MADISON, Wis. (WKOW) — Longtime Madison residents and philanthropists Dan and Patti Rashke are making what United Way of Dane County calls a groundbreaking commitment to support local philanthropy.
On Tuesday, the couple stopped by 27 News to talk about the donation.
Through their family foundation, the Rashkes will cover all operating and fundraising costs for individual, undesignated donations to United Way for the next 10 years. The gift, expected to total between $10 million and $15 million, ensures that 100 percent of donor contributions go directly to programs addressing Dane County’s most pressing needs.
“Dane County has been home to us for more than 40 years. We’ve raised a family and made a life here,” Patti Rashke, president and co-founder of the TASC Family Foundation, said. “That’s why giving back to the community and inspiring others to do the same is so important to us.”
The Rashkes say they hope the model encourages new and younger donors to get involved while inspiring current donors to increase their giving.
“In a time when individual and workplace giving is declining, we believe this model can spark a shift,” said Dan Rashke, owner and chairman of TASC. “Our goal is to empower everyday philanthropists and show that, together, we can create lasting impact.”
United Way of Dane County President and CEO Renee Moe said the gift could serve as a catalyst for future philanthropy.
“Dan and Patti’s leadership is already inspiring others to lean in,” Moe said. “Their generosity sends a powerful message: Strategic philanthropy can and should strengthen our community and address the hardest issues.”
The Rashkes hope their model of trust-based giving can be replicated by other philanthropists and organizations across the country.
From Inspiration to Impact: A Spotlight on Suvekchhya Bhandari
Since attending her first Women United brunch in 2017, Suvekchhya (Suvi) Bhandari has been a committed advocate for United Way of Dane County and Women United’s mission. “I left that event feeling so inspired by the impact and passion in the room,” she recalls. “I knew I wanted to be part of that work in our community.”
Suvi’s dedication to service is shaped by the values instilled in her from a young age. Her late mother, Haripriya Bhandari, was a strong advocate for women’s rights and access to education for children, principles that continue to guide Suvi’s work today. “When women are empowered, they uplift entire families. When children have access to quality education, they gain the tools to break cycles of disadvantage,” Suvi explains. “Women United’s mission reflects these values. Values instilled in me by my mother.”
A longtime Madison resident, Suvi first came to Dane County in 2013 for an internship and has called it home ever since. She lives with her husband, Gaurav, their daughter and a playful pit bull lab mix puppy. Outside of her role as Assistant Vice President at BMO Bank,Suvi actively participates in community initiatives and volunteers her time with organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County, Access Community Health Centers, Centro and Gilda’s Club Madison. As a Women United Ambassador, Suvi plays a key role in fostering engagement and connection. She works closely with the Women United Council to welcome new members, share updates and build a strong sense of belonging across Dane County. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to collaboration, equity and community impact.
Suvi’s commitment to education is reflected in her leadership and volunteer work throughout Dane County. She serves on the board of the Madison Public Schools Foundation and contributes to fundraising efforts with the Madison Public Library Foundation, demonstrating her belief that access to education is essential for all, especially children. Whether conducting mock interviews with students, helping them build resumes or advocating for educational equity, Suvi brings her time, talents and heart to every initiative she supports.
“Volunteering has deepened my understanding of the challenges our community faces and shown me the power of collective action,” she says. “Even what feels like a small contribution can create meaningful change, just as my mom showed me.”
To Suvi, philanthropic leadership means more than giving. It’s about inspiring others, connecting resources to where they’re needed most and setting a compelling example through action. Her journey reminds us that leadership in giving is defined not only by how much you give, but by the consistency, purpose and compassion you bring to it.
When she’s not volunteering or working, Suvi loves sharing the beauty of Dane County with visitors, whether it’s a stroll through Olbrich Botanical Gardens, a bite of cheese curds at The Old Fashioned or a visit to the Capitol building. Her love for Madison is matched only by her commitment to making it a stronger, more equitable place for all.
Reflections from Our August Tocqueville Conversation
On August 7, Tocqueville Society members gathered at American Family Insurance for a powerful and inspiring conversation on Family Philanthropy. Welcomed by Yasir Kamal, American Family Insurance VP of Communications and Community Engagement, the event provided an opportunity to reflect on how we talk with our families about giving and how United Way can help support strategic, transformational philanthropy.
Meg Prestigiacomo, financial advisor at Baird and United Way Foundation Trustee, offered practical strategies for families to define their philanthropic values. Attendees explored tools like Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), discussed legacy planning and heard personal stories from fellow Tocqueville members including Betsy McClimon of the Wahlin Family Foundation and Kim Herlitzka of Truity Partners.
Throughout the afternoon, Tocqueville members engaged in meaningful conversations about the importance of involving the next generation in giving, the lessons younger family members can teach us and how families can work together to build a legacy of generosity and impact.
If you missed the event, we encourage you to think about the following questions as you approach your own family philanthropy conversations:
What family traditions with philanthropy have you experienced or carried forward?
What do you think are important lessons about philanthropy that need to be shared with the next generation?
What lessons about philanthropy do you think up-and-coming generations can teach?
What are the biggest challenges and joys surrounding family philanthropy?
Thank you to all who attended and continue to lead with purpose and heart.
MADISON, WI – September 2, 2025 – Longtime Madison residents and philanthropists Dan and Patti Rashke are making a groundbreaking commitment to United Way of Dane County designed to remove barriers to giving and inspire broader community participation in philanthropy.
For the next ten years, the gift from the Dan and Patti Rashke (TASC) Family Foundation will cover 100% of administrative (operating and fundraising) costs for all individual, undesignated donations made to United Way. This ensures that every dollar given by donors goes directly to address Dane County’s greatest needs.
The gift, which is expected to total between $10 million – $15 million, is poised to make a big difference as United Way kicks off its 2025 Annual Campaign.
“Dane County has been home to us for more than 40 years. We’ve raised a family and made a life here,” said Patti Rashke, president and co-founder of the family’s foundation. “That’s why giving back to the community and inspiring others to do the same is so important to us. We’ve seen the results that United Way of Dane County can deliver and are excited to fuel more of that.”
With the gift, the Rashkes hope to activate new donors—especially younger donors—and encourage existing donors to increase their undesignated contributions.
“In a time when individual and workplace giving is declining, we believe this model can spark a shift,” said Dan Rashke, owner and chairman of the board of TASC and co-founder of the foundation. “Our goal is to empower everyday philanthropists and demonstrate that we, as a community, have the power to create lasting impact. Together, we can really lift the campaign and provide additional funds to help United Way keep doing the work that is making a difference for our neighbors.”
United Way of Dane County president & CEO Renee Moe is confident that the gift will become a catalyst. “Dan and Patti’s leadership is already inspiring others to lean in, and their generosity delivers a powerful message: United Way’s impact is proven, efficient and strategic. Their gift shows that philanthropy can strengthen communities and accelerate solutions to the most pressing challenges. We are deeply grateful for their innovative leadership – inspiring others to give, lead and be one of the ones to create lasting change. Their example doesn’t just change lives – it strengthens the fabric of our community.”
The Rashkes hope this model will serve as a blueprint innovative, trust-based philanthropy. With around 1,000 United Way chapters nationwide, they see the potential for other businesses and philanthropists to replicate this innovative giving across the country.
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About the Dan and Patti Rashke (TASC) Family Foundation The Dan & Patti Rashke (TASC) Family Foundation strives to be a catalyst for community growth such that our neighbors may have increased opportunity to achieve their full potential. We strategically invest in innovative and collaborative solutions in the areas of education, health, and human services.
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.
‘Make the Rashkes pay’: How we are breaking down barriers to giving
Dan and Patti Rashke
The Greater Madison area is filled with generosity. We are fortunate to live in a region where so many individuals and organizations support a wide array of worthy causes — from health and education to housing, the arts and the environment.
And yet, as the population grows, so does the need. Unfortunately, current giving trends aren’t keeping pace. That’s a challenge we can’t afford to ignore.
At the Dan and Patti Rashke (TASC) Family Foundation, we strive to be strategic and innovative with our philanthropy. Successful giving should catalyze others to follow suit, amplifying and magnifying the donation in service to solving community challenges. Giving can be contagious.
We’re fortunate to be able to share our time, talents and resources with a range of nonprofits. But we want to do more. In addition to our own giving, we want to inspire others to give (or give more) whether that’s time, money or both. We want to create a community of everyday philanthropists who give what they can. Because philanthropy is not the size of the check. It literally means goodwill to fellow humans.
We’re hopeful that a recent commitment we’ve made to the United Way of Dane County will energize everyday philanthropists across the region.
A gift to amplify giving
We’ve made a 10-year commitment to cover United Way’s administrative and fundraising overhead costs associated with all individual, undesignated donations made to the organization. What does this mean? When you, or your employees, or your neighbors, contribute to address Dane County’s greatest needs through undesignated giving, 100% of that donation goes into service. We’re taking care of the administrative costs. Essentially, we’re adding fourteen cents to every dollar donated.
Why the workplace matters
We approach our partnerships with nonprofits in the same way we run a business. Any healthy organization — nonprofit or for-profit — needs top-line revenue. For nonprofits, that revenue comes from donations, grants and fundraising. Without it, they can’t do the critical work our communities rely on.
Taking that business analogy one step further, let’s talk about our target audience.
Of course we want to encourage everybody to give. But for long-term sustainability, we need to reach a younger audience of everyday philanthropists. And the ideal place to find them is in the workplace — in your workplace.
That’s why United Way’s workplace giving campaign is so important. It makes giving easy. Employees can give directly or through payroll deductions — no friction, no delay. That’s how everyday giving becomes a habit.
By setting an example, as a leader at your company, you can be a catalyst to giving as your team members see you stepping up to the plate.
Breaking down barriers
We could have just written a check to United Way. But that wasn’t our goal. Our goal is to inspire giving.
We want business leaders to increase their donations; we want existing donors to make sure their gifts serve the greatest good by making them undesignated. And, importantly, we want to break down some of the barriers that keep people from giving.
Anecdotally, we know some donors have an aversion to administrative costs or overhead, even though they may logically understand that nonprofits need to be well-run with a professional and able staff.
At United Way of Dane County, the administrative rate is just 14% — low by industry standards and a sign of smart, efficient operations. But we know that for some donors, even a small overhead can feel like a hurdle. So, we decided to remove it.
Our hope is that the nature and structure of our gift will address that barrier to giving, resulting in additional donors and creating more top-line revenue.
Beyond social responsibility
With roots in Dane County that go back nearly four decades, we feel strongly about doing all we can to make Dane County a great place to live for all. We’ve built a business and raised a family here and feel a responsibility to strengthen the community that has given so much to us.
But it goes beyond a simple sense of responsibility.
Over the years we’ve studied the impact of giving, and what the research shows is compelling: generosity makes people happier.
A Harvard Business School study calls it “pro-social giving.” We just think it’s smart.
Happiness leads to productivity which, in turn, strengthens communities and economies.
Leaning into trust-based philanthropy
Our gift is also aligned with the principles of trust-based philanthropy. By incenting unrestricted gifts, we’re putting dollars in the hands of people who know what they’re doing.
We’ve long admired the way United Way integrates efforts across sectors, bringing together nonprofits, businesses and public agencies. They don’t work in isolation; they build coalitions that solve big problems. By convening diverse stakeholders, we know that United Way is drawing on expertise that any one agency alone might not have.
We trust they are doing the hard work to understand the issues and serve the community, and they’ve proven their approach can drive outcomes that change lives.
A vision for the future
In talking to some area business leaders, we’ve been a little tongue-in-cheek telling them to “make the Rashkes pay.” It’s a bit of a challenge — if they donate more, we pay more. That’s the way this gift works.
But beyond writing a bigger check than we originally planned, we’re hoping three things come out of this gift:
1. Getting others to think more strategically and innovatively about giving:The challenge I have for my peer business leaders is to always ask, “How is this gift I am about to give going to catalyze additional giving?” or “Is there more I could do to inspire the generosity of others – to create more everyday philanthropists?”
2. Scalable innovation:There are nearly 1,000 United Way chapters across the United States doing the work and getting results. There is no reason a corporate, foundation or individual donor can’t pick up this mantle and replicate what we’ve done here. Madison could be the petri dish from which this concept scales. Likewise, right here in Dane County, there are important administrative costs at United Way or other agencies that could be covered by a donor, freeing more dollars up for service and breaking down a barrier to giving.
3. A culture of everyday philanthropy. We’re challenging leadership givers to increase their donation but at the same time, we’re creating space for new donors at any level — $10 to $100,000 — to participate with greater confidence and impact. By eliminating barriers, we want more people to experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from helping others. And when that happens, we believe it will fuel a flywheel of sustained, long-term generosity.
Strategic philanthropy is how we’ll move from meeting needs to solving complex problems, and we’re looking forward to partnering across public and private agencies and with other philanthropists to do that. And we’re just getting started.
Dan and Patti Rashke are owners of TASC, where Dan served until recently as CEO. They are the founders of the Dan and Patti Rashke (TASC) Family Foundation, where Patti serves as president.
2025 Tocqueville Society Honoree: Thomas A. Walker
An accounting career with one of the “Big Four” firms may not be the obvious experience to lead a group of Madison-based radio stations. Doing the unexpected, however, runs in the Walker family and being a voice in the community is part of their DNA. United Way of Dane County is grateful for the Walkers’ multi-generational partnership, and we’re pleased to recognize Thomas A. Walker with the 2025 Tocqueville Society Award.
Tom is the third generation of his family to be inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) Hall of Fame. His grandfather, William E. Walker, was an early radio pioneer who built a network of Wisconsin stations. His father, William R. Walker, expanded that network and developed a unique business model encouraging station manager-owners. In 1990 Tom returned to Madison to join the family business bringing a decade of accounting and corporate finance skills to radio management. Mid-West Family Broadcasting became Mid-West Family Madison as local radio has evolved to include additional advertising platforms and deepened its local market identity for listeners and businesses. With Tom’s guidance the company has navigated regulatory changes in a new media landscape, and he has devoted years to serving his industry on the WBA and WBA Foundation Boards and by establishing the Walker Broadcast Management Institute.
Tom’s business and community involvement mean that his life has intersected with many people in Madison. Darrell Behnke has known him since their daughters studied dance together and later as Edgewood High School parents. Tom served on the US Bank Madison Local Board when Darrell was Vice President of Wealth Management. “Mid-West Family is not just a business name to him,” explains Darrell. “Tom has a deep sense of connection to community and does it in quiet ways. His return to Madison to join his dad in the business is a prime example of this.”
Tom’s relationship with United Way of Dane County is longstanding. His grandfather was a Red Feather donor (United Way’s early name) and his father was a steady annual giver. A Loyal Contributor since 1991 and Tocqueville Society member beginning in 2002, Tom amplified his financial support with volunteer roles throughout the organization. “I appreciate that I was able to volunteer while working,” notes Tom. “United Way has been an obvious place to volunteer because of the leadership role it takes in solving community issues. It takes accountability for results and understands that money is a tool to create impact.”
As chair of the Tocqueville Society in 2012 and 2013, he helped recruit 44 new members and raised $7.3 million to fuel United Way’s mission over the two years. Tom also influenced the following year’s campaign when his vice chairs, Barb and Pat Finley, took the reins. “Pat and I were delighted and honored to work with him,” Barb reflects. “Although we were engaged in important work, Tom always led with a good dose of wry humor and laughter. There is no reason hard work shouldn’t be fun!”
Tom recommended more strategic outreach by Tocqueville volunteers and to better personalize donor communications. Understanding that new donors, renewing donors and longtime donors have different relationships with United Way not only helped to grow the Society, that approach continues to inform our efforts today.
Additionally, he knew that our fundraising success depends on explaining the impact that those donations leverage. Tom asked that we create a one-pager for Tocqueville members so they could see at a glance the total dollars raised – from community members, corporate and foundation donors and government grants – and how those funds are invested into programs serving Dane County families. It’s an example of how Tom’s accounting, marketing and philanthropic hats could be worn at the same time helping to increase United Way’s significance among even our biggest supporters.
When Tom’s father was a member of the United Way Board in the early 1990s, volunteers discussed the need for sustainable funding for the mission and approved the incorporation of United Way of Dane County Foundation. Twenty-three years later, Tom became a Foundation Trustee. He has established three named funds: one in honor of Mid-West Family employees, another to endow an annual Tocqueville gift for his parents William and Eleanor Walker, and a fund for his own Tocqueville Legacy Circle gift. In doing so, Tom commented that it only makes sense for Tocqueville members to perpetuate their support.
Tom’s media experience led him to chair United Way’s Marketing Committee. He urged leadership to include more broadcasters on the Board of Directors noting that newspapers had long had a seat at the table. Tom represented his industry on the board as Marketing Chair and then as Treasurer, proving that volunteers bring a lifetime of experience and innovation to their United Way roles.
Tom’s five adult children (ages 23 to 34) have found careers serving others in fields as varied as environmental science to veterinary to speech pathology. They live in different communities now, and their dad is proud that they’ve each charted their own unique courses, doing what drives their passions. “They’re really good people who’ve found their own paths,” Tom observes. “They prove that there’s hope for our world.” In a family of avid downhill skiers, he’s taught his children how to successfully navigate moguls in life and celebrate a challenging run.
As his kids grew up, Tom was a regular at Madison-area swim meets with High Point Swim Club where he volunteered as emcee. A proud alum, he supported family events at Queen of Peace school and Edgewood High School. Tom even performed multiple times in The Nutcracker with his daughters dancing, although he is quick to point out that he was in the cast for talents other than ballet.
Tom’s grandfather and father preceded him in Rotary Club of Madison. He’s a 35-year-member and has participated in a number of ways including as Sargeant at Arms, on Rotary International Committee and as Trustee of the Rotary Foundation. These three generations of Walkers graduated from UW-Madison, and Tom has returned to his alma mater teaching accounting classes.
Through his volunteer roles, Tom has partnered with many United Way staff members. “It’s really hard to grow leadership from within when you have strong leaders, and it’s very rare to see this.” He commends President & CEO Renee Moe for her career as they’ve worked together in marketing, resource development and now the executive office. The appreciation is mutual, and Renee points to Tom co-chairing the Safe and Healthy Aging Delegation in 2010. The year-long volunteer team engaged medical professionals, community members and service providers before recommending strategies to help older adults live safely in the homes of their choosing. Tom championed awareness of how an increasing number of medications is detrimental, especially for older adults.
“Whether telling an effective story to raise significant funds or championing innovative ways to reduce older adult falls and improve community health for all, Tom is ever-interested in learning, doing and asking the smart questions to get other people to think differently,” explains Renee, “not only because he has informed opinions but because he wants everyone to consider other perspectives to make the best decisions. Tom is a catalyst for positive change who takes calculated risks and challenges everyone around him to do that, too.”
We’re grateful that Tom Walker cares for United Way of Dane County like his own family. Our community is better because of his dedication and support.
Hundreds of volunteers came together at Breese Stevens Field on Aug. 19 to work toward a common goal as the United Way of Dane County officially launched the 2025 Community Campaign with Day of Caring.
“Day of Caring highlights the best of Dane County – uniting to serve, connect and support our neighbors – it’s more than a volunteer event, it’s the spark that ignites more giving to catalyze the necessary impact that’s needed across Dane County. We’re incredibly grateful to our volunteers, partners and sponsors who continue to lead with heart,” said Renee Moe, president & CEO of United Way of Dane County, in a press release. “New this year, we’re excited that Dan and Patti Rashke and their Dan & Patti Rashke (TASC) Family Foundation want to inspire more giving and will ensure 100% of individual giving to the Plan for Community Well-Being goes to impact.”
Over 600 volunteers united for an afternoon of family and team-friendly volunteering activities. At the Day of Caring event, volunteers wrote notes of encouragement for local students, filled backpacks with school supplies and packed more than 9,000 ImPacks – essential care kits that directly support nonprofit partners with the most-requested essentials in our community.
“Day of Caring sets the tone for the annual campaign by demonstrating what we can accomplish when we roll up our sleeves and take action,” shared Kim Sponem, president/CEO of Summit Credit Union and United Way 2025 Campaign Chair. “It’s inspiring to see so many individuals and organizations across Dane County show up with compassion and commitment to lift up our community.”
The event also featured a food drive where ImPacks, backpacks and non-perishable food items were distributed to United Way nonprofit partners, including Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, Porchlight, The Road Home of Dane County, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin and WayForward Resources.
During the event, United Way announced the 2025 fundraising goal of $17.5 million.
Nonprofit United Way of Dane County on Tuesday launched its 2025 community campaign with a fundraising goal of $17.5 million. The announcement coincided with the organization’s Day of Caring, a volunteer event held at Breese Stevens Field.
Over 600 volunteers participated in volunteering activities, which included filling backpacks with school supplies and packing more than 9,000 ImPacks, which include paper products, menstrual products and other essential items that will be distributed through United Way’s nonprofit partners.
A food drive at the event also collected non-perishable food items for distribution through partners such as Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, Porchlight, The Road Home of Dane County, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin and WayForward Resources.
MADISON, Wis. (WKOW) — Breese Stevens Field is set to be transformed on Tuesday for the Day of Caring.
The annual event, hosted by United Way of Dane County, aims to support community members in need with thousands of donated items and non-perishable foods. It starts at 1:30 p.m.
The Day of Caring marks the start of the United Way campaign, which has a goal to raise more than $17 million. Volunteers will gather in the early afternoon to pack snack kits, fill backpacks and write notes of encouragement
Renee Moe, president and CEO of United Way of Dane County, emphasized the broader impact of their goals.
“To really frame up the issues and mobilize caring power to get more done for our communities, we want to make sure that children, families, individuals that are struggling have the support they need, they know the community cares, and have those on ramps to more lifelong success and every United Way is focusing on that,” Moe said.
She shared that events like this helps the community get closer to finding solutions instead of just the issues.
The paper product, menstrual hygiene and snack packs will be distributed along with backpacks and notes of encouragement to the community through United Way’s nonprofit partners.
Moe encourages those in need to call 211 and invites others to get involved by volunteering or donating. More information on the event can be found here.
