The Wisconsin Department of Revenue on Wednesday opened the application period for the Innovation Grant program.
This initiative, created under 2023 Wisconsin Act 12 and modified by 2025 Wisconsin Act 15, is designed to support local governments and tribal nations in transferring certain services and duties to another eligible entity.
The Innovation Grant provides funding to a county, municipality or tribe that enters into an agreement to transfer an allowable service or duty to another county, municipality, tribe, nonprofit organization or private entity.
Allowable services and duties include a wide range of essential functions, such as:
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Public safety, law enforcement and emergency services;
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Fire protection;
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Courts and jails;
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Public works and information technology;
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Administration, including staffing and payroll;
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Economic development and tourism;
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Public health;
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Housing, planning and zoning;
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Parks and recreation; and
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Training and communications
Applications are available here. Applicants must submit a signed contract or agreement that meets the grant program requirements.
Grant awards are equal to 25% of the transferor’s total costs for providing the service in the year preceding the transfer. DOR may distribute a maximum of five annual payments, with the total statewide funding for the program capped at $300 million. Each county, municipality or tribe can receive up to $10 million annually.
