Nonprofits

Nonprofits we spotlight and support in Dane County, Wisconsin.

Found 57 blog entries about Nonprofits.

NAMI Wisconsin is the state affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which has 28 local affiliates across Wisconsin who serve their communities. The local NAMI affiliates offer support groups, resources, and classes to help people living with a mental illness, family, friends, and providers, whose goals are to improve the quality of life and care of those navigating the mental health system.

Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During the month of May, NAMI Wisconsin joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health right here in our Wisconsin communities. Each year the nonprofit fights stigma, provides support, educates the public, and advocates for policies that support

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What began in 2006 as a couple’s dream to feed 100 families a week on Madison’s north side has grown tenfold as the need to provide healthy food access has also increased over the last 15 years. With a vision to achieve a fully nourished community, The River Food Pantry is now South Central Wisconsin’s busiest food pantry and serves more than 1,000 families each week.  

Much like the body of water, The River is no stranger to adapting to change and charting a new course when faced with obstacles, especially those intensified by the pandemic. The River distributed 2.4 million pounds of food to less than 5,000 households in 2019, compared to a record 3.7 million pounds of food to over 6,000 households in 2020. Communications Manager Becca Carpenter

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The snow hasn’t all melted, but the spring season feels well underway for many community supported agriculture (CSA) farms. That’s because many farmers who are endorsed by the FairShare CSA Coalition have already sold out of their spring and summer shares of produce (either certified organic or in transition to organic certification). 

In the CSA model, purchasing a "share" in advance of the growing seasons helps to cover some of the farm operating costs, so members are directly supporting the farmers who grow their food. Consumers also seem to be eyeing up fall and winter holiday shares already, too. So if you’ve been on the fence about joining a CSA for the first time or selecting a new farm this year, best to snap to it. FairShare, a Madison-based

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It may seem unusual for an organization to ultimately wish it didn’t have to exist. But for many local groups associated with the Homeless Services Consortium of Dane County, the issue of homelessness unfortunately isn’t going away anytime soon. And as long as these groups continue to receive funding and support for their needed services, neither are they -- especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that is causing the housing gap to widen further. 

Among them is The Road Home Dane County, the only agency in the county that exclusively serves homeless families with children, which believes that every child deserves a home. The nonprofit provides case management services to help these families achieve self-determined goals and affordable, stable

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In one way or another, we each live in a bubble. And as we encounter new experiences, that bubble may widen so we are able to see beyond our own viewpoint. Like many others in my mostly white sphere, we were seeing the world through rose-colored glasses...until 2020. 

"The death of George Floyd woke more people up who weren't tuned into the atrocities that the black community has been enduring for centuries," said Vanessa McDowell, CEO of YWCA Madison. "We at YWCA Madison are glad people are starting to wake up and learn about racial injustice and want to do something about it, but quite frankly, it is about time."

Vanessa is a Madison native and the first Black woman to lead the 111-year-old nonprofit, which addresses challenging issues such as

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When we put out a call in our last newsletter and blog for recommendations of another local nonprofit to spotlight, we were pleased that the word traveled quickly in our networks and beyond. Several people connected us with the incredible work of JustDane, whose mission is to help transform individual lives and social systems to create a just and equitable community. 

The name “JustDane” was at first unfamiliar to me, and I soon learned why. The nearly 50-year-old faith-rooted nonprofit, originally named Madison-area Urban Ministry (MUM), recently emerged from a rebranding effort this summer. A phoenix with a north star has been selected as JustDane’s new logo to better reflect its inspiring and hopeful vision of a community where everyone can succeed,

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Earlier this summer, some members of our team visited State Street to view the temporary Downtown Street Art and Mural Project by local artists -- including those who have been affected by racial injustice and violence. Of the 100 or so murals that covered storefront windows and sides of buildings, we started to notice a distinctive style featuring the silhouette of Black girls’ faces with pops of bright colors and words of affirmation among a few of the displays. Also featured on the beautiful artwork near Goodman’s Jewelers and the Overture Center for the Arts were the hashtag #DefendingBlackGirlhood and Instagram handle @LiladasArt. 

These pieces of art were created by Lilada Gee, a lifelong Madison resident who has rediscovered the healing

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Groundswell Conservancy began as a collaborative effort with the city, county, university, local nonprofits, and individuals nearly 40 years ago to protect Wally Bauman Woods (part of the UW-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve) from condominium development along Lake Mendota. Since then, this Madison-based nonprofit has continued using a partnership mentality to permanently preserve hundreds of other special places throughout Dane County and the seven surrounding counties. 

College students with the Prairie Partners ecology restoration summer internship program crew remove invasive species at Patrick Marsh near Sun Prairie. Photo by Ben Jones.

One of more than 50 land trusts in the state, Groundswell Conservancy often consults the Dane County

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As rental rates and home prices rise in Dane County, it’s becoming more difficult for some people to find safe, affordable housing options.

Several local organizations are trying to bring awareness to these issues and make a difference in the community, such as Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, Project Home, and the Dane County Housing Initiative, which you can learn more about on our blog.

Our newest team member Ann Raschein works with compassion, diligence, and professionalism to ensure that all families have the opportunity to become a homeowner. She volunteers her time on the board of both Habitat for Humanity and Dane County’s Home Buyers Round Table, a group of industry professionals that networks, listens to speakers, and coordinates and

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The mission of Waunakee Neighborhood Connection is to provide programs and resources that engage neighbors to support and empower one another. It is best known for its “free store,” which graciously accepts certain clothing items, accessories, shoes, games, books, media, and other household goods and cleaning supplies. 

COVID-19 Updates 

  • (5/29/2020): Waunakee Neighborhood Connection reopened for donations and onsite services on May 27th using a phased approach with safety protocols.

  • (3/25/2020): Waunakee Neighborhood Connection is working with Waunakee EMS to coordinate a supply drive for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). If you or your company have any masks, face shields, paper gowns, or cloth gowns that could be donated for use by our
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