Wisconsin Trust For Historic Preservation

What Wisconsin Trust For Historic Preservation does

The Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation is a statewide, member-supported 501(c)-style nonprofit organization founded in 1986 and headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is the only nonprofit in Wisconsin exclusively focused on historic preservation, providing education, advocacy, and technical assistance to property owners, developers, preservation professionals, local commissions, historical societies, and individual advocates across the state. The organization convenes stakeholders, guides property owners through Historic Tax Credit programs, and leads coalition-building efforts at the state capitol, most recently culminating in the passage of AB 375 in April 2026, which lowered the minimum qualifying expenditure to $50,000 and allowed reapplication after 15 years for projects reaching the $3.5M credit cap.

Name

Wisconsin Trust For Historic Preservation

Legal name

Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation

Website

https://wipreservation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation is a statewide nonprofit founded in 1986 that provides education, advocacy, and technical assistance for historic preservation projects across Wisconsin, serving property owners, developers, local commissions, and preservation professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historic Preservation Advocacy and Education

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (712110)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

Keywords

• Historic preservation advocacy
• Heritage education workshops
• Tax credit guidance
• Preservation technical assistance
• Community coalition building

Headquarters

HQ city

Oshkosh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees supporting the organization's operations and providing members with event invitations and access to resources. Individual memberships range from free to $200+ annually.
2. Donations: Financial contributions from supporters to fund research and education demonstrating how Historic Tax Credits drive private investment, job creation, and community revitalization.
3. Event Registration Fees: Workshop and event registration fees including Taliesin workshop series, with member discounts. Non-member registration ranges from $75-$200 per event.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partner sponsorships from businesses in the historic preservation industry supporting workshops and programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation is a statewide nonprofit that provides education, advocacy, coalition building, and technical assistance for historic preservation across Wisconsin. It runs the Taliesin Workshop Series in partnership with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, operates the Local Preservation Network membership for local preservation commissions and historical societies, maintains the Preservation Products & Services Directory, and leads policy advocacy including the successful passage of the AB 375 Historic Tax Credit Repair Bill.

Product overview

The Wisconsin Trust for Historic Preservation is a statewide nonprofit organization founded in 1986 that does not operate as a traditional product company. Its offerings consist of advocacy programs, educational workshops (including the Taliesin Workshop Series), membership networks (such as the Local Preservation Network), resource directories, and educational content focused on historic preservation in Wisconsin. The organization primarily serves as a convener and advocate for preservation efforts, providing technical assistance, policy advocacy for historic tax credits, and educational programming rather than a unified software product or platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Taliesin Workshop Series: Educational workshops held at Taliesin in Spring Green, WI, covering preservation topics such as historic theaters, sacred places, and banking on preservation
• Local Preservation Network

Products and services

• Taliesin Workshop Series

Quantifiable outcome

• AB 375 Historic Tax Credit Repair Bill signed into law April 2026, lowering minimum qualifying expenditure to $50,000 and allowing projects to reapply after 15 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, flagship, core and supporting.

• Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2026State economic development agency that attended the AB 375 signing ceremony. Works with the Trust on downtown revitalization and economic development through historic preservation.
• Frank Lloyd Wright FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance to produce an ongoing series of special events and educational programs. The Foundation co-hosts the Taliesin Workshop Series with the Trust at the Frank Lloyd Wright historic estate in Spring Green, WI.
• Historic Preservation Institute (HPI) at UWMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on workshops, student training in laser scanning and digital documentation, and joint educational programming. HPI students gain hands-on preservation experience while contributing to the Trust's documentation efforts.
• National Trust for Historic PreservationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner supporting workshops and advocacy efforts. Joined the Trust in supporting the Alternate Route for Ozaukee County Distribution Interconnection Project.
• National Park Service (NPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports workshops and student documentation programs. NPS Heritage Documentation Programs staff contribute expertise on laser scanning and historic building documentation.
• Wisconsin Historical SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Historic Preservation Office that reviews National Register applications. Collaborates on Historic Preservation Day at the Capitol and advocacy efforts including AB 375 tax credit legislation.
• AIA WisconsinmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWisconsin chapter of the American Institute of Architects co-sponsors workshops and provides professional expertise for preservation events.
• Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions (WAHPC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState organization for preservation commissioners co-sponsoring workshops and annual conferences on preservation best practices.
• TechRender LLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing laser scanning and documentation services. Supports workshops and student training on digital preservation technology.
• Heritage Consulting GroupsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHistoric building consulting and development firm that supports workshops and provides expertise on preservation projects and tax credits.
• CG SchmidtsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction company supporting workshops and events, contributing expertise on historic building rehabilitation projects.
• Taliesin WisconsinsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPreservation organization at Taliesin that co-hosts workshops and provides access to the historic Frank Lloyd Wright estate.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Trust for Historic Preservation: National nonprofit advocacy and education organization for historic preservation. The Wisconsin Trust is a direct state-level counterpart and signed partner; the National Trust offers similar advocacy, education, and technical assistance but at a national scale and brand.
• Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission: State-level historical agency that operates museums, administers National Register programs, and supports preservation. Analogous to the Wisconsin Historical Society relationship for the Wisconsin Trust, with overlapping mission.

Direct peers

• New York Landmarks Conservancy: Statewide nonprofit providing preservation advice, technical assistance, grants, and advocacy for historic buildings. Mission and operating model closely parallel the Wisconsin Trust's education-plus-advocacy approach.
• Indiana Landmarks: Statewide nonprofit preservation organization operating member-supported advocacy, education, and technical assistance across Indiana. Closest direct peer to the Wisconsin Trust in mission, structure, and statewide confinement.
• Connecticut Preservation Trust: Statewide nonprofit advocating for preservation policy, education, and technical assistance in Connecticut. Directly comparable operating model to the Wisconsin Trust.

Regional players

• Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia: Citywide preservation advocacy and education nonprofit serving the Philadelphia region. Comparable mission and toolkit but geographically concentrated rather than statewide.
• Michigan History Center: State historical agency preserving and interpreting Michigan's history. Comparable to Wisconsin's state historical agency in scope and educational outreach, with overlapping partner dynamics.

Others

• Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation: Heritage site operator at Taliesin in Spring Green, WI and the Trust's flagship strategic partner for the Taliesin Workshop Series. Adjacent mission of preservation and education at a major historic site.
• Wisconsin Historical Society: Statewide historical society and State Historic Preservation Office that reviews National Register applications and co-advocates with the Trust (e.g., AB 375). Functions as a complementary peer and strategic partner rather than a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• AIA Wisconsin: Wisconsin chapter of the American Institute of Architects co-sponsoring preservation workshops and events with the Trust. Peer in the sense of providing professional preservation expertise and education to similar audiences.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wisconsintrustforhistoricpreservation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wisconsin-trust-for-historic-preservation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Trust For Historic Preservation