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Wisconsin Humanities Council Inc at a glanceMostly funded, not a grantmaker: see who funds it →

· Public charity

Wisconsin Humanities Council Inc

Wisconsin humanities strengthens our democracy through educational and cultural programs that build connections and understanding among people of all backgrounds and beliefs throughout the state.

$106k
Granted FY2025still arriving
8
Grants FY2025still arriving
1
States reached
$10k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Arts & Culture$2.4MEducation$121kEnvironment$65kHuman Services$60kCrime & Legal$36kPhilanthropy$30kHealth$26kSocial Science$20kOther$0
02FY2025 · 8 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 8 grants below total $67,980, the rows itemized in this filing. The $106,425 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $38,445 is giving the schedule does not break out (grants under the $5,000 itemization floor, grants to individuals, grants on other schedules). Every figure below describes the itemized rows only.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k4 grants · $28k
  • $10k–50k4 grants · $40k
$10,000
Median grant
1
States reached
$569k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
TRUE SKOOL INC$10,000
CAP SERVICES INC$10,000
MUSEUM OF WISCONSIN ART$10,000
LYNDEN INC$10,000
LUSSIER COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER$7,700
MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY$7,644
UW-EAU CLAIRE$7,436
VILLAGE OF WAUNAKEE$5,200
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY18–25, $85k) land where the poverty rate runs at 13%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 92% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%CAP SERVICES INC: $10k → 10%YWCA OF LA CROSSE: $10k → 12%ADAPTIVE COMMUNITY APPROACH PROGRAM INCORPORATED: $7k → 5%WISCONSIN UNITED COALITION OF MUTUAL INC: $10k → 11%LUSSIER COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER: $8k → 10%NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE OF MILWAUKEE INC: $10k → 17%NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE OF MILWAUKEE INC: $10k → 17%NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE OF MILWAUKEE INC: $10k → 17%NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE OF MILWAUKEE INC: $10k → 17%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

55%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.5M · 57 repeat orgs$1.2M to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +36% since the first grant, against +13% for those funded once.

57 repeat relationships: 3 still active in FY2025, 54 since wound down; 5 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

57
134

Total granted

$1.5M
$1.2M

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+36%
+13%

Still filing today

77%
55%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 37% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $43k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Arts & CultureHuman ServicesEducationEnvironmentCrime & LegalEmploymentOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • WA
    WISCONSIN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES ARTS AND LETTERS
    4× · 2017–2022 · $44k · revenue +36%
  • NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE OF MILWAUKEE INC
    4× · 2018–2022 · $40k · revenue +14%
  • NN
    NORSKEDALEN NATURE & HERITAGE CENTER INC
    3× · 2018–2021 · $40k · revenue +52%

Funded once

  • DM
    DR MOON MEMORIAL LIBRARY
    one grant, 2021 · $28k
  • WB
    WISCONSIN BLACK HISTORAL SOCIEgraduated
    one grant, 2021 · $20k · revenue +73%
  • American Players Theatre of Wisconsin Inc
    one grant, 2022 · $20k · revenue +12%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Markesan Historical Society
—
2
Bureau County Historical Society
—
3
Madison County Historical Society
Arts & Culture
4
Green County Historical Society

To preserve, advance and disseminate knowledge of the history of Green County and the State of Wisconsin.

—
5
Mineral Point Historical Society Inc

Maintenance and operation of a 19th century home as a local museum, located in mineral point, wi

—
6
Wasco Co Historical Museum
Arts & Culture
7
Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts Inc

The Museum, located just east of historic downtown Cedarburg, Wisconsin is dedicated to educating the public about the artistice, cultural, historic and social importance of quilts and fiber arts. We also seek to increase the awareness of…

Arts & Culture
8
Cedarburg Art Museum & Society Inc

To collect, preserve, and exhibit the art of Wisconsin with emphasis on Cedarburg and the surrounding areas.

Arts & Culture
9
Columbus Area Historical Society

The purpose of this organization is exclusively educational and shall be to preserve, advance and disseminate the history of Columbus, WI and the surrounding areas to the publc.

Arts & Culture
10
Ripon Historical Society

Gathering and preserving historical records and artifacts for the ripon, wisconsin area, wherever possible, and to document the stories of the prominent people, developments and events for this area.

—
11
Manistee County Historical Society Inc

To educate the public on the history of Manistee County

—
12
Appleton Historical Society Inc

Education; Historic preservation

Arts & Culture
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Wisconsin Historical Foundation Inc; the most unlike its peers is Alfred & Lois Kelch Aviation Museum. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

132 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 132 of the 197 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

3
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
49
Early backer (in before they grew)
123/132
Grantees still filing
91/132
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN: $222,859 · OtherUNIVERSITY OF WISCONSINUniversity of Wisconsin Madison: $63,999 · Other+106 more: $1,158,670 · Other+106 moreMUSEUM OF WISCONSIN ART INC: $56,835 · Arts & CultureMUSEUM OF WISCONSIN ART INCWISCONSIN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES ARTS AND LETTERS: $43,855 · Arts & CultureMILWAUKEE FILM INC: $36,699 · Arts & Culture+67 more: $894,046 · Arts & Culture+67 moreEX FABULA INC: $34,350 · EducationMADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION INC: $25,050 · EducationMarquette University: $18,769 · EducationBELOIT COLLEGE: $9,993 · EducationST NORBERT COLLEGE INC: $9,900 · EducationNEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE OF MILWAUKEE INC: $40,000 · Human ServicesWISCONSIN UNITED COALITION OF MUTUAL ASSISTANCE ASSOCIATION INC: $10,000 · Human ServicesCAP SERVICES INC: $10,000 · Human ServicesYWCA LA CROSSE INC: $10,000 · Human ServicesLUSSIER COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER INC: $7,700 · Human ServicesADAPTIVE COMMUNITY APPROACH PROGRAM INC: $6,855 · Human ServicesNORSKEDALEN NATURE & HERITAGE CENTER INC: $39,818 · EnvironmentPhiladelphia Community Farm Inc: $9,149 · EnvironmentCROSSROADS AT BIG CREEK INC: $8,859 · EnvironmentFRIENDS OF FRED SMITH INC: $7,962 · EnvironmentMARSH HAVEN NATURE CENTER INC: $6,381 · EnvironmentMILWAUKEE JEWISH FEDERATION INC: $38,669 · PhilanthropyLOTUS LEGAL CLINIC INC: $16,000 · Crime & LegalMY WAY OUT INC: $10,000 · Crime & Legal
Other$1,445,528Arts & Culture$1,031,435Education$98,062Human Services$84,555Environment$72,169Philanthropy$38,669Crime & Legal$26,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetMUSEUM OF WISCONSIN ART INC: $56,835 over 5y, 0.9% of budgetWISCONSIN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES ARTS AND LETTERS: $43,855 over 4y, 1.9% of budgetNEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE OF MILWAUKEE INC: $40,000 over 4y, 0.4% of budgetNORSKEDALEN NATURE & HERITAGE CENTER INC: $39,818 over 3y, 4.3% of budgetMILWAUKEE JEWISH FEDERATION INC: $38,669 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetMILWAUKEE FILM INC: $36,699 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetEX FABULA INC: $34,350 over 4y, 5.1% of budgetMILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $34,113 over 4y, 5.0% of budgetSUMMIT PLAYERS THEATRE: $32,000 over 3y, 13% of budgetEAU CLAIRE ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS INC: $30,687 over 3y, 3.1% of budgetUntitled Town Co: $30,000 over 3y, 10% of budgetWISCONSIN HISTORICAL FOUNDATION INC: $30,000 over 3y, 0.2% of budgetWISCONSIN VETERANS MUSEUM FOUNDATION INC: $27,191 over 2y, 14% of budgetMADISON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION INC: $25,050 over 3y, 0.6% of budgetBEMBE DRUM & DANCE INC: $25,000 over 2y, 6.4% of budgetCREATE WISCONSIN INC: $24,446 over 3y, 5.8% of budgetDUNN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $23,269 over 2y, 15% of budgetVANG COUNCIL OF LA CROSSE: $21,762 over 2y, 4.9% of budgetNATIONAL SOCIETY OF COLONIAL DAMES OF AMERICA-STATE OF WISCONSIN: $20,808 over 3y, 6.4% of budgetDr James Cameron Legacy Foundation Inc: $20,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetWISCONSIN BLACK HISTORAL SOCIE: $20,000 over 1y, 7.6% of budgetAmerican Players Theatre of Wisconsin Inc: $20,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetASHWABAY ALLIANCE INC: $20,000 over 2y, 0.9% of budgetARTS AT LARGE INC: $20,000 over 2y, 0.8% of budgetWOODLAND PATTERN INC: $19,888 over 2y, 0.9% of budgetBURNETT COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC: $19,534 over 2y, 6.9% of budgetBLACK ARTS MKE INC: $19,500 over 2y, 2.0% of budgetMANITOWOC COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC: $19,409 over 2y, 3.1% of budgetWISCONSIN VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL PROJECT INC: $19,172 over 2y, 1.8% of budgetMarquette University: $18,769 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetALDO LEOPOLD FOUNDATION INC: $18,500 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetBELOIT HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $18,401 over 2y, 6.9% of budgetBARRON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $17,500 over 2y, 6.3% of budgetOUTAGAMIE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $17,500 over 2y, 1.3% of budgetROCK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC: $17,500 over 1y, 2.5% of budgetLA CROSSE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $17,494 over 2y, 2.9% of budgetWAUKESHA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM INC: $17,490 over 1y, 13% of budgetHISTORIC MILWAUKEE INC: $17,478 over 2y, 2.0% of budgetMOUNT HOREB AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $17,450 over 2y, 5.2% of budgetMILWAUKEE PUBLIC THEATRE INC: $17,090 over 2y, 4.2% of budgetART START INC: $17,049 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetSAUK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC: $16,423 over 2y, 5.0% of budgetRACINE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM INC: $16,351 over 2y, 2.0% of budgetLOTUS LEGAL CLINIC INC: $16,000 over 2y, 1.9% of budgetNEENAH HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC: $15,975 over 2y, 21% of budgetMARATHON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $15,250 over 2y, 1.9% of budgetOZAUKEE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $15,215 over 2y, 6.0% of budgetBODWEWADMIMWEN ETHE TEK INC: $14,864 over 2y, 9.3% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Greater Milwaukee Fou…Green Bay Packers Fou…Herbert H Kohl Charit…Richard and Ethel Her…Community Foundation …Alliant Energy Founda…Youth Foundation IncRalph Evinrude Founda…Madison Community Fou…Madison Gas and Elect…Bert L and Patricia S…United Way of Greater…
Greater Milwaukee Foundation IncWI72.2× affinity48 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc · Green Bay Packers Foundation · Herbert H Kohl Charities Inc · Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation Inc · Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region Inc · Alliant Energy Foundation Inc · Youth Foundation Inc · Ralph Evinrude Foundation Inc · Madison Community Foundation · Madison Gas and Electric Foundation Inc · Bert L and Patricia S Steigleder Charitable · United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County Inc

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Wisconsin Humanities Council Inc funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Wisconsin Humanities Council Inc. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%3%13%28%50%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    51report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 197 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990 e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Wisconsin Humanities Council’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home