The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread

09/09/2026

If your work is helping communities thrive through collaboration and civic engagement, now is the time to explore these grant opportunities from Herb Kohl Philanthropies:

📌 The Collaborative Fund: Supports cross-sector partnerships working to improve education, deepen civic participation, and advance community health and well-being in the Greater Milwaukee area. Applications are due September 25, 2026.

📌 The Civic Engagement RFP: Supports Wisconsin organizations working to help people become more informed, connected, and engaged in their communities through civic knowledge, participation, civil dialogue, trust-building, and community involvement. Applications are due September 30, 2026.

Learn more: https://www.herbkohlphilanthropies.org/funding-opportunities/

09/03/2026

Wisconsin has expanded Medicaid postpartum coverage, allowing eligible parents to maintain coverage for up to one year after giving birth. This change increases access to physical, mental, and preventive health care during a critical period for parents and families.

Learn more about the expansion: https://www.wpr.org/news/gov-tony-evers-signs-law-extending-postpartum-medicaid-coverage

Building awareness of changes like these is one of the many ways the Safety & Well-Being Collaborative's Parenting Programs and Support Action Team is helping connect Racine families with information and support. The Action Team is also co-sponsoring an upcoming webinar on Postpartum Medicaid Expansion & the BadgerCare Plus Prenatal Plan, featuring updates on eligibility, coverage timelines, and available benefits.

Thousands of mothers in Wisconsin will now have access to postpartum medicaid coverage after Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill extending the program from 60 days to one year.

08/27/2026

What would make childcare work better for your family? Your answers can help inform policies and investments that support children and families across Racine County.

If you're a parent or caregiver who lives and/or works in Racine County, consider sharing your experiences as Higher Expectations for Racine County and other partners advocate for a stronger, more accessible childcare system.

bit.ly/RacineChildCareSurvey

We want to hear from parents and caregivers who live and/or work in Racine County. This survey takes just a few minutes and your responses are confidential.

Your input will help us advocate for a stronger, more accessible child care system, both locally and at the state level, as part of our work with The Wisconsin Partnership.

Take the survey here: bit.ly/RacineChildCareSurvey

Know other parents or caregivers in Racine County? Please share this post, every response helps strengthen our case for change!

08/26/2026

Hello from Chicago! As part of the Safety and Well-Being Collaborative, members of the Reentry Supports team visited the Justice Project to learn more about the Illinois Reentry Council and its efforts to reduce barriers to a successful return to the community.

As Racine’s Reentry Council prepares to launch, the team is learning from neighboring municipal and statewide models to inform local strategy and strengthen support for people returning to the community.

08/25/2026

Public defense is essential to equal justice, yet many attorneys doing this work face overwhelming caseloads and limited resources.

Earlier this month, public defense leaders from across the country gathered at The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread to advance their mission of strengthening public defense independence. The convening focused on defining independence, building consensus on national standards, and developing actionable recommendations to protect the right to counsel.

We were honored to provide the space for these important conversations.

National Association for Public Defense

08/17/2026

We are saddened to learn of the passing of former Johnson Foundation at Wingspread President Boyd Gibbons, who led the Foundation from 1997 to 2007. During his tenure, Boyd helped further Wingspread’s tradition of bringing people together to address pressing public issues, with many convenings focused on education, environmental stewardship, sustainability, and public policy.

A conservationist, writer, and public servant, Boyd dedicated his life to advancing environmental understanding and responsible stewardship of our natural resources. His thoughtful leadership, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to dialogue left a lasting mark on The Foundation and the many people who gathered at Wingspread during his presidency.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Boyd’s family, friends, and all who were fortunate to know him.

08/14/2026

For nearly as long as The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread has existed, the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has gathered here to help shape the future of America’s fire and emergency services.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Institute’s first convening at Wingspread, bringing together leaders from across the profession to share knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and explore solutions related to leadership, technology, firefighter health and safety, and public safety partnerships. We’re proud to continue hosting this longstanding tradition of service and innovation.

07/30/2026

It’s been one month since the Safety and Well-being Collaborative launched its solutions after three years of community listening. Built in direct response to what Racine families said they need, these four solutions reflect the priorities, experiences, and hopes shared by the community.

Now, the focus turns to sustaining that momentum and continuing to learn alongside the community.

This month, collaborative members gathered for a quarterly meeting to celebrate progress, share key learnings, and begin shaping a shared vision for the future of the Collaborative and its action teams.

Learn more about each solution and the community priorities that shaped them on our website: https://www.johnsonfdn.org/current-initiative