MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – United Way of Dane County celebrated the community on Wednesday and thanked those who make its mission possible.

People from businesses and neighborhoods came together at the Monona Terrace for the celebration. The event served as a way for United Way of Dane County to thank people for their generosity and volunteerism.

“It’s so inspiring,” said President and CEO of United Way of Dane County Renee Moe. “To really inspire that spirit of being a neighbor is so heartwarming.”

Moe emphasized the importance of people stepping up and volunteering.

“They’re stepping into community leadership, and that’s what it takes to make the right changes,” said Moe. “So, we’re incredibly grateful, so inspired, and that’s what it means to be the power of caring and working for all.”

Kim Sponem, the United Way Campaign Chair, said the organization is excited to celebrate where the campaign currently stands.

“We are at $9.5 million of our $17.5 million goal,” said Sponem. “That goal represents is helping thousands in our community, with a hand up, helping hand when things get rough in life.”

If you would like to donate to the campaign, click here.

MADISON (WKOW) — United Way of Dane County celebrated its community partners at an annual luncheon, with hosting help from 27 news Evening Anchors Brandon Taylor and Amber Noggle.

Renee Moe, United Way of Dane County president and CEO, expressed gratitude for the support United Way has received.

“Today is all about the hundreds of people who volunteer their time, their energy, the businesses who allow their employees to give, and every resident who contributes to making our community strong,” Moe said.

As a newer nonprofit ourselves, Isthmus is proud to support the volunteer-powered organizations that provide important services to our community. You can be a part of their success by finding a group that inspires your passion and making a commitment of your time and talent. Isthmus is grateful to Park Bank and the other sponsors who make this guide possible.

FOUNDED: 1922

HOW WE HELP: 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 possibilities. Our mission — to unite the community to achieve measurable results that change lives — is rooted in innovation and action. By collaborating with diverse partners, we deliver forward-thinking solutions and results that improve health, education, financial stability and local resilience.

THE IMPACT OF YOUR GIFT: When you give to United Way, 100% of your gift transforms lives through our Plan for Community Well-Being. Last year, your support reached 82,329 neighbors across Dane County. Over 29,000 individuals and families maintained stable housing, reduced family homelessness and secured full-time employment at $22-plus an hour. Eighteen thousand neighbors received mental health support, and access to health insurance and quality healthcare. Nearly 8,000 children advanced in early childhood education, literacy, math and critical thinking skills, college and career readiness and family engagement.

WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT US:

• Donate and support our Plan for Community Well-Being. One hundred percent of your donation powers meaningful action and transforms lives.
• Volunteer and make a difference this season through our Holiday Wish List at volunteeryourtime.org.
• Attend our events: Community Celebration, Day of Caring event, Women United Brunch and much more!
•  Join a donor or volunteer network: Lead United, Women United, LINC for Young Professionals, Business Volunteer Network and Retired Employees Are Dedicated Individuals are all ways to get involved.

DONATE NOW: https://www.unitedwaydanecounty.org

United Way Dane County
2059 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI 53704
unitedwaydanecounty.org

United Way of Dane County is one of those almost “invisible” entities that help make Madison and Dane County a great place to live, work and play.

“I had a volunteer who once said, ‘United Way is a story of glue,’” said Renee Moe, United Way’s CEO. “And when it works really well, it’s invisible.’ It’s true in terms of keeping things moving the right way.”

One of those ways has been as a founding member of the Goodman Nonprofit Center.

“We contributed $1 million to be one of the founding groups,” Moe said. “Now the most important thing to know about that is it wasn’t campaign dollars. These were dollars in a fund that was at the Madison Community Foundation. And our board and the community foundation board looked at the original agreement around what the dollars should be used for in the United Way Fund and we repurposed that fund to support nonprofit capacity building. We did training forever. There were no trainings happening during the pandemic. A lot of learning went online. And a lot of smaller nonprofits who weren’t in the Agenda for Change or Plan for Community Well-Being were coming to trainings and it wasn’t necessarily the larger partners. And so the Goodman Nonprofit Center allowed any nonprofit. So whether you are health & human service, social justice, environmental, arts or more, that’s just a larger resource place now.”

United Way spends a lot of time keeping its finger on the pulse of community needs and assisting in the effort to meet those needs. And in the fall, United Way becomes very visible as it raises funds for the 600-800 nonprofits that are donor-designated and the 100 nonprofits who also receive funds through the Plan for Community Well-Being.