Now more than ever, Wisconsin needs fearless, independent reporting.

When you support Wisconsin Watch, you are fueling nonpartisan investigative journalism that holds power to account and connects communities. Our public service journalism covers the full state, from Milwaukee to Superior, from tribal lands to small towns often overlooked by major media.

Your gift helps ensure that all Wisconsinites have access to trusted, fact-based news, free of charge.

Ways to give

Every financial contribution of any size makes our work possible. Community support covers a significant share of our operating costs. Become a Wisconsin Watch member today and join a growing network of people who believe in watchdog journalism as a public service.

Set up a recurring gift

Recurring gifts, given monthly or annually, are a powerful way to support sustained reporting. They reduce costs, prevent lapsed memberships, and allow us to plan investigations that may take months to complete.

You will enjoy:

  • The convenience of automatic giving
  • No renewal reminders and fewer fundraising messages
  • Quarterly updates about the impact of our journalism
Set up a monthly donation

Join the Watchdog Club | $1,000/year

The Watchdog Club is a community of individuals, families, and businesses who believe in the power of local journalism that serves the public good. Their support helps Wisconsin Watch shine a light on issues that matter, uplift diverse voices, and keep our communities informed, connected, and strong.

Enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access, including:

  • Invitations to special Watchdog Club gatherings with national journalism leaders like NPR’s Eric Deggans and New York Times reporter Walt Bogdanich
  • “Behind the story” insights and events
  • Special recognition in our annual report
Join the Watchdog Club

Join the Leadership Circle | $5,000/year

The Leadership Circle is a distinguished group of Wisconsin Watch’s most generous supporters—community leaders who believe deeply in the role of investigative journalism in building a more just and informed Wisconsin. Their extraordinary annual gifts provide critical resources that allow us to take on our most ambitious reporting, train the next generation of journalists, and expand our reach to underserved communities. Leadership Circle members are true partners in our mission and play a vital role in shaping the future of local news.

Leadership Circle donors receive all Watchdog Club benefits, plus:

  • Invitations to intimate gatherings with journalists shaping the future of accountability reporting
  • A private office tour and lunch with CEO George Stanley and newsroom staff
Join the Leadership Circle

Gift stocks, bonds or mutual funds

Make a bigger impact by donating long-term appreciated securities — including stock, bonds, and mutual funds — directly to Wisconsin Watch. Compared with donating cash, by selling your appreciated securities and contributing the after-tax proceeds, you may be able to automatically increase your gift and your tax deduction.

Instruct your plan administrator to transfer the stock to our brokerage account:

Vanguard Account #89197468
DTC #0062
EIN: 26-2143608

Let us know your gift is on the way. Please contact us with your name, address, and phone number so we can properly credit and acknowledge your gift.

Give through your IRA

If you are age 70 ½ or older, you can use your IRA to make a tax-efficient gift to Wisconsin Watch through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).

With a QCD, funds are transferred directly from your IRA to Wisconsin Watch. The distribution generates no taxable income and does not require you to itemize deductions, making it a smart way to give and receive tax benefits—even if you take the standard deduction.

Benefits of an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD):

  • Avoid taxes on transfers of up to $100,000 per year from your IRA to Wisconsin Watch
  • Satisfy all or part of your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
  • Reduce your taxable income—even if you don’t itemize
  • Make a gift that is not subject to the usual limits on charitable deductions
  • Support trusted, nonpartisan investigative journalism in Wisconsin

To make a gift, contact your IRA plan administrator and request that a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) be transferred directly to:

WCIJ Inc./Wisconsin Watch (either will work)
PO Box 88166
Milwaukee, WI 53288-8166
Federal Tax ID (EIN): 26-2143608

Let us know your gift is on the way. Please contact us with your name, address, and phone number so we can properly credit and acknowledge your gift.

Give from your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a simple, flexible, and tax-efficient way to support Wisconsin Watch and other charitable organizations you care about.

While Wisconsin Watch does not manage DAFs directly, they can be established through many financial institutions or community foundations. Once set up, you can recommend how much and how often funds are granted to Wisconsin Watch.

Benefits of Giving Through a DAF:

  • Immediate tax benefits: You qualify for a federal income tax deduction when you contribute to your DAF, even if you grant the funds later.
  • Convenience: Support multiple charities without having to track individual receipts for every gift.
  • Flexibility: Recommend one-time or recurring gifts at your convenience.

Your support through a donor-advised fund helps Wisconsin Watch continue delivering trusted, nonpartisan investigative journalism that strengthens communities across the state.

Questions? We’re happy to help you or your advisor navigate the process. Please contact Anna January, director of philanthropy, at ajanuary@wisconsinwatch.org or 608-910-0665.

Other ways to give

  • Mail a check. Our secure lockbox address is WCIJ Inc./Wisconsin Watch (either will work), PO Box 88166, Milwaukee, WI 53288-8166.
  • Donate a vehicle. Donate your car, truck, motorcycle, RV or boat. Free pickup and tax-deductible. Start here or call 855-500-7433.
  • Make a legacy gift. Join the Legacy Society by including Wisconsin Watch in your estate plans. Create a lasting impact for Wisconsin’s communities. More information is available here.

Wisconsin Watch is a nonpartisan, independent nonprofit newsroom. Your gift is tax-deductible and helps protect the integrity of our work. We publicly acknowledge all donors to ensure transparency and uphold our editorial independence. Learn more about our financial transparency policy.