WIAA launches charitable organization to advance HS athletics

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) announced the establishment of the WIAA Foundation, a brand new charitable organization dedicated to advancing Wisconsin high school athletics through charitable support and innovation.

The WIAA Foundation will serve the state’s extensive high school athletic community, which currently includes 514 member high schools, 185,000 student-athletes, and 10,000 licensed officials, across 27 sports programs.

The mission of the WIAA Foundation is to enhance, support, and collaborate with education-based athletics of WIAA member schools and their student-athletes by raising funds for grants, programs, and scholarships, as well as offering related resources and activities.

“The creation of the WIAA Foundation represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to Wisconsin’s student-athletes,” WIAA Executive Director Stephanie Hauser said. “This foundation will provide us with exciting new opportunities to support our member schools and enhance the education-based athletic experience of community members across our state.”

The Foundation will focus its efforts on three impact areas:

Athletic Programs:  Supporting and enhancing high school athletic programs across Wisconsin to provide better opportunities for student-athletes through grants and funding for program expansion

Risk Minimization:  Providing enhanced risk minimization resources and support for WIAA student-athlete

Officials Development:  Expanding educational offerings for WIAA-licensed officials through specialized training programs

The Foundation’s primary activity will be helping to raise and deliver important resources that support educational and charitable initiatives. Specifically, the Foundation will:

* Receive donations for the benefit of athletic programs at WIAA member schools
* Grant funds to member schools to expand athletic activities
* Provide support and enhanced risk minimization for student-athletes
* Undertake educational offerings, including hosting training sessions for referees and officials

The Foundation will operate under the guidance of a dedicated Board of Directors, which will meet quarterly to discuss initiatives and future plans. The Board includes Dave Ring, Kwik Trip Community & Government Relations Manager; Dave Steavpack, Co-Commissioner of Fox River Classic Conference and retired Athletic Director at Manitowoc Public Schools; Doug Chickering, retired WIAA Executive Director; Mark Holzman, Superintendent for the School District of Janesville; and Stephanie Hauser, current WIAA Executive Director. The Board of Directors conducted its inaugural meeting on Aug. 4, 2025 at the WIAA executive staff office.

To learn more about the WIAA Foundation, including how to support its mission, visit www.wiaa.foundation.

The WIAA is a private not-for-profit, membership-based organization, made up of public and private schools across the state of Wisconsin. The WIAA is not a government entity and does not receive tax dollars. Rules, regulations, policies, and other procedures put forth by the WIAA are publicly discussed with the opportunity for students, families, school leaders, and even members of the public to weigh in and offer their thoughts. WIAA members and officials are focused on providing the best possible experience for Wisconsin’s student-athletes through education-based programs.

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Data for this news story was provided by: WIAA Foundation