Projects You Can Support

During the closure of the museum in 2020 and into 2021, staff continued to work diligently behind-the-scenes to provide you with online content and programming, which proved to be a huge success! Due to a larger reach across the U.S. and abroad, the museum will continue to provide some virtual programming, like events such as Drink and Draw, Trivia Night and the popular Curator Conversations.

Financial contributions will be needed in order to provide the base from which to build a solid foundation for promoting and preserving these events and the history of Wisconsin's veterans. By enlisting your help, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation will be able to further the museum's high standards in public programming.

Donations will help us continue to educate the public by providing these virtual programs for all to join in from the comfort of your home. Together we can keep alive our veteran's legacies.

Temporary exhibits explore a theme related to the veterans’ experience. The Museum is currently focused on a temporary exhibit, Souvenirs of Service: The Things They Kept. From touristy trinkets to deeply meaningful mementos, there is a story behind every souvenir. The Wisconsin Veterans Museum invites you to come experience the diverse histories behind the keepsakes of U.S. service members in the new exhibit Souvenirs of Service: The Things They Kept. Through 150 years’ worth of souvenirs originating from around the world, you will learn how the universal human impulse to collect leaves us with both significant and uniquely personal ways to continue to connect with veterans of every era.

The museum’s temporary exhibits often offer a more personal story and introduce the public to archives and artifacts from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum collections. Museum and Foundation staff and a corps of dedicated and well-trained volunteers are responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating exhibits. After years of continued success, Museum and Foundation staff are well-versed in adhering to deadlines and completing tasks. Development of the exhibit follows a two-year development plan with frequent staff and committee meetings. The Museum's Education Specialist and Curator of History advise in content development and put together an information packet for volunteers and training the tour guides. Along with research and logistical duties, Museum and Foundation staff will lead tours as well as take on administrative duties during the program.

The Foundation’s goal is to raise $15,000 to pay for the fabrication, construction, and digital interactives for the exhibit. Monetary support will also assist in developing this exhibit to travel across the State to other museums and institutions.  In return, your organization's name/logo will appear as a major sponsor ($5,000+) of this exhibit, with credit in all print and online advertising related to this project. Any donation below $5,000 will be credited in the exhibit and all advertising associated with the project.

Financial contributions provide the base from which to build a solid foundation for promoting and preserving the history of Wisconsin's veterans. By enlisting your help, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation will be able to further the museum's high standards in public programming and first-class exhibits. Together, we will keep veterans' history alive.

Donations will help us continue to educate the public by providing these new exhibits for all to enjoy. To make a donation today, click here. For more information, contact (608)261-0536.

The Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Services preserves the materials that tell the stories of the Wisconsinites who valiantly served our nation in its times of need. The Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation has provided funds for acquisitions, digitization and preservation.

The Artifact Collection has over 26,000 objects. This collection includes the Battle Flag collection. These regimental battle flags came to the G.A.R. Memorial Hall in the state capitol during the years following the Civil War. With the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation’s financial support, an ambitious conservation effort began to preserve these flags for future generations, give greater access to scholars, and allow the public the chance to view and appreciate them.

The Foundation’s goal is to provide $5,000 annually to purchase acquisitions for the collection and between $8,000 to $10,000 to conserve one battle flag each year. There are over 200 battle flags in need of conservation in the museum’s collection. In return, your organization’s name/logo will appear as a major sponsor ($8,000 for conservation and/or $5,000 for purchase), with credit given on the website, as well as in all print and online advertising related to this project.

Help us purchase and conserve these important stories for all to enjoy!

To make a donation today, click here. For more information, contact (608)261-0536.

To learn more about the museum's battle flag collection efforts and conservation, visit https://www.wisconsinbattleflags.com/.

Veterans Legacy Society

For more than 100 years the Wisconsin Veterans Museum has preserved the stories of Wisconsin’s veterans. Now you can join the effort! For as little as $25 dollars a month, your sustaining membership ensures the legacies of our Wisconsin men and women who served in the military, are honored in perpetuity. Best of all, you will join a group of individuals who value the legacy of Wisconsin’s veterans.  Please join us in supporting one of the special projects listed here:

  • Wisconsin Civil War Battle Flag Conservation – Join the effort to preserve these precious flags before they’re lost to history. Learn more here.
  • Acquisitions – Help the WVM acquire significant objects and archival materials.
  • Traveling Exhibit Fund – Support traveling exhibits at the WVM.
  • Oral History Program - Support our veterans story collection.
  • Education Fund – Support educational initiatives at the WVM.

Planned Giving

Gifts of Appreciated Stock
A contribution of long-term appreciated securities entitles you to a charitable deduction equal to the fair market value of the securities. This option allows you to avoid paying capital gains taxes on these securities.

Information to make a gift of stock to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation:
DTC#: 0457
Broker/Dealer: Robert W. Baird & Co.
Account #: 5747-0445
Account Name: Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation


Charitable Remainder Trusts

The Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation offers several ways for you to make a gift while retaining income for yourself and/or another beneficiary through charitable remainder trusts. This kind of trust may enable you to:

  • Provide for yourself and another beneficiary
  • Save on estate and inheritance taxes
  • Generate an income tax deduction
  • Avoid capital gains taxes


Bequests: Put the Foundation in Your Will
A will is an effective way to help preserve Wisconsin's veterans heritage.


Gifts of Life Insurance
Life insurance offers an attractive method for making a substantial gift for charitable purposes.

To discuss Planned Giving, please call the Foundation office at (608) 261-0536.

Honor a Veteran

Honor a veteran by making a gift today in his/her memory or in honor of your special friend/relative. This gift will help support the Wisconsin Veterans Museum's extraordinary educational programs and award-winning exhibits. This is an excellent way for you to recognize their service and sacrifices they made to our country.

Gifts in honor or in memory of your special friend/relative will receive special recognition in the Wisconsin Veterans Museum’s quarterly publication, The Bugle.

The Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation thanks you for making this special gift in honor / memory of your special friend / relative. Visit https://wisvetsmuseum.com/foundation/give-now/ to make your gift today and we will make sure the appropriate person(s) are acknowledged.

Corporate Support

  • Will include information on sponsorship opportunities
  • Will include link to Corporate Membership benefit information
  • Have list of corporate supporters who’s giving level lets them have their name/logo on the page
  • JOIN US online

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