When families have the resources they need to succeed, our entire community is better positioned to thrive. But it’ll take all of us to create the change we wish to see for our neighbors!

Take it from Kim Sponem – CEO of Summit Credit Union and our 2025 United Way of Dane County Campaign Chair. Her personal story showcases just how impactful we can be when we come together to tackle the issue of financial security and uplift local women and their families. Because family well-being is community well-being – and you can be someone who makes a big difference.

At United Way of Dane County, we know just how important the first 1,000 days of life are. In partnership with RISE Wisconsin, Inc. and Children’s Wisconsin, our Home Visiting Initiative helps empower more parents to be their babies’ first teachers.

You can help set up more local families to lead successful, thriving lives! Check out this video to learn more and visit our website to make a donation today.

At United Way of Dane County, we mobilize the caring power of our community so all can thrive. By bringing together those who can help us close gaps and open opportunities in our community, we unleash the collective spirit of caring to solve whole problems.

Together, we are a powerful force.

At United Way of Dane County, we mobilize the caring power of our community so all can thrive. On August 19, we launched our annual United Way Community Campaign with Day of Caring – a powerful day of volunteerism dedicated to supporting our neighbors in need. When families have access to essential supplies, our community becomes healthier and stronger.

This year’s Day of Caring, led by Kim Sponem, President/CEO of Summit Credit Union and United Way’s Campaign Chair, united more than 800 volunteers to complete meaningful projects that directly support local nonprofit partners across Dane County.

On December 16, 2024, the year ended with our community facing a great tragedy – the tragic shooting at Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS) that claimed the lives of three, physically injured six and disrupted the mental health of all affected. On that terrible day, United Way was called upon to help.

United Way quickly set up the official ALCS Emergency and Recovery Fund, leveraged 211’s emergency management and coordination abilities, unified many offers of help to support ALCS and supported the City of Madison and ALCS staff in a coordinated and effective response. This example of our work demonstrated our capabilities in our Community Resiliency Impact Area – understanding the most urgent community needs, rallying the most effective resources and deploying them in ways that multiply impact and get results. It also showed United Way’s ability to mobilize our community’s caring power and prevented “scam” funds that erode trust in nonprofits and giving.

We’re so proud to be a part of this incredible community. Thank you for being one of the ones to make a difference.
100% of dollars raised went directly to ALCS to support their three priorities: to come along side any financial needs of the families who lost loved ones, to support the medical expenses of those injured and to use the remaining funds to provide for the mental health needs of the ALCS community.

WE RAISED $609,650 THANKS TO 1,752 DONORS

We are empowered to coordinate emergency response and recovery work thanks to the generous support of the annual Community Fundraising Campaign. Thank you for helping us make our community stronger in times of need!

With a mission to unite the community to achieve measurable results that change lives, United Way is committed to being a catalyst for inclusion and systemic change – but we couldn’t do our important work without you!

Despite the ongoing challenges we face as a community, you stepped up in 2024 to help us reach our goal of raising $17.3 million – and we’re so grateful!

Our Community Impact Report celebrates the remarkable success you made possible for more than 82,000 neighbors – and showcases just how much change we can make when we come together.

At United Way of Dane County, we’re proud to invest in and partner with organizations and programs that align with our Plan for Community Well-Being – helping us close gaps and open opportunities so more Dane County families have what they need to thrive.

We know there are hundreds of great organizations in our community. But we’re better together! Because, together, we can address big-picture issues no one organization can solve alone. And we’re so grateful for every one of our partners!

When you give to United Way, you’re supporting this local network – and you’re multiplying your impact! Every dollar donated through United Way is a powerful catalyst, multiplying six times over to create lasting, meaningful change, right here in Dane County.

 Join us for our biggest day of volunteering! Day of Caring (formerly Community Kickoff) marks the start of Community Campaign season with family-friendly volunteer opportunities.

Learn about challenges in our community and create ImPacks and fill backpacks for local students and families. Bring your friends, family, coworkers and neighbors to be a part of the change. Together, we are The Power of Caring. Working for All.

Food Pantry Donation Drive

Bring non-perishable food to donate! These items will benefit individuals who are supported by local food pantries and nonprofits. When Dane County families have access to affordable, nutritious food, our whole community is healthier and stronger. Food security means improved health, more stability and sets the stage for future well-being. Most Needed Items: Breakfast Cereal, Oatmeal, Rice, Pasta & Pasta Sauce, Macaroni & Cheese, Canned Soup, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Canned Chicken, Canned Tuna

Volunteer Opportunities

We’ll create Paper Product ImPacks, Menstrual Hygiene ImPacks, Healthy Snack ImPacks and fill backpacks with school supplies to distribute to our community through our nonprofit partners. Many of these items are rarely donated and always needed. Food and nutrition assistance programs do not cover these essentials, so families may have to choose between paying for rent or buying necessities. Additionally, we’ll write Notes of Encouragement to include with ImPacks.

United Way brings together diverse stakeholders to address Dane County’s toughest issues. And Boardwalk Academy is one of the ways we engage community voice!   

This 9-week development series strengthens the interpersonal and professional communication skills of non-traditional community leaders, whose critical voices and perspectives are often absent from decision-making tables.  

In 2024, 17 participants completed this program. And another eight graduated our first cohort of 2025 last week!  

We’re proud of the role we play in helping the community define and understand the scale of our greatest issues, and to work collaboratively to best identify needs and solutions. This is how we achieve real change. Visit our website to learn more and get involved.  

Last month, 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 Positive Youth Development Institute – awarded $26,130 to 10 local youth programs and projects! This year’s group represents 10 Dane County high schools. 

BYFY is a unique volunteer opportunity for Dane County high school youth to be leaders in our community. BYFY members identify critical issues impacting local youth, establish funding priorities, review grant proposals and recommend funding from County, United Way of Dane County and City Grants to support projects developed and implemented by youth to serve youth.  

“This is my third year on the BYFY committee, and I have loved every second of it. I have had the opportunity to learn more about issues in the community and ways to solve them which had never occurred to me before. I believe that youth are the future and BYFY is allowing me to take that first step in helping youth take things into their own hands by supporting meaningful projects which give back to the community.”  – Adriana, 2025 BYFY Committee member