Money will provide pathways to stability for approximately 1/3 of Dane County families living in poverty

Madison, Wis. (Nov. 16, 2017) – Thanks to the generosity of thousands of individuals, businesses and other organizations, our community is on track to meet this year’s goal of $18.3 million to support life-changing programs that help stabilize families right here in Dane County.
 
On Thursday, November 16th, more than 700 people representing local businesses and other change-makers came together at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center to celebrate the caring power of our community, and how United Way of Dane County harnesses that power to create positive change.
 
Today more than 64,000 Dane County residents, including 15,000 children, live in poverty. The community’s willingness to give of their time, financial resources and advocacy will help move many of those individuals and families out of poverty in 2018 through investments in education, financial stability and housing, and health.
 
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 investments, so every donor can see the impact that their dollars make in Dane County.
 
“Through this year’s campaign we set out to generate the dollars and volunteers to change lives in our community. And thanks to your support, we’re succeeding,” said Robert N. Trunzo, 2017 United Way Campaign Chair and President and CEO of CUNA Mutual Group. “That means families will secure stable housing, kids will receive support in school and adults will achieve jobs with sustainable incomes. Tonight is all about recognizing what we accomplished together. As we all know, every hour and every dollar donated changes a life in Dane County.”
 
With the community’s generosity, United Way and more than 100 partners changed these lives in 2016:

  • More than 3,150 students were tutored across four Dane County school districts, and improved literacy and math skills.
  • 558 individuals living in poverty found employment through the HIRE Education Employment Initiative.
  • 208 families found stable housing through United Way’s Housing First.
  • United Way 2-1-1 received 39,754 calls, gave 61,478 referrals to those callers and had 22,382 website visits.
  • In total, over 140,000 individuals (including individuals who access services through several agencies) were bolstered by United Way investments in 2016.

 
Today’s results were announced at United Way’s Community Celebration and include $14 million in pledges already committed and $4.3 million-plus projected pledges from activities through the rest of this year (including on-going workplace campaigns, community-based fundraising, major gifts and grants, and end-of-year giving). The community’s campaign is still open and we encourage everyone in Dane County to give, advocate and volunteer!
 
Here’s how you can help:

  • 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:
    • Visit volunteeryourtime.org
    • Call United Way 2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 to give or get help

 
“Thanks to Campaign Chair Bob Trunzo and the team at CUNA Mutual Group, the Campaign Cabinet and workplace volunteers, and every company and donor who invest in our community through United Way. Know that hundreds of United Way volunteers and non-profit partners thoughtfully guide and evaluate use of these generous resources to accelerate positive and measurable community change,” said Renee Moe, President and CEO of United Way of Dane County. “United Way is proud to steward the community’s resources to invest in behavior and systems change that support families moving from crisis to stability. Thank you for giving, advocating and volunteering to strengthen local families.”
 
United Way also thanks presenting sponsor UW Credit Union, supporting sponsor MIG Commercial Real Estate and community sponsor Fiskars for today’s celebration. United Way would also like to thank WKOW’s Dani Maxwell and Brandon Taylor for emceeing today’s event.
 

2017 United Way Campaign Top Award Winners

To see all the winners, visit bit.ly/uwdc17 to download the full Recognition Booklet
 
Community Impact Award:
Recognizes organizations for having the largest total giving to the campaign

  • American Family Insurance (Among companies with 350+ employees)
  • M3 Insurance (Among companies with 100 – 349 employees)
  • Christensen Associates (Among companies with 26 – 99 employees)
  • Buttonwood Partners, Inc. (Among companies with 5 – 25 employees)

 
Employee Engagement Award:
Recognizes organizations with the highest percentage of participation in their employee campaign

  • Exact Sciences (350+ employees)
  • Johnson Bank (100 – 349 employees)
  • Oregon Community Bank (26 – 99 employees)
  • West Madison Senior Coalition (5-25 employees)
  • A to Z RentAll & Sales/Event Essentials (5-25 employees)

 
Red Feather Award:
Recognizes organizations that have the largest dollar increases in their employee campaigns

  • CUNA Mutual Group (350+ employees)
  • Bankers’ Bank (100 – 349 employees)
  • Vogel Brother’s Building Company (26 – 99 employees)
  • Buttonwood Partners, Inc. (5 – 25 employees)

 
People’s Choice Innovation Award:
Recognizes one organization’s commitment to raising awareness and resources in unique or new ways for the campaign.

  • Summit Credit Union

 
About United Way of Dane County:
United Way of Dane County fights for the education, financial stability, and health of everyone in Dane County. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative work, United Way brings the many voices of Dane County together to find common ground, develop a strategic architecture for change, and make measurable progress, while engaging organizations and individuals with the opportunity to give, advocate and volunteer to change lives in Dane County.