About Us

Thanks to contributions from people like you, UPAF ensures a vibrant and inclusive performing arts scene in Southeastern Wisconsin through:

• Entertainment Excellence — Ensuring Southeastern Wisconsin has the best in music, dance and theater
• Arts Accessibility — Offering opportunities for everyone in our community to have meaningful arts experiences
• Regional Impact — Providing operational funding to employ thousands of local artists and maintain a world-class performing arts scene that helps attract and retain employees to the region

As a local umbrella fundraising organization, UPAF engages the community in support of 14 Member Groups, including First Stage, Florentine Opera Company, Milwaukee Ballet, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Skylight Music Theatre, as well as numerous Affiliate Groups. Since 1967, our work has been instrumental in allowing these groups to focus more of their efforts on what they do best — creating, performing, educating and inspiring — by:

1. Raising much-needed funds to ensure entertainment excellence
2. Promoting the performing arts as a regional asset
3. Responsibly stewarding the dollars our donors so generously give us

Our vision is:
Shaping a diverse, vibrant and sustainable cultural life for all.

Your gift to UPAF is a sound investment in the vitality of Southeastern Wisconsin. UPAF holds the highest rating from Charity Navigator for financial management, transparency and accountability.

UPAF receives NO government funding. Generous individuals, companies and foundations contribute to all dollars raised.

UPAF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered in the U.S. under EIN: 39-6100399.