TOP UPdates & Opportunities
ABOUT
People are always talking about empowerment—empowering people and communities. While the intention behind the word is good, it assumes that people don’t already inherently have power. Embolden WI recognizes that people already possess the power to radically imagine a better future and create community-driven systems change. What we often lack are the curiosity, connection, and courage needed to harness and apply that power.
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That’s where we come in.
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With more than 22 years of nonprofit management and advocacy experience, Embolden WI serves as a trusted home for innovative initiatives advancing health equity, health justice, and civic health. Our work builds on decades of experience supporting community-driven solutions and advocating for systems that allow all people to thrive.
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EMBOLDEN means to impart boldness or courage—to instill the confidence and resolve needed to overcome timidity or misgiving. Embolden WI exists to help individuals, organizations, and communities move from vision to action.
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We serve as a home and launchpad for innovative health equity, health justice, and civic health advocacy initiatives, providing the structure, partnership, and support needed to bring bold ideas to life. Our commitment to collaboration and impact is reflected in our membership in the National Fiscal Sponsorship Network, Social Impact Commons, and the American Public Health Association, connecting our work to national movements advancing equity, justice, and community-driven change.
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We envision healthy, vibrant, equitable, and socially just communities. To achieve this vision, Embolden WI amplifies and catalyzes programs and initiatives that improve health outcomes, advance health equity and health justice, and strengthen civic health.
Fiscal sponsorship
Before you go through the work of starting a new nonprofit, have you thought about fiscal sponsorship?
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Embolden WI supports Wisconsin-based projects focused on health equity, health justice, and civic health. As a fiscal sponsor, we let you operate under an existing 501(c)(3), raise funds, and focus on your work—without the administrative burden of starting from scratch. It’s often a faster, lower-risk way to launch and see what your idea can become.
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Here are just 3 reasons why you should consider partnering with Embolden WI as your fiscal sponsor:
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You Can Focus on Impact, Not Infrastructure
Starting a nonprofit requires time, money, and administrative capacity—often before a project even knows what it needs to succeed. Fiscal sponsorship through Embolden WI removes those barriers by providing the legal, financial, and compliance infrastructure so leaders can focus on advancing health equity, health justice, and civic health in Wisconsin.
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You Gain Immediate Credibility & Access to Funding
​With Embolden WI as your fiscal sponsor, your project can operate under an established 501(c)(3), accept tax-deductible donations, and pursue grant funding right away. This allows community-rooted ideas to move at the pace of opportunity—without waiting years for nonprofit status.
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It's a Smart, Flexible Plan for Growth
Fiscal sponsorship is not a one-size-fits-all or permanent commitment. It offers a flexible way to test, grow, and strengthen an idea while maintaining programmatic leadership. For some projects, sponsorship is the long-term home; for others, it’s a strategic step toward independence. Either way, it reduces risk and supports sustainable growth.
Programs & Partners powered by embolden
When you support Embolden WI, you are supporting this network of health justice programs creating a force multiplier.
Health Equity Health justice & Civic Health
At the heart of Embolden WI is the commitment to health equity, health justice, and civic health.
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Health equity is the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health
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Health justice is a framework and movement aimed at ensuring everyone has a fair, just opportunity to be as healthy as possible by removing obstacles like poverty, discrimination, and structural inequalities
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Civic health relates to the way that communities are organized to define and address public problems.
By focusing on health equity, health jusitce, and civic health, we proudly recognize the powerful opportunity we all have to holistically and sustainably improve the wellbeing of all individuals through just and fair systems informed by and driven by community.
