Wisconsin Literacy Inc
Wisconsin Literacy Inc. is a Madison-based public charity and statewide coalition that strengthens adult and family literacy by supporting local literacy programs, providing training and capacity-building, and working in health literacy, workforce connections, and advocacy. The organization says its support reaches communities across Wisconsin through its member agencies and regional staff.
Wisconsin Literacy Inc at a glance
In short: Wisconsin Literacy Inc gave $1.7M across 19 grants in 2025 (avg $88K), mostly in Wisconsin. 32% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,671,550
- -21.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 19
- -61.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $87,976
- +102.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $64,409
- Total assets
- $1,216,174
- +170.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (6 of 19, 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 Wisconsin Literacy Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 211 S Paterson St Ste 170 170, Madison, WI 53703-4539
Phone: (608) 257-1655
Website: https://wisconsinliteracy.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Wisconsin Literacy Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Community Center for Immigrants Inc ($228K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
86 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 53 grants of 86 (62%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Wisconsin Literacy describes itself as a statewide coalition. Its 2024 filing says its member-agency support reached 77.7% of Wisconsin counties; its website describes members serving 89% of counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Wisconsin Literacy Inc open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 19 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $76K; repeat grants $94K. How we count
Medians: $68K first-time, $62K repeat.
- 68% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2023–2025). 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 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $739K (2023) to $2.1M (2024). In 2025 it made 19 grants totaling $1.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Center for Immigrants Inc Milwaukee, WI | To support brp ell, and dcf lit svcs programs. | $227,987 |
| Literacy Network Madison, WI | To support brp ell and dcf lit svcs programs. | $208,412 |
| International Institue of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI | To Support BRP Ell Program. | $164,651 |
| Neighborhood House of Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI | To support brp ell and dcf lit svcs programs. | $163,688 |
| Hanan Refugees Relief Group Milwaukee, WI | To Support BRP Ell Program. | $155,020 |
| Literacy Green Bay Inc Green Bay, WI | To support brp ell and dcf lit svcs programs. | $73,478 |
| Winnebago Area Literacy Council Co Winnebago Public Library Oshkosh, WI | To Support BRP Ell Program. | $71,884 |
| Family Resource Center of Sheboygan County Plymouth, WI | To support brp ell and dcf lit svcs programs. | $70,917 |
| Literacy Services of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI | To Support BRP Ell Program. | $69,315 |
| New Beginnings for Refugees Wausau, WI | To Support BRP Ell Program. | $64,409 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,216,174 | $4,250,668 | $4,189,926 | $1,671,550 | 19 | $16 |
| 2024 | $449,450 | $4,180,614 | $4,287,071 | $2,131,170 | 49 | $21 |
| 2023 | $576,681 | $2,567,189 | $2,699,376 | $739,383 | 18 | $10 |
| 2022 | $355,424 | $1,313,626 | $1,455,251 | — | — | $31 |
| 2021 | $551,299 | $1,095,726 | $938,370 | — | — | $56 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is “Changing lives by strengthening literacy statewide.” Its website describes work in adult and family literacy, health literacy, workforce support, training, and advocacy. It says membership is open to formally organized nonprofit literacy providers offering basic skills services to adults and/or families.
In 2023, supported organizations included the Racine Literacy Council, whose mission is to provide reading and writing instruction to Racine County residents through trained volunteer tutors; Community Center for Immigrants, which says it provides English and citizenship education and immigration legal services; and Latino Academy of Workforce Development, which says it provides linguistically and culturally competent adult education. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not Wisconsin Literacy’s.
Grantmaking
IRS filing data reports $739,383 in grants across 18 grants in 2023, an average of about $41,077 per grant. The 2024 and 2025 filing data each report zero grants. The organization’s 2024 filing narrative separately states that it awarded grants to subrecipients on a cost-reimbursement basis and maintained records to document their use of funds. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 19 grants totaling $1.7 million.
Selected 2023 grantees and reported amounts include People of Progression Inc. ($52,438), Multicultural Coalition Inc. ($47,024), Community Center for Immigrants Incorporated ($45,897), Hmong American Friendship Association Inc. ($45,754), Racine Literacy Council Inc. ($30,854), and Latino Academy of Workforce Development ($14,979).
The website also describes a funding opportunity for Wisconsin Literacy members serving eligible refugee populations with English-language learning services, supported by the Bureau of Refugee Programs under the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. It directs applicants to complete an application and budget template. The page lists a September 10 submission deadline but does not state the year, so it does not establish a current application cycle.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Steve Mundt as chair; Aaron McCann as vice chair; and Olayinka Shiyanbola, Greg Coleman, Alex Shade, Melissa Quinn, Justin Rivas, Christina Outlay, and Meghan Gaffney as directors. Jacob Gorges is listed as executive director.
Wisconsin Literacy Inc is led by Michele Erikson, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 3 of 17 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michele Erikson
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$77K (2021) → $35K (2025)
Jacob Gorges
Executive Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$88K (2025)
Steve Mundt
Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alex Shade
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Olayinka Shiyanbola Phd Bpharm
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Johnson
Director
Member Representative → Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Justin Rivas Mph Mipa
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anna Krause
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christina Outlay
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Coleman
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jackie Gerhart
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Quinn
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meghan Gaffney
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greg Pitts
Controller
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$10K (2023) → $86K (2025)
Aaron McCann
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melinda Orebaugh
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dawn Weckerle
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: April Kigeya (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Christine Buentello (2021–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Debbie Kutchin (2021–2023) — Director of Finance & Administration · Filing note: Retired dec 2022
- Former: Dennis Winters (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jessica Doyle (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Julie A. Furst-Bowe (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jon Gilgenbach (2022–2023) — Member Representative
- Former: Nicole Horsley (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Oscar Tovar (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Liz Hart (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Bill Boyle (2021) — Chair
- Former: Holly McCoy (2021) — Director
- Former: John Johnson PhD (2021) — Director
- Former: Judy Woodburn (2021) — Secretary
- Former: Tim Bartholow MD (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $88K, to Jacob Gorges (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Wisconsin Literacy Inc
How much does Wisconsin Literacy Inc give each year?
Wisconsin Literacy Inc gave $1.7M across 19 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.1M across 49 grants.
What is Wisconsin Literacy Inc's typical grant size?
Wisconsin Literacy Inc's median grant in 2025 was $64,409, and its average grant was $87,976, across 19 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Wisconsin Literacy Inc that year got $76K on average.
Where does Wisconsin Literacy Inc give grants?
Wisconsin Literacy 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 (6 grants), Green Bay, WI (2 grants) and Wausau, WI (2 grants).
Does Wisconsin Literacy Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 19 grants with a stated purpose on Wisconsin Literacy Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Support BRP Ell, and DCF Lit Svcs Programs." (11 grants) and "To Support BRP Ell Program." (8 grants).
Who are Wisconsin Literacy Inc's largest grantees?
Wisconsin Literacy Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Community Center for Immigrants Inc ($227,987), Literacy Network ($208,412) and International Institue of Wisconsin ($164,651), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Wisconsin Literacy Inc?
Wisconsin Literacy Inc reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.3M.
What does Wisconsin Literacy Inc fund?
The organization’s mission is “Changing lives by strengthening literacy statewide.” Its website describes work in adult and family literacy, health literacy, workforce support, training, and advocacy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Wisconsin Literacy Inc?
Wisconsin Literacy Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check wisconsinliteracy.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Wisconsin Literacy Inc's EIN?
Wisconsin Literacy Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1628898. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 24, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 20, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Wisconsin Literacy Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/wisconsin-literacy-inc-morg_9e0ccc1037a846369d8a1901115f7e4e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_391628898_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Wisconsin Literacy Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/wisconsin-literacy-inc-morg_9e0ccc1037a846369d8a1901115f7e4e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 Wisconsin Literacy 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.
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