Foundation
Grants and Partnerships
Old World Wisconsin relies on the generosity of foundations who award grants to Old World Wisconsin through Old World Foundation.
Accessibility at Old World Wisconsin
As Old World Wisconsin looks to the future, they recognize that accessibility to the site, the programs it offers and history lessons it provides should be available to everyone. The Old World Wisconsin team recognizes the importance of addressing this issue and has begun the process of evaluating the physical barriers on-site. Thanks to support from several corporations and foundations, OWW is making improvements to buildings and landscapes to make them more accessible to all.
Standard Process
Standard Process has been a corporate supporter for many years. Founded in 1929, with headquarters in Palmyra, they are dedicated to the field of nutritional supplements and whole food philosophy. They are also committed to the community and believe that everyone should have the opportunity to explore nature.
Several years ago, they formed a partnership with Old World Foundation to provide funding to enhance the trails at Old World Wisconsin to make them more accessible for people with physical limitations as well as people pulling children in wagons or pushing strollers. Visit their website: https://www.standardprocess.com/
Wispact
Wispact is a nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities across Wisconsin through the management of special needs trusts and community-based support. Old World Foundation was fortunate to receive a grant from Wiscpact to address accessibility needs at Old World Wisconsin. OWW welcomes nearly 70,000 guests each year and many have physical limitations.
The Wiscpact grant has funded the purchase of a portable ramp to enter buildings with stairs at Old World Wisconsin to give guests with physical disabilities the freedom to explore hands-on history. In addition, the grant provided funding for several outreach programs at various locations of Adult Day Services of Southeast Wisconsin. These programs gave people with various disabilities the opportunity to engage with Old World Wisconsin facilitators and historic objects (replicas) at no cost to themselves or Adult Day Services of Southeast Wisconsin. To read more about the impact this grant will make at OWW, visit: Legacy Grant Expands Accessibility at Old World Wisconsin - Wispact Foundation
Potawatomi-Heart of Canal Street
Set in the heart of Milwaukee, Potawatomi Casino Hotel is the Midwest's premier entertainment destination, offering guests the best in gaming, dining and entertainment. Since 1994, Potawatomi Casino Hotel's signature community program, Heart of Canal St., has partnered with local children's charities to help improve the lives of children by putting food on tables, helping kids stay safe and encouraging an appreciation of the arts.
In December, Old World Foundation was fortunate to receive a significant gift from the Heart of Canal St. program through Potawatomi. Old World Wisconsin is using this grant to purchase additional ramps and all-terrain wheelchairs that can be used by guests to explore the site. To learn more about Heart of Canal St.: https://www.potawatomi.com/heart
We are deeply grateful to these organizations for their support to enhance the guest experience at Old World Wisconsin. Their gifts will allow the Old World Wisconsin team to share the many stories of the past with more people and help fulfill our vision of a future where lessons of the past ignite curiosity, inspire learning, and foster a deeper understanding of our diverse cultural heritage.
