United Way of Dane County

On June 10, we’re hosting our annual celebration for Loyal Contributors, those who have been making life-changing contributions to United Way for over 25 years. Many of our Tocqueville members started their journey with their very first professional paychecks, sparking a lifelong commitment to philanthropy. The impact of those collective investments has made local families, nonprofits and our entire community measurably and meaningfully stronger.  

Mark Koehl is one such loyal contributor, making his first gift to United Way of Marathon County in 1982 through his workplace giving campaign at Wipfli. He recalls starting his gift thanks to encouragement from leadership within the workplace. When Mark moved to Madison, he was invited by leadership at Wipfli to join Tocqueville.  

After 20 years of Tocqueville membership, Mark sees giving as essential to the ability of United Way to continue to meet the greatest needs in Dane County. He said, “I have been very fortunate in my life and see Tocqueville as a small means of paying back.”  

Mark and his wife Jessica Schwantes have both spent their lives in Wisconsin and made it a priority to give back to the community they love. All of the activities of the community and all of the friends he’s made, make Dane County the best place Mark has lived and the place he will always call home. Mark understands that while Dane County is a great community, there are many of our neighbors who are in need of assistance with basic needs of housing, health care, education and food. Both Mark and Jessica appreciate the strategic approach United Way takes to address difficult community issues and increase the impact of their gifts. 

Mark and Jessica have also held a variety of volunteer roles at United Way. Mark started volunteering with United Way on an allocations committee in Appleton, eventually becoming leader of allocations when he joined the Board. He also served on the Board at United Way Fox Cities. Since moving to Dane County, he’s served on both the United Way of Dane County Foundation Board of Trustees and the United Way of Dane County Board, serving as Treasurer. Today, Mark serves on the Finance Committee, Equity Committee and the Affordable Housing Fund Committee. Jessica is the current Tocqueville Cabinet Vice Chair.  

As Mark shared, “when everyone in our community can live the best life they desire, then the entire community is better.” 

Thank you to Mark and all our loyal contributors for making such a transformational impact in our community.