Category: News

June 8, 2023: United Way of Dane County Awards $25,000 in Micro-Investment Funds to Local Grassroots Organizations

Posted on by Brian Buckner

United Way of Dane County Awards $25,000 in Micro-Investment Funds to Local Grassroots Organizations

Madison, WI (June 8, 2023) – On June 7, 2023, United Way of Dane County awarded 2023 Micro Investment Grants. A total of $25,000 in grant funding was awarded to six grassroots organizations working to advance racial equity and/or social justice for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Southeast Asian or individuals and/or families of color in Dane County. Recipients include groups and organizations with an annual operating budget of $50,000 or less.

“These grants provide innovative funding for exciting programs led by leaders of color that aren’t yet able to apply for traditional investments. Organizations such as Literacy Network, Centro Hispano and Operation Fresh Start, started with microgrants and we know these grants can make a big difference,” says Renee Moe, President & CEO, United Way of Dane County. “We are excited to be supporting these grassroots organizations strengthening Dane County by providing culturally competent community, education and health-focused services.”

Recipients of these grant dollars include:

  • Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (CHIPP
  • Backyard Mosaic Women’s Project
  • BLIPS (Black Leaders in Plain Sight)
  • Cultural Treasure
  • Miss Grand Hmong’s Scholarship
  • Reimagining Full Spectrum Doula Services

United Way knows that collective impact is the key to community well-being and the microinvestment grant process is an example of working collaboratively with our community, network of local nonprofits, businesses, community leaders, donors, volunteers and families to address big picture issues that no one individual or organization can solve alone.

For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact Karen Burch, VP Community Engagement and Marketing, United Way of Dane County at (608) 246-4366 or karen.burch@uwdc.org

About United Way of Dane County: For 100 years, United Way of Dane County has mobilized the caring power of our community to create lasting change for multiple generations. With a mission to unite the community to achieve measurable results that change lives, we are committed to being a catalyst for inclusion and systemic change – working collaboratively with local nonprofits, businesses, community leaders, donors, volunteers and families to solve big-picture issues no one person or organization can address alone. Together, we are The Power of Many. Working for All. And we invite every Dane County resident to be a part of the change we all wish to see. Visit www.unitedwaydanecounty.org to learn more.

May 3, 2023: By Youth For Youth Group Awards $36,447 to Local Youth Programs

Posted on by Brian Buckner

By Youth For Youth Group Awards $36,447 to Local Youth Programs

High school leaders review and identify grants that will benefit youth-led organizations and youth programs

Madison, WI (May 3, 2023) – The By Youth for Youth (BYFY) committee, a collaborative program through the Dane County Youth Commission, United Way of Dane County, the City of Madison Community Development Division and UW-Extension Dane County’s Institute of Positive Youth Development, awarded $36,447 to 13 local youth programs and projects.

BYFY’s funding priorities for 2023 were focused on mental and physical health, school programming and student support, youth experiencing poverty, youth experiencing food insecurity, youth experiencing homelessness, climate change, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and immigration.

“The By Youth For Youth program is a great way to engage the next generation of community leaders right here in Dane County,” says Renee Moe, President & CEO of United Way of Dane County. “By working together to help identify and fund solutions to real issues our community is facing, these inspiring teens are learning how to collaborate, communicate effectively and accelerate results. All in order to help build community well-being.”

“By Youth For Youth is a one-of-a-kind youth program, and the City of Madison is proud to partner with them,” said Satya Rhodes-Conway, Mayor of Madison. “BYFY puts decision-making power in the hands of young people in real and structural ways, allowing participants to fund other youth programs, preparing them to be community leaders and participate in policy-making and funding decisions. BYFY supports young people in understanding and exercising the power they have to better their communities.”

Funding highlights:

Rooted – Eggcellent Chicken Coop: Thanks to generosity from the City of Madison supporting S.T.E.M. related youth projects, $5,000 goes toward the Badger Rock urban farm and youth garden educational chicken coop program. Youth will engage in hands-on learning about caring for and managing the chicken coop to provide organic eggs at a low cost to residents to address food security needs.

Bayview Foundation – Youth Advocacy & Support Program: $3,000 goes toward providing lowincome BIPOC and LGTBQ+ youth gender-specific spaces and activities to discuss youth issues and build community with their peers.

Avicenna Society of Madison – Afghan Kabul Cuisine Startup: $3,000 goes toward funding a Afghan cuisine startup restaurant that will help address poverty, food insecurity and employment opportunities for Afghan refugee youth in the Dane County area.

Full List of Funded Organizations and Programs:

  • Dear Diary of Madison – Students for Students
  • Cultural Connections Inc. – Club Express/Silk Screen Project
  • Bayview Foundation – Youth Advocacy & Support Program
  • McFarland Youth Center – Care Package Backpacks for the Homeless
  • Rooted – Eggscellent Chicken Coop
  • Memorial High School – Latinos Unidos/Latino Festival
  • Sun Prairie Westside Elementary, Student Safety Ambassadors – Empowering SP Students to Stop the Bleed
  • Madison East High School – Computer Lab Art & Photography
  • Briarpatch Youth Services – Teens Like Us/Briar Attire
  • Waunakee High School – Investing in Future Educators
  • Avicenna Society of Madison – Afghan Kabul Cuisine Startup; Aid to Afghan Children & Families; Libyan Refugee US Citizenship Needs

About By Youth For Youth:

By Youth For Youth (BYFY) is a volunteer committee of Dane County high school students that make investment decisions for youth-led programming and initiatives in Dane County. BYFY members identify critical public health issues impacting youth in Dane County, establish funding priorities, review grant proposals, and recommend funding from County and City grants to support projects developed and implemented by youth to serve youth. Three sponsors provide the funding for BYFY projects: United Way, Dane County Youth Commission and the City of Madison Community Development Division. United Way of Dane County is the fiscal agent for both City and County funds. University of Madison-Wisconsin Extension provides administrative and programmatic oversight in partnership with the City of Madison.

About United Way of Dane County

For more than 100 years, United Way of Dane County has led in mobilizing the community to address our toughest issues and spark lasting, generational change. With a mission to unite the community to achieve measurable results that change lives, we are committed to being a catalyst for inclusion and systemic change – working collaboratively with local nonprofits, businesses, community leaders, donors and volunteers to solve big-picture issues no one person or organization can address alone. Together, we are The Power of Many. Working for All. And we invite every Dane County resident to be a part of the change we all wish to see. Visit www.unitedwaydanecounty.org to learn more.