Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) is a trade association and nonprofit organization headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. Founded in 1891, WCMA serves as the collective voice of the U.S. cheese industry, representing more than 850 member organizations operating across 44 states and around the world. The organization functions as a policy advocate, networking hub, and trusted source of education and information for cheese and dairy manufacturers, processors, and their industry supplier partners.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.9M
+51.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.1M
Grant Count
76
Avg Grant Size
$68K
Mission & Focus Areas
WCMA's stated mission is to be the voice of the cheese industry, using the collective knowledge and expertise of its members to promote excellence in the U.S. cheese industry. The organization works to maintain a positive, competitive climate for dairy manufacturers and marketers through advocacy at state and federal government levels.
Primary program areas include:
- Cheese industry conferences and trade shows that provide members with educational insights into products and technology
- Industry education and research programs
- Cheese contests that promote quality cheese manufacturing
- Scholarship opportunities for industry professionals
- Food safety initiatives through the Dairy Food Safety Alliance, conducted in partnership with the Center for Dairy Research and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin
- Technical dairy competitions, including the world's largest technical dairy competitions and the largest cheese industry exposition in the Western Hemisphere
- Advocacy on fair and reasonable regulation and legislation at both state and federal levels
Grantmaking
WCMA makes grants to support dairy industry advancement and education. Recent grantmaking activity includes:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
WCMA's grantmaking focuses primarily on Wisconsin, Ohio, and Missouri, though the organization's membership extends across 44 states and internationally.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Fiscal Year (FYE June 2024):
- Total Assets: $8,877,082
- Total Revenues: $9,474,925
- Total Expenses: $8,643,625
- Total Giving: $5,183,443
Revenue Breakdown (FYE June 2024):
- Grants and Contributions: $5,354,002
- Program Services: $3,818,551
- Investment Income and Dividends: $107,274
- Net Income from Fundraising Events: $132,380
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $62,718
Prior Year (FYE June 2023):
- Total Assets: $5.85M
- Total Revenues: $3.17M
- Total Expenses: $2.74M
The organization is designated as a 501(c)(6) entity. Donations to WCMA are not tax deductible.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,877,082 | $5,850,466 | $4,571,560 |
| Revenue | $9,474,925 | $3,166,949 | $3,452,824 |
| Expenses | $8,643,625 | $2,744,956 | $2,700,594 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $169,992 | $189,242 | $95,662 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
51 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cedar Grove Cheese Inc ($172,585), Alpinage Cheese Llc ($153,059), Rosewood Dairy Inc ($137,235).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALPINAGE CHEESE LLC OAK CREEK, WI | NEW CHEESE AGING FACILITY TO SUPPORTIN GROWTH, REACH SUSTAINABILITY AND DEVELOP BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES. INVEST IN CHEESE PACKAGING AND CUTTING SOLUTIONS | $153,059 |
| AUGMENT LLC MADISON, WI | MAKE NATURAL WHITE POWDER FROM ACID WHEY + MILLETS TO REPLACE TITANIUM DIOXIDE IN PRODUCTS | $48,766 |
| BEAUTY VIEW DAIRY PRODUCTS LLC WAHOO, NE | ON FARM ICE CREAM PROCESSING | $38,099 |
| BERNING ACRES INC EAST DUBUQUE, IL | PRIVATE LABEL CHEESE SALES EXPANSION | $18,244 |
| BLACK RADDISH CREAMERY ALEXANDRIA, OH | EXPANSION OF SMALL FORMAT BLOOMY AND WASHED RIND CHEESES | $53,244 |
| BOBELL CHEESE COMPANY BURBANK, OH | LARGER CHEESE VAT PASTERURIZER | $46,460 |
| BOLD SPOON CREAMERY LLC PARK HILLS, MO | EXPANSION OF ICE CREAM MANUFACTURING CAPACITY | $82,743 |
| CANNONBELLES CHEESE INC CANNON FALLS, MN | NEW CHEESES TO PRODUCT LINE, STREAMLINING THE MAKE PROCESS AND EDUCTING THE PUBLIC | $7,276 |
| CEDAR GROVE CHEESE INC PLAIN, WI | CLIMATE CURD PROJECT | $172,585 |
| CHARLEVOIX CHEESE COMPANY INC CHARLEVOIX, MI | EXPANDING PRODUCT LINE WITH GRYERE FOR MICHIGAN FARMSTEAD CREAMERY | $53,947 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel include:
- John Umhoefer: Executive Director
- Judy Keller: Events Director
- Sara Schmidt: Membership Director
- Orphee Paillotin: Board Member
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RANDY LAGRANDER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MIKE SIPPLE | SECOND VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| BRIAN BAKER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRUCE WORKMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRIS RENARD | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| TIM OMER | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| RICHARD GUGGISBERG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MIKE HINRICHSEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DOUG WILKE | FIRST VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| JEFF GENTINE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRIS ROELLI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KYLE JENSEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TOM DAHMEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KIM HEIMAN | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| GREG ALBERTS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MAT BARTKOWIAK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PAUL BAUER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STEVE DOYLE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BOB GRECO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DECLAN ROCHE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STEVE STETTLER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN UMHOEFER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $258,490 |
| JUDY KELLER | SENIOR DIRECTOR, EVENTS | 40 | $142,178 |
| REBEKAH SWEENEY | SENIOR DIRECTOR, PROGRAMS & POLICY | 40 | $174,008 |
| DANICA NILSESTUEN | DIRECTOR, SUSTAINABILITY & GRANTS | 40 | $102,672 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
WCMA awarded 2026 student scholarships to future industry leaders
WCMA Awards 2026 Student Scholarships to Future Industry LeadersThe organization continues to host major industry events including the world's largest technical dairy competitions and the largest cheese industry exposition in the Western Hemisphere
WCMA Awards 2026 Student Scholarships to Future Industry LeadersWCMA actively participates in the Dairy Food Safety Alliance, delivering food safety information to dairy product manufacturers, processors, and suppliers
DBIA Awards $2.5 Million to 31 Dairy BusinessesFrequently Asked Questions
What does Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association fund?
WCMA's stated mission is to be the voice of the cheese industry, using the collective knowledge and expertise of its members to promote excellence in the U.S. cheese industry. The organization works to maintain a positive, competitive climate for dairy manufacturers and marketers through advocacy at state and federal government levels. Primary program areas include: • **Cheese industry conferences and trade shows** that provide members with educational insights into products and technology • **…
How do I apply for a grant from Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association?
WCMA makes grants to support dairy industry advancement and education. Recent grantmaking activity includes: • **University of Wisconsin River Falls Foundation**: $450,000 grant in 2024 for expansion of a dairy processing facility Total giving reported at $5,183,443 in the most recent fiscal year (2024). Grant amounts typically range from $6,350 to $450,000.
Where does Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association make grants?
WCMA's grantmaking focuses primarily on Wisconsin, Ohio, and Missouri, though the organization's membership extends across 44 states and internationally.
What size grants does Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association award?
In 2024, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association awarded 76 grants totaling $5.1M — an average of about $68K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association's EIN?
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-0712619. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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