Every day at MCF, we are inspired by stories from donors about why they give and how they choose to support what matters most to them.
Women wanting to provide others with a boost toward success; teachers determined to help all their students learn and thrive; couples passionate about their communities; men dedicated to mentoring at-risk boys; families honoring a loved one’s legacy; parents who want to teach their children the importance of giving; couples who share a passion for the arts. What inspires your giving?
Removing Barriers
Growing up, Cheri Teal's father had to miss out on many things because his physical disabilities, caused by an accident, made access impossible. Cheri's legacy will ensure that others have the opportunity to participate fully.
Read how Cheri Teal's legacy will remove barriers.
Giving Back, a Way of Life
For Cathy and Ralph Middlecamp, giving back to their community is a way of life. The Middlecamps have two funds with MCF: one honoring their son, John, and one supporting their current passions.
Read the Middlecamp's story about why they give.
Transformational Giving
Bill & Jan DeAtley have been strong supporters of the Madison community and have provided gifts to many area nonprofits, helping bring them to the next level with their giving. They recently chose to move their family foundation to MCF to simplify their giving.
Watch the DeAtleys share their story.
Honoring Their Son by Helping Others
When Pat and Helen Sheahan's son was killed in a car accident, they chose to honor his memory by creating the Michael Sheahan Memorial Scholarship, which has become a way to keep alive what he might have accomplished in his life.
Read the Sheahan's story.
Supporting the Community That Supported Them
Chuck Bauer and Chuck Beckwith, founders of the Soap Opera, use their donor advised fund at MCF to support organizations working in areas that matter to them -- especially arts and the environment.
Watch as Chuck and Chuck share their story.
Honoring a Young Woman's Passion for Justice
Bella Sobah was guided throughout her life by her passion for justice. After Bella's untimely death at age 25, her family and friends chose to honor her memory by creating a fund that recognized her passion.
Watch the story behind the Bella Sobah Memorial Fund for Social Justice.
Helping Pave the Way for Others to Succeed: The Julius Morgan and Verona L. Morgan Scholarship Fund
Julius Morgan believed that education was the foundation for everything. When he passed away, his family chose to honor his memory by creating a scholarship fund.
Read more about Verona and Julius Morgan.
Tillie Ripley: A Legacy of Unending Compassion
Tillie Ripley had a passion for justice, and enjoyed working with MCF to support local nonprofits, helping right where she lived.
Read more about Tillie.
Ariel Ford: Giving Back in a Meaningful Way
Ariel grew up feeling the influence of strong women in her life, and knowing the power of women helping others. That's why she's planning a legacy that will give other women that a boost to help them be successful.
Read more about Ariel.
Jennifer Seeker Conroy and Tim Conroy: Supporting Women and Girls
As the chair of the Advisory Committee for A Fund for Women (AFFW), Jennifer Seeker Conroy regularly sees value that comes from women supporting other women. That’s why she and her husband Tim support AFFW with their legacy gift.
Read more about Jennifer and Tim.
Bill Tierney and Valerlie Nehls: A Passion for Portage
As a former two-time mayor and long-time resident of Portage, Bill Tierney is a dedicated supporter of his community – both today and into the future. He and Valerie Nehls also share a passion for saving lives. Their giving supports both.
Read more about Bill and Valerie.
Donna Beestman: The Ripple Effect
Longtime Madisonian Donna Beestman decided to make her commitment to A Fund for Women part of her legacy.
Read more about Donna Beestman.
Nancy Boebel: The Grateful Giver
Lake Mills resident and business owner Nancy Boebel is teaching her grandchildren the value of helping other people.
Read more about Nancy Boebel.
Steve Morton: An Enchanted Forest
An important part of Steve Morton’s legacy came together when he discovered a way to protect and preserve his family’s 120-acre retreat within the picturesque Driftless Area of southwest Wisconsin through Madison Community Foundation.
Read more about Steve Morton.
Mary Burke: Unlocking Our Community's Potential
A conversation with fundholder, Legacy Society member, and former Board member Mary Burke.
Read more about Mary Burke.
James Tye and Gabriel Neves: Leaving a Lakes Legacy
When James Tye and Gabriel Neves decided to leave a charitable giving legacy, two words drove their decision: "Madison" and "lakes."
Read more about James Tye and Gabriel Neves.
The Stark Family's Long Legacy: History Lesson
Phil Stark has fond childhood memories of visiting his father, Paul, in the building that’s now home to Madison Community Foundation. Built in 1926 to house the office of The Paul E. Stark Company, now Stark Company Realtors, the historic structure was revitalized and reopened as Austin Place in 2014 by the Block 100 Foundation created by Jerry Frautschi and Pleasant Rowland.
Read more about the Stark Family.
Orange and Dean Schroeder: The Art of Giving
Orange’s Fund for the Arts supports annual scholarships available to all high school graduates who have participated in the Madison Youth Choirs and Dean’s fund supports UW Opera as well as Dean and Orange’s own nonprofit, the Handel Aria Competition.
Read more about Orange and Dean Schroeder
Mann Educational Opportunity Fund: On Their Way
The Mann Educational Opportunity Fund is a scholarship honoring Bernard and Kathlyn Mann, longtime Madison residents whose strong belief in education helped ensure the graduation of their five children from Madison Memorial High School and later from universities.
Read more about The Mann Educational Opportunity Fund
Tom Popp: Doing Global Good
Some people play golf in retirement. Tom Popp chose philanthropy.
Read more about Tom Popp
Jane Earl: Planning for the Future
Jane Earl wants to ensure her favorite causes in her favorite community are supported forever.
Read more about Jane Earl
Roberta Gassman and Lester Pines: For the Love of Madison
Donor's Gift Will Grow Forever: Taking Root
An $8,000 gift from a donor-advised fund at Madison Community Foundation is enabling Dane County Parks and Operation Fresh Start (OFS) to team up for trees.
Read more about this gift
Carol & John Toussaint: A Path to Giving
Carol and John Toussaint’s path to charitable giving began early in life.
Read more about Carol & John Toussaint
100 Black Men of Madison: All Hands on Deck
When Madison native Chris Canty asked his father, Wayne, if he could join 100 Black Men of Madison, an organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of area youth, especially young men of color, through mentoring and development programs, the response was direct and definitive: "Are you ready?"
Read more about 100 Black Men of Madison
Sally & John Ouellette: The Joy of Giving
When Sally and John Ouellette took a financial advisor’s suggestion and created the Ouellette Family Donor Advised Fund, they never imagined the joy it would bring them. Now, nearly two decades later, the endowment has allowed them to give away more than their original investment. Not only that, the fund today is worth more.
Read more about Sally & John Ouellette
Jane Coleman: A Home for Big Ideas
Jane Coleman loves big-picture thinking - and big-picture giving. That's why she named Madison Community Foundation as a beneficiary in her will to make sure big ideas have a home for generations to come.
Read more about Jane Coleman