For Arts Nonprofits

​This information was originally featured in the fifth edition of Creative Copy, a service of the Wisconsin Arts Board.

Creative Copy serves artists and arts organizations in Wisconsin, and we want to connect you with useful, timely, and important resources. If you have suggestions, comments, or questions, email us!

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For Arts Nonprofits

Arts non-profits make Wisconsin (and the world) go '​round. But, especially in turbulent times, non-profit arts organizations often face unique problems (like lack of funding, operating with volunteer staff capacity, etc) that for-profit arts organizations don’t face, or face at a lesser magnitude.

Given the climate in which we are in now, we want to: first, thank non-profit arts organizations for all of the hard and important work they continue to do, and secondly, provide helpful resources and information for non-profit arts organizations.

General Resources

Business & Operations

  • Springboard for the Arts – Toolkits, funding guidance, and workbooks for artist self-management and nonprofit development.
  • Fractured Atlas – Fiscal sponsorship, insurance, and administrative tools for arts organizations.
  • National Council of Nonprofits – National leadership and policy updates tailored for nonprofits.
  • 501 Commons – Best practices in nonprofit strategy, finance, HR, and planning.
  • WI Department of Financial Institutions – Compliance forms and business filing information for charitable organizations in Wisconsin.
  • Candid – A central hub for funding data (including Foundation Directory), grant training, and nonprofit insights.

Legal & Governance

Technology & Communications

Grant Writing Resources

  • UW-Madison Writing Center PDF – A detailed guide to writing grant proposals, with examples and annotated templates.
  • UNC Writing Center – Friendly, concise advice on how to write compelling grant proposals.
  • Grants.gov – Federal grant application portal with searchable funding opportunities and resources for applying.
  • Wisconsin Historical Society – Grant programs and proposal-writing tips specifically geared toward cultural and historical organizations.
  • Murdock Trust: Great Grant Writing – Straightforward advice on how to craft winning proposals from an experienced funder’s perspective.

Networks and Advocacy