How Wisconsin Schools Are Funding Enrichment Programs in 2026

A practical guide for principals and PTAs looking to bring high-quality science experiences to their students without breaking the budget.

School budgets are tight. That's not news to anyone who works in education. But across Wisconsin, schools are still finding creative ways to bring meaningful enrichment programs to their students. Science assemblies, visiting experts, hands-on STEM experiences — these things are happening, even in districts where discretionary spending is limited.

The secret isn't a bigger budget. It's knowing where to look.

Here's a practical rundown of the funding sources Wisconsin schools are using right now to bring programs like Forest Whales to their students.

Title I Enrichment Funds

If your school qualifies for Title I funding, this is the first place to look. Title I schools receive federal funds specifically intended to support students from low-income families, and a portion of those funds can be directed toward enrichment programming that supports academic achievement.

The key is documentation. A science assembly that comes with NGSS curriculum alignment, teacher lesson guides, and a clear connection to learning standards is much easier to justify as a Title I expenditure than a program that's purely entertainment. Before approaching your federal programs coordinator, make sure you have the program's curriculum documentation in hand.

Not sure if your school qualifies or how your Title I funds are allocated? Your district's Title I coordinator is the right first call.

Wausau School District used Title I grants to bring Clara the whale to four different schools.

PTA and Parent Organization Fundraising

Parent groups across Wisconsin fund enrichment programs every year, and a traveling science experience with a life-size whale is exactly the kind of visible, memorable event that PTAs love to sponsor. It's tangible. It photographs beautifully. Parents can point to it and say "our PTA made that happen."

If you're a principal hoping to bring a program to your school, consider bringing the idea to your PTA president before you bring it to your budget committee. Parent organizations often have more flexibility than the school's general fund, and a motivated PTA can move surprisingly quickly when the right idea lands in front of them.

If you're a PTA leader reading this: science assemblies are one of the most universally appreciated ways to spend fundraising dollars. Every student in the building benefits, teachers appreciate the curriculum connection, and parents love seeing something extraordinary happen for their kids.

A recent post from Windsor Elementary thanked their PTO organization for helping fund this opportunity for 470 students.

Shared Visits with Neighboring Schools

This is one of the most underused strategies in Wisconsin, and it's remarkably simple. If two schools in the same area book a program on consecutive days, both schools benefit from reduced pricing. The travel costs get shared, the per-school investment drops, and both communities get the same high-quality experience.

All it takes is a phone call between two principals who already know each other. In many parts of Wisconsin, elementary schools are close enough that a neighboring district visit is entirely practical. If you're interested in a Forest Whales visit and cost is the main barrier, ask us whether another school in your area is already in conversation with us. Sometimes the connection is easier to make than you'd expect.

Ithaca Public Schools teamed up with St. Mary's Catholic School in Richland Center, and the local homeschooling families to help reduce costs.

Community and Corporate Sponsorships

Local businesses sponsor school programs more often than most educators realize. Banks, credit unions, healthcare organizations, insurance agencies, and local retailers all have community investment budgets, and many of them are actively looking for visible, family-friendly ways to spend those dollars.

The pitch is straightforward: "Your business name associated with a 56-foot whale in front of 400 students and their families." That's a memorable sponsorship opportunity that stands out from the usual options.

Civic organizations are worth approaching too. Rotary clubs, Lions clubs, and local community foundations exist specifically to fund things that improve life in their communities. A science program that benefits every child in a school is a natural fit for their mission.

District Professional Development Budgets

This one surprises people. Some districts have funded traveling science programs through professional development budgets rather than enrichment budgets, particularly when the program includes teacher resources and curriculum documentation.

The reasoning is straightforward: if a visit includes lesson guides, NGSS alignment materials, and follow-up classroom activities, it supports teacher instruction as much as student learning. It's worth asking your curriculum director whether this framing opens any additional funding pathways.

Wisconsin-Specific Grant Programs

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction administers several grant programs that support educational enrichment at the school and district level. The specifics change from year to year, so the best approach is to check the DPI website directly or ask your district's grants coordinator whether any current opportunities apply.

Regional Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESAs) are also worth checking. Wisconsin's 12 CESAs occasionally facilitate or fund programming for member districts, and a traveling science program with documented curriculum connections is a strong candidate for that kind of support.

A Note on Timing

One pattern worth knowing: schools that secure enrichment programming for the fall semester are typically making those decisions in the spring of the previous school year. If you're reading this in January or February, you're in the ideal window to start the conversation for next fall.

Waiting until August to plan a September assembly means competing for limited availability and limited budget. Starting the conversation in spring means you can plan thoughtfully, secure funding through the right channels, and give your staff time to prepare follow-up lessons.

Ready to Start the Conversation?

Forest Whales works with schools across Wisconsin to find funding solutions that work. Whether that means connecting you with a neighboring school for a shared visit, providing curriculum documentation for a Title I application, or simply answering questions before you bring the idea to your PTA, we're here to help make it happen.

Reach out to Dave Daniels at dave@forestwhales.com or visit forestwhales.com to learn more.

Forest Whales serves K–8 schools, public libraries, and community events throughout Wisconsin and the broader Midwest.