Through our Plan for Community Well-Being, United Way invests in strategies that support financial security, such as homeownership programs, and works alongside partners to help families overcome barriers to housing and achieve economic stability. When families have a stable place to call home, children are better positioned to succeed, parents can focus on their goals, and our entire community grows stronger.
Our Annual Report celebrates how we came together in 2025 to support your neighbors – and showcases just how much change we can make when we come together and take action.
In Dane County, struggle doesn’t always look the way you’d expect. It’s a teenager quietly coping. An older adult looking for resources. A family falling further behind. Struggle isn’t always visible, but it’s here. And so is the work to address it.
At United Way, we strive to help young people realize their full potential. That’s why we bring together community partners and invest in proven strategies that foster connection, belonging, leadership and academic success with youth at risk of disconnecting.
Too often in Dane County your ZIP code and income significantly affect your quality of life, life expectancy and health outcomes. United Way’s infant and maternal health partnerships work to change that by improving outcomes for parents, babies and families.
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.
In May 2026, we held our 14th annual Women United Brunch. About 500 people came together to celebrate the caring power of women – and we honored Karen Kallerud as our Women United Philanthropy Award Recipient!
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 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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
As we approach the one-year mark of the December 16, 2024 tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS), we hold the ALCS community in our hearts and reflect on the extraordinary compassion shown during one of its darkest moments. United Way of Dane County was honored to partner with the City of Madison and ALCS leadership to establish and administer the Abundant Life Christian School Emergency and Recovery Fund (ALCS Emergency and Recovery Fund).
Together, We Can Help Families Through Crisis When Dane County families have access to affordable, nutritious food, our entire community becomes healthier and stronger. Food security supports better health, greater
Kim’s Story: The United Way Difference 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
Giving Young Families a Strong Start to Life – United Way of Dane County’s Home Visiting Initiative At United Way of Dane County, we know just how important the first
United Way is Your Way to Make a Lasting Impact give today At United Way of Dane County, we mobilize the caring power of our community so all can thrive.
2025 DAY OF CARING: LAUNCHING A SEASON OF CARING ACROSS DANE COUNTY Read the full report here At United Way of Dane County, we mobilize the caring power of our
August 2025 Spotlight: Abundant Life Christian School Emergency and Recovery Fund Raises $609,650 Thanks to 1,752 Donors On December 16, 2024, the year ended with our community facing a great
2024 Community Impact Report 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
Thank you to our Nonprofit Partners! See the List of Our Partners At United Way of Dane County, we’re proud to invest in and partner with organizations and programs that
You’re Invited to Day of Caring! Tuesday, August 19 | 1:30 – 3:00 pm | Breese Stevens Field Register Today! Join us for our biggest day of volunteering! Day of
Engaging our Community’s Voices – United Way of Dane County Boardwalk Academy United Way brings together diverse stakeholders to address Dane County’s toughest issues. And Boardwalk Academy is one of
By Youth For Youth – the Next Generation of Change-Makers Last month, the By Youth For Youth (BYFY) Committee – a collaborative program through the Dane County Youth Commission, United
Highlights from the CEO Roundtable with Lisa Barton, Alliant Energy More than 60 Lead United members and United Way donors gathered to learn from Lisa Barton, President and CEO of
Participate in the Women United Brunch Silent Auction We are excited to host a silent auction as part of this year’s Women United Brunch! More than 70 local businesses, volunteers
Reimagining Support for Students – With You by Our Side. They are not just students — they are our future leaders, artists, scientists and changemakers. But right now, hundreds of