The Johnson Foundation
The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable foundation in Racine, Wisconsin, that convenes leaders through its Frank Lloyd Wright-designed conference center and 7-Step Convening Process to advance community-led solutions, currently focused on family well-being and economic security in southeastern Wisconsin.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1959
- HeadquartersRacine, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Johnson Foundation does
The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization established in 1959 when Herbert Fisk Johnson, Jr. donated the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Wingspread estate to promote the free exchange of constructive and purposeful ideas. Headquartered on a 36-acre campus along Lake Michigan in Racine, Wisconsin, the foundation operates as a community convenor, hosting private executive retreats, conferences, and meetings at the Wingspread Retreat and Executive Conference Center (max capacity 36 participants) and applying its proprietary 7-Step Convening Process to drive sustained community-led progress on complex social issues.
The foundation's core programmatic vehicle is the Safety and Well-Being Collaborative, a current Strategic Initiative focused on building a Racine where every family can thrive, with action teams addressing food access, job and workplace supports, parenting programs, and reentry support. Past initiatives include the Charting New Waters freshwater convening (2008–2014, 600+ experts), the Resilient Communities Initiative, the Racine Collaborative for Children's Mental Health, and the Greater Racine Collaborative for Healthy Birth Outcomes. The foundation also offers a virtual guided historical tour of Wingspread's Great Hall as a digital channel.
The business model is hybrid: the foundation earns venue-related revenue from hosting private executive retreats and non-profit co-sponsored conferences at Wingspread (custom, quote-based pricing not publicly disclosed), and is sustained by the stewardship of three generations of the Johnson family — currently chaired by Helen Johnson-Leipold. The foundation is explicitly independent of S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. A 2025 rebrand to 'The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread' introduced a new mission, vision, and logo to sharpen community-centered positioning.
The Johnson Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Johnson Foundation
- Legal name
- The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread
- Website
- https://johnsonfdn.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1959
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable foundation in Racine, Wisconsin, that convenes leaders through its Frank Lloyd Wright-designed conference center and 7-Step Convening Process to advance community-led solutions, currently focused on family well-being and economic security in southeastern Wisconsin.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Johnson Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Conference and Retreat Venue Services
- NAICS
- Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Conference Retreat Hotels (THAGALAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Executive Leadership Summits (C-Suite, Board, Strategy Offsites) (THAHAMAA), Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues (THAHAAAB), Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)
Keywords
Where The Johnson Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Racine
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Johnson Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Conference and Retreat Hosting: The foundation generates revenue by hosting private executive retreats, conferences, and meetings at the Wingspread Retreat and Executive Conference Center. Groups rent the facility for purpose-driven work within their historical and inspiring environment. The venue accommodates small to mid-size groups with maximum capacity of 36 participants for conferences.
- Non-Profit Co-Sponsorship: The foundation partners with non-profit organizations to co-sponsor conferences and meetings that align with their program priorities, providing their facilities and expertise in exchange for collaborative programming.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom conference hosting rates |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Johnson Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread hosts private executive retreats, conferences, and multi-stakeholder convenings at the Wingspread Retreat and Executive Conference Center, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed National Historic Landmark on a 36-acre campus in Racine, Wisconsin. The foundation applies its proprietary 7-Step Convening Process to facilitate purpose-driven gatherings for non-profit organizations, executive groups, and community collaborators, with a maximum capacity of 36 participants per conference.
Product overview
The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread operates as a community-centered foundation offering venue and convening services centered around Wingspread, a historic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed conference facility. The core offering is the Wingspread Conference Center, which provides executive retreat and private meeting services for organizations. Supporting this are digital offerings including a Virtual Guided Historical Tour of the property. The Foundation's programmatic work includes the Safety and Well-Being Collaborative (current initiative) and past initiatives such as the Resilient Communities Initiative and Charting New Waters. The organization also offers its proprietary 7-Step Convening Process as a methodology for community engagement. The portfolio functions as an integrated system where the physical venue serves as a gathering space for community-focused initiatives that address regional challenges.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Wingspread Retreat and Executive Conference Center Historic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed conference and retreat facility offering private executive retreats, leadership meetings, and event hosting on a 36-acre natural landscape campus along Lake Michigan in Racine, Wisconsin. Accommodates small to mid-size groups with a maximum conference capacity of 36 participants.
- Non-Profit Conference Co-Sponsorship Program Structured program through which non-profit organizations submit conference inquiry forms to propose events aligned with the foundation's program priorities, enabling joint convening with facilities, facilitation, and co-sponsorship support.
- Virtual Guided Historical Tour Interactive 360-degree virtual tour experience of Wingspread's Great Hall featuring guided narration on the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright design and historical significance, available to remote audiences via the foundation website.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced African American infant mortality rates through improved healthcare access and reduced social/economic inequities
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Johnson Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Johnson Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
The Johnson Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and notable.
- Racine/Kenosha Community Action AgencycoreCo-sponsored the Healthy Birth Outcomes Community Action Plan to combat African American infant mortality crisis in Racine. The collaborative created resulted in increased access to quality healthcare and strengthened families.
- Presidential Climate Action Plan Co-SponsorsmajorThe Presidential Climate Action Plan Summit was co-sponsored by Wirth Chair at University of Colorado Denver and the Baum Foundation. The leadership summit developed a presidential action plan on climate change for the 2009 administration.
- Policy Framework for Racial Justice ParticipantsmajorThe Johnson Foundation hosted the development of the 1983 Policy Framework for Racial Justice, a significant national initiative that brought together thought leaders to address racial justice issues.
- National Endowment for the ArtsnotableThe National Endowment for the Arts has utilized Wingspread as an inspirational setting, contributing to the foundation's long history of convening thought leaders on important societal issues.
- National Public RadionotableNational Public Radio has utilized the Wingspread venue for important discussions and convenings, leveraging the unique environment for thought leadership.
- International Criminal CourtnotableThe International Criminal Court has convened at Wingspread, utilizing the facility's unique setting for high-level discussions on justice and international law matters.
- Public AlliesnotablePublic Allies has utilized the Wingspread venue for leadership development and convenings, aligning with the foundation's mission to bring people together for positive change.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Johnson Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Aspen Institute: Most direct peer given the combination of a historic campus (Aspen Meadows Resort) with convening of executive leaders and policy makers through programs like the Aspen Strategy Group and Socrates Program. Operates a similar dual model of venue hosting plus leadership convening.
- The Pocantico Center: National Historic Landmark venue at the Rockefeller estate in Sleepy Hollow, NY, hosting convenings, cultural events, and meetings. Directly comparable as another family-donated historic estate repurposed for executive meetings, convenings, and cultural programming.
- Skoll Foundation: Foundation that convenes social entrepreneurs and supports large-scale change initiatives through partnerships and storytelling. Comparable in using convening, co-sponsorship, and partnership models to drive social impact, though focused globally rather than regionally.
- Case Foundation: Family foundation that uses convening, partnerships, and storytelling to advance social impact. Comparable as a family foundation leveraging convening power, strategic philanthropy, and partner networks to drive community-level outcomes.
- Rockefeller Brothers Fund: Multi-generational Rockefeller family foundation with convening programs on sustainability, education, and inclusive economies. Comparable as a family foundation that combines grantmaking with convening and operates with a similar independent governance model.
Broad incumbents
- W.K. Kellogg Foundation: Large U.S. foundation focused on children's well-being, racial equity, and community engagement, including the Kellogg Conference Center. Comparable in community-focused grantmaking and convening, but operates at significantly larger scale and broader geographic scope.
- Ford Foundation: One of the largest U.S. foundations with global operations and extensive convening of policy and social change leaders. Comparable in using convening for social impact and operating a dedicated conference facility, but at vastly greater scale.
- Brookings Institution: Think tank that convenes policy makers, business leaders, and academics for high-impact discussions. Comparable in convening leaders for policy and societal impact, but operates as a research institution rather than a foundation with a historic venue.
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Major U.S. health-focused foundation that uses convening to advance public health and health equity. Comparable in foundation-based convening for community impact, particularly relevant given the Johnson Foundation's own work on children's mental health.
Emerging players
- Cranbrook Educational Community: National Historic Landmark campus in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, designed by Eliel Saarinen, that hosts cultural events, educational programs, and convenings. Comparable as another historic campus that combines preservation with public programming and event hosting.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Johnson Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceThe Johnson Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Johnson Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
The Johnson Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Johnson Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Johnson Foundation
What does The Johnson Foundation do?
The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread hosts private executive retreats, conferences, and multi-stakeholder convenings at the Wingspread Retreat and Executive Conference Center, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed National Historic Landmark on a 36-acre campus in Racine, Wisconsin. The foundation applies its proprietary 7-Step Convening Process to facilitate purpose-driven gatherings for non-profit organizations, executive groups, and community collaborators, with a maximum capacity of 36 participants per conference.
Is The Johnson Foundation a public or private company?
The Johnson Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Johnson Foundation founded?
The Johnson Foundation was founded in 1959. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Johnson Foundation based?
The Johnson Foundation is headquartered in Racine, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Johnson Foundation make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Conference and Retreat Hosting is the primary driver. The others are non-Profit Co-Sponsorship.
Who are The Johnson Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Aspen Institute, The Pocantico Center, Skoll Foundation, Case Foundation and Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Broad incumbents are W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Ford Foundation, Brookings Institution and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Cranbrook Educational Community is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Johnson Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Johnson Foundation.
What industry is The Johnson Foundation in?
The Johnson Foundation's product category is Conference and Retreat Venue Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAGALAG, Conference Retreat Hotels, with a secondary code of THAHAMAA, Executive Leadership Summits (C-Suite, Board, Strategy Offsites). Its NAICS code is 813 and its SIC code is 7000.