Fitchburg, WI Healthy Neighborhoods Advisory Committee 7-8-26

The Fitchburg, WI Healthy Neighborhoods Advisory Committee held a meeting on July 8, 2026, focusing primarily on updates from grantees who received funding in 2025, discussions on the grant program materials, and the timeline for a grant program redesign. Committee members reviewed reports from various community organizations, including Catholic Charities, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Heartroom, highlighting their impact and challenges in serving Fitchburg residents. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to evaluating the current grant application and funding process, considering criteria for funding allocation, and discussing the possibility of issuing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for specific neighborhood needs such as food and transportation. The committee also deliberated on funding priorities, the balance between supporting large organizations with multiple funding sources versus smaller grassroots groups, and the importance of ensuring funds directly benefit Fitchburg residents. While no formal votes on funding were taken during this meeting, members expressed consensus on potentially funding food-related organizations in the interim while the grant redesign is finalized. The redesign aims to streamline the grant process, possibly introduce multi-year contracts, and better align funding with community needs. Additionally, the meeting included updates on community events supported by the grant program and announcements of upcoming neighborhood activities.