensure funds are invested in nonprofit and government organizations that are doing work strongly supported by the community. We establish a high standard of openness concerning what the Fund supports, and the criteria that drive decision-making. Furthermore, we rigorously evaluate the results achieved through the Fund’s resources and investments.

Collaboration & Partnerships

The Fund for Lake Michigan recognizes the opportunity to leverage the significant public and private investments of other key Lake Michigan donors, including the federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). We pursue partnerships and employ the Fund’s power as a convener to promote collaboration among the many players in southeastern Wisconsin and the Lake Michigan basin.

Impact & Results

The Fund for Lake Michigan invests in strategies and projects that have the potential for demonstrable near-term and long-term impact. Our grants focus on projects that achieve tangible results including protecting critical natural habitats and making water resources more swimmable, fishable and drinkable.