Overview
Paint, water, and soil are the most common ways that people are exposed to lead. Children six years old and younger are most susceptible to the negative effects of lead. Lead can affect every organ and system in the body and lead to behavior and learning problems, anemia, slowed growth, hearing problems, and hyperactivity. The most severe cases of lead poisoning can cause seizures, coma, and death. Keys to addressing lead poisoning within our community include increased screening, education, and lead abatement within the home including lead paint, soil mitigation, and drinking safe, filtered water. Community members can help reduce the risks of lead in their own homes when more intensive lead mitigation strategies are unavailable or delayed. Our Lead Safe Home Kits provide tools and educational materials to help!
The primary sources of elevated blood lead levels in Milwaukee are lead-based paint and leaded household dust, especially around windows. (Properties built prior to 1978)
Secondary sources of lead exposure can include soil, drinking water, imported jewelry and toys, antiques, imported dishes, and traditional (“folk”) remedies. (Properties with known lead service lines, and those built before 1978)
Criteria
Nonprofits working with individuals and families in Milwaukee County may complete the form below for Lead Safe Home Kit grants. United Way will provide grant dollars for community organizations to purchase and deliver kit supplies for community-based distribution.
Each organization applying must answer “yes” to the following items to be eligible
- Organization serves Milwaukee County residents
- Organization is a nonprofit
- Organization is willing to accept grant funds to be used to purchase Lead Safe Home Kit supplies, assemble kits, and distribute kits over the next 12 months
- Organization will provide a short impact report no later than December 19, 2025. The impact report can be viewed here. We also encourage organizations to take photos of kit distribution that United Way can share with our sponsors.
- Organization commits to distributing lead safe home kits to households with known primary and secondary sources of lead exposure and where children six years old and younger spend time.
Grants will be available between $10,000 and $25,000. Include an estimated cost of supplies and up to 10% administrative costs in your grant request.
Lead Safe Home Kits must include the following items: water filter pitcher specifically designed to filter out lead, minimum of 2 extra filters, plastic garbage bags, gloves, masks, baby wipes, duct tape, Swiffer wet/dry mop kit, and lead safety educational materials. You may add additional materials and/or include these materials with other distributed items (food boxes, for example). A sample supply list with example purchase links will be provided to grantees.
Lead Safe Home Kit Grant Application Form Timeline
December 16, 2024 – Application form opens
December 27, 2024 – Application form closes at 4:30pm
January 10, 2025 – Applicants notified of next steps
Apply
Lead Safe Home Kit Grant Application