Create Waunakee tells board it doubled market revenue, launched apprenticeships and seeks long‑term home

Create Waunakee presented its first annual report as an independent nonprofit, telling the Waunakee Village Board that it has established organizational infrastructure and new revenue streams while expanding community programming.

Rhona Neri, president of Create Waunakee’s executive board, said a development director, Jennifer Norbach, was hired and the group secured permanent office and gallery/performance space at Peace Lutheran. The organization introduced artist and community membership models, a volunteer/recruitment CRM, and refreshed its website and analytics. “We have offices there that we rent from them,” Neri said, explaining the partnership with Peace Lutheran.

Create Waunakee described two new initiatives: "Especially Create Waunakee," an apprenticeship program staffed by Waunakee High School transition students that sells stroopwafels and has generated more than $11,000 in revenue this season, and a Groundlings Theater program that used the sanctuary as a performance space and sold low‑cost tickets to increase accessibility.

Neri said the group’s goals now include fundraising and, eventually, a capital campaign to secure a standalone space for studio, gallery and performance uses. She thanked the village for past transition support and asked for continued operational funding as Create Waunakee pursues full financial independence over the next two to three years.

Board members praised the work and asked staff to consider budget season requests; trustees noted the organization’s contributions to local culture and education.