United Performing Arts Fund Inc
United Performing Arts Fund Inc (UPAF) is a public charity based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It raises and stewards community funds for performing arts organizations in Southeastern Wisconsin, supporting organizations through its member and affiliate programs.
United Performing Arts Fund Inc at a glance
In short: United Performing Arts Fund Inc gave $6.7M across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $395K), mostly in Wisconsin. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,713,000
- -4.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- -43.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $394,882
- +69.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $155,237
- Total assets
- $11,718,239
- -7.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 17, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to United Performing Arts Fund Inc
- Review Cycle
- The deadline given for that past 2021 cycle was June 11, 2021.
- Deadline
- The deadline given for that past 2021 cycle was June 11, 2021.
- Contact
Mailing address: 301 W Wisconsin Ave 600, Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: (414) 273-8723
Website: https://upaf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who United Performing Arts Fund Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra ($1.8M). Together the top 10 received $6.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
133 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 65 grants of 133 (49%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
UPAF describes its service region as Southeastern Wisconsin, which it defines as a seven-county region. The 2025 filing’s reported grants went entirely to Wisconsin recipients, all listed in Milwaukee.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
Cities
Is United Performing Arts Fund Inc open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 17 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. How we count
- 94% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−16%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $6.7M (2025) to $8.6M (2021). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $6.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Milwaukee, WI | Financial Support of Operations | $1,802,904 |
| Milwaukee Repretory Theater Milwaukee, WI | Financial Support of Operations | $1,403,860 |
| Milwaukee Ballet Milwaukee, WI | Financial Support of Operations | $784,623 |
| First Stage Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI | Financial Support of Operations | $521,748 |
| Florentine Opera Milwaukee, WI | Financial Support of Operations | $515,539 |
| Skylight Music Theatre Milwaukee, WI | Financial Support of Operations | $422,606 |
| Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Milwaukee, WI | Financial Support of Operations | $383,277 |
| Black Arts Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI | Financial Support of Operations | $160,007 |
| Present Music Milwaukee, WI | Financial Support of Operations | $155,237 |
| Danceworks Milwaukee, WI | Financial Support of Operations | $139,215 |
Ready to take the next step with United Performing Arts Fund Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Amounts below are from the filing data for each year.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $11,718,239 | $8,250,738 | $8,637,173 | $6,713,000 | 17 | $290,550 |
| 2024 | $12,653,978 | $7,598,518 | $8,904,685 | $7,000,160 | 30 | $279,478 |
| 2023 | $13,410,096 | $10,439,171 | $9,717,290 | $7,926,850 | 32 | $457,340 |
| 2022 | $12,908,010 | $9,681,014 | $9,614,383 | $7,990,760 | 29 | $296,615 |
| 2021 | $14,391,026 | $9,375,574 | $9,814,596 | $8,559,680 | 25 | $436,201 |
| 2020 | $13,710,824 | $9,199,608 | $10,218,925 | $7,128,996 | 26 | $-210,719 |
| 2019 | $13,825,429 | $10,323,910 | $10,618,495 | $7,134,232 | 25 | $387,122 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
UPAF’s stated mission is to secure community resources and improve quality of life through responsible investment in and financial support of the performing arts in Southeastern Wisconsin. It identifies raising funds, promoting the performing arts as a regional asset and stewarding donor contributions as specific parts of that mission.
UPAF says its investments span local performing arts organizations of different sizes, focuses and disciplines. Its stated pillars also include arts education and accessibility, with support for programs serving youth in underserved communities and providing accommodations for people of all abilities.
Among its 2025 grantees, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra describes its work as reaching diverse audiences through concerts and education and outreach programs. Milwaukee Ballet says it connects communities through performance, engagement, education and training. First Stage says it enriches the lives of children and families through theater experiences, while Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra says it nurtures and inspires young people through music.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, UPAF reported 17 grants totaling $6,713,000. Grants ranged from $6,000 to $1,802,904, with a median grant of $155,237. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin. The largest awards included:
The listed purposes for these awards were financial support of operations. UPAF’s website describes its affiliate funding as extending support beyond its 14 member groups. In a May 2021 announcement, UPAF said it changed the affiliate program from project-based grants to unrestricted grants. That announcement described a past application cycle for tax-exempt organizations with a performing arts-based mission; applications were subject to board approval.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jim Borris as chairman, Scott Beightol as past chairman, Katy Hook as treasurer and Bill Guc as secretary. It also lists Ryan Barbieri, Steve Booth, Jeff Cady, Andrew Flack, Dan Gallegos and Dustin Godsey as at-large directors.
United Performing Arts Fund Inc is led by Patrick Rath, President & CEO on every filing since 2022; 6 of 30 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Patrick Rath
President & CEO
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$210K (2022) → $47K (2025)
Annemarie Scobey Polacheck
President & CEO
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$74K (2025)
Jim Borris
Chairman
At-Large Director → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sue Connor
Director of Finance
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$104K (2024) → $122K (2025)
Jane Reardon
Director of Finance
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$117K (2025)
George Meyer
At-Large Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Juliet Kersten
At-Large Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Booth
At-Large Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Mitich
At-Large Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel McConeghy
At-Large Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Spanic
At-Large Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dustin Godsey
At-Large Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Witt
At-Large Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Cady
At-Large Director
At- Large Director → At-Large Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Natacha Velez
At-Large Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Barbieri
At-Large Director
At Large Director → At-Large Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Stewart
At-Large Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Schubert
At-Large Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Flack
At-Large Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
C. Greer Jordan
At-Large Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Gallegos
At-Large Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jaya Phookan
At-Large Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ray Snisky
At-Large Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anoop Prakash
At-Large Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Darren Goldstein
At-Large Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bruce Osgood
Chief Administrative Officer
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$124K (2019) → $158K (2025)
Christine Hojnacki
Chief Development Officer
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$132K (2020) → $136K (2025)
Scott Beightol
Past Chairman
At-Large Director → Chairman, 2023
Chairman → Past Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katy Hook
Treasurer
At-Large Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Guc
Secretary
At-Large Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (30)
- Former: Brent Tischler (2019–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Chris Goller (2019–2024) — At-Large Director
- Former: Heather Ramirez (2019–2024) — At-Large Director
- Former: Joe Rock (2019–2024) — At-Large Director
- Former: Tim Mattke (2019–2024) — Past Chairman
- Former: Stephanie Lyons (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Phyllis King (2022–2024) — At-Large Director
- Former: Melanie Maddux (2023–2024) — At-Large Director
- Former: David Lubar (2019–2023) — At-Large Director
- Former: Greg Marcus (2019–2023) — At-Large Director
- Former: Heather Dunn (2019–2023) — At-Large Director
- Former: Stephen Johnson (2019–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Anne Zizzo (2022–2023) — At-Large Director
- Former: David Caruso (2023) — At-Large Director
- Former: Dennis Klumb (2019–2022) — At-Large Director
- Former: Kevin Anderson (2019–2022) — At-Large Director
- Former: Tami Garrison (2019–2022) — At-Large Director
- Former: Deanna Tillisch (2019–2021) — President & CEO
- Former: Julia Taylor (2019–2021) — At-Large Director
- Former: Leslie Barbi (2019–2021) — At-Large Director
- Former: Lynn Minella (2019–2021) — At-Large Director
- Former: Paul Eberle (2019–2021) — At-Large Director
- Former: Rob Sanders (2019–2021) — At-Large Director
- Former: Tom Metcalfe (2019–2021) — At-Large Director
- Former: Christine Culver (2020–2021) — Vice President Development & Member Re
- Former: Jeff Behring (2019–2020) — At-Large Director
- Former: Jon Van Drisse (2019–2020) — At-Large Director
- Former: Marie O'Brien (2019–2020) — At-Large Director
- Former: Rolando Rodriguez (2020) — At-Large Director
- Former: Dave Fantle (2019) — Chief Marketing Officer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $158K, to Bruce Osgood (Chief Administrative Offic). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about United Performing Arts Fund Inc
How much does United Performing Arts Fund Inc give each year?
United Performing Arts Fund Inc gave $6.7M across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $7.0M across 30 grants.
What is United Performing Arts Fund Inc's typical grant size?
United Performing Arts Fund Inc's median grant in 2025 was $155,237, and its average grant was $394,882, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does United Performing Arts Fund Inc give grants?
United Performing Arts Fund Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (16 grants).
Does United Performing Arts Fund Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on United Performing Arts Fund Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Financial Support of Operations" (14 grants) and "Seasonal Program Funds" (3 grants).
Who are United Performing Arts Fund Inc's largest grantees?
United Performing Arts Fund Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra ($1,802,904), Milwaukee Repretory Theater ($1,403,860) and Milwaukee Ballet ($784,623), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 59% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Performing Arts Fund Inc?
United Performing Arts Fund Inc reported $11.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.3M.
What does United Performing Arts Fund Inc fund?
UPAF’s stated mission is to secure community resources and improve quality of life through responsible investment in and financial support of the performing arts in Southeastern Wisconsin. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Performing Arts Fund Inc?
United Performing Arts Fund Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check upaf.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is United Performing Arts Fund Inc's EIN?
United Performing Arts Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6100399. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 15, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 19, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Performing Arts Fund Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation funds nonprofit programs, projects, general operations and capital needs, with priorities including early childhood education, housing, basic needs, health, arts and culture, and scientific research. Its competitive grants primarily serve Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties; in 2024, the median grant was about $27,800, though awards varied widely. It runs competitive grant cycles, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
838
Total Given
$66.8M
Herbert H Kohl Charities Inc
Milwaukee, WI
Herbert H Kohl Charities funds charitable organizations, with its affiliated philanthropy emphasizing education, civic engagement, and community initiatives in Milwaukee and Wisconsin; most 2025 grant dollars went to Wisconsin recipients. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $2 million, with a median of $5,000, and Homegrown Grants offer up to $5,000. It makes contributions only to preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.6M
Grants
258
Total Given
$14.2M
Bert L and Patricia S Steigleder Charitable
Milwaukee, WI
The foundation primarily supports arts and cultural organizations, often with general operating grants, and in 2025 gave $2,500–$30,000, with a median award of $5,000. Most funding goes to Wisconsin organizations; its filing says it does not limit giving to preselected organizations and that inquiries and applications should be submitted in writing.
Assets
$7.3M
Grants
63
Total Given
$490K
Green Bay Packers Foundation
Green Bay, WI
The Green Bay Packers Foundation funds Wisconsin charities working in areas such as families, athletics, children’s safety and education, animal welfare, and other focus areas that vary by year. Its 2026 announcement describes typical awards of $3,000–$8,000, though some grants are larger; it accepts online applications during its stated cycle, February 2–April 1, 2026.
Assets
$57.2M
Grants
530
Total Given
$3.6M
Richard and Ethel Herzfeld
Milwaukee, WI
The foundation funds Wisconsin-based nonprofits in arts and culture, education, and civic improvements, with an emphasis on organizations serving Greater Milwaukee. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $700,000, with a median of $30,000; although a prior filing described preliminary applications, it currently has no open application processes, and remaining 2026 civic improvement and other projects are by invitation only.
Assets
$81.5M
Grants
68
Total Given
$4.2M
Dorothy Inbusch Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
The Dorothy Inbusch Foundation supports arts and cultural organizations, community programs, and disaster relief, primarily in the Greater Milwaukee area. Its 2025 grants ranged from $800 to $50,000, with a median of $3,000. It accepts requests from 501(c)(3) organizations: contact Kathy L. Nusslock and submit a Common Grant Form or equivalent information; the stated deadline is October 31.
Assets
$2.4M
Grants
46
Total Given
$209K
More similar funders
More Funders in Wisconsin
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Performing Arts Fund Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-performing-arts-fund-inc-morg_bf01f26e2fe7426ea9d2ff03661fef56
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_396100399_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Performing Arts Fund Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-performing-arts-fund-inc-morg_bf01f26e2fe7426ea9d2ff03661fef56},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from United Performing Arts Fund Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
United Performing Arts Fund Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?