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WAB Q&A: evaluation measures, letters of support, nonprofit proof and in-kind budget rules
Summary
Staff recommended applicants use established evaluation toolkits for measuring social impact, prioritize letters of commitment from key partners, upload nonprofit documentation if required by the portal and record in-kind donations on the income section of the budget.
Wisconsin Arts Board staff answered questions about evaluation strategies, letters of support, nonprofit-status documentation and how to record in-kind donations during a virtual applicant session.
On evaluation, staff recommended applicants clarify what they intend to change (attitudes, actions or beliefs) and suggested the Americans for the Arts "Animating Democracy" toolkit as a resource for designing measures and baseline questions. "What is the cultural understanding issue...what do you want to see different in a year or two years?" a staff member asked, advising applicants to define outcomes and select surveys, focus groups or interviews accordingly.
For letters of support, staff said applicants should prioritize commitments from organizations that are essential to project delivery rather than seeking excess letters that might strain relationships. "If there's an organization you're really collaborating with on this project, please include one from them," a staff member said, adding that optional support materials may strengthen an application but are not required.
Applicants asked whether the portal requires current nonprofit-status documentation; staff said if an organization—s nonprofit status predates the portal and has been previously submitted, it may already be on file, but applicants should reupload proof if their documentation predates the system.
On budgets, staff directed applicants to the income section—s final lines for in-kind donations such as lodging or meals, and advised applicants to list only income and expenses tied to the project activity within the board's funding window (07/01/2025 through project end). Staff also discussed how volunteer-driven organizations should more explicitly describe community engagement and volunteer participation in the narrative so the panel can assess whether the group is broadly community-involved or serves a narrower membership.
Staff reiterated they can review drafts and advise applicants on prioritizing letters of support and clarifying volunteer engagement in their narratives.
