Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau
ActiveCommunity Improvement
About Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau
To grow the economic impact of tourism by inspiring and encouraging travel to the community through innovative marketing & economic development strategies, benefiting our visitors, community, and business partners.
Focus Areas
tourismmarketingeconomic developmentmeetings & conventionssports eventsvisitor services
Who They Fund
Wisconsin Dells area community / local governmenttourism and attraction operatorssports event organizers and participantsvisitors and tourists
Funding Style
capital development / infrastructureproject-specific development grants
About Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau
A $5.8 million grant to the City of Wisconsin Dells for development of the Elm Street Plaza shows how Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau Inc uses philanthropy as a tool for destination development. The bureau’s giving links tourism promotion, economic development, and visitor amenities, with awards aimed at projects that bring people to the Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton area. In 2024, the foundation also backed a $3.2 million development grant for Land of Natura LLC’s attraction project, reflecting a pattern of support for capital projects tied to the visitor economy. Smaller awards in the same year reached local festivals and sports event organizers, indicating that the funder works across both place-based development and event attraction. Its grants are typically project-specific and often tied to marketing, transportation, venue readiness, or similar event costs. The bureau’s stated purpose is to grow the economic impact of tourism by encouraging travel to the community through marketing and economic development strategies, benefiting visitors, community members, and business partners.
What Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau Funds
A major part of the bureau’s work is tourism and attraction development. In 2024, it gave $66,364 to Lajali LLC (Yeti Yard) for development of Adventur Park, a project aligned with recreational park and attraction development. It also made a large capital award to the City of Wisconsin Dells for Elm Street Plaza, linking public open space development with the visitor economy. Event-based support is another clear thread. The bureau awarded $30,000 to Netlynx Inc for a sports grant to bring events to the Wisconsin Dells area, and $5,500 to Varsity Spirit LLC for the same purpose. It also supported local programming through a $121,780 general-support grant to Wisconsin Dells Festivals Inc. Across these examples, the funding connects visitor traffic, event hosting, and local economic activity.
How Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau Gives
Typical grant size ranges from a first quartile of $39,091 to a median of $94,072, with the third quartile at $2,430,445. That spread points to a mix of smaller event grants and much larger development awards. The 2024 roster shows both local recipients and outside event organizers, suggesting the bureau funds recurring destination-building needs as well as one-off event opportunities. The foundation is not a donor-advised fund and does not fund individuals. Several active programs are open to unsolicited requests, including sports and meeting/convention grants; one meeting/convention grant listing specifies applications must be submitted at least 90 days in advance.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$9.2M
Total Assets
$33.4M
Total Revenue
$18.5M
Total Expenses
$21.2M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $39K and $2.4M, with a median of $94K.
25th Percentile
$39K
Median
$94K
75th Percentile
$2.4M
Geographic Reach
Regional3 states funded
About 67% of grants go to recipients in WI.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
JOHN CHASTAN
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