Benefits to Our Community and to Your Company

Sponsorship plays an important role in our ability to support more Dane County families, and helps people understand, experience and feel connected to our work. Your generosity helps United Way to:

• Increase resources for our community, instead of covering the costs of events and advertising.
• Maintain our nationally-recognized effectiveness ratio of spending 86% of funds on programming and only 14% on administrative costs – while the average nonprofit spends 35% on overhead expenses.
• Engage with new and diverse stakeholders, increasing community will and resources.
• Deepen understanding of the core issues facing Dane County and drive stakeholders to action.

As a sponsor, your brand becomes an integral part of our events, and you have an opportunity to connect with a dynamic audience passionate about solving Dane County’s toughest challenges. Choose from our range of sponsorships, each designed to maximize your visibility.

Community Campaign Catalyst – Help us invest in the well-being of Dane County families.

Support our annual campaign efforts and reach business, nonprofit and community leaders. Community Celebration November 2025 | 11:30 am – 1:30 pm | Location to be announced This event thanks everyone who makes an impact through giving and volunteering. For the 2025 Campaign, we will be moving the Celebration to November 2025, allowing us to recognize the incredible philanthropy of our community right as campaigns are ending. Help us celebrate the generous support of donors, volunteers and nonprofit and corporate partners, share campaign results and look ahead to the next year of impact and innovation in Dane County.

• Audience & Reach: 700+ business, nonprofit and community leaders in Dane County who are committed to the promise that Dane County should be the best place to live for all, with a reach of 25,000+ through communications.
• Sponsorship Levels: $25,000 (exclusive presenting), $10,000, $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000

Loaned Executive Program: Build Ambassadors

July – November 2025 One of the most comprehensive professional development programs in Dane County is at United Way! Loaned Executives work as an extension of the United Way team for four months and finish the program with a fresh, new set of high-demand skills – including business planning, customer relationship management and public speaking. You can loan an employee by providing a leave of responsibility from day-to-day job duties (with a continuation of compensation, benefits and expenses) for 17 weeks on a full-time or part-time basis. If you are unable to loan an employee, you can sponsor a Loaned Executive for $14,000. Please contact us at campaign@uwdc.org for information.

Lead United: Accelerate Impact

Invest in our community’s future leaders and our potential for support. This local network of leaders is invested, compassionate and focused on understanding Dane County’s critical issues and achieving professional growth. Lead United members give $1,000 or more each year. Help support engagement and recognition of this important and growing donor group through events or the Lead United Step-Up Match.

Lead United Step-Up Match

Inspire tomorrow’s leaders and grow membership in Lead United by providing matching funds for the Lead United Step-Up Match. Donors who commit to increasing their annual gift from $500 to $1,000 over the next three years will unlock these matching funds, double their impact and become members of Lead United right away.

• Audience & Reach: 1,500+ current and prospective Lead United member households, community-minded individuals who lead in their workplaces, in our community and through their philanthropy, with a reach of 25,000+ through communications.
• Step-Up Match Sponsorship Levels: $25,000 (exclusive presenting), $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000. Consider strengthening your support with a multi-year pledge.

Lead United: Small Plates, Big Impact

October 2025 | 6:00 – 8:00 pm | Location to be announced Small Plates, Big Impact is the signature annual event for members of Lead United, celebrating their collective impact and sharing how their support makes a difference in our community. Help us thank and inspire this growing donor network as they make real, measurable change.

• Audience & Reach: 250+ current and prospective Lead United members, community-minded individuals who lead in their workplaces, in our community and through their philanthropy.
• Event Sponsorship Levels: $10,000 (exclusive presenting), $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000.
• Your sponsorship will also be recognized at additional Lead United events throughout the year.

Marketing: Inspire Action

Help us broaden awareness of our work and engage more people in giving, advocating and volunteering. Promote your brand with United Way of Dane County. Please contact karen.burch@uwdc.org for more information. Immediate Impact – Put your marketing budget to work in our community. Directly support family well-being and mobility from poverty while reaching community-minded individuals.

Day of Caring

August 2025 | Time to be announced | Location to be announced We’re reimagining our Community Kickoff event to focus more on actionable ways to give back! Our Day of Caring will mark the start of Community Campaign season with family-friendly volunteer opportunities. Attendees will learn about challenges in our community, how our volunteer networks can connect them to solutions and create ImPacks and pack backpacks for local students and families. Your sponsorship will directly support family well-being by purchasing paper products, healthy snacks, menstrual hygiene products and school supplies for ImPacks created at the event.

• Audience & Reach: 300+ people following their passion for volunteerism and looking to learn about and connect with our community, with a reach of 25,000+ through communications.
• Sponsorship Levels: $15,000 (exclusive presenting), $10,000, $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000.

Women United Brunch

May 16, 2025 | 8:30 – 11:00 am | Madison Marriott West An inspiring morning celebrating the caring power of women and banding together to support our cause! We honor the Women United Philanthropy Award recipient and learn about the impact of United Way’s programs. Your sponsorship will directly support financial security for Dane County women and their families.

• Audience & Reach: 350+ current and prospective Women United members, a diverse circle engaging women as a powerful philanthropic force, with a reach of 25,000+ through communications.
• Sponsorship Levels: $10,000, $5,000, $2,500 and $1,500.
• Consider an in-kind donation to support our raffle and silent auction, e.g., tickets to sporting events, sports memorabilia, travel experiences and curated goods.

Women United Events & Engagement

January – December 2025 Help us ignite change. From single women to heads of households, our vision is a Dane County where all women can succeed and reach their potential. Our personal and professional development events provide thoughtful time and space for members to set and achieve goals while building a supportive network of women who care about their community. And our volunteer and fundraising events allow our members to invest time and dollars back into Dane County – focused on supporting financial security for women. Donations collected at these events support programs that help local women achieve financial security.

• Audience & Reach: 300+ current and prospective Women United members, a diverse circle engaging women as a powerful philanthropic force, with a reach of 25,000+ through communications.
• Sponsorship Levels: $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000.

LINC Volunteer Engagements

February – December 2025 Help us mobilize the caring power of our community year-round! LINC (Lead. Impact. Network. Change.) is introducing a new generation of philanthropists to United Way with a unique “philanthroparty” model – blending hands-on volunteering with a social twist. Attendees learn about issues facing our community and make a difference through volunteering. Your sponsorship will directly support family well-being by purchasing paper products, healthy snacks and more for ImPacks created at events.

• Audience & Reach: 325+ early career professionals who want to make a difference through unique volunteer engagements and events, with a reach of 25,000+ through communications.
• Sponsorship Levels: $5,000 (exclusive presenting), $2,500 and $1,000.