Wellness Council of Wisconsin

What Wellness Council of Wisconsin does

The Wellness Council of Wisconsin (WCWI) is a Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1985 that helps employers design and execute results-oriented workplace well-being strategies. WCWI serves two primary constituencies: Wisconsin employers seeking to build strategic, sustainable wellness initiatives, and well-being professionals (HR leaders, wellness strategists) seeking education, certification, and peer connection. Its core product portfolio includes the Mental Health in the Workplace Certificate Program (MHWCP), a structured five-pillar certification framework (Awareness & Education, Leadership Engagement, Policies & Procedures, Employee Support & Inclusion, Measurement & Growth), alongside membership, peer groups, member consultations, networking spaces, and an annual conference/event calendar.

WCWI operates on a standard association revenue model: recurring membership fees from employers and well-being professionals, supplemented by tax-deductible donations (a current campaign targets a $75,000 goal, of which roughly $48,220 / ~64% has been collected), corporate sponsorships across multiple tiers (Invested Advisor, Vision Champion, Community Supporter, Learning Advocate), and event revenue. The technology layer is a commercial off-the-shelf membership management platform (Wild Apricot) that powers member onboarding, the member directory, event registration, and content distribution; WCWI does not build proprietary software products. Distribution is self-serve via the website plus community partnerships.

A material structural change occurred on February 5, 2026: WCWI formally joined The Wellness Alliance — the national organization formed from the merger of the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) and the National Wellness Institute (NWI), itself an affiliate of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP). As part of this integration, WCWI Executive Director Carley Hoelzel transitioned to Associate Executive Director at The Wellness Alliance. WCWI maintains a network of strategic community partnerships, including the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality (WCHQ), NAMI Wisconsin, MHA Lakeshore, the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Marquette University, and Friendship Circle, supporting programming in mental health, inclusion, and suicide prevention training.

Name

Wellness Council of Wisconsin

Legal name

Wellness Council of Wisconsin

Website

https://wellnesscouncilwi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wellness Council of Wisconsin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization, founded in 1985, that helps Wisconsin employers and well-being professionals design and deliver workplace well-being initiatives, anchored by its Mental Health in the Workplace Certificate Program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workplace Wellness Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate/Workplace Wellness Coaching (HSADAGAL)

Keywords

• Workplace wellness programs
• Mental health certification
• Employee benefits membership
• Corporate wellness association
• Wellness professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Brookfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: WCWI operates as a membership organization generating revenue through annual membership fees from employers and well-being professionals across Wisconsin.
2. Donations: As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, WCWI accepts tax-deductible donations to support its mission and specific initiatives such as the Mental Health in the Workplace Certificate Program.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Wellness Council of Wisconsin (WCWI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization that helps Wisconsin employers build results-oriented workplace wellness strategies. Its core offerings include the Mental Health in the Workplace Certificate Program (MHWCP), an organizational membership connecting 550 well-being leaders and strategists, peer groups for professionals, and an annual events and conference program.

Product overview

The Wellness Council of Wisconsin (WCWI) is a non-profit membership organization that offers a portfolio of workplace wellness programs and services. The core offering is the Mental Health in the Workplace Certificate Program (MHWCP), a certification built on five pillars that guides organizations to embed mental health into their culture. This is complemented by membership programs providing peer groups, member consultations, networking spaces, and access to events and conferences. WCWI has also recently merged with the Wellness Alliance (combining WELCOA and NWI) to expand national resources and professional connections for Wisconsin members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mental Health in the Workplace Certificate (MHWCP): Mental Health in the Workplace Certificate Program - a certification program built on five key pillars to help organizations strengthen their approach to mental well-being

Products and services

• Mental Health in the Workplace Certificate Program (MHWCP)

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality (WCHQ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 August 2025Community partnership announced August 26, 2025, uniting around shared mission to build a healthier Wisconsin through data-driven strategies and workforce well-being. WCWI and WCHQ will collaborate on initiatives supporting mental health of healthcare workers, explore integrating workforce well-being data into healthcare performance strategies, share tools and best practices, and partner on events. Executive Director Carley Hoelzel noted that healthcare quality doesn't exist without a thriving workforce.
• Wellness AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCWI formally joined the Wellness Alliance in February 2026, allowing its mission, programs, and professional community to continue within a broader national organization. The Wellness Alliance was formed when WELCOA and NWI merged. WCWI Executive Director Carley Hoelzel transitioned to Associate Executive Director at the Wellness Alliance. This integration expands resources, expertise, and connections for WCWI members while bringing Wisconsin's local leadership to a national stage.
• International Foundation of Employee Benefit PlansflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCWI operates as an affiliate of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP), which connects the wellness and employee benefits industries and brings meaningful change through education and combined services.
• Marquette UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCWI partnered with Marquette University to bring SafeTALK suicide prevention training to the community during Suicide Prevention Month.
• Friendship CircleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCWI partnered with Friendship Circle alongside Marquette University to deliver SafeTALK suicide prevention training.
• NAMI WisconsinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership with NAMI Wisconsin (National Alliance on Mental Illness) to break mental health stigma through education, advocacy, and support. Partnership provides workplace wellness resources to WCWI members.
• Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on fostering inclusive workplace environments where all employees feel valued. Partnership provides resources and best practices for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• MHA Lakeshore (Mental Health America)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership empowers organizations to support employee mental health through practical tools and guidance, creating resilient and healthy workplaces. Provides workplace resiliency courses and resources.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mental Health America (MHA): MHA is a national community-based nonprofit addressing mental health, with workplace programs and affiliate chapters (including MHA Lakeshore, a WCWI partner). Comparable as a mental-health-focused nonprofit serving employers and providing workplace mental health education.
• Limeade: Limeade is a corporate well-being and employee engagement platform serving mid-market and enterprise employers. Comparable as it competes for the same employer wellness budget with an integrated well-being platform including mental health, culture, and inclusion programs.
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): NAMI is the largest U.S. grassroots mental health organization, with state affiliates like NAMI Wisconsin (a WCWI partner). Comparable in addressing workplace mental health stigma, providing education and advocacy resources to employers and employees.
• International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP): IFEBP is WCWI's national affiliate and the parent organization of the Wellness Alliance. It serves as the broader employee benefits education and research body; comparable as a membership/education organization serving employers with overlapping benefits and well-being programming.
• Personify Health (formerly Virgin Pulse): Personify Health is a leading corporate wellness technology platform serving large employers. Comparable as it competes for employer wellness spend, offering digital programs, measurement, and engagement tools where WCWI offers certification and community.
• American Heart Association – Workplace Health Solutions: AHA offers employer-facing workplace health programs (e.g., Healthier Workplace initiatives) addressing physical and mental well-being. Comparable as an established national nonprofit selling into employer wellness budgets with content, certification-style frameworks, and corporate partnerships.

Direct peers

• Wellness Council of America (WELCOA): Pre-merger national counterpart to WCWI, WELCOA operated as the largest workplace wellness membership organization in the U.S. WCWI operated as a state affiliate and adopted WELCOA's frameworks; highly comparable in mission, certification programs, and employer member base.
• National Wellness Institute (NWI): NWI provided national wellness certification, conferences, and professional resources. Now merged into the Wellness Alliance alongside WELCOA, NWI's offerings (including Certified Wellness Practitioner credentials) are directly comparable to WCWI's MHWCP and member education stack.
• Wellness Alliance (formerly WELCOA + NWI): The Wellness Alliance is the national umbrella organization formed by the merger of WELCOA and NWI, of which WCWI became an affiliate in February 2026. It directly mirrors WCWI's mission of advancing workplace well-being through education, certification, and community — and now houses WCWI's programs under a national brand.

Emerging players

• Wellable: Wellable is a corporate wellness platform focused on mid-market employers with well-being programs, rewards, and content. Comparable as a tech-enabled alternative to association-style wellness offerings, often replacing or supplementing traditional wellness councils.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wellness-council-of-wisconsin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Wellness Council of Wisconsin