Wisconsin Council of Churches

What Wisconsin Council of Churches does

The Wisconsin Council of Churches (WCC) is a 501(c)(3) ecumenical organization founded in 1925 (per company-history data; firmographic record lists 1947) and headquartered at 203 Wisconsin Ave, Madison, WI. It functions as a convener and advocacy hub for 23 Christian traditions representing approximately 2,000 congregations and over one million members statewide. Its core operational model is community-led: WCC staff support member denominations through direct engagement, denominational judicatory partnerships, webinars, public witness events, and coalition organizing rather than via proprietary technology products. Programs include immigration justice (Know Your Rights training, S.A.L.U.T.E. observer tool, Immigrants Welcome Here campaign, ICAP-backed sensitive locations litigation), gun violence prevention (Wear Orange Weekend), the Repenting from Christian Nationalism Lenten series, the COVID Digital Storytelling Project (archived at the Wisconsin Historical Society), the Palm Sunday Path public witness, and the Taking a Faithful Stand webinar series. Distribution is primarily free or pay-what-you-can via wichurches.org, with secondary distribution through denominational networks and social channels including Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and a Discord pilot.

WCC's revenue model is a diversified non-profit funding stack: congregational membership contributions from local churches, individual donations (including the Friend of the Council monthly program), planned giving/bequests, IRA qualified charitable distributions, Thrivent Choice Dollars, and project grants from bodies such as the State Ecumenical Executives. Pricing is not transactional; most resources are free, and congregational membership dues are self-determined by each member church. The organization employs 11-50 staff and is led by Executive Director Rev. Dr. Kerri Parker with a Board of Directors drawn from member denominations. There is no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no external equity ownership.

Name

Wisconsin Council of Churches

Legal name

Wisconsin Council of Churches

Website

https://wichurches.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Wisconsin Council of Churches is a Madison-based 501(c)(3) ecumenical organization connecting 23 Christian denominations, approximately 2,000 congregations, and over one million members in Wisconsin through advocacy, education, and coalition organizing on immigration, gun violence, housing, and social justice.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ecumenical Religious Advocacy Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (813110), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Interfaith & Ecumenical Councils and Dialogue Organizations (BPAGAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Advocacy & Public Policy Organizations (BPAGAJAK), Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI)

Keywords

• Ecumenical church network
• Faith-based advocacy
• Religious social justice
• Interfaith community organizing
• Clergy continuing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Congregational Membership Dues: Local congregation members contribute annual financial support to the WCC budget as part of their membership agreement.
2. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through the Friend of the Council monthly giving program, one-time donations, and special campaigns. The WCC is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
3. Planned Giving: The organization accepts planned gifts including bequests, trusts, and other legacy giving arrangements.
4. IRA Distributions: Qualified charitable distributions from IRAs are accepted as part of planned giving.
5. Thrivent Choice Dollars: The organization is approved to receive Thrivent Choice Dollars funding from eligible Thrivent members.
6. Grants: The WCC receives grant funding from organizations such as the State Ecumenical Executives for specific projects like the Repenting from Christian Nationalism Lenten series.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Wisconsin Council of Churches is a private 501(c)(3) ecumenical organization that connects 23 Christian traditions, approximately 2,000 congregations, and over one million church members across Wisconsin. It delivers advocacy resources, study-action guides, worship materials, training (such as Know Your Rights), public witness events, and webinars focused on immigration, racial justice, gun violence prevention, and church renewal. Congregations join as members through annual contributions, and the organization funds operations through individual donations, planned giving, and grants.

Product overview

The Wisconsin Council of Churches is a network of Christian churches and faith-based organizations offering advocacy programs, educational resources, and community organizing initiatives. The organization connects 23 Christian traditions with approximately 2,000 congregations and over one million church members. Key offerings include the Becoming Welcoming Communities study guide on immigration, the Repenting from Christian Nationalism Lenten sermon series, the COVID Digital Storytelling Project, the Palm Sunday Path public witness events, Wear Orange Weekend gun violence prevention program, Know Your Rights Training, the S.A.L.U.T.E. advocacy tool, and the Taking a Faithful Stand webinar series. The Council also operates Congregational Membership and Friend of the Council recurring donation programs for organizational support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Becoming Welcoming Communities A free downloadable study-action guide on immigration reform designed to help Wisconsin congregations respond to immigrants and immigration through Biblical faith. The 2nd edition includes videos, interviews, worship resources, and lesson plans for six 45-minute study sessions.
• Repenting from Christian Nationalism A Lenten sermon series resource designed to help congregations explore and resist Christian nationalism. Based on Year C of the Revised Common Lectionary, it includes weekly preaching themes, custom liturgy, original music, worship arts prompts, and social media graphics.
• COVID Digital Storytelling Project A short documentary and storytelling project collecting stories documenting people's experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Final documentary content is to be archived at the Wisconsin Historical Society.
• Palm Sunday Path An annual public witness event where Christians gather in cities across Wisconsin to commemorate Palm Sunday and lift up Jesus' call to feed the hungry, heal the sick, and welcome the stranger. Palm Sunday 2026 drew nearly 1,800 participants across 11 Wisconsin cities as part of 35 actions in 17 states.
• Wear Orange Weekend An annual weekend to remember those who have lost their lives to gun violence and commit to being agents of change. Includes downloadable resource packets with graphics, bulletin inserts, and event planning materials.
• Know Your Rights Training Educational training covering basic Know Your Rights around immigration and information on guardianship paperwork preparation, often delivered in partnership with Voces de la Frontera.
• S.A.L.U.T.E. An advocacy tool for documenting ICE activity in communities. The acronym stands for Size, Activity, Location, Unit, Time, and Equipment, helping legal observers and community monitors communicate and report enforcement operations.
• Taking a Faithful Stand Webinar Series Monthly webinar series covering advocacy, organizing, legislative engagement, and social justice issues affecting Wisconsin communities, co-sponsored with the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Council of Rabbis.
• Immigrants Welcome Here Campaign A visible campaign inviting congregations to proudly proclaim welcome to immigrant communities. Includes downloadable digital files for yard signs, window clings, banners, billboard designs, and social media assets in English and Spanish.
• Congregational Membership A Local Congregation Membership program allowing Wisconsin congregations to join the Council, collaborate in its work, and receive resources and support for justice and peacemaking initiatives through annual contributions.
• Friend of the Council A monthly recurring donation program supporting the Council's ministry of courage, justice, and holy imagination, providing ongoing financial support for transformational ministry.

Quantifiable outcome

• Connected 23 Christian traditions representing approximately 2,000 congregations and over one million church members
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Voces de la FronteracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary immigration justice partner providing Know Your Rights training, rapid response coordination, and hotline services for immigrant communities. WCC collaborates with Voces on advocacy, direct action, and community organizing around immigration enforcement issues.
• Forward LatinocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWisconsin-based Latino advocacy organization. Partners with WCC on immigration education, advocacy training, and community defense initiatives including Know Your Rights presentations.
• Worker Justice WisconsinsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with WCC on webinars addressing the intersection of worker justice and immigration, helping congregations engage in both advocacy areas.
• Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal partner in multifaith coalition lawsuit opposing rescission of ICE sensitive locations policy. ICAP provides constitutional expertise for protecting houses of worship from immigration enforcement.
• ACLU of WisconsinsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil liberties organization providing legal guidance on immigration enforcement, including resources for preparing worship communities for ICE encounters.
• End Domestic Abuse of WisconsinsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Curds of Wisdom educational series on domestic violence topics. Holland Dvorak from the organization presented on Domestic Violence Housing First model.
• Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReligious congregation and member of LCWR Region 9, engaged in immigration justice work. FSPA collaborates with WCC through ecumenical network membership and joint advocacy efforts.
• All In WisconsinsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNarrative and organizing hub featured in Beyond Protesting webinar. Community power organization at forefront of Wisconsin movement building, presenting on 4th Amendment workplace organizing.
• League of Women Voters of WisconsinsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivic engagement organization presenting on 287g agreements in Beyond Protesting webinar. Kole Torres from the organization leads advocacy on immigration-related agreements.
• WISDOMsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based organizing network. Rev. Marilyn Miller serves as Interim Co-Executive Director and presents on local actions and county board organizing.
• Raising WisconsinsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-sector coalition advocating for early childhood investment. WCC participates as faith-based partner in coalition working on child care policy advocacy.
• Wisconsin Farmers UnionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural organization with Immigration Resource Hub. WCC links to their immigration information resources for agricultural employers and employees.
• Wisconsin Historical SocietysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for COVID Digital Storytelling project. Final documentary content will be archived at the Wisconsin Historical Society.
• Wear Orange Weekend / Everytown for Gun SafetysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational gun violence prevention awareness campaign. WCC participates annually, coordinating Wisconsin congregations to remember gun violence victims and advocate for prevention.
• Interfaith Conference of Greater MilwaukeesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Taking a Faithful Stand webinar series. Milwaukee-area interfaith coalition for collaborative justice work.
• Wisconsin Council of RabbissecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Taking a Faithful Stand webinar series. Rabbinical organization collaborating on interfaith justice initiatives.
• Badger State Housing AlliancesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Curds of Wisdom monthly webinar series on housing issues affecting Wisconsin communities.
• Carter DesignssecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDesign firm (Carter Baldwin) contracted for projects including COVID Digital Storytelling documentary production and Repenting from Christian Nationalism creative materials.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pennsylvania Council of Churches: Pennsylvania's statewide ecumenical council coordinating multiple Christian traditions on social issues, advocacy, and church renewal. Closely mirrors WCC's mission and operating model in a different geography.
• New York State Council of Churches: Statewide ecumenical body in New York connecting Protestant and Orthodox denominations for advocacy and social justice, structurally and functionally analogous to WCC but in a different state.
• California Council of Churches: Statewide ecumenical council in California conducting advocacy across denominations on social justice issues. Comparable scale and member-organization composition to WCC.
• Texas Impact: Interfaith advocacy network in Texas mobilizing faith communities on legislative policy. Competes with WCC in form and function within a different state.

Emerging players

• Sojourners: Faith-based social justice advocacy organization with overlapping issue focus on immigration, racism, and Christian nationalism. Operates nationally rather than at the state level.
• Faith in Public Life: Interfaith advocacy organization working with religious leaders on social justice issues, including immigration. Shares WCC's advocacy methodology though with national scope.

Broad incumbents

• National Council of Churches: National-level ecumenical body of which many of WCC's member denominations are affiliates. WCC sits structurally below as a state council participating in NCC initiatives.

Regional players

• Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee: Named WCC partner; broad-based interfaith (including non-Christian) coalition operating in eastern Wisconsin. Overlaps WCC on justice initiatives but with a more pluralistic faith composition.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wichurches
• Instagraminstagram.com/wichurches
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wichurches

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wisconsin Council of Churches