What is a Wingspread Conference?
Wingspread conferences are small meetings of thoughtful and rigorous inquiry convened in an atmosphere of candor and purpose. We seek out knowledgeable people who willingly reexamine their assumptions, relish the civil friction of ideas, and are determined to reach solutions.

Does The Johnson Foundation make grants?
No. Nor do we sponsor retreats, fundraisers, meetings of single organizations, or for-profit events. We do not rent our facilities.

What are Wingspread conferences about?
We support proposals that strengthen civic and family life, reform K-12 education, invigorate the liberal arts, and enhance sustainable development and the environment.Our Keland Endowment supports conferences on the arts, the environment, and persons with disabilities.

What happens at a Wingspread conference?
A diverse group of individuals comes together to define a problem clearly, create plans for its solution, and build collaborations for effective action. Wingspread conferences aim toward consequences.

Who attends a Wingspread conference?
Wingspread conferences are by invitation only. Participants are selected and invited by the co-sponsoring organization. A typical Wingspread conference involves between 20-40 individuals. Although we can accomodate more for one-day conferences only, that number will fit comfortably in our facility. We encourage a mix of experts, advocates, practitioners, public officials, young people, and others with relevant experience.

Who sponsors a Wingspread conference?
The Johnson Foundation co-sponsors Wingspread conferences with 501(c)(3) organizations, educational institutions, or government agencies .

Who funds Wingspread conferences?
The Johnson Foundation provides its conference facilities at Wingspread, planning and logistical support by our staff, lunches and dinners, and other amenities for the conference, plus local transportation to and from the Milwaukee Airport. Participant travel and lodging are generally funded by the co-sponsoring organization from its own resources or grants it has obtained for those purposes. Conferees stay overnight at our Guest House.

How can I get invited to a Wingspread conference?
You must be invited by a conference co-sponsor.