Author: Brian Buckner

November 5, 2025: Connecting People and Possibilities

Posted on by Brian Buckner

Connecting People and Possibilities

FOUNDED: 1922

HOW WE HELP: United Way of Dane County mobilizes the caring power of our community so all can thrive. From advancing health and education to strengthening livelihoods and local resilience, we connect people to possibilities. Our mission — to unite the community to achieve measurable results that change lives — is rooted in innovation and action. By collaborating with diverse partners, we deliver forward-thinking solutions and results that improve health, education, financial stability and local resilience.

THE IMPACT OF YOUR GIFT: When you give to United Way, 100% of your gift transforms lives through our Plan for Community Well-Being. Last year, your support reached 82,329 neighbors across Dane County. Over 29,000 individuals and families maintained stable housing, reduced family homelessness and secured full-time employment at $22-plus an hour. Eighteen thousand neighbors received mental health support, and access to health insurance and quality healthcare. Nearly 8,000 children advanced in early childhood education, literacy, math and critical thinking skills, college and career readiness and family engagement.

WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT US:

  • Donate and support our Plan for Community Well-Being. One hundred percent of your donation powers meaningful action and transforms lives.
  • Volunteer and make a difference this season through our Holiday Wish List at volunteeryourtime.org.
  • Attend our events: Community Celebration, Day of Caring event, Women United Brunch and much more!
  •  Join a donor or volunteer network: Lead United, Women United, LINC for Young Professionals, Business Volunteer Network and Retired Employees Are Dedicated Individuals are all ways to get involved.

DONATE NOW: https://www.unitedwaydanecounty.org

United Way Dane County
2059 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI 53704
unitedwaydanecounty.org

November 20, 2025: United Way of Dane County Celebrates the 2025 Community Campaign

Posted on by Brian Buckner

United Way of Dane County Celebrates the 2025 Community Campaign

United Way’s Community Campaign, strengthened by donors and the Dan & Patti Rashke (TASC) Family Foundation commitment, is on track to reach its $17.5 million goal.

Download PDF here

Madison, WI (November 20, 2025) – United Way of Dane County celebrated the community’s generosity at the 2025 Community Celebration held Wednesday at Monona Terrace. More than 550 community members, representing businesses, nonprofits, volunteers and donors from across Dane County, gathered to honor the efforts of more than 13,000 individual donors and nearly 500 workplace partners.

This year’s campaign was energized by a historic 10-year, $10–$15 million commitment from the Dan & Patti Rashke (TASC) Family Foundation — the largest multi-year philanthropic commitment in United Way of Dane County’s history. The gift ensures that 100% of undesignated individual donations directly address the greatest needs in the community in the areas of youth opportunity, financial security, healthy community and community resilience.

“This celebration is our chance to pause and recognize all the people, partners and businesses who care deeply about this community — and to thank them for the good they make possible,” said Renee Moe, President & CEO of United Way of Dane County.

This focus on community support comes during a year of significant nonprofit funding changes. When FoodShare benefits were delayed nationwide earlier this month, roughly 65,000 Dane County residents faced immediate food insecurity, and calls to United Way 211 surged by 147%.

“Even as demand for services increases and changes, Dane County continues to demonstrate extraordinary caring, innovation and resilience,” Moe said. “I see people stepping up. Businesses rallying behind their employees and their community involvement. Volunteers giving their time. Donors giving according to their means. That’s who we are. That’s what it means to be united in community.”

Thanks to the leadership of Kim Sponem, President and CEO of Summit Credit Union and 2025 Campaign Chair, along with the dedication of United Way’s volunteers and donors, $9.5 million has been raised toward the $17.5 million campaign goal. The campaign remains on track to achieve its goal, as workplace campaigns and individual end-of-year giving continue throughout the year.

“Over the past year as the 2025 Campaign Chair, I’ve heard many people’s stories about why they give to United Way,” Sponem said. “Within these stories is an underlying fact, life is hard in a lot of ways for a lot of people. We don’t always know what our neighbors are going through.”

Sponem shared the powerful story of a mother and seven-year-old daughter living in their car, struggling to maintain stability while ensuring the child gets to school each day — a reality for too many local families. “7.4% of children in Dane County are living in poverty, and more than 2,200 kids are homeless,” Sponem said. “Together with United Way, we can prevent homelessness and its negative ripple effects. We want to spread the message that everyone has the power to create change and that United Way is a pathway to making a lasting impact. Thanks to United Way’s effective community mobilization, every dollar you give is multiplied sixfold to maximize positive change. We encourage you to continue giving, and to invite others to join you, so our collective efforts can transform Dane County.”

The celebration recognized the vital contributions of nonprofit agency partners, workplace campaign partners, volunteers, donors and sponsors.

“Our agency partners are the heartbeat of this work, transforming dollars into impact, programs into hope and ideas into change,” Moe said. Our workplace campaign partners build cultures of giving and leadership that ripple far beyond workplace walls,” Renee said. ”As we look ahead, we know the road will continue to twist and turn. But what gives me hope is that we are not walking alone – we’re walking together — as partners, as neighbors, as a community that refuses to give up on one another. We’ll keep working side by side to build a Dane County where every child, every family, every individual has the opportunity to thrive.”

The campaign continues through December 31. Community members interested in supporting United Way of Dane County or increasing their pledge to maximize tax benefits can visit unitedwaydanecounty.org.

United Way of Dane County is grateful to all who were able and willing to donate their time and dollars in 2025. Your gift, no matter the size, builds a future where everyone can thrive.

Companies who contributed to the United Way Community Campaign through corporate gifts, employee giving and special events:

$1,000,000+
American Family Insurance

$500,000+
Henry J. Predolin Foundation, Inc.
Partners in Giving: State of Wisconsin, UW-Madison and UW Health Employee Combined Campaign
Roots & Wings Foundation
TruStage

$250,000+
Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP
Christensen Associates
Exact Sciences
J.H. Findorff & Son Inc.
Madison Gas and Electric
Sub-Zero Group Inc.
UW Credit Union
Zimbrick, Inc.

$100,000+
Alliant Energy
Bankers’ Bank
BMO
First Business Bank
Hooper Corporation
Hy Cite Enterprises, LLC
M3 Insurance
National Guardian Life Insurance Company
Siemer Institute for Family Stability
Summit Credit Union
TASC
Vogel Bros. Building Co.
West Bend Insurance Company
WPS

2025 Community Celebration Sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor: American Family Insurance; Community Sponsors: Summit Credit Union, Alliant Energy, Madison Gas and Electric and UW Credit Union; Partner Sponsors: BMO, J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., Hiebing; Media Sponsors, WKOW; and Table Sponsors: Ascendium Education Group, Cummins, First Business Bank, IFF, McClone Insurance, National Guardian Life Insurance Company, TruStage.

Campaign Partner Sponsor:
A donation from longtime supporters Dan and Patti Rashke and their Dan & Patti Rashke (TASC) Family Foundation acts as a powerful catalyst – amplifying the impact of your generosity. Every penny of your individual and undesignated gift goes directly toward resolving the greatest needs in our community – a rare and remarkable advantage that few organizations can offer.

A full list of award recipients, honorable mentions, additional volunteer recognitions and sponsors, is included in the 2025 Community Celebration Program:

Accelerating Impact Award: Hooper Corporation, TruStage, Vogel Bros. Building Co., Benjamin F. Edwards & Co., Catalent, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. Recognizing companies who have grown their financial impact over the last three years the largest (% increase in dollars), helping to accelerate positive change in our community.

The Power of Many Award: Bergstrom Automotive, Buttonwood Partners, MIG Commercial Real Estate. Recognizing companies who are engaging more people in supporting our community through workplace campaign best and growing employee participation.

Innovation Award: Godfrey & Kahn, SC, Truity Partners, LLC. Recognizing companies who are committed to raising awareness and resources through new and creative strategies.

Advocate in Action Award: Access Community Health Centers Staff; Raj Ravi, Hooper Corporation and Maggie Waid, RISE Wisconsin, Inc. Recognizing campaign volunteers who are passionate about giving back, enthusiastic about engaging others in learning about our community and inspiring everyone to give, advocate and volunteer.

Collaboration Award: UW Health and Quartz for HealthConnect. United Way partners who serve our community and facilitate collaborative action leading to meaningful change. This year recognizing the impact of the HealthConnect health insurance premium assistance program.

Leading the Way Award: M3 Insurance, Summit Credit Union. Recognizing corporate partners who create opportunities for employees to lead through their philanthropy with United Way’s donor networks (Tocqueville Society, Lead United, Women United and LINC for Young Professionals).

To learn more, visit www.unitedwaydanecounty.org. For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact Adrienne Kramer, Program Manager, Communications and Digital Media, United Way of Dane County at Adrienne.kramer@uwdc.org or (608) 504-6137.

# # #

About United Way of Dane County:

United Way of Dane County mobilizes the caring power of our community 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. United Way holds ourselves and our partners accountable for effective use of resources and measurable results. Together, we are The Power of Caring. Working for All. Visit www.unitedwaydanecounty.org to learn more.

 

October 20, 2025: The Challenges Facing Dane County’s Safety Net: A Defining Moment of Community

Posted on by Brian Buckner

The Challenges Facing Dane County’s Safety Net: A Defining Moment of Community

  • by Jonathan Gramling

United Way of Dane County is one of those almost “invisible” entities that help make Madison and Dane County a great place to live, work and play.

“I had a volunteer who once said, ‘United Way is a story of glue,’” said Renee Moe, United Way’s CEO. “And when it works really well, it’s invisible.’ It’s true in terms of keeping things moving the right way.”

One of those ways has been as a founding member of the Goodman Nonprofit Center.

“We contributed $1 million to be one of the founding groups,” Moe said. “Now the most important thing to know about that is it wasn’t campaign dollars. These were dollars in a fund that was at the Madison Community Foundation. And our board and the community foundation board looked at the original agreement around what the dollars should be used for in the United Way Fund and we repurposed that fund to support nonprofit capacity building. We did training forever. There were no trainings happening during the pandemic. A lot of learning went online. And a lot of smaller nonprofits who weren’t in the Agenda for Change or Plan for Community Well-Being were coming to trainings and it wasn’t necessarily the larger partners. And so the Goodman Nonprofit Center allowed any nonprofit. So whether you are health & human service, social justice, environmental, arts or more, that’s just a larger resource place now.”

United Way spends a lot of time keeping its finger on the pulse of community needs and assisting in the effort to meet those needs. And in the fall, United Way becomes very visible as it raises funds for the 600-800 nonprofits that are donor-designated and the 100 nonprofits who also receive funds through the Plan for Community Well-Being.

“The deep partnerships are the ones who work in collaboration,” Moe said. “It’s dollars that people give to the greatest needs. And those are deployed by volunteers for the Plan for Community Well-Being. That has four strategies and then plans under each. One is Youth Opportunity. That’s really looking at early childhood through literacy and graduation rates. The other is Financial Security. That’s homelessness reduction, reentry and workforce development. There is Healthy Community. It’s about infant and maternal health, behavioral and mental health and access to health care. And Community Resilience is all of the other things like non-profit capacity building, disaster response, volunteer mobilization and 211 information and referral.”

Many of the nonprofits were founded and operated by people who were passionate about a mission and the money they were paid was secondary to making progress on that mission. Especially with the ebbing of the Baby Boom generation, the nonprofits have matured and those who operated them look to long-term stability.

November 17, 2025: United Way of Dane County Hosts “Community Celebration” – Recognizing the Many Partners Who Make the Community Campaign Successful

Posted on by Brian Buckner

United Way of Dane County Hosts “Community Celebration” – Recognizing the Many Partners Who Make the Community Campaign Successful

Download PDF here

Madison, WI (November 17, 2025) – On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, United Way of Dane County will host its Community Celebration event at Monona Terrace from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm.

We invite our media partners to join us as we celebrate the results of the 2025 Community Campaign. Nonprofit partners, corporate and business supporters, donors and volunteers will come together to recognize the important work accomplished through our collective impact.

WHEN: Wednesday, November 19 | 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

WHERE: Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center | 1 John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI

WHY: United Way of Dane County’s work is made possible through the collaboration of our many partners and the generosity of our community. This celebration serves as an expression of gratitude and a reflection of our shared commitment to strengthening family well-being across Dane County in 2026 and beyond.

VISUAL OPPORTUNITIES:
• Community leaders networking
• Program sharing the results of the 2025 Community Campaign
• Interviews with:
   • Kim Sponem, President/CEO Summit Credit Union and 2025 United Way Campaign Chair
   • Renee Moe, President & CEO United Way of Dane County

We will be taking in-person media interviews between 11:30 am-Noon.

To learn more, visit www.unitedwaydanecounty.org. For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact Adrienne Kramer, Program Manager, Communications and Digital Media, United Way of Dane County at Adrienne.kramer@uwdc.org or (608) 504-6137.

# # #

About United Way of Dane County:

United Way of Dane County mobilizes the caring power of our community 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. United Way holds ourselves and our partners accountable for effective use of resources and measurable results. Together, we are The Power of Caring. Working for All. Visit www.unitedwaydanecounty.org to learn more.

 

Introducing Deidre Garrett, 2026 Chair of Women United

Posted on by Brian Buckner

Introducing Deidre Garrett,
2026 Chair of Women United

We’re thrilled to announce Deidre Garrett as our incoming Chair of Women United in 2026! Deidre is a passionate advocate, dedicated volunteer and leader who has stepped up in her leadership since joining Women United in 2023.

Driven by a commitment to empower women and uplift our community, Deidre became involved with Women United to contribute her time and expertise toward initiatives that foster equity, opportunity and resilience. A champion for women’s advancement, Deidre is especially passionate about initiatives that equip women to thrive professionally, financially and personally. She believes that when women rise, entire communities benefit, becoming stronger, more vibrant and more inclusive.

As Chair, Deidre brings a strategic mindset and collaborative spirit to her leadership. She envisions driving meaningful change by empowering women and girls to unlock their potential and achieve their goals. Her leadership will focus on purposeful engagement and leveraging collective strength to help more women and their families achieve financial security.

Volunteering has been a transformative journey for Deidre, shaping her as a woman, a mother and a community leader. It has deepened her sense of purpose and inspired her to lead with empathy and intention. The challenges and rewards of service continues to fuel her drive to give back and create meaningful impact.

To Deidre, philanthropic leadership means using influence, resources and vision to mobilize others and create sustainable change. It’s about leading with purpose and making a difference that echoes across generations.

Tocqueville Society Members Inspire a New Generation of Philanthropic Leaders

Posted on by Brian Buckner

Tocqueville Society Members Inspire a New Generation of Philanthropic Leaders

At this year’s Tocqueville Dinner, we celebrated a remarkable milestone: 50 new members joined the Tocqueville Society over the last year. This achievement is a testament to the power of our Tocqueville community. It was only possible because you, our dedicated members, invited friends, colleagues and peers to join you in making a significant investment in Dane County. Your belief in the transformative power of philanthropy continues to light the way.

This year, Tocqueville members have carried that torch forward with purpose and passion. Through personal conversations, workplace gatherings and special events, you’ve shared your stories: how you started, why you give and what it means to live generously. These moments have sparked curiosity and inspired action, helping to shape the next generation of philanthropic leaders.

On September 30, Mike Victorson, CEO of M3 Insurance and Tocqueville Member since 2004, joined LINC for Young Professionals member Jackson LeRoy for a Leadership Spotlight conversation. LINC brings early-career professionals together and provides opportunities for volunteering, philanthropy and professional development. “Good philanthropy is good business, and good business is good philanthropy,” he said. “United Way was crucial for building my local network. The number one place for me to get connected to people and business leaders was with United Way of Dane County.”

Just a few weeks later, on October 23, members of our Emerging Philanthropic Leaders task force hosted a special event in partnership with National Guardian Life. The event featured a panel of Tocqueville members: Cheryl DeMars (Retired CEO, The Alliance), Nyra Jordan (Associate Vice President, Community & Social Impact, American Family Insurance) and Kevin Tebrinke (Strategic Advisor – Science and Technology, J.H. Findorff & Son Inc.) alongside United Way Board member Ashley Quinto Powell (Founder, myVA Rocks). Together, they explored what drives people to give, how philanthropy evolves over a career and their personal decisions behind joining the Tocqueville Society.

Panelists shared powerful reflections: Kevin shared about getting his start in philanthropy early in his career through his labor union; Nyra shared how being part of Tocqueville has become part of the leadership culture at American Family Insurance; Ashley highlighted her holistic involvement across United Way initiatives as both a donor and volunteer; and Cheryl emphasized how inviting others to join Tocqueville has deepened her relationships and expanded her impact.

As Madison enters a new era of giving, bolstered by a transformative gift from the Dan & Patti Rashke (TASC) Family Foundation, Tocqueville members are leading the way. Your stories, generosity and leadership are shaping a future where philanthropy is bold, inclusive and deeply rooted in community.

Together, We Can Help Families Through Crisis

Posted on by Brian Buckner

Together, We Can Help Families Through Crisis

Dear Friends, 

In challenging times, it’s natural to ask, “Who is leading in crisis? What is United Way doing to help?” These are the questions many are asking as our community faces continued uncertainty and families experience growing hardships.  

Right now, people are turning to United Way’s 211, the most comprehensive health and human resource emergency line – many for the first time – seeking help for basic needs: food and shelter. Our calls to 211 have increased 147% and our partner agencies are seeing the same steep rise in requests for support. Starting in November, benefits for FoodShare members will be delayed, which will significantly harm the roughly 65,000 Dane County residents that rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to put food on the table. This includes children, seniors, veterans, disabled persons & others struggling to meet their essential food needs. 

For over a century, United Way has brought our community together to address our toughest issues and most urgent needs. As a volunteer-led organization, we are now gathering a delegation of community leaders to help us shape the community response and ensure that local families receive the help they need.  

While we continue raising critical dollars through our campaign, we know this is both a time when our families need us to step up – and a time when our community is looking for opportunities to respond to the mounting needs in ways that are effective and thoughtful. 

To meet this growing demand, we have launched a Major Gifts Taskforce to invite those who can give significant gifts to support the increased needs. We are asking everyone in our community to consider giving an additional gift to help. Our goal is to raise $600,000 by the end of 2025, and continue raising more in 2026 based on the greatest needs at that time. 

If you’d like to talk about the options for an additional gift, please reach out to Maggie Porter Kratz at Maggie.porterkratz@uwdc.org or 608-246-4344. 

We promise to report back on the ways that we mobilize every single dollar entrusted to us.  

 

With deep gratitude,  

Jay Sekelsky

Community Resiliency Taskforce Chair

Renee Moe,

President & CEO, United Way of Dane County

P.S. This comes with another advantage – The Dan & Patti Rashke (TASC) Family Foundation covers the administrative costs for all individual gifts directly to United Way. That means 100% of your gift will go right into community work.  

Building a Better Dane County: Erica Mullin’s Blueprint for Change

Posted on by Brian Buckner

Building a Better Dane County: Erica Mullin’s Blueprint for Change

Earlier this year, Erica Mullins was announced as the new President and CEO of Strang, the first woman and interior designer in the company’s history. Recently honored on the In Business Magazine Power 100 list, Erica is defined as a leader who is driving economic growth and helping shape our community into a thriving place to work, learn and live.  

Erica has been a dedicated supporter of United Way of Dane County for the past 11 years. Her first introduction to United Way came through Strang’s workplace campaign and what began as a simple payroll deduction quickly grew into a deeper commitment to community involvement. Over the years, she has taken on various volunteer roles, became an active member of Women United, helped lead her company’s campaign, became a Lead United Ambassador and most recently joined the Lead United Council.  

One cause that resonates deeply with Erica is housing. She’s passionate about ensuring everyone has a safe place to live and has come to understand how stable housing affects nearly every aspect of life, from health and financial stability to childhood development and education. “Seeing how all of that connects back to something as basic as housing has really stuck with me,” she says. 

She believes that meaningful change happens when people come together to share their time, resources and voices. Her goal is to support initiatives that make a tangible difference and to encourage others to get involved alongside her. Volunteering has become a grounding experience, offering perspective and gratitude. “Every time I volunteer, I’m struck by the generosity and selflessness of people who are working so hard and often quietly, on behalf of others,” she reflects. 

To Erica, philanthropic leadership means leading by example, not just through giving, but by inspiring others to give of themselves. It’s about building a culture of generosity and shared responsibility. That’s why she originally joined Lead United through the United Way Step-Up Program, seeing it as a natural next step in her journey to give back as her career progressed. 

Erica has called Dane County home for the past 11 years and her appreciation for the area runs deep. She finds joy in the simple beauty of the lakes, whether it’s boating or walking along the shoreline or enjoying the vibrant local food scene. One of her favorite places to recharge is Morton Forest in the Driftless Region, especially during the fall when the colors are at their peak. For Erica, Dane County isn’t just where she lives, it’s a place that fuels her passion for connection and creativity. Her story is a testament to how small actions can lead to lasting impact and how one person’s commitment can inspire a ripple effect of generosity throughout the community.

Celebrating Impact: A Night of Gratitude, Generosity and Growth

Posted on by Brian Buckner

Celebrating Impact:

A Night of Gratitude, Generosity and Growth

On a beautiful September evening overlooking the Capitol from Top of the Park, the Tocqueville Society gathered for its annual Membership Dinner, a celebration of community, commitment and collective impact. 

The evening began with a reception to welcome our newest members. Chris Copeland, Tocqueville Society Chair, and Tyler Knowles, New Member Reception sponsor from Heckmann Financial, offered heartfelt remarks and a celebratory toast, setting the tone for a night filled with gratitude and celebration. 

As the sun set, guests moved into the Hall of Wisconsin for dinner, where Yasir Kamal from American Family Insurance and Don Bernards from Baker Tilly raised a toast to the power of philanthropy. Chris Copeland recognized the 50 new members who joined this year, celebrated those marking 10 years of giving and proudly announced that the Tocqueville Society had reached its ambitious goal of $5 million in 2024. 

Renee Moe, United Way of Dane County’s President & CEO, shared reflections on the challenges facing our community, from housing and food insecurity to the need for deeper connection and nonprofit support, and how United Way’s Plan for Community Well-Being is guiding our response.  

She also honored the enduring partnership of Dan and Patti Rashke, whose transformational 10-year gift through their Dan & Patti Rashke (TASC) Family Foundation will cover administrative costs for individual undesignated giving. By covering these costs — an estimated total of $10 million to $15 million — this gift ensures that 100% of gifts to United Way’s Plan for Community Well-Being goes directly toward resolving the greatest needs in our community – a rare and remarkable advantage that few organizations can offer. 

Dan Rashke echoed that spirit in his remarks, challenging guests to “make the Rashkes pay” by increasing their gifts and inviting others to give. “We want to inspire giving,” he said, “and we trust United Way to convene, collaborate and drive outcomes that change lives.” 

The evening culminated in a moving tribute to Thomas A. Walker, this year’s Tocqueville Society Honoree. Tom’s decades of leadership, from his early support as a business volunteer to co-chairing the Delegation on Safe and Healthy Aging, have shaped systems that improve lives across Dane County. His ability to connect fiscal accountability, volunteerism and storytelling has helped United Way grow and thrive.  

Thank you to those of you who joined us and who continue to be part of this community. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected Dane County today and for generations to come.