Since its inception in 1973 as the State Employees Combined Campaign, Partners in Giving has raised $91 million for charitable causes. In 2025, the Partners in Giving Campaign raised over $2 million from more than 3,700 State of Wisconsin, Universities of Wisconsin and UW Health employees.

United Way of Dane County is honored to partner with 11 federated organizations to join nearly 500 individual charities in one workplace giving campaign for State employees. Thank you!

A new chapter begins with opportunity, support and connection. Through United Way’s re-entry strategies and partnerships, individuals returning from incarceration are gaining the tools and support needed for themselves and their families.

While incarcerated, Isaac participated in a work release program and was able to retain his job after his release. He also took part in Circles of Support and Journey Home through United Way partner JustDane. With the help of his Resource Specialist, he secured permanent housing and continues to attend Service Fairs to explore additional resources. Members of his Circles of Support have remained engaged since his release, regularly checking in on his progress. Isaac has now been employed for four years, maintaining a positive outlook and staying focused on achieving his personal goals.

At United Way, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to live in an affordable, safe, stable home. By partnering with organizations like JustDane and investing in re-entry strategies like Journey Home and Circles of Support, we help individuals returning from incarceration like Isaac to secure employment and stable housing. We work together to reduce stress, strengthen families and empower people to build better futures, creating a more resilient community and a stronger local economy.

United Way of Dane County mobilizes the caring power of our community so all can thrive. We don’t do this work alone. We rely on our neighbors giving their time, talent and resources to strengthen our community and create lasting change together.

That’s why we’re inviting you to join us for Day of Action on June 21. On the longest day of the year, we encourage people across Dane County to come together in service to build a more caring, connected and thriving community for all.

As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, we’re looking ahead with purpose, expanding opportunities to serve and creating pathways for everyone to thrive. Across the country, United Ways and other community organizations are working to make 2026 a record-setting year for volunteerism – the largest mobilization of service in U.S. history.

Be part of the movement! Visit www.VolunteerYourTime.org to find opportunities near you and help show what’s possible when we take action together!

This National Volunteer Month, we’re proud to celebrate the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who work behind the scenes to support our mission and strengthen Dane County. By lending their time, talents and passion, our volunteers help United Way unite our community towards a common goal to build a better Dane County for all. 

To every volunteer who has stepped up to serve, thank you. Your generosity and commitment are making a lasting impact to help change lives. 

United Way of Dane County is the intersection where the community meets to change lives. One of the ways we do this is by engaging community members, nonprofit partners and local businesses in volunteerism. This mobilizes the caring power of our community to make meaningful and lasting change.  

The success of our Community Campaign would not be possible without a tremendous team of volunteers and leaders working behind the scenes. They are the bridge between workplaces and United Way’s mission.

The 2025 Campaign Cabinet, led by Kim Sponem, Summit Credit Union, provided inspiring leadership, creativity and commitment. Our more than 950 Employee Campaign Managers are true heroes, encouraging others and coordinating to keep workplace campaigns running strong. Council Members and Ambassadors for United Way’s donor networks (Tocqueville Society, Lead United, Women United and LINC for young professionals) are providing opportunities for people to lead in their careers and through their philanthropy.

On November 19, we were excited to host Community Celebration and welcome more than 500 community members to Monona Terrace. We celebrated our community’s generosity, giving thanks to our hundreds of partners for making real, measurable change possible in Dane County.

Thanks to you and more than 13,000 individuals and nearly 500 businesses in Dane County, we are on track to raise $17.5 million during our 2025 Community Campaign!

At United Way of Dane County, we mobilize the caring power of our community so all can thrive. We know there are a lot of great services and programs in our community, but we’re better together!

Thank you to our network of dedicated nonprofit partners who are doing incredible work every day to help our neighbors lead healthy, thriving and secure lives.

Thank you to those of you who make it a priority to give back outside of your workplace campaigns – whether that be through time or dollars.

Thank you to the campaign volunteers who mobilize the caring power of our community. 

Thank you to the business leaders who step up and encourage their employees to get involved – and to those employees who step up to meet the challenge. 

And, Thank you to our community leaders, families and those with poverty-related lived experiences for helping to increase understanding of community issues and inform solutions. Together, we are The Power of Caring. Working for All.

As the holiday season arrives, I’m reminded of what makes Dane County so special – the people who choose, every day, to care for one another. Whether you volunteer, donate, advocate, lead, or partner with us, you are a part of a community that believes in lifting each other up — and that is something worth celebrating.

This year brought both progress and challenges for local families. Many continue to balance rising costs, changing services and the stress of meeting basic needs. Our nonprofit partners are working to support them, stretching resources and adapting to greater demand.

Through it all, one thing remained constant – your generosity and commitment.

Because of you, 82,329 neighbors received the support they needed. Children are starting strong, in school and life, families are gaining the stability they need to thrive and individuals are creating pathways to long-term well-being. You are the reason individuals and families find hope, safety and thrive.

The holidays invite us to reflect, but they also inspire hope for the year ahead. As we look toward the new year, I’m inspired by the strength, collaboration and compassion I see throughout Dane County. Together, we will continue working toward a future where every person in our community has the opportunity to thrive.

Thank you for being part of this mission, for believing in the power of community and for sharing your light during this season and throughout the year. Wishing you and your loved ones joy and peace this holiday season.