A Year of Transition

Dear Wisconsin Humanities friends and supporters,

In April 2025, Wisconsin Humanities lost the federal funding that had supported our work for more than 50 years.

Instead of stepping back, we adapted. We stabilized operations, listened to you and your neighbors, maintained key programs, and built a path forward.

Our 2025 Impact Report highlights what that looked like in practice: support for community-led cultural and civic projects, statewide listening sessions, nationally recognized leadership development through Community Powered, and stories that connected people across Wisconsin through Love Wisconsin and Human Powered.

Inside the report, you'll discover:

• How Wisconsin Humanities continued serving communities throughout the state despite the loss of federal funding
• Community projects exploring Hmong cultural traditions, Indigenous arts, hip-hop history, oral histories, youth civic engagement, local history, and cultural festivals
• Stories from Wisconsinites who are preserving traditions, mentoring youth, building belonging, and strengthening their communities
• Seven Listening Sessions that brought together educators, artists, civic leaders, and residents to help shape Wisconsin Humanities' next chapter
• The impact of Love Wisconsin and Human Powered, which continued amplifying stories of identity, resilience, culture, and community across the state

One year later, we're proud of the progress we've made together. This includes re-opening our grant program, launching the Community Powered Tribal Health Initiative in partnership with Wisconsin tribal communities, and bringing tradition bearers, artists, and community members together through Wisconsin By the People and Tradition Bearers, Live!.

We could not have done it without you. Thank you. 

We invite you to explore the report and see how communities across Wisconsin continue to connect, learn, engage, and belong.