Nonprofit · EIN 39-0921093
WISCONSIN HISTORY FOUNDATION INC
Tax-exempt · MADISON, WI 53706
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $35,049,150 | $14,747,525 | $20,301,625 | $78,694,313 | $970,193 | $77,724,120 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $19,561,127 | $14,522,621 | $5,038,506 | $65,991,536 | $10,874,224 | $55,117,312 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $8,488,313 | $7,733,852 | $754,461 | $58,733,158 | $10,784,783 | $47,948,375 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $30,072,466
- Program service revenue
- $2,960,445
- Investment income
- $2,016,239
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $9,359,586
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $209,035
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,942,666
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $3,204,472
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $45,111
- Accounting fees
- $27,300
- Occupancy
- $48,240
- Travel
- $45,057
- Depreciation
- $202
- Program services (functional)
- $10,276,835
- Management and general (functional)
- $3,335,229
- Fundraising (functional)
- $1,135,461
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $65,991,536
- Total assets, end of year
- $78,694,313
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $970,193
- Net assets, end of year
- $77,724,120
- Publicly traded securities
- $48,663,290
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $5,907,280
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $71,816,840
- Gross receipts
- $35,049,150
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 23
- Year formed
- 1954
- State of legal domicile
- WI
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JULIE LUSSIER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 39 | $170,290 | $18,391 |
| GARY PESICKA | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON ADAMANY | VICE CHAIR/TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SANDRA ANDERSON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DIANE DEI ROSSI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOAN BACHLEITNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHLEEN BURKE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CONRAD GOODKIND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KARLA ASHENHURST | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL COVALESKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAY ELLINGSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KARL ROBE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID RYDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEROME JANISZEWSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JANE VILLA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
9 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| REED HALL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| WILLIAM KRAEMER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ANGELA BARTELL | EX-OFFICIO VOTING MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DONALD SCHOTT | EX-OFFICIO VOTING MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOSHUA JEFFERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ANDREA RUIZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SANDRA CLEARY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DANIEL PFEIFFER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| DANNY TANG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 26 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JULIE LUSSIER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 39 | $176,911 | $18,972 |
| PATRICK FEE | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GARY PESICKA | VICE CHAIR/TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CATHI WIEBRECHT-SEARER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DIANE DEI ROSSI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOAN BACHLEITNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHLEEN BURKE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CONRAD GOODKIND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KARLA ASHENHURST | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SANDY ANDERSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL COVALESKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAY ELLINGSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KARL ROBE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID RYDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEROME JANISZEWSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JANE VILLA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| REED HALL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON ADAMANY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANGELA BARTELL | EX-OFFICIO VOTING MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DONALD SCHOTT | EX-OFFICIO VOTING MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSHUA JEFFERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDREA RUIZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SANDRA CLEARY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN CRANE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIEL PFEIFFER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANNY TANG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 24 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JULIE LUSSIER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 39 | $148,355 | $15,931 |
| PATRICK FEE | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIEL PFEIFFER | VICE CHAIR/TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CATHI WIEBRECHT-SEARER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DIANE DEI ROSSI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GARY PESICKA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHLEEN BURKE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CONRAD GOODKIND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KARLA ASHENHURST | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SANDY ANDERSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL COVALESKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAY ELLINGSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KARL ROBE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID RYDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JERRY JANISZEWSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JANE VILLA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| REED HALL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON ADAMANY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANGELA BARTELL | EX-OFFICIO VOTING MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DONALD SCHOTT | EX-OFFICIO VOTING MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSHUA JEFFERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANDREA RUIZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THERESA RICHARDS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN CRANE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 816 STATE ST, MADISON, WI 53706-1417
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- JULIE LUSSIER, 816 STATE ST, MADISON, WI 537061417
- Signed the 990
- JULIE LUSSIER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (608) 264-6460
- Website
- WISCONSINHISTORY.ORG/WHF
- Return prepared by
- WEGNER CPAS LLP
Mission
THE WISCONSIN HISTORICAL FOUNDATION EXISTS TO ADVANCE THE MISSION OF THE WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY: TO HELP PEOPLE CONNECT TO THE PAST BY COLLECTING, PRESERVING AND SHARING STORIES.
Program accomplishments
- HISTORY CENTER CAMPAIGN: TO RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE PLANNING, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW HISTORY CENTER.Expenses $5,858,280 · grants $5,602,056
- MUSEUMS AND HISTORIC SITES: THE DIVISION OF MUSEUMS AND HISTORIC SITES COLLECTS AND PRESERVES THE MATERIAL CULTURE OF WISCONSIN AND INTERPRETS THE STATE'S HISTORY AND PREHISTORY FOR THE PUBLIC. THE DIVISION FULFILLS ITS EDUCATIONAL ROLE THROUGH EXHIBITIONS, TOURS AND A VARIETY OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS CONDUCTED AT THE WISCONSIN HISTORICAL MUSEUM IN MADISON, AND AT HISTORIC SITES AND OTHER VENUES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.Expenses $1,938,724 · grants $1,868,842
- WHF SUPPORT FOR SOCIETY: WHF MANAGES FUNDS THAT SUPPORT THE SOCIETY'S OPERATIONS. THESE FUNDS INCLUDE ENDOWMENTS, SPEND-DOWN FUNDS, FUNDS WITHOUT DONOR RESTRICTIONS, AND A BOARD DESIGNATED QUASI-ENDOWMENT. EXPENDITURES FROM ENDOWMENTS AND SPEND-DOWN FUNDS RESTRICTED TO THE SOCIETY'S PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS ARE MANAGED THROUGH THE SOCIETY'S ANNUAL BUDGET PLANNING PROCESS. WHF INFORMS THE SOCIETY OF AVAILABLE FUND BALANCES, AND THE SOCIETY'S LEADERSHIP DETERMINES FUNDS TO BE TRANSFERRED. DEPENDING ON THE FUND TYPE, WHF CHARGES FEES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS. THESE FEES HELP OFFSET WHF OPERATING COST.Expenses $1,179,040 · grants $1,168,847 · revenue $7,185
- LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES: THE DIVISION OF LIBRARY, ARCHIVES AND MUSEUM COLLECTIONS ACQUIRES, PRESERVES AND PROVIDES ACCESS TO DOCUMENTARY AND ARTIFACTUAL EVIDENCE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF WISCONSIN, THE UNITED STATES, AND CANADA. WITH OVER 4 MILLION ITEMS, ITS GENEALOGY AND HISTORY COLLECTIONS ARE AMONG THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE IN THE WORLD DOCUMENTING NORTH AMERICAN HISTORY. THE SOCIETY'S LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES IS ALSO THE AMERICAN HISTORY LIBRARY FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, AN OFFICIAL DEPOSITORY FOR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS, AND THE STATE ARCHIVES WHICH PRESERVES STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RECORDS OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE. THE AREA RESEARCH CENTER NETWORK, A UNIQUE ALLIANCE BETWEEN THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND THE FOUR-YEAR CAMPUSES OF THE UW SYSTEM, MAKES MOST OF THE ARCHIVAL COLLECTIONS AVAILABLE WITHIN EASY DRIVING DISTANCE OF ALL STATE RESIDENTS.Expenses $586,190 · grants $491,215
- WHF OPERATIONS: WHF WAS FOUNDED IN 1954 AND ITS OPERATIONS ARE FOCUSED ON THE SUPPORT OF THE SOCIETY'S MISSION BY PROVIDING PHILANTHROPIC, FINANCIAL, AND OPERATIONAL SERVICES TO THE SOCIETY. AS A SUPPORTING FOUNDATION, WHF MUST SUPPORT FINANCIALLY ITS OWN OPERATIONS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME FULFILL ITS MISSION TO SUPPORT THE SOCIETY. LIKE OTHER SUPPORTING FOUNDATIONS, WHF UTILIZES A NUMBER OF REVENUE STREAMS TO SUPPORT OPERATING COSTS, INCLUDING CONTRIBUTIONS, FEES ON THE FUNDS IT HOLDS, ENDOWMENT DISTRIBUTIONS, AND SERVICE REVENUE. WHF OPERATIONS GENERATE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE SOCIETY INITIATIVES AND OPERATIONS AND PROVIDES OTHER SUPPORT TO THE SOCIETY.Expenses $447,448 · revenue $2,953,260
- OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT: THE OFFICE OF PROGRAMS AND OUTREACH HELPS PEOPLE CONNECT WITH THEIR PAST BY PUBLISHING BOOKS AND MAGAZINES, PROVIDING EXPERT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE TO LOCAL HISTORIANS, AND SUPPORTING K-12 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. IT ALSO OFFERS TRAVELLING EXHIBITS AND SPEAKERS TO COMMUNITY CENTERS, LIBRARIES, SCHOOLS, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE STATE, VISITING HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITIES EACH YEAR.Expenses $161,552 · grants $156,596
- HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND PUBLIC HISTORY: THE SOCIETY IS THE FEDERALLY-DESIGNATED STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE (SHPO). IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITIES, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS, THE SHPO WORKS TO IDENTIFY, INTERPRET AND PRESERVE HISTORIC PLACES FOR THE BENEFIT OF PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.Expenses $105,601 · grants $72,030
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 39-0921093
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1956
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A118)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $78,694,313
- Income (IRS master file)
- $35,049,150
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $35,049,150 | $14,747,525 | $78,694,313 | XML |
| 990 | June 2024 | $19,561,127 | $14,522,621 | $65,991,536 | XML |
| 990 | June 2023 | $8,488,313 | $7,733,852 | $58,733,158 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $14,378,166 | $7,116,324 | $57,186,900 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 39-0921093).
Questions about WISCONSIN HISTORY FOUNDATION INC
- What is the EIN of WISCONSIN HISTORY FOUNDATION INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of WISCONSIN HISTORY FOUNDATION INC is 39-0921093.
- Is WISCONSIN HISTORY FOUNDATION INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1956.
- Are donations to WISCONSIN HISTORY FOUNDATION INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does WISCONSIN HISTORY FOUNDATION INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of WISCONSIN HISTORY FOUNDATION INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did WISCONSIN HISTORY FOUNDATION INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of WISCONSIN HISTORY FOUNDATION INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names JULIE LUSSIER.
- Who are the officers and directors of WISCONSIN HISTORY FOUNDATION INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 24 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $170,290 (JULIE LUSSIER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does WISCONSIN HISTORY FOUNDATION INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $35,049,150, expenses of $14,747,525 and total assets of $78,694,313 at year end.
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