If you had to guess how many nonprofits there are in the Greater Madison area, it’s almost a guarantee you’re way off. It’s not dozens, not even hundreds. There are over 6,000 nonprofits operating in our area working to improve everything from the quality of life of residents and visitors to the natural ecosystems making up Wisconsin’s irreplaceable collection of wetlands, temperate forests, and prairies.

Every nonprofit starts with an inspired individual or group seizing an opportunity to address a concern lacking awareness or resources. Though their visions may be grandiose, each founder has two things in common: passion and gumption. We’ve all heard the tiring mantras concerning contemporary work ethic, but here in Greater Madison are over 6,000 testaments to the fact that this is not the case; these efforts just aren’t making the front page of the internet. With the handful of nonprofits we contacted for this special promotion, we’re hoping to inspire readers to support and participate in nonprofits new and old, which serve as the building blocks to one of Wisconsin life’s most essential pillars.

Selecting a nonprofit to support couldn’t be easier. With so many to choose from, at least one is bound to line up with your values and beliefs. Each started with a founder who feels exactly the way you do about the cause. Take Dane Buy Local, whose founders sought to address the growing pressure local businesses were feeling from retail giants. The core idea was to unite local businesses and showcase that there was a viable and preferable option to the “cheap” model promoted by larger chains. If you strongly believe in supporting local, it’s worth looking through their annual guide and finding businesses in your area to enjoy.

Photograph provided by Community Living Alliance

There are also nonprofits working to better the lives of particular demographics, like Community Living Alliance, founded by people with disabilities, healthcare professionals, and concerned community members to honor the desire for independent community living and self-determination. Stephanie Stringer says, “CLA provides necessary home-based healthcare services and behavioral support to citizens of the Greater Madison area.” If this speaks to you, consider helping to further their mission with a donation or by volunteering, as many nonprofits operate on thin margins.

If you’re seeking to amplify minority voices, address homelessness, or fight hunger, there are options addressing these issues from different angles and on several different levels. Take Angel Cars, whose mission includes educating people on general car maintenance as well as seeking to get affordable cars to the single parents and workers who need them.

If you like animals, either as a birdwatcher, a pet owner, or a wildlife conservationist, there are nonprofits dedicated to the needs of both domesticated and wild animals. Consider the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, working to preserve the land and improve accessibility to the natural world. Cara Erickson says, “The founders of the ALNC recognized the need for a green space, where children—whether on a field trip or with their families—could connect with the natural world.” You can find nonprofits working directly in your community as well as nonprofits working beyond the borders of our state.

Photograph provided by 9 Lives Rescue Inc.

Every nonprofit we communicated with agreed that their success is a direct result of having donors just as passionate as they are. For example, Dane County Humane Society believes they are able to continue their work only through the support of the community and financial donations. Amy Good says, “Financial resources are the biggest limitation on what we can do.”

Project Home, an organization helping vulnerable populations stay in their homes as long as possible by making critical home repairs, improving energy efficiency, and addressing needed accessibility modifications, points out that even government-assisted nonprofits will have gaps in funding. Kari Nichols says, “One of our programs, Serving Those Who Served, which helps veterans in need at no cost, is entirely funded through donations.” It’s through private donations that many nonprofits can help those outliers who would otherwise be left behind for not meeting the government funding’s criteria.

Donations also make a great gift for the person who has everything or is impossible to shop for. If you have a friend or relative who cares a lot about any number of issues, a donation in their name might be the most thoughtful gift you can give. Most nonprofits are very transparent about where those monies are being spent, so if you do the research beforehand, you might even find a personal connection that speaks to your relationship with the giftee.

Photograph provided by Angel Cars

Sometimes, you might be surprised at just how much certain aspects of a nonprofit cost. 9 Lives Rescue is dedicated to rescuing and housing cats and kittens in need, but Anna Goebel says 96 percent of their expenses are medical costs. “Any donation goes directly to providing care for cats, from routine spays and neuters and vaccinations to emergency veterinary procedures.”

Rooted, a nonprofit resulting from a merger of two likeminded nonprofits focused on connecting the community with the land through growing food, is clear that your donation will always go to whatever part of the operation needs it most. Laura Whitt says, “We’re always delighted to have people join us in our work, whether by participating in our programs or volunteering with the organization, but to be honest, the donations that would help Rooted the most are financial gifts to our general operations.”

Two other ways to get more monies to the causes you care about are by encouraging a local business to donate to something related to their industry and by encouraging your employer to give matching donations. As mentioned, many of these operations are operating on tight margins, so anything you can do to get the word out can have a much larger impact than you might imagine; this is especially true for smaller nonprofits.

Photograph of Julio Noriega, Home Repair Technician, provided by Project Home

Every nonprofit seems to agree that the Greater Madison area is a great place to headquarter their cause due to the high volume of thoughtful individuals. There’s an understanding that all of the work being done and all the efforts being made have a symbiotic relationship affecting not just their own successes, but many aspects of life in Wisconsin, extending even to the rural parts of our state. What makes it all work isn’t that we agree on how to fix things or on what needs our attention, but rather that we all agree there are improvements to be made and we can individually focus on those parts of life that are near and dear to us.

The future for the nonprofits we contacted looks bright. Angel Cars has purchased land in Columbus to build its trade center and is actively working to add more grants to their funding.

Dane Buy Local is continuing to work with the evolving landscape of consumer behaviors surrounding online shopping to make more Dane and contiguous county businesses successful.

The Aldo Leopold Nature Center is using the next five years to focus on advancing internal and external equity, building a sustainable business model that adequately reflects the organization’s and community’s needs, and improving and clarifying organizational structures and culture.

9 Lives Rescue is working toward becoming a well-run, sustainable organization combining compassion with a responsible approach to save as many at-risk cats and kittens as possible; in short, their goal is to become obsolete.

Community Living Alliance is looking to the future to increase its ability to partner with community organizations, individuals, and others to strengthen and sustain opportunities for people of all abilities and ages to live in their homes.

Dane County Humane Society has grown so much in recent years that they share their best practices and innovations with other shelters throughout the country.

Project Home is working to continue changing with the building industry by providing state-of-the-art training and continuing education opportunities to their technicians so they can utilize new technologies in their work, including heat pump water heaters, cold-climate air source heat pumps, and solar electric systems.

Rooted sees more people growing their own food in community gardens, some even going on to becomes growers on larger plots of land, and continuing to expand food literacy and knowledge through the programs they provide.

We at Madison Locally Sourced have worked with a number of nonprofits to get the word out and share their voices. Maybe a lot of people take comfort believing that these problems are already being taken care of, but the truth is it’s always a struggle. The drive to keep putting in the work doesn’t come from the promise of a paycheck; it comes from knowing that someone or something else is going to be better for it. As Michael Jahn of Angel Cars says, “It’s more than a real job. The time, the effort, the heart that goes into this—it consumes you, and it takes a lot of your time. We have a passion for it and a passion to help.”

After looking through Giving: Our Community Nonprofits, we encourage you to share your passion with the nonprofit that resonates with you today.


Q&A

9 LIVES RESCUE

What was the original need that 9 Lives Rescue sought to address and how was the founder(s) connected to it?
9 Lives Rescue was founded in 2016, and became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2019, to rescue cats and kittens in need, and to find them loving, permanent homes. After volunteering for other area rescues, Janell Moody, founder of 9 Lives, wanted to focus on compassionate service to those with cats in need, and then doing the best job possible to find the right home for the cat and the right cat for the adopter.

How has 9 Lives Rescue adapted to the evolving needs of the people and animals it serves?
We don’t believe that the needs of the people or animals has changed much since we started in 2016, but the way we try to meet those needs has. We’ve moved to using more digital means of maintaining records, disseminating information, and keeping in touch. We started as a small rescue in 2016, and in 2022 adopted out over 600 cats and kittens. We are still all volunteers, however, and the foster-based system works best for our cats. 

What does the future look like for 9 Lives Rescue? 
9 Lives Rescue is hoping to become obsolete in a future where all humans show respect for animals, and care responsibly for the ones they have: no one uses cats for target practice, dumps pregnant cats in the country to become someone else’s problem, or abandons tiny kittens to die in a dumpster. Until that happens, we will continue our work to make this community better, one cat and one human at a time. As we grow, our goal is to work towards making 9 Lives Rescue Inc a well-run, sustainable organization that combines compassion with a responsible approach to save as many at-risk cats and kittens as possible. 


Is there something about being in the Greater Madison area that adds to the success of 9 Lives Rescue?
Folks in Madison love their pets! The City of Madison recently banned the inhumane practice of declawing cats with widespread support, for example. At community outreach events this past summer, such as at the Dane County Farmers Market, we met so many people who love animals and want to help. We see the heartless side of humanity in this work, but knowing that our mission is supported by good, kind, caring people in this community is what keeps us going.

The media! Madison’s magazines (like Madison Locally Sourced) and radio stations (like the Kibble 4 a Cause fundraiser), and other media have been so supportive of our mission to help cats in need, and to bring awareness to the issues. Most people are unaware of how many neglected, unwanted, and abused cats and kittens there are in Madison and surrounding areas. Education and coverage of the issues are so important to creating a better future!

What does 9 Lives Rescue provide to the general public of the Greater Madison area? Why is it important to the community?
Cat populations can easily explode when people do not spay and neuter their pets. When that happens, the cats themselves struggle to survive, compassionate people carry the burden (often with limited resources) of trying to feed and help them, and large colonies of homeless cats can have a harmful effect on bird populations. Most times when 9 Lives Rescue saves cats, we are also helping multiple people in our urban and rural communities. The best part is that we not only bring at-risk cats to safety and health, we then bring life and joy into the homes of hundreds of adopters, who welcome these formerly unwanted cats as beloved family members.

How can people in the community help 9 Lives Rescue be successful? What sort of donations (time, money, goods, etc.) are most needed?
9 Lives Rescue Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that depends on the financial support of the community to do the work we do. Our adoption fees never cover all of our expenses. We depend on community donations to make up the difference. Our operation is lean – medical costs make up 96% of our yearly expenses. Any donation goes directly to providing care for cats, from routine spays and neuters and vaccinations to emergency veterinary procedures. We also appreciate in-kind donations. If you have cat food or gently-used cat supplies, we promise to direct your items to cats in need.

Love cats and want to be more hands-on? 9 Lives offers volunteer opportunities in all aspects of our work, from social media posting to socializing kittens! You might find it extremely rewarding to provide a foster home for cats, or you might prefer to work behind the scenes in other ways. 

Follow us on social media, at Facebook.com/9livesrescue and Instagram.com/9livesrescue.

If you’re interested in cats, cat tips and info, and adorable pictures, you might also want to sign up for our quarterly e-newsletter, “9 Lives High Fives.” 

You can donate or find signups and application forms on our website, 9LivesRescue.com

ALDO LEOPOLD CENTER

What was the original need that Aldo Leopold Center sought to address and how was the founder(s) connected to it?
The founders of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center (ALNC) recognized the need for a green space, where children – whether on a field trip or with their families – could connect with the natural world. Over the last few generations, children have been spending less and less time outside. ALNC’s founders recognized that if they didn’t preserve the land, which was slated for development into condominiums, that they would lose precious greenspace, making it even harder for children to connect with the natural world because nature would no longer be easily accessible. Saving the land on which ALNC sits, was initiated by Educators who brought their classes to this land on field trip and a group of concerned citizens actually petitioned the city of Monona to purchase the land, preserving it as greenspace for all to enjoy. 
 
How has Aldo Leopold Center adapted to the evolving needs of the people and animals it serves?
Over time, we have adapted, expanded, and launched programming to fit the needs of our community. In 2019, we redesigned our space to open a Nature Preschool and expanded our teaching area in and outside of the building because the demand for our programs and childcare overwhelmed the building design at the time. We’ve incorporated climate change education throughout all of our programming, recognizing that children better learn about the effects of climate change when they are connected to the land. We have recently changed our processes for summer camp registration and enrollment, moving away from the pay-to-play membership model, which gives some an unfair advantage and marginalizes others. When we opened the Nature Preschool, with the desire to remain accessible and equitable to our community, we built the Nature Preschool’s tuition on a sliding scale and decided to offer further tuition assistance for families who need it. We’ve acquired a van to provide transportation to ALNC and launched an after-school program for two nearby Title 1 elementary schools, where students are picked up from school, filling a need for working parents and caregivers. We still have much work to do to meet the needs of our community and are building partnerships with community-based organizations to help children and families connect with nature where we can.
 
What does the future look like for Aldo Leopold Nature Center?
We are currently in the goal-building stage of our most recent strategic planning process. Over the next five years, we have our goals set on advancing internal and external equity, building a sustainable business model that adequately reflects our organization’s and community’s needs, and improving and clarifying our organizational structures and culture. We will be challenged, as advancing internal and external equity can be difficult to balance with a sustainable business model, but we are looking forward to the work as we continue to build inclusive and welcoming programming that is available for all of our Dane County community. We will know we have been successful when our business model is sustainable and supports equity, both internally and externally.
 
Is there something about being close to the Greater Madison area that adds to the success of Aldo Leopold Nature Center?
Yes, the Greater Madison area is rich in both community and culture. In general, we are a city, a county, and a state that loves spending time outside. The changes of season and rich biodiversity that can be found in our area – all year round – make finding excitement and wonder in the natural world easy… And it’s that ability to spark curiosity, and remain curious, that is conducive to a lifetime of learning in and connecting with nature.  

What does Aldo Leopold Center provide to the general public of Wisconsin and surrounding communities? Why is it important to the community?
We provide the public with a space and place in nature. Everyone has the right to find connection and enjoyment in the natural world, benefitting from the numerous advantages a connection to nature can provide, and we offer the public the space to do just that. We encourage visitors to stop at the front desk and borrow a trailside backpack… providing them the tools they need to explore, possibly venturing from the common path and even conducting their own pond dip. We also provide numerous programs for children ages 2 to 12, from childcare to drop-in programs and enrichment to education, and seasonal public events. We also host birthday parties, scout programs, and weddings. There is certainly a little bit of something for everyone at ALNC.
 
How can people in the community help Aldo Leopold Center be successful? What sort of donations (time, money, goods, etc.) are most needed?
As a 501c3 educational organization providing childcare services to our community, donations of money are always appreciated. We work hard to provide subsidized program fees and tuition assistance so that more families can afford our programming and public support of these initiatives will help us build equity in our organization and lift up our community. Donations of time and expertise are also always appreciated as these are the most valuable gifts anyone can give… whether you’re stewarding the land or sharing your excitement about our programming with your family and friends… spreading our mission throughout our community is priceless to our organization and expanding access to nature, for everyone.   

ANGEL CARS

What was the original need that Angel Cars sought to address and how were you, as the founder, connected to it?
10/10/2015 I had motorcycle accident resulting in traumatic brain injury. Broken bones all over my body, including neck and back. All my struggles afterwards (losing my business and my name being dragged through the mud) were a sign that I was supposed to be doing something bigger. I wanted to teach single dads how to do trades, how to be a mechanic, etc. I wanted to help veterans. I wanted to help people learn how to maintain a car. I can also buy cars at dealership auctions and not charge the up cost a dealership would.

How has Angel Cars adapted to the evolving needs of the people it serves?
By growing and serving more people struggling lacking a vehicle or job. I’m also working to build a trade center to give people the skills they need to get a job. I want to run classes for busy moms to learn how to maintain a vehicle. Things that weren’t taught in school.

What does the future look like for Angel Cars?
The DOT gives out a grant, so we’re trying to get that. SWCAT is trying to get those funds at Angel Cars so they can get reliable vehicles. We check every car we give out to help people do the things they need to do to earn money and get their kids to school. You can’t build wealth and success if you have something to build from.

What does Angel Cars provide to the general public of the area? Why is it important to the community?
People are never going to get out of the debt system if we don’t teach him how to utilize debt to earn wealth. We’re the only nonprofit garage addressing this need by using a working model to be successful. You gotta get people to work. You gotta get people to the store. Working at a nonprofit is more than a real job. The time. The effort. The heart that goes into this. It consumes you, and it takes a lot of your time. We have a passion for it and a passion to help people.

How can people in the community help Angel Cars be successful? What sort of donations (time, money, goods, etc.) are most needed?
We need more staff and volunteers, but money is something that will always help. We need experience. We need staffing. We need people that can reach out to the right people and the right politicians. Credit and transportation are the two things keeping people in poverty.

COMMUNITY LIVING ALLIANCE

What was the original need that Community Living Alliance sought to address and how was the founder(s) connected to it?
Community Living Alliance (CLA) was founded by people with disabilities, health care professionals and concerned community members to honor the desire for independent community living and self-determination.

How has Community Living Alliance adapted to the evolving needs of the people and animals it serves?
Due to CLA’s commitment to person centered service design, we are able to deliver supports that reduce the everyday challenges faced by individuals who are aging, have disabilities and their families regardless of the changes that have come over the past three decades of operation.

What does the future look like for Community Living Alliance?
CLA looks forward to the future and increasing its abilities to partner with community organizations, individuals and other to strengthen and sustain opportunities for people of all abilities and ages to live in their own homes. 

Is there something about being in the Greater Madison area that adds to the success of Community Living Alliance?
The rich network of community focused organizations and individuals in the Greater Madison area strengthen CLA’s ability to build community connections to those we support.  

What does Community Living Alliance provide to the general public of the Greater Madison area? Why is it important to the community.
CLA provides necessary home-based health care services and behavioral health support to citizens of the Greater Madison area.   Those services strengthen all communities, by reducing social isolation, caregiver stress, and contribute to an overall positive community health and well-being. 

How can people in the community help Community Living Alliance be successful? What sort of donations (time, money, goods, etc.) are most needed?
People in the community can support CLA’s efforts by donating to our Caring for the Caregiver Fund, connecting with us to provide care through our flexible part time work opportunities, donations to our annual fundraiser silent auction or apply to be a member of our board of directors. 

DANE BUY LOCAL

What was the original need that Dane Buy Local sought to address and how was the founder(s) connected to it?
In 2004, the original need Dane Buy Local aimed to address was the growing pressure local businesses faced from retail giants like WalMart and other big box stores. These larger corporations were emphasizing the concept of “lowest price,” which had a detrimental impact on the quality of products and services available in the community. Dane Buy Local’s founders were deeply connected to this issue, as they recognized the need to offer an alternative to the pursuit of cheap goods.

The core idea was to unite local businesses and showcase that there was a viable and preferable option to the “cheap” model promoted by larger retail chains. By bringing local businesses together, Dane Buy Local aimed to create a powerful and influential voice within the community, advocating for the importance of supporting locally owned and operated businesses. 

How has Dane Buy Local adapted to the evolving needs of the people and businesses it serves?
Dane Buy Local has demonstrated remarkable adaptability in response to the changing needs of the people and businesses it serves. Initially focused on addressing the threat posed by big box stores, we recognized the shifting landscape as online giants like Amazon and Etsy gained prominence. These online retailers offered the convenience of ordering from home with rapid delivery, sometimes within a few hours.

Many local businesses felt overwhelmed and unsure of how to compete against these online behemoths. However, through innovation, training, and collaborative efforts among our members, identified several key solutions to remain relevant and competitive. These solutions included offering unique purchasing experiences, providing exceptional customer service, and delivering personal attention to each customer, elements the online giants could not replicate. In essence, we evolved to help local businesses distinguish themselves in ways the online giants could not, creating a compelling value proposition for customers seeking more than just convenience.

What does the future look like for Dane Buy Local?
The future of Dane Buy Local and the Buy Local Movement is currently undergoing a shift. During the pandemic, there was a notable surge in support for local businesses as consumers recognized the importance of sustaining their local communities. However, this heightened attention on buying local has somewhat diminished as the pandemic’s immediate impact has waned.

Nationally, many buy local groups faced challenges during the pandemic and unfortunately did not survive. Nevertheless, those who persevered appear to be stronger and more resolute in their commitment to supporting the buy local movement. As for the specific direction that Dane Buy Local and similar organizations will take in the future, it remains uncertain and is a subject of ongoing discussion and exploration within the movement.

The evolving landscape and consumer behaviors will play a significant role in shaping the future of Dane Buy Local. Only time will reveal the full extent of the movement’s trajectory and the strategies which will be most effective in fostering continued support for local businesses.

Is there something about being in the Greater Madison area that adds to the success of Dane Buy Local?
Being located in the Greater Madison area undoubtedly contributes to the success of Dane Buy Local. Dane County and South-Central Wisconsin exhibit a unique attitude and appreciation for buying local. There is a strong understanding among the community about the exceptional nature of the area and a collective desire to preserve its distinctive character. The people here truly “get it” and recognize local businesses play a pivotal role in shaping and enriching the community.

The emphasis is not on having the fanciest Target or the biggest Walmart; instead, it’s about celebrating the diverse array of local businesses and entertainment options which are exclusive to this area. When Madison/Dane County receives accolades such as being named the “best place to live,” which it often does, these distinctions consistently highlight the vibrant local business community as a key contributing factor to the area’s appeal and quality of life. The community’s strong support for local businesses and the recognition of their importance make the Greater Madison area an ideal environment for the success of Dane Buy Local.

What does Dane Buy Local provide to the general public of the Greater Madison area? Why is it important to the community?
Dane Buy Local offers three key pillars of support to the general public of the Greater Madison area: Collaboration, Education, and Promotion. These elements are crucial to our mission and the overall well-being of the community. Collaboration: Dane Buy Local fosters collaboration among local businesses and like-minded organizations, enabling them to work together to address common challenges and find innovative solutions. By uniting local enterprises, Dane Buy Local helps create a stronger, more resilient local business community. Education: Dane Buy Local plays an essential role in educating the public about the significance of supporting local businesses. Through various programs, workshops, and outreach efforts, Dane Buy Local raises awareness about the positive impact of choosing local options over larger, non-local corporations. Promotion: Dane Buy Local actively promotes its members and the local business community. This promotion helps highlight the unique offerings and services provided by local businesses, encouraging residents to explore and invest in their local economy.

The importance of Dane Buy Local to the community lies in its efforts to preserve the essence and desirability of the Greater Madison area. By emphasizing the value of supporting local businesses, Dane Buy Local helps maintain the area’s uniqueness and cultural vibrancy. It strengthens the local economy, creates job opportunities, and contributes to a strong sense of community. Ultimately, Dane Buy Local’s work aligns with the community’s aspirations to preserve and enhance the character of the Greater Madison area, making it a better place to live, work, and thrive.

How can people in the community help Dane Buy Local be successful? What sort of donations (time, money, goods, etc.) are most needed?
To help Dane Buy Local be successful and continue its valuable work in the community, individuals can take the following actions.

  • Support Dane Buy Local Members. The most effective way to support Dane Buy Local is by patronizing its member businesses. When you shop, dine, or use services provided by Dane Buy Local members, let them know that you’re doing so because of their affiliation with Dane Buy Local. This not only helps individual businesses but also reinforces the value of Dane Buy Local membership.
  • Financial Donations. As a nonprofit organization operating on a tight budget, financial contributions are immensely valuable to Dane Buy Local. Donations can be made directly to the organization to support its initiatives and member programs. These donations help sustain Dane Buy Local’s operations and its ability to promote and assist local businesses.
  • Participation in Dane Buy Local events. Attend and actively engage in events organized by Dane Buy Local. These events often serve as fundraisers and community-building opportunities. Your participation not only provides financial support but also fosters a sense of community and solidarity among local businesses and residents.
  • Purchase DANE BUY LOCAL Gift Cards: Consider purchasing Dane Buy Local gift cards from the organization’s website https://danebuylocal.com/Dane Buy Local-gift-cards/. These gift cards can be used at participating Dane Buy Local member businesses, offering a convenient way to support local establishments while contributing to Dane Buy Local’s mission.
  • Volunteer Time and Expertise: If you have skills or expertise which can benefit Dane Buy Local, consider volunteering your time. Nonprofits often rely on volunteers for various tasks, such as event coordination, marketing, or administrative support. By taking these actions, individuals can play a vital role in helping Dane Buy Local thrive and continue its efforts to support and promote the Greater Madison area’s local businesses, fostering a stronger, more vibrant community.

DANE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY

What was the original need that Dane County Humane Society sought to address and how was the founder(s) connected to it?
Our first visionary leader, Ida Kittleson, started her journey to help stray and homeless pets when her neighbor found a stray kitten and brought it to Ida in a violin case. There was nowhere for stray animals to go, so she started by first housing animals in her home, and later in a vet clinic and volunteer foster homes. If their families weren’t found, they were placed up for adoption.

How has Dane County Humane Society adapted to the evolving needs of the people and animals it serves?
During our 100+ year journey, we’ve made significant strides in elevating the welfare of animals in our community. Spay/neuter has dramatically reduced the number of homeless animals in our community, and technology has made it easier to reunite lost animals with their families than ever before. We’re widened our scope from just stray dogs and cats, and also help farm animals and provide rehabilitation to native wildlife. Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) has added additional programs and services to help people with their current pets and engage more people in our work.

What does the future look like for Dane County Humane Society?
Especially over the past decade, our programs and services have greatly expanded, and we are now one of the nation’s leading animal welfare organizations. We share our best practices and innovations with other shelters throughout the country. As our local animal population has become more stable thanks to spay/neuter, we’re reaching further than ever with lifesaving transfers of from overcrowded shelters. In addition to helping homeless pets, the future of animal welfare includes community-based pet care to help keep animals with their loving families, including increased access to affordable veterinary care and other resources.

Is there something about being in the Greater Madison area that adds to the success of Dane County Humane Society?
Greater Madison is a world-class region made up of many vibrant communities. We’re a hub of innovation and people looking for what’s next. Our residents are compassionate people wanting to make a difference for people, animals, and our environment. DCHS embodies this spirit, always seeking out what more is possible for providing the best care possible to our community’s animals, and our organization is filled with talented people trying new things to meet the needs of our region and beyond.

What does Dane County Humane Society provide to the general public of the Greater Madison area? Why is it important to the community.
DCHS has long provided refuge, healing, and new beginnings to our community’s animals. We’ve also long held humane education at the heart of our work, and we continue to shape a more humane future with educational programs for all ages, outreach and resources for our community. Owner support programs include fostering the animals of domestic abuse victims, dog training classes, and providing community-based care, services, supplies, and resources. Our services make our community better with an ethic of empathy, care, and value for people and animals.

How can people in the community help Dane County Humane Society be successful? What sort of donations (time, money, goods, etc.) are most needed?
DCHS is a private, non-profit, community-supported organization not affiliated with any government agency or national animal welfare organization. We can only continue our work with the support of our community, and financial resources are the biggest limitation on what we can do. There are many ways people can donate: give $5 more per month as a Constant Companion, join our Directors’ Council for exclusive behind-the-scenes activities, attend our special events, host an event on our behalf, donate in honor or memory of a person or pet, shop our thrift store, or even include us in your will.

PROJECT HOME

What was the original need that Project Home sought to address and how was the founder(s) connected to it?
Project Home was founded over 50 years ago by a Madison-area grassroots group that sought to create an organization that could address the needs of homeowners from our most vulnerable populations that were dealing with the rapidly rising cost of home ownership and home repairs. The main mission of the organization was to keep people in their homes as long as possible by addressing critical home repairs, improving energy efficiency, and addressing needed accessibility modifications. 

How has Project Home adapted to the evolving needs of the people it serves?
From the local grassroots Madison organization, Project Home has continually evolved over the years by expanding our service territory to include the entirety of Dane and Green Counties.  Today, Project Home partners with state and local government agencies, through a variety of grants, to provide services for households through the Weatherization Assistance Program, Dane County Home Repair programs, City of Madison Home Repair programs, and Green County Home Repair programs.  In recent years, Project Home has become a Focus on Energy trade ally and we now provide energy efficiency improvements to households of all income levels to help minimize the impact of continually rising energy costs for all. 
 
What does the future look like for Project Home?
Project Home will always remain true to our core value of making every home safe and sound. With that said, the building industry is continually changing, and Project Home will continue to change with it.  Our technicians receive state of the art training and continuing education from nationally recognized organizations to provide our customers with the best service possible. Project Home is now involved in a couple of projects to expand the installation of new technologies such as heat pump water heaters, cold-climate air source heat pumps, and solar electric systems. As more and more funding is being directed towards advancing decarbonization and electrification efforts, Project Home will continue to evolve into the future.  
 
Is there something about being in the Greater Madison area that adds to the success of Project Home?
Project Home is fortunate to be located in the Madison area.  Many of our funding sources have offices located in Madison, which allows us to maintain strong partnerships with those organizations.  Madison has always been a center for innovation and research, and Project Home has partnered with local groups over the years to pilot new technologies and building science techniques.  Madison is the second largest population center in Wisconsin and with home ownership costs fairly high in our area there is a great need for our services.  
 
What does Project Home provide to the general public of the Greater Madison area? Why is it important to the community?
Project Home provides critical home repairs, energy efficiency improvements and accessibility modifications for some of our area’s most vulnerable households.  Through the programs that we offer, Project Home can address these critical housing needs for people that couldn’t otherwise afford to repair their home on their own.  A home is the largest purchase many people will make in their life, and taking care of and maintaining the safety, comfort, efficiency, and durability of that home can be very expensive and, in some cases, cost prohibitive.  Many small repair needs, when left unaddressed, can snowball into much larger problems in a home. Project Home is here to provide services to make the cost of maintaining a home more affordable to all.
 
How can people in the community help Project Home be successful? What sort of donations (time, money, goods, etc.) are most needed?
Project Home has been quietly operating in the community for over 50 years. Private donations are a critical part of our operating budget because there are gaps in the funding we receive from government entities that these donations can cover.  We reach out to family, friends and business owners who are in a position to make a gift of support.  We develop partnerships to enhance our reach, to create awareness of our services, and to communicate the need for donations to be able to serve more of our neighbors in need.  One of our programs, Serving Those Who Served, which helps veterans in need at no cost, is entirely funded through donations.  We welcome donations of any size and love to speak to organizations that are interested in partnering with or sponsoring Project Home in our mission.

ROOTED

What was the original need that Rooted sought to address and how was the founder(s) connected to it?
Rooted resulted from the January 2020 merger of two vibrant Madison nonprofit organizations with aligned missions: Center for Resilient Cities (founded in 1996) and Community GroundWorks (founded in 2001). The two organizations had had ongoing partnerships over the past 20 years, and had similar goals of connecting the community with the land through growing food.

How has Rooted adapted to the evolving needs of the people it serves?
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our work expanded to address the immediate need for greater access to fresh, local food. We increased vegetable production by 40% and distributed food to more families in our communities. We worked with communities to provide additional spaces for people to grow their own food, including community garden spaces, and larger spaces for subsistence farmers and small-scale market farmers. We were able to sustain our work undiminished thanks to federal and local pandemic relief grants and loans.  

While the urgency surrounding the pandemic has waned, the demand remains strong for our community-based programs that address food equity and land access, especially. To continue to respond to these community-identified needs, we must replace pandemic relief funds with more sustainable, long-term funding from diverse sources.  

What does the future look like for Rooted?
Our future is quite bright! We see more children, youth, adults, families expanding their food literacy and knowledge–and their palates–through our programs. We see people growing their own food in community gardens, and some even scaling up to become growers on larger plots of land. We’re so pleased to be able to bring the joys of collaboration in food, land, and learning to Madisonians, along with delicious food.

Is there something about being in the Greater Madison area that adds to the success of Rooted?
Since the 2020 merger, our mission has focused on collaborations in food, land, and learning, so that the communities we serve do not just survive, but thrive. Our work is community-driven, and our primary programs are focused on healthy food access and secure land tenure in Madison’s food access improvement areas. The Greater Madison area is one that appreciates the ways in which food brings communities of people together, through their cultural foodways and their love of growing food. 

What does Rooted provide to the general public of the Greater Madison area? Why is it important to the community.
Community needs and interests in healthy food access, gardening/farming, and secure land tenure for growing food bring people to our organization. We operate an organic production farm; 3 youth-focused, organic educational farms; gardening and culinary education programs with K12 schools, community centers, and for justice-involved youth; and a year-round youth employment program. We operate the Badger Rock Neighborhood Center on Madison’s South Side, offering gardening/culinary programs to neighborhood residents. We also support The Gardens Network of Dane County (over 70 community gardens, including many on land we manage or lease). We work to increase land access for BIPOC growers especially, partnering with various organizations and local government agencies. 

We provide our communities with fresh organic produce, and access to resources such as community gardens, gardening/farming expertise, hands-on education in the field, and educational programming. We focus resources on people traditionally excluded from accessing them, especially people of color. We blend local knowledge/expertise from community members and partners with our technical knowledge to meet community food needs. Our educational programs draw upon culturally relevant knowledge and expertise from community members, compensating them for sharing their gifts and talents. We are also working to expand land access for Hmong and other BIPOC growers, sharing space at our Troy Gardens and Farm, and leading the development of a new farm space for market-scale growers.

For over 20 years, our 5-acre Troy Farm has grown fresh organic food that supports healthy food access in Madison’s Northside neighborhoods. The farm serves over 250 member households a year and conducts direct sales on site and at the Northside Farmers Market. 

Since 2012, our 1.5-acre Badger Rock Urban Farm, located at the Badger Rock Neighborhood Center, has taught urban agriculture and culinary arts to all ages. The farm is a primary learning space for 100 Badger Rock Middle School students. Through our gardening and culinary arts program, students learn to grow produce, prepare plant-based dishes, develop value-added products, and operate a farm stand. In September, the new Southside Elementary School opened on site, increasing our constituency and reach. 

Rooted’s education programs serve people of all ages, from babies through adults. Our Farm to ECE (Early Care and Education) program offers increased access to local foods and garden-based activities to enhance education in childcare centers, family childcare homes, Head Start/Early Head Start, and K-12 schools. We provide on-site training, prioritizing BIPOC-owned/staffed sites, serving majority BIPOC communities, or located in underserved areas. We teach elementary, middle, and high school students at both our Northside and Southside locations. In all of our education programs and in our youth employment program, we cultivate community youth leaders in our local food systems, uplifting food sovereignty and community resilience. Youth discover their own agency when they grow fresh, affordable, culturally relevant produce for themselves, their families, and their community. 

How can people in the community help Rooted be successful? What sort of donations (time, money, goods, etc.) are most needed?
We’re always delighted to have people join us in our work, whether by participating in our programs or volunteering with the organization. Check our website and events calendar for those opportunities. But, to be honest, the donations that would help Rooted the most are financial gifts to our general operations. We promise to steward your gifts wisely as we put them to use where they are most needed at the organization.

Kyle Jacobson is a writer who thinks the holidays are better spent at home than in traffic.