UPAF advances the vitality of Southeastern Wisconsin by raising essential funds, providing strategic stewardship and inspiring involvement in the performing arts.
United Performing Arts Fund Inc. centers its giving on the operating strength of Southeastern Wisconsin’s performing arts community. Its recent grants are dominated by sustained support for core institutions in Milwaukee, with large annual awards repeated across 2023, 2024, and 2025. The pattern shows funding for orchestras, theater, ballet, opera, and youth arts organizations rather than one-off project prizes. Milwaukee Repertory Theater received more than one grant across the period, including $1,761,223 in 2023, $1,679,574 in 2024, and $1,602,071 in 2025 for financial support of operations. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra also appears repeatedly, with awards of $1,858,968 in 2023, $1,469,214 in 2024, and $1,360,334 in 2025 for operations. Other recurring beneficiaries include Milwaukee Ballet, First Stage Milwaukee, and Florentine Opera, all funded on an operating basis. The funder also reaches organizations such as Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, Skylight Music Theatre, Danceworks, and Present Music. This gives the profile a clear shape: a local arts intermediary channeling sizable, recurring support to keep a regional performing arts ecosystem functioning.
A major theme is general operating support for performing arts institutions. Milwaukee Ballet received $955,970 in 2023, $925,304 in 2024, and $809,663 in 2025, all listed as financial support of operations. First Stage Milwaukee was funded at $840,263 in 2023 and $894,216 in 2024, with another $734,983 in 2025. Youth and arts education also appear in the portfolio. Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra received $472,648 in 2024 and $436,136 in 2025 for financial support of operations, after a $400,360 grant in 2023. UPAF also made a $195,430 seasonal program grant to Black Arts Milwaukee in 2024, showing support for program delivery during a specific period rather than only annual operations. The funder’s reach includes theatre and contemporary performance as well. Renaissance Theaterworks received $199,443 in 2024 and $168,238 in 2025, while Present Music received $191,642 in 2025.
Grant size is uneven, with a p25 of $7,500, a median of $21,250, and a p75 of $201,131. That spread reflects a mix of smaller community-impact awards and much larger operating grants to core organizations. The recent grant list also shows clear recurrence: several recipients appear in multiple years, often with updated annual operating support rather than one-time project funding. The pattern fits a local grantmaker with structured ongoing relationships, not a donor-advised vehicle or individual-giving model. UPAF does not fund individuals, and the active program descriptions point to annual affiliate and member support, including donor-designated community impact programs. Application mode is mixed: one affiliate program accepts unsolicited applications, while member support and community impact programs are not open that way.
$7M
$12.7M
$7.6M
$8.9M
Most grants fall between $8K and $201K, with a median of $21K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$21K
75th Percentile
$201K
JIM BORRIS
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Giving is overwhelmingly local. All 91 grants in the country distribution went to U.S. recipients, and 99% of grants were made to organizations in Wisconsin. The recent grant list is concentrated in Milwaukee, with nearly every named recipient based there. Examples include Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Ballet, First Stage Milwaukee, and Florentine Opera. The program descriptions also point to Southeastern Wisconsin as the main service area, not a broader regional or national footprint.
It supports performing arts organizations and related programs in Southeastern Wisconsin, including music, dance, theater, and opera. The recent grants list shows recurring operating support for organizations such as Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Ballet, First Stage Milwaukee, and Florentine Opera.
Yes. The active programs include UPAF Bright Minds for arts education and UPAF Arts Accessibility / Kasey’s Fund for inclusion and access. The program descriptions say these efforts support youth arts programming, access initiatives, and efforts that remove barriers to participation in the performing arts.
The grant-size distribution ranges from a p25 of $7,500 to a median of $21,250 and a p75 of $201,131. Recent grants also include larger operating awards above $1 million for major Milwaukee institutions, showing a wide spread between smaller awards and core operating support.
Yes. The geographic scope is listed as local, and 99% of grants went to recipients in Wisconsin. The recent grants are concentrated in Milwaukee, and the program descriptions consistently reference Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin.
Some can. The UPAF Annual Affiliate Grant Program is described as accepting unsolicited applications, while member support and community impact programs are not. The affiliate cycle is annual and currently closed for the fiscal year.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from United Performing Arts Fund that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Performing arts groups located in Southeastern Wisconsin; selected Affiliates vary by year.
Deadline: The current fiscal year is closed; the next funding cycle is for the 2026-2027 season.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,602,071 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,360,334 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| MILWAUKEE BALLET | MILWAUKEE, WI | $809,663 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| FIRST STAGE MILWAUKEE |
| MILWAUKEE, WI |
| $734,983 |
| 2025 |
| FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| FLORENTINE OPERA | MILWAUKEE, WI | $579,034 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| MILWAUKEE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | MILWAUKEE, WI | $436,136 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $328,666 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| PRESENT MUSIC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $191,642 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| DANCEWORKS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $171,860 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| RENAISSANCE THEATERWORKS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $168,238 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| BLACK ARTS MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $166,667 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| NEXT ACT THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $140,829 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $118,390 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| BEL CANTO CHORUS | FRANKLIN, WI | $60,147 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| KID'S FROM WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $16,000 | 2025 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| LATINO ARTS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $16,000 | 2025 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| WISCONSIN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $15,500 | 2025 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| RACINE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | RACINE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| WILD SPACE DANCE COMPANY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $8,000 | 2025 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| OPTIMIST THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,500 | 2025 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| SIGNATURE DANCE COMPANY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,500 | 2025 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| MILWAUKEE JAZZ INSTITUTE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,500 | 2025 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $7,500 | 2025 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| MILWAUKEE OPERA THEATRE | ELM GROVE, WI | $5,500 | 2025 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| FESTIVAL CITY SYMPHONY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,500 | 2025 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| BEMBE DRUM & DANCE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| ABOVE THE CLOUDS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| WAUKESHA CIVIC THEATRE | WAUKESHA, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| PIANOARTS OF WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| FRANKLY MUSIC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $5,000 | 2025 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,679,574 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,469,214 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| MILWAUKEE BALLET | MILWAUKEE, WI | $925,304 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| FIRST STAGE MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $894,216 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| FLORENTINE OPERA | MILWAUKEE, WI | $658,253 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| MILWAUKEE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | MILWAUKEE, WI | $472,648 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $436,123 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| DANCEWORKS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $247,715 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| RENAISSANCE THEATERWORKS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $199,443 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| BLACK ARTS MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $195,430 | 2024 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| NEXT ACT THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $160,454 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| PRESENT MUSIC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $141,489 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATRE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $123,557 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| BEL CANTO CHORUS | FRANKLIN, WI | $81,386 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| MILWAUKEE JAZZ INSTITUTE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $32,500 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| KID'S FROM WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $21,500 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| RACINE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | RACINE, WI | $20,250 | 2024 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| ABOVE THE CLOUDS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $20,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS |
| LATINO ARTS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $19,500 | 2024 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
| FESTIVAL CITY SYMPHONY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $18,125 | 2024 | SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS |
DANCEWORKS
$171,860FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS
BLACK ARTS MILWAUKEE
$166,667FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS
BEL CANTO CHORUS
$60,147FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS
KID'S FROM WISCONSIN
$16,000SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
LATINO ARTS
$16,000SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
RACINE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$10,000SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
WILD SPACE DANCE COMPANY
$8,000SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
OPTIMIST THEATRE
$7,500SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
SIGNATURE DANCE COMPANY
$7,500SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
MILWAUKEE JAZZ INSTITUTE
$7,500SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
MARCUS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$7,500SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
MILWAUKEE OPERA THEATRE
$5,500SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
FESTIVAL CITY SYMPHONY
$5,500SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
BEMBE DRUM & DANCE
$5,000SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
ABOVE THE CLOUDS
$5,000SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
WAUKESHA CIVIC THEATRE
$5,000SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
PIANOARTS OF WISCONSIN
$5,000SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
FRANKLY MUSIC
$5,000SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
DANCEWORKS
$247,715FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS
BLACK ARTS MILWAUKEE
$195,430SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
BEL CANTO CHORUS
$81,386FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS
MILWAUKEE JAZZ INSTITUTE
$32,500FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS
KID'S FROM WISCONSIN
$21,500FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS
RACINE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$20,250SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
ABOVE THE CLOUDS
$20,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF OPERATIONS
LATINO ARTS
$19,500SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
FESTIVAL CITY SYMPHONY
$18,125SEASONAL PROGRAM FUNDS
