Madison, Wis. (November 17, 2016) – Thousands of Dane County businesses and individuals came together to pledge $18.6 million to change thousands of lives in our community.
More than 66,000 people, including 16,000 children, live in poverty in Dane County. The community’s generosity and United Way’s transparent work will go toward moving those individuals and families out of poverty in 2017.
Hundreds of volunteers are careful stewards of these dollars, deliberating on the most thoughtful, community-built and evidence-based strategies that will change the most lives. United Way tracks results and reports back to the community on their investment, so every donor can see the impact that their dollars have in Dane County.
2016 United Way Campaign Chair and Exact Sciences Chairman and CEO Kevin Conroy announced a goal of $18.6 million at August’s Days of Caring.
“We are grateful for the generosity Dane County has shown and we are eager to create enormous change in our community,” said Kevin Conroy, 2016 United Way Campaign Chair and Chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences. “Every dollar that comes in now is one more life changed. You can still have a deep, positive effect in our community.”
With the community’s generosity, United Way and more than 100 partners changed these lives in 2015:
• More than 3,900 students were tutored across four Dane County school districts.
• 469 individuals living in poverty found employment through the HIRE Education Employment Initiative.
• 170 families found stable housing through United Way’s Housing First.
• United Way 2-1-1 handled 41,000 calls and more than 30,000 website visits.
Today’s results were announced at United Way’s community celebration and include pledges already made and projected pledges for the rest of this year. Our campaign is still open and we encourage year-round giving.
• Give online: UnitedWayDaneCounty.org
• Text-to-give: Text “UWDC” to 40403
• Mail donations: United Way of Dane County, PO Box 7548, Madison, WI, 53707
• Volunteer today:
o UnitedWayDaneCounty.org and click on Get Involved
o Call United Way 2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 to give or get help
“We are so thankful to Kevin for his leadership throughout this critical campaign. Kevin and his Campaign Cabinet drove up participation, igniting passion in our community to create change,” said Renee Moe, President and CEO of United Way of Dane County. “United Way aims to change tens of thousands of lives each year and that can only be done with our partners in business, nonprofit, government and you. I am humbled by the community’s generosity. Thank you for your caring power.”
Four winners were announced as part of the Give United, Get Healthy Sweepstakes. Amanda Blake of UW Credit Union, Randall Harty of Briarpatch, GiGi Byrd of American Girl and Stephanie Bertin of Arrowhead Madison each won wellness packages. The packages included a weekend getaway to Sundara Spa, a one-year membership to Dragonfly Hot Yoga and a CSA membership, a personal trainer and healthy food delivery for a month plus a FitBit or a TREK bicycle and $500 in accessories.
Givers were automatically entered when they made a first-time donation of at least $25 or increased their donation over last year by at least $25. Exact Sciences and CUNA Mutual Group made the Give United, Get Healthy Sweepstakes possible.
United Way would like to thank presenting sponsor UW Credit Union, supporting sponsors Summit Credit Union and MIG Commercial Real Estate and community sponsor Fiskars for today’s celebration at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. United Way would also like to thank Discover Wisconsin’s Mariah Haberman for emceeing today’s event.
Our United Way’s 2016 campaign continues through the end of the year, so you can still give, advocate and volunteer. We invite every member of the Dane County community to participate year-round!
2016 United Way Campaign Top Award Winners
Community Impact Award:
Recognizes organizations for having the largest total giving to the campaign
o American Family Insurance (Among companies with 350+ employees)
o M3 Insurance (Among companies with 100 – 349 employees)
o Christensen Associates (Among companies with 26 – 99 employees)
o Buttonwood Partners, Inc. (Among companies with 5 – 25 employees)
Employee Engagement Award:
Recognizes organizations with the highest percentage of participation in their employee campaign
o Zimbrick, Inc. (350+ employees)
o Johnson Bank (100 – 349 employees)
o Oregon Community Bank (26 – 99 employees)
o Hancock Center for Dance/Movement Therapy, Inc. (5-25 employees)
Red Feather Award:
Recognizes organizations that have the largest dollar increases in their employee campaigns
o National Guardian Life Insurance Company (350+ employees)
o M3 Insurance (100 – 349 employees)
o Christensen Associates (26 – 99 employees)
o Stifel (5 – 25 employees)
Community Growth Award:
Recognizes organizations that have the largest percent increase in the number of new donors
o Journey Mental Health Center (350+ employees)
o Arrowhead Madison, Inc. (100 – 349 employees)
o ARC Community Services, Inc. (26 – 99 employees)
o Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin (5 – 25 employees)
About United Way of Dane County:
United Way of Dane County is committed to the vision of a Dane County where everyone can succeed in school, work and life. Our community’s Agenda for Change is six goals focused on three priority areas of Education, Income and Health – the building blocks of a stable life. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative work, we facilitate bringing the many voices of Dane County around a neutral table to find common ground and make progress, while providing organizations and individuals the opportunity to give, advocate and volunteer to change lives in Dane County.
