News and Notes
Financial Oversight for Boards: Beyond the Budget
Strong financial stewardship starts with board leadership. Board members play a pivotal role in safeguarding your...
Cross-Sector Collaboration: Building Strategic Partnerships to Amplify Impact
None of us can address the multifaceted needs of people with disabilities alone. Increasingly, organizations are...
Workforce Challenges in Disability Services: Recruitment and Retention Strategies That Work
As disability service organizations we are navigating an ever evolving workforce landscape. While the demand on Direct...
How to Future-Proof Your Nonprofit: Trends in Digital Inclusion and AI Accessibility
As nonprofits serving individuals with disabilities we are all at are at a pivotal time when it comes to digital...
Empowering Possibilities: Society’s Assets and the Power of Scholarships
Since its founding in 1974, Society’s Assets has been a beacon of independence and opportunity for people with...
Adaptive Gaming Levels Up Independence at Indigo
When Jill Nyberg, Executive Director of Indigo – “Your Allies for Independence” – walks into an Indigo game night, she...
Nature’s Edge Therapy Center: Where Nature and Compassion Meet Healing
At Nature’s Edge Therapy Center in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, healing isn’t confined to sterile clinic walls—it unfolds...
Building a Stronger Community for Individuals with Autism: Wispact and the Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin
The Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin has long been a pillar of support, education, and advocacy for individuals...
Independence & Access: Celebrating the ADA & Empowering Lives
July marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark civil rights law that...
Special Needs Trusts: Safeguarding Futures & Enhancing Independence
At Wispact and the Wispact Foundation, we are dedicated to building communities where every person with a disability...
Why AI Matters for Nonprofits Supporting People with Disabilities
Artificial intelligence (AI) offers practical ways to lighten staff workloads, stretch tight budgets, and deliver more...
Opening Doors: How MILC and Wispact are Expanding Access to Independence
For over two decades, Midstate Independent Living Choices (MILC) has worked quietly—but powerfully—across central and...
Wispact Foundation Supports Door-Tran’s Accessible Transportation Services
Extending the Reach of Independence: Wispact Foundation Supports Door-Tran’s Accessible Transportation Services For...
Helping Learners Thrive: How the Wispact Foundation Is Supporting Bloom360’s Transformative Educational Model
For many neurodivergent individuals and their families, finding a learning environment that recognizes and supports...
Wispact Foundation holds Non-Profit Leadership Summit
The Wispact Foundation partnered with the Helen Bader Institute for Non-Profit Management to produce a training...
Celebrating Inclusion Through Music: MSO’s Sensory-Friendly “Symphonic Superpowers” Concert
At the Wispact Foundation, we are proud to support initiatives that foster inclusion, accessibility, and joy for...
Transforming Lives Through Canine Companions: DogsInVests and Wispact Foundation Team Up for Autism Support
Founded in 2017 in Palmyra, Wisconsin, Dogs in Vests is an extraordinary nonprofit committed to training service dogs...
Building Strength and Wellness for All: Door County YMCA and Wispact Foundation Join Forces
The Door County YMCA is more than just a gym—it’s a community hub where wellness, connection, and accessibility come...
Empowering Ability Through Community: Diverse Options and Wispact Foundation Collaborate for Inclusive Outdoor Spaces
For 50 years, Diverse Options, Inc., based in Ripon, Wisconsin, has been dedicated to supporting individuals with...
Expanding Outdoor Accessibility: Wispact Foundation and the Blue Lotus Center
The Blue Lotus Center is a sanctuary where individuals facing profound life challenges can connect with nature in a...
Unlocking Potential Through Equine-Assisted Programming: SMILES, Inc. and Wispact Foundation
Unlocking Potential Through Equine-Assisted Programming: SMILES, Inc. and Wispact Foundation The Wispact Foundation is...
Empowering Access to Nature
Empowering Access to Nature: The Impact of Wispact Foundation Legacy Grants on Riveredge Nature Center, Saukville, WI....
Building a Stronger Community for Individuals with Autism: Wispact and the Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin
The Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin has long been a pillar of support, education, and advocacy for individuals...
Wispact Foundation Heads North
Wispact’s Foundation Director Eric DeGroot paid a visit to Superior Wisconsin to meet with several community service...
Empowering Impact: Best Practices in Charitable Giving for Pooled Trusts
Kevin Hayde, Executive Director of Wispact, Inc., presented virtually through the Stetson University Special Needs...
Wispact Foundation Grant Spotlight: Arts for All Wisconsin – Madison, Wisconsin
Interview with Christina Martin-Wright, Executive Director Although their name has changed several times, the mission...
Wispact Foundation Grant Spotlight: Bloom360 Learning Community, East Troy, WI
Interview with Laura Rauman, Founder & President and Dawn Frasa, Director of Development & Marketing Bloom360,...
Wispact Foundation Grant Spotlight: Padres e Hijos en Accion (Parents and Children in Action), Fitchburg, WI
Interview with Hector Portillo, Founder & Executive Director Padres e Hijos en Accion (Parents and Children in...
Wispact Foundation Grant Spotlight: Wisconsin Parkinson Association, Brookfield, WI
Interview with Kelly Cieslak, Executive Director The Wisconsin Parkinson Association (WPA) is a statewide nonprofit...
Grant Spotlight: Blue Lotus Farm & Recreational Center, West Bend, WI
Interview with Michael Larson, Executive Director The Blue Lotus Farm & Recreational Center is a nonprofit...
Grant Spotlight: Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, Milwaukee, WI
Interview with Bill Pariso, Vice President of Education The mission of Betty Brinn Children’s Museum in Milwaukee is...
Wispact Foundation Grant Spotlight: Pink Umbrella Theater Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Interview with Katie Cummings, Founder and Executive Director Pink Umbrella Theater Company is the first professional...
Wispact Foundation Grant Spotlight: Dogs in Vests, Palmyra, WI
Interview with Michelle Holt, Director of Advancement Dogs in Vests is a non-profit organization that provides service...
Wispact Foundation Grant Spotlight: Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Interview with Maggie Seer, Director of Institutional Giving and Rebecca Whitney, Director of Education The Milwaukee...
Wispact Foundation Grant Spotlight: Friendship Circle of Wisconsin
Interview with Levi Stein, Executive Director Friendship Circle of Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization based in Fox...
Wispact Foundation Grant Spotlight: Opportunity Development Centers, Inc. (ODC), Wisconsin Rapids
Interview with Ann Lepak, Director of PR/Fund Development Opportunity Development Centers, Inc. (ODC) is a nonprofit...
Wispact Foundation Grant Spotlight: Special Olympics Wisconsin, Inc.
Interview with Jason Blank, Vice President of Sports and Programs Special Olympics Wisconsin is an organization that...
Year End 2023 Message from the Foundation Director
As the 2023 year comes to a close it is pleasing to reflect on another incredible year for the Wispact Foundation. I...
Legacy Grant Recipient: Mequon Nature Preserve
Mequon Nature Preserve (MNP) exists to instill environmental empathy and action into the consciousness of surrounding...
Wispact Foundation Visits Opportunities Development Center
On July 13, 2023, Eric DeGroot, Wispact Foundation, visited the Opportunities Development Center in Wisconsin Rapids....
The People We Serve: Jacob & Rosemary’s Story
We are continually reminded that our services support more than our individual beneficiaries, very often our services...
Mel’s Charities Impacting Lives throughout Ozaukee County
Since 1999, Mel’s Charities, Inc. has been having fun and impacting countless lives throughout Ozaukee County. Wispact...
Wispact/Wispact Foundation Present Grant to GiGi’s Playhouse
Eric DeGroot, Wispact Foundation Director, and Kevin Hayde, Wispact Executive Director, present a check to Kelly...
2022 Legacy Grant Recipient, GiGi’s Playhouse, Madison
Gigi’s Playhouse is a Down syndrome achievement center and part of a network of three playhouses in Wisconsin. Madison...
Legacy Grant Recipient Profile – The Ability Center
To enhance the lives of people with disabilities across Wisconsin, in 2021 the Wispact Foundation awarded Legacy...