February 26, 2025: United Way of Dane County raises $17.3M in 2024 Community Fundraising Campaign

United Way of Dane County raises $17.3M in 2024 Community Fundraising Campaign

The greater Madison community came together to raise $17.3 million during the 2024 United Way Community Fundraising Campaign, the United Way of Dane County announced on Wednesday.

The United Way of Dane County hosted a Community Celebration on Feb. 25 with more than 500 community members joining the non-profit organization at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.

“I’m always awe-struck by the incredible generosity of our community,” says Renee Moe, president & CEO of United Way of Dane County, in a statement. “I’m grateful to every community member who trusts us with their hard-earned dollars, knowing we will multiply them and be accountable stewards. We know times are uncertain and challenging, and there are so many options for where to invest your money. By giving to United Way, you’re amplifying your impact and advancing solutions. Thank you for being a part of the Power of Caring. Working for All.”

February 26, 2025: The Community’s Campaign Raises $17.3 Million with United Way of Dane County

The Community’s Campaign Raises $17.3 Million with United Way of Dane County

Madison, WI (February 26, 2025) – Thanks to more than 13,000 individuals and nearly 500 businesses across Dane County, our community was able to raise $17.3 million during the 2024 Community Fundraising Campaign.

On Tuesday, United Way of Dane County hosted a Community Celebration, with more than 500 community members joining us at the Monona Terrace. At this event, we celebrated the community’s generosity, giving thanks to hundreds of partners for making real, measurable change
possible in Dane County.

“I’m always awe-struck by the incredible generosity of our community,” says Renee Moe, President & CEO of United Way of Dane County. “I’m grateful to every community member who trusts us with their hard-earned dollars, knowing we will multiply them and be accountable stewards. We know times are uncertain and challenging, and there are so many options for where to invest your money. By giving to United Way, you’re amplifying your impact and advancing solutions. Thank you for being a part of the Power of Caring. Working for All.”

“United Way of Dane County is the unifying force that brings together hundreds of local nonprofits, businesses, community leaders, families, donors and volunteers to address big-picture issues no one person or organization can solve alone,” says Larry Barton, President and CEO, Strang, Inc., 2024 United Way of Dane County Campaign Chair. “I’m so grateful to have had the chance to lead this campaign, and thankful to every individual and organization who trusted us with their generosity this year. Because of you, we can create greater impact in Dane County.”

Thanks to the leadership of Larry Barton and success of our community campaign volunteers and donors, we’re empowered to continue addressing our community’s greatest needs. Through our Plan for Community Well-Being, we’re investing in local nonprofits working on family well-being in holistic and multigenerational ways – focusing on investing in and leading impact in the areas of youth opportunity, financial security and healthy community. And this year marks our first cycle funding local nonprofits that align with this plan.

“When people come together for good, we are greater. That’s why we partner with nonprofits across the community to address issues at every level, from expanding affordable housing to ensuring more children learn to read. We are proud to invest in known outcomes with a diverse group of
nonprofit partners, including services delivered by partners who haven’t always had access to various funding streams in Dane County. It is through these partnerships that we will amplify our community’s collective impact.” Says David Sweitzer, 2024 United Way of Dane County Vision
Council Chair.

At United Way, we’re so grateful to all who were able and willing to donate their time and/or dollars in 2024. Your gift, no matter the size, builds a future where everyone can thrive.

We’d like to give special recognition to the companies who contributed $100,000+ through corporate gifts, employee giving and special events:

  • American Family Insurance
  • TruStage
  • Partners in Giving: State, UW-Madison and UW Health Employee Combined Campaign
  • Exact Sciences
  • Zimbrick, Inc.
  • Christensen Associates
  • J.H. Findorff & Son Inc.
  • Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP
  • UW Credit Union
  • BMO
  • Madison Gas and Electric
  • Sub-Zero Group Inc.
  • Alliant Energy
  • TASC
  • M3 Insurance
  • First Business Bank
  • Hy Cite Enterprises, LLC
  • Summit Credit Union
  • National Guardian Life Insurance Company
  • Bankers’ Bank
  • WPS
  • Hooper Corporation
  • West Bend Specialty

To see a full list of campaign partners visit our website.

Thank you to our Celebration event sponsors, including: Presenting Sponsor, UW Credit Union; Community Sponsors, Alliant Energy, Madison Gas and Electric and Hiebing; Partner Sponsors, J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., Johnson Financial Group and Summit Credit Union; Media Sponsors, WKOW and Backyard Dream Productions; and Table Sponsors, American Family Insurance, Ascendium Education Group, BMO, First Business Bank, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, Hausmann Group, M3 Insurance, McClone Insurance and National Guardian Life Insurance
Company.

2024 United Way Campaign Award Recipients
To see a full list of award recipients, honorable mentions and additional volunteer recognitions, visit our website.

Accelerating Impact Award: American Family Insurance, J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., TruStage, CAMECA Instruments, Inc., Godfrey & Kahn, SC, Church Mutual Insurance Company.
Celebrating companies who grew their financial impact most (through overall dollar amount and percentage) to create positive change in our community.

The Power of Many Award: Park Bank, Springs Window Fashions, Summit Credit Union.
Recognizing companies who grew their employee participation the most, engaging more people in supporting our community.

Innovation Award: Bankers’ Bank, Cummins, National Guardian Life Insurance Company.
Recognizes companies who are most committed to raising awareness and resources through new and creative strategies.

Advocate in Action Award: Karen Kallerud
Celebrating a campaign volunteer who is passionate about giving back, enthusiastic about engaging others in learning about our community and inspire everyone to give, advocate and volunteer.

Collaboration Award: Saving Our Babies (a coalition of healthcare providers, public health and nonprofits established by the Dane County Health Council focused on eliminating the racial birth
disparities impacting Black mothers and babies in Dane County).
Recognizing United Way partners who serve our community and facilitate collaborative action leading to meaningful change.

Give United Award: Atmus, Vesta.
Celebrates companies who joined our United Way family in 2024 with a first-time gift or employee campaign, investing in our community.

Affinity for Community Award: Summit Credit Union, Women United Council (for Women United at Work).
Celebrates community partners who are creating opportunities for employees to lead in their careers and through their philanthropy with United Way’s Lead United, Women United and LINC networks.

If you have questions or would like to set up an interview, please contact Ashley Manthei, Director of Communications, United Way of Dane County at (608) 416-0401 or Ashley.manthei@uwdc.org

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About United Way of Dane County

United Way of Dane County mobilizes the caring power of our community to close gaps and open opportunities so all can thrive. From advancing health and education to strengthening livelihoods and local resilience, we connect people to possibility. With a mission to unite the community to achieve measurable results that change lives, we work collaboratively with local nonprofits, businesses, community leaders, donors and volunteers to multiply impact and solve big-picture issues no one person or organization can address alone. Together, we are The Power of Caring. Working for All. Visit www.unitedwaydanecounty.org to learn more.

January 21, 2025: United Way of Dane County announces line up for 24th Annual Bluegrass Benefit Concert

United Way of Dane County announces line up for 24th Annual Bluegrass Benefit Concert

Madison, WI (January 21, 2025) – An afternoon of live, local music returns on Sunday, February 16, 2025, for the 24th Annual United Way Bluegrass Benefit at the Barrymore Theatre. The show features bands of the Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass Music Association, Inc. with support by WORT-89.9 FM, Isthmus and Sugar Maple Music Festival. Audrey Martinovich and Stephanie Benicek of Audio for the Arts provide sound and recording services.

“It’s a community event. It’s a place people can bring their kids at this time of year and have a great time for a great cause,” remarks Dave Kinney, an Oscar Mayer retiree and bluegrass fan who coordinates the annual benefit concert with musician Bob Batyko. Kinney was a United Way Loaned Executive for 12 community fundraising campaigns and remains a dedicated donor and volunteer.
Batyko is liaison to the bands and will play with two acts at this year’s show.

The annual event began as a family-friendly activity to build community during the winter and has continued to offer bluegrass fans, families and United Way advocates that opportunity over 24 years. Tickets are available at the door the day of the show. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-12 and a maximum of $20 per family. Kids under age 5 are admitted for free.

The musical groups donating their talents on February 16 include:
1:00 pm The Grazers
1:45 pm SpareTime Bluegrass
2:30 pm David Landau, The King of Kids Music
3:00 pm They Talk TOO Much with special guests
3:45 pm Sorry Mountain
4:30 pm The Sandhill Strangers

For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact Ashley Manthei, Director of Communications, United Way of Dane County at (608) 416-0401 or Ashley.manthei@uwdc.org.

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About United Way of Dane County

United Way of Dane County mobilizes the caring power of our community to close gaps and open opportunities so all can thrive. From advancing health and education to strengthening livelihoods and local resilience, we connect people to possibility. With a mission to unite the community to achieve measurable results that change lives, we work collaboratively with local nonprofits, businesses, community leaders, donors and volunteers to multiply impact and solve big-picture issues no one person or organization can address alone. Together, we are The Power of Caring. Working for All. Visit www.unitedwaydanecounty.org to learn more.

January 2025: Power of Caring. Working for All. In Action.

Power of Caring. Working for All. In Action.

At United Way of Dane County, we know that when more individuals have jobs earning family-sustaining wages and safe and affordable housing, they are less stressed and better able to provide for themselves and their families. That’s why our Plan for Community Well-Being focuses on a future where more families have what they need to become economically stable.  

When Sofia, a first-generation Mexican American decided she wanted to become a nurse to better support her family while pursuing a fulfilling career, she wasn’t sure where to begin. Through our HIRE program, we connected her with partners at Centro Hispano, where she was enrolled in the Caminos CNA program. While continuing to work as a lead crew trainer at McDonalds for six years – making $13/hour – Sofia worked hard to complete her high school education at Madison College and attended the Caminos CNA class three times a week. It was certainly not easy balancing it all, but Sofia persevered and graduated the program this past spring! And she recently accepted a full-time CNA position, earning $19/hour with benefits. Sofia hopes to continue her educational journey towards a nursing degree for herself and her family.  

We’re so proud of the role we were able to play in helping Sofia – and so many others. Thanks to your support, our HIRE program participants are empowered to grow into careers that support their families as they work to succeed in school, work and life. Together with our partners, we are helping more people reach their full potential through our Plan for Community Well-Being. And your continued support matters! Visit our website to learn more and make a gift today.  

January 2025: Join us for Community Celebration on February 25!

Join us for Community Celebration on February 25!

Join us to celebrate The Power of Caring. Working for All! We couldn’t do our important work without the support of our many partners – and this is our way of saying thanks. Thank you for all you do to spark real change across Dane County. We’ll share in good food and conversation, and celebrate the work you do to uplift family well-being across Dane County in 2025 and beyond. We hope to see you there!  

Tuesday, February 25    |    11:30 am – 1:30 pm    |    Monona Terrace    |    1 John Nolen Drive 

Event sponsorships are available! 

Event sponsorships are available! 

Join us as an event sponsor to receive recognition and benefits including a reserved table near the front for your team or group! Contact us for more information. 

January 4, 2025: Update: 66 Culver’s restaurants are now raising money for Madison school shooting families

Update: 66 Culver’s restaurants are now raising money for Madison school shooting families

A Culver’s fundraiser to benefit families affected by the Dec. 16 shooting at Abundant Life Christian School has grown beyond the Madison region to
include Culver’s restaurants across Wisconsin.

As of Friday afternoon, 66 Culver’s will be participating in Monday’s fundraiser, during which a portion of the day’s proceeds at each participating Culver’s will be donated to the United Way of Dane County’s fund to support Abundant Life Christian School families.

The percentage donated will vary, but each restaurant will display it, a Culver’s spokesperson said.

As of Friday afternoon, the United Way fund had collected $226,251.

Participating restaurants in the Madison area include those in DeForest, Cottage Grove, Cross Plains, Mount Horeb, all of the Madison Culver’s restaurants, McFarland, Middleton, Oregon, Stoughton, both locations in Sun Prairie, Verona and Waunakee.

December 23, 2024: A Letter from Abundant Life Christian School

A Letter from Abundant Life Christian School

December 23, 2024

Dear Renee Moe and United Way of Dane County,

The past week has been both the longest and shortest that we have ever walked through at Abundant Life Christian School. In the wake of the most terrible tragedy to occur to us, we have been blessed by an outpouring of support, kindness, and love.

We are incredibly grateful to United Way of Dane County for being so quick to respond with what is needed most – funds to support our families.

The Abundant Life Christian School Emergency and Recovery Fund established by United Way of Dane County is a gift to our faculty, staff, students and families. Our top priorities for these monies are to support our school family from the ongoing needs of the injured to the long-term mental health needs of the student body, staff, and families. Our order of priority is to come alongside any financial needs of the families who lost loved ones first, then to support the medical expenses of those injured, then with remaining funds to provide for the mental health needs of the Challenger Family that come from the traumatic incident on December 16.

We can truly never express the depth of our gratitude to the community of Madison and beyond who have come alongside us in these most trying of days. We have been loved so well!

Thank you for all of your help and for making it possible for us to further support our Challenger Family in ways that make a real difference.

Sincerely,

Doug Butler
Principal

Member Spotlight: Women United Founders and Renewed Commitment to Philanthropy in 2025

Member Spotlight: Women United Founders and Renewed Commitment to Philanthropy in 2025

Over the last ten years, we have raised nearly $420,000
through our Women United Brunch alone.

2024 was a very special year for United Way of Dane County as we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Women United, previously known as our Women’s Initiative. As a Tocqueville member, you’re probably already familiar with Women United – but you may not know that our Women’s Initiative was originally founded by just 28 women. Among those women were seven of your fellow Tocqueville members: Mildred Conney, Janet Loewi, Katharine Lyall, Janet Plumb, Karen Ragatz, Katie Sekelsky and Barb Swan

These women wanted to be involved in solving a huge problem in our community: an education gap that was impacting students, particularly students of color, reaching the third grade reading level. Up until third grade, children learn to read. From there, they read to learn, setting them up for all they need to be successful in life. 

The founders also saw a solution, channeling the unique power of women as “nurturers, problem solvers, good listeners, loyal friends and compassionate caregivers.” In 2004, the Women’s Initiative was born, bringing women across Dane County together to volunteer their time as well as a minimum gift of $1,500 to bridge the funding gap for Schools of Hope, a collaboration of United Way of Dane County and the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) to provide literacy tutoring support to students that need it most. In the first year, the Women’s Initiative raised $44,780.

Those of you who had the chance to attend last year’s Women United Brunch in September will remember the powerful moment seeing several of the founders stand and be celebrated in the center of that filled-to-the-brim ballroom. It’s incredible to see how that spark – that desire to create change for the better for our children and our community – lit a fire to create something long-lasting and powerful.

20 years later, we have over 1,200 Women United members and over the last ten years, have raised nearly $420,000 through our Women United Brunch alone. Women United’s focus has shifted to focus on women’s financial security, working to provide resources and education around the unique experiences that impact women’s financial well-being. From mobilizing workplace menstrual product drives to hosting events to educate community members on the financial impacts of divorce, Women United is changing women’s lives in Dane County for the better. To think it all started with just ten women passionate about making a difference.

In 2025, Women United will take that mission one step further by once again adding a giving level, starting at $1,000 annually. This will solidify philanthropy as a shared value, passion and priority amongst our members and ensure we invest as much back into the community as possible. 

Our Tocqueville Society is much the same – a growing group of passionate individuals coming together to make an impact that’s greater than the sum of its parts. All it takes is a small group of people identifying a need in our community and deciding to do something about it.

December 17, 2024: United Way of Dane County establishes Abundant Life Christian School Emergency and Recovery Fund

United Way of Dane County establishes Abundant Life Christian School Emergency and Recovery Fund

In response to the devastating and fatal shooting at Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS) on Monday, United Way of Dane County has established the Abundant Life Christian School Emergency and Recovery Fund. All funds raised will go directly to ALCS to support those impacted by the tragic events.

“Our hearts go out to every student, family and educator who has been affected by this act of violence,” says Renee Moe, president and CEO of United Way of Dane County, in a press release announcing the fund. “While our collective reality is forever changed, United Way of Dane County stands ready to help our community recover. Please give with your hearts to support our neighbors through this difficult time. Every dollar counts.”

To give to the fund, visit www.unitedwaydanecounty.org or text help4ALCS to 40403.

“We are overwhelmed by the community’s support and grateful for United Way’s assistance,” says Doug Butler, principal of Abundant Life Christan School. “We will be announcing a transparent process for funds distribution once we understand clearly what is needed and how best to support our families and school.”

December 17, 2024: How you can help the families impacted by the ALCS shooting

How you can help the families impacted by the ALCS shooting

Published: Dec. 17, 2024 at 8:04 AM CST

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – In response to the deadly shooting at a Madison private school, United Way of Dane County has established a fund to support those impacted by the tragedy.

According to United Way of Dane County, 100% of the proceeds of the Abundant Life Christian School Emergency and Recovery Fund will go to the school’s families.

Renee Moe, the President and CEO of United Way of Dane County, said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway asked for their organization to set up an official fund.

“We worked with the officials at the Abundant Life Christian School to make sure they wanted that and to make sure to center that process around the families, the educators and those most affected,” said Moe.

The Principal of Abundant Life Christian School, Doug Butler, shared that the school will be announcing a transparent process for the distribution of the funds once it’s clear what is needed and how best to support our families and school.

Moe says in the wake of tragedy, it often can take time to determine what support is most needed.

“When the reality hits you for what it means for grief, what it means for having a sense of safety, what it means for having mental health support, those are the kinds of realities that come a bit later,” said Moe.

If you would like to donate, you can text “HELP4ALCS” TO 40403 or click HERE to donate through the United Way website.

“We are really focusing in on what the schools need and what the families of the school need,” said Moe. “We’ll be able to most directly provide these dollars to families in support services.”

Officials at Abundant Life Christian School are asking donors to consider giving financially and to avoid sending physical items, like food or toys, to the school at this time.

“The school very strongly wishes for financial support through the official fund and not to have to triage all the other donations that might be coming in in various ways,” explained Moe.

United Way of Dane County also wants you to be aware of the 211 Hotline. This number is an information and referral resource and has tips for

“They’re ready to take calls associated with this shooting and the aftermath,” Moe said. ” If you need some support with how to talk to your children, or if you need some support yourself, you can call 211 and they can connect you with resources.”

As of 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Moe said 61 people had donated for a total of over $4,200.

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