MCF's Blog

Vel Phillips Sculpture Unveiled

November 6, 2024

In July, the sculpture of Velvalea "Vel" Phillips was unveiled at the Wisconsin State Capitol Grounds. The sculpture is the first of an African American placed at the Capitol and the first of an African American woman outside of a capitol building in the U.S.

Discover more about the legacy of Vel Phillips and how the sculpture came to be.

Watching Past Grants Flourish

August 28, 2024

MCF’s grantmaking focuses on investing in projects that will help the Madison community thrive. The nonprofit organizations that receive these grants work diligently to ensure their new initiatives flourish and uplift the community.

See 3 examples of flourishing past grants

Earning Trust by Honoring Donor Intent

July 9, 2024

When donors make gifts or establish funds with MCF, they trust that those gifts or funds will be used for their intended purposes. Upholding this trust and honoring donor intent is central to MCF’s values and mission.

Discover how we uphold donor intent

Forging Connections Through the Goodman Nonprofit Center

June 18, 2024

MCF is tapping into the vast knowledge of community members and other community foundations as we take steps towards opening the Goodman Nonprofit Center in 2025.

Read more about the connections we are forming

Saying Goodbye to Tom Linfield

June 14, 2024

On June 14, Madison Community Foundation said goodbye to Tom Linfield. Tom is leaving MCF to lead the Madison Children's Museum as their new President and CEO. While we're sad to see Tom leave, we're excited about his new venture.

Say Goodbye

A Community Foundation Perspective on Donor Advised Fund Reform

Bob Sorge | May 29, 2024

New proposed regulations of donor advised funds fail to take into consideration important differences between commercial gift fund providers and community foundations. MCF President and CEO Bob Sorge shares a community foundation perspective on these proposed new rules.

Discover why community foundations oppose this reform.

Growing Impact

April 22, 2024

Over the years, MCF has supported dozens of organizations and their green programs and projects. Join us as we celebrate this Earth Day by highlighting some of these environmental efforts.

Explore past environmental grants.

What is National Accreditation? And Why Does it Matter?

March 22, 2024

When flipping through MCF publications, you may have noticed a white and blue seal that reads “Accredited Community Foundation.” MCF has received national accreditation from the Council on Foundations for 22 years. But what is national accreditation and why does it matter?

Learn more about the accreditation process

Give Now, or Give Later?

February 22, 2024

When it comes to maximizing the impact of your giving, you don't have to choose between giving during your lifetime or through your will or estate plan. MCF can help you combine the joy of giving today with the satisfaction of leaving a legacy.

Explore blended giving.

Things I Learned in 2023

by Tom Linfield | January 26, 2024

Tom shares some interesting things he learned about Madison from reading the Community Impact grant proposals.

Discover what Tom learned.

Getting to Know Nick Pjevach

January 3, 2024

Meet MCF's new Donor Database Manager, Nick Pjevach. Nick is a great new addition to the MCF team as he is passionate about data organization and Madison area noprofits.

Learn more about Nick.

Meet Kate Moser

November 22, 2023

Get to know one of MCF's newest staff members, Kate Moser. Kate is our new Accounting Director and is excited to be joining the nonprofit world.

Learn more about Kate.

Celebrating Philanthropy in Greater Madison

November 15, 2023

On November 9, AFP Madison recognized some of the inspiring people who are working to help others in our community at its National Philanthropy Day celebration. MCF was proud to be the presenting sponsor of this event, which celebrated those working to enhance the common good with their philanthropy.

Meet this year's honorees.

10 Helpful Tips for Year-End Giving

November 6, 2023

It is hard to believe, but 2023 is quickly drawing to a close! As you prepare for your year-end giving, here are 10 things to keep in mind.

See all 10 tips here.

Getting to Know Beth Hedges

September 29, 2023

The MCF team is once again growing as we welcome our new Accountant, Beth Hedges. Beth recently returned to the Midwest and is excited to expand her knowledge of nonprofit accounting her at MCF.

Learn more about Beth.

MCF's Hate-Free Grantmaking Policy

August 16, 2023

To ensure that all grantmaking done by funds at MCF is in keeping with our values, we have adopted a Hate-Free Grantmaking Policy. This policy further clarifies and defines how MCF and its Board of Governors evaluates organizations before approving grants or distributions to them.

Discover how we're ensuring values-aligned grantmaking at MCF.

Helping Build Thriving Neighborhoods

by Becki Fiegel | June 22, 2023

Madison Community Foundation believes that the most effective way to bring meaningful, lasting change is by supporting ecosystems, which creates momentum in a way that discrete individual grants may not.

See how MCF has helped contribute to two thriving neighborhoods in our community.

Diving Deep: Site Visits Give MCF Staff Insight

by Julia Carabelli | June 7, 2023

MCF staff regularly schedule site visit days to help deepen our knowledge of Dane County nonprofits, how they operate, and the people they serve. Recently, MCF staff had the pleasure of touring the Art + Literature Laboratory, The Bodgery and the Pinney Library.

Read more about our day of site visits

Using Your Retirement Plan to Fund Your Legacy Giving

June 1, 2023

If your estate plan includes charitable giving goals, using your traditional IRA or qualified retirement plan to fund those gifts can be a tax-smart strategy.

Explore whether this strategy might work for you.

Using a Qualified Charitable Distribution From Your Retirement Account

May 10, 2023

If you've reached retirement age and have accumulated more in your retirement accounts than you need to cover your expenses, a QCD may allow you to support one or more nonprofits while also reducing your taxable income.

Discover one way to use your excess retirement savings to fund your giving.

Meet MCF's New Board Chair, Christine Rew Barden

March 15, 2023

At the February Board of Governors meeting, MCF welcomed Christine Rew Barden as the new Chair.

Get to know Christine, and why she considers MCF a valuable community resource.

A Fund for Women Celebrates 30 Years

by Sarah White, AFFW Advisory Committee Secretary | March 1, 2023

Started in 1993 as a way to encourage philanthropy by and for women in Dane County, A Fund for Women has grown from $100,000 to nearly $4 million today.

Learn more about A Fund for Women over the years

The Big Share Day of Giving

by Becki Fiegel | February 13, 2023

Hosted by Community Shares of Wisconsin and sponsored by MCF, the Big Share is a day-long fundraising event that gives the community an opportunity to unite in support of area nonprofits. MCF fundholders can use their donor-advised funds to support any of the participating nonprofit organizations.

Learn more about The Big Share

Pause and Reflect

by Bob Sorge | January 18, 2023

MCF President and CEO Bob Sorge takes a moment to reflect on the past year and what we've been able to accomplish together with you, as the community's foundation.

Read Bob's reflection

Get to Know Julia Carabelli

January 11, 2023

In December, we welcomed Julia Carabelli as our Digital Content Specialist. New to the Madison area, Julia is excited to become acquainted with and enrich our community.

Get to know more about Julia.

Feathers in Our "CAPs"

by Anna Burish | December 20, 2022

To deepen their understanding of philanthropy and its role in financial and estate planning, MCF hosted a study group of local advisors working to earn their Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) credential. Anna Burish, an MCF Board member and a financial advisor with The Burish Group – UBS Financial Services Inc. shares what being part of that group meant to her.

Learn more about the CAP program.

Collecting Seeds for the Future

November 28, 2022

In late October, a group of MCF staff members spent an afternoon helping to protect those lakes and the watershed by volunteering with Clean Lakes Alliance and Dane County Parks. Our mission: to collect native prairie plant seeds.

Discover the connection between prairies and clean lakes.

10 Things to Remember About Year-End Giving

November 2, 2022

As 2022 draws to a close, many people are starting to think about the types of charitable gifts they would like to make before year-end. To help you prepare, we've put together 10 tips to keep in mind.

Learn ways to make your year-end giving most effective.

Spotlight on Field of Interest Grants

October 6, 2022

MCF stewards more than 50 Field of Interest funds and awards nearly $1 million in grants each year. Field of Interest funds allow donors and fundholders to support a broach area of interest and rely on MCF's expertise to select the projects to support each year.

Learn about some of the grants we've made so far this year.

Celebrating Legacy Giving at MCF

by David Koehler | September 29, 2022

Earlier this month, we gathered to celebrate our Legacy Society members; people who plan to support the community and the causes they care about through their estates. This year, we enjoyed brunch and program at MyArts.

See what makes this event so special, and enjoy the videos we shared.

Rising Rates Make Charitable Gift Annuities Even More Attractive

July 20, 2022

Rising interest rates may make a charitable gift annuity (CGA) an even more attractive option for your charitable giving. If you've been considering a CGA, now may be a good time to move ahead. 

Learn more about CGAs and the new rates.

MCF's Strategic Asset Allocation Dampens Volatility

By Carmen Jeschke | July 14, 2022

While today's stock market volatility, high inflation, surging gas prices and ongoing uncertainty are unsettling for investors, MCF maintains its long-term focus and uses a strategic asset allocation strategy to protect the portfolio's returns.

Learn how MCF's strategic asset allocation dampens volatility.

How MCF's Spending Policy Helps Stabilize Distributions

By Carmen Jeschke | June 8, 2022

MCF uses several tools to minimize the impact of market instability, inflation and recession on the distributions from the endowment funds held here. Our total return spending policy is one of those tools.

Learn how MCF's spending policy helps.

Getting to Know Camille Zanoni

By Becki Fiegel | May 4, 2022

Nonprofit leaders in Madison have a bounty of knowledge locked in their heads. But how does Camille joined MCF last week as Director of Donor & Giving Partner Engagement. She will be working with individuals, nonprofits and our giving partners as part of the donor engagement team.

Get to know Camille here.

Unlocking the Bounty

By Andy Davey | April 14, 2022

Nonprofit leaders in Madison have a bounty of knowledge locked in their heads. But how does that knowledge get shared, and with whom? MCF recently engaged in a multi-year research project with UW-Madison Extension Dane County to explore the availability of resources needed to sustain a thriving nonprofit ecosystem in Dane County.

Andy Davey shares their findings here.

Giving to Help the People of Ukraine

By Becki Fiegel | March 7, 2022

As the humanitarian crisis unfolds in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it's natural to want to help. While MCF's grantmaking is limited to Dane County, our fundholders can make distributions from their advised funds to support causes across the globe.

Learn More About Giving to Support the People of Ukraine

MCF Is Reducing Fees - Again!

By Bob Sorge | January 27, 2022

The support our fundholders provide to MCF is an important part of our success in strengthening the community. As MCF’s Administrative Endowment has grown, it is able to support a greater share of our operational needs. This has allowed us to reduce fees for many funds.

Learn About MCF's New Fee Structure 

10 Things to Remember About Year-End Giving

By Alison Helland | November 17, 2021

It is hard to believe, but 2021 is quickly drawing to a close! At this time of year, many people start thinking about the types of charitable gifts they would like to make before year-end. As you prepare for your year-end giving, Alison shares 10 things to remember. Review Alison's Year-End Giving Tips 

Donor Advised Fund Reform: the ACE Act

By Bob Sorge | September 29, 2021

While most donor advised funds get financial resources into the community, plenty of cases exist where dollars go into such funds and don't come out. Over the last decade, many versions of legislation have been introduced to address these issues. The most recent, the Accelerating Charitable Efforts (ACE) Act, is much stronger than previous versions, and shows a clear understanding of the differences between community foundations, commercial gift funds and private foundations. Learn Why MCF Supports the ACE Act

Cliff’s Gifts Benefit SAIL and Community

by David Koehler | September 9, 2021

When Cliff Voegeli passed away in 2020, he left a permanent legacy of support for Sharing Active Independent Lives (SAIL). After volunteering with SAIL during his retirement, Cliff became passionate about the organization's work helping seniors age in place. He wanted to ensure SAIL could continue to provide support in the community for years to come. Learn How Cliff Created His Legacy

How MCF's Investment Mindset May Differ From Yours (and Why That's a Good Thing)

By Carmen Jeschke | July 22, 2021

When fundholders establish an endowment at Madison Community Foundation (MCF), they do so because they want to create a permanent legacy; they are investing for future generations. To make this happen for the nearly 1,200 funds we steward, MCF operates under significantly different investment conditions than individual investors. Learn More

Meet Caitlin Ryan, MCF's Donor Relations Manager

July 14, 2021

Caitlin Ryan joined MCF as Donor Relations Manager just in time to jump into planning the first-ever virtual Madison Gives event, and she hasn't missed a stride since. Caitlin is looking forward to working with donors and fundholders to help make their giving experiences meaningful. Learn More About Caitlin

Dane County Nonprofits Eligible for Grants

By Tom Linfield | June 28, 2021

As we slowly emerge from the rubble of the pandemic, people are walking the streets mask free, wondering if COVID really is behind us. It’s wonderful to see people out and about, old friends reconnecting, family members visiting, stores and museums reopening, and a return to normalcy emerging. The pandemic, though, has a long tail. For the 3,000 nonprofits in Dane County, 2021 may prove as challenging as 2020. Read More

A Useful Tool for Both Donors and Nonprofits

Andy Davey | May 19, 2021

The Greater Madison Nonprofit Directory serves as a single platform for information about the thousands of nonprofits in our area, including more than 3,000 501(c)3 organizations in Madison alone. It also is the most visited page on our website, and is free for anyone to use. Madison Community Foundations (MCF) hosts the Directory as one way to help encourage transparency in the nonprofit field. Read More

Environmental Impact, Part 2: Farmland Equity and Outdoor Learning

Andy Davey | March 18, 2021

This is the second installment of a new series of blog posts and reports providing more information and analysis about the impact of Madison Community Foundation's (MCF's) grantmaking in each of our five community impact focus areas: the environment, the arts, learning, community development and capacity building. Read more

Environmental Impact, Part 1: Stopping Erosion and Restoring Prairies

Andy Davey | February 24, 2021

People often ask about the impact of our grantmaking on the community. To help answer those questions, we’re embarking on a new series of blog posts and reports providing more information and analysis about the scope and impact of our grants in each of our five community impact focus areas: the environment, the arts, learning, community development and capacity building. We begin today, focusing on the environment. Read more

The Big Share Is an Easy and Fun Way to Support Nonprofits

January 22, 2021

On Tuesday, March 2, Community Shares of Wisconsin will host The Big Share, the seventh annual community giving day. The Big Share is a fun and flexible way to donate to and learn more about a range of organizations making a difference in our community. This year, 70 local nonprofits are participating, including some groups participating in their first Big Share. Read more

 

Thankful in 2020? Yes, I Am.

Bob Sorge | December 9, 2020

With 2020 drawing to a close, I paused to think about what I was thankful for. It has been a challenging year, at best. I’m sure if I asked all of you, “What are you most thankful for in 2020?” many of you would respond, “That it’s just about over.” Read More

10 Tips for Year-End Giving

David Koehler | November 23, 2020

As 2020 comes to a close, following are a few tips to keep in mind as you plan and direct your year-end giving to make a difference for our community and beyond. Read More

Deep Work

Bob Sorge | October 21, 2020

In mid-March as MCF was shutting down its physical office space in response to the Governor’s pending Safer at Home order, I happened to be reading a book by Georgetown Professor Cal Newport called Deep Work. I have a lot of self-improvement books on my shelves (some of us need more help than others). Currently Built to Last, Be Fearless, Leading Minds, When, and Winning Decisions are all in the queue. Read More

The Word of the Year Is Pivot

Tom Linfield | October 7, 2020

"Food pantries will never work the same again,” says Marcia Kasieta, Executive Director of the Badger Prairie Needs Network (BPNN). She is referring to the changes made under the pandemic to serve clients and volunteers in safer ways while responding to the tremendous growth in need. Food cannot be packaged or distributed in the same ways. Visitors drive through outdoor spaces, never entering the actual pantry. Overall, the need for services has grown by 60%, and BPNN has gone from serving 14,000 visitors in 2019 to more than 22,000 so far in 2020. Read More

Census 2020: Funding the Final Push for a Fair, Accurate and Equitable Count

September 22, 2020

This opportunity only comes once every 10 years. The census determines where $1.5 trillion is spent on everything from health care to highways, housing and food assistance. It determines representation by elected officials to our government. Read More

The Unexpected Pleasure of Legacy Giving

David Koehler | September 9, 2020

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is helping people create legacies of giving for the charities and causes they find most meaningful. Read More

Understanding the ESG Portfolio

Carmen Jeschke | August 13, 2020

Social consciousness has become a way of life for many. In response, many investment companies have options available to investors that support this philosophy. Read More

Supporting Early Education Providers

Kelly Hook, Wisconsin Early Education Association | August 13, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has created huge challenges for childcare providers, whose services are essential to working parents. The Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) – a 2019 Community Impact grant recipient – has been working to provide support to those providers. Kelly Hook, WECA’s Director of Donor + Partner Engagement, shares an update of the work they’re doing. Read More

Our Commitment to Ending Racism

Bob Sorge | June 4, 2020

Madison Community Foundation (MCF) has a long-standing vision: that greater Madison will be a vibrant and generous place where all people thrive. Unfortunately, that vision feels as remote today as it ever has. Read More

CARES Act and Charitable Giving

Carmen Jeschke | April 22, 2020

Nonprofit organizations are facing substantial hardships due to the COVID-19 crisis. To help, Congress provided significant encouragement to charitable giving for both individuals and businesses in the newly enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Read More

CARES Act Provisions for Nonprofit Organizations

Carmen Jeschke | April 13, 2020

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act introduced several programs designed to provide direct benefits to nonprofit organizations, primarily in the form of loans and tax credits. Read More

What a Difference a Week Makes

Bob Sorge | March 27, 2020

Wow. What just happened? If, by chance, you had forgotten how fragile life is, this past week probably served as a reminder. The movement of COVID-19 from distant humanitarian issue to full-on crisis next door feels like it’s taken about two minutes. Read More

Supporting Our Community During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Bob Sorge | March 12, 2020

The coronavirus (and COVID-19, the disease it causes) and the impact it may have on our healthcare system and vulnerable populations is dominating the news and social media. While much of this information remains speculation, few can deny that this epidemic will have, and is already having, a large impact. Read More

The Big Share is Coming. What is the Big Share?

February 13, 2020

The Big Share is an online day of giving hosted by Community Shares of Wisconsin benefiting nearly 70 local nonprofits. The Big Share is a community day of giving – an opportunity to unite our community around causes that matter to us and help nonprofit organizations raise awareness and support for their missions. Read More

Understanding the Grantmaking Process

Tom Linfield | January 17, 2020

Monday afternoon I stood looking out at a room of 90 people, including nonprofit staff, MCF donors, board members, and the press. This was an annual press conference at which we announced more than $600,000 in grant awards for 22 agencies. Read More

Thank You for Making MCF the Community's Foundation

Bob Sorge | December 27, 2019

It’s a privilege to work at the community’s foundation. I don’t think I can say that often enough. Every day people from all walks of life come together to make investments in endowments held by MCF for the future of our community. It’s an act of optimism made all the more special because it is done together with our neighbors and friends. Read More

Considering a Charitable Gift Annuity? Act Now.

Carmen Jeschke | December 3, 2019

Safety, security and an income for life. These attributes have made annuities an investment mainstay going back to ancient Rome. Add the ability to give to your favorite charity and receive a partial tax deduction and you can see why charitable gift annuities (CGAs) are among the most popular planned gifts. Read More

10 Tips for Successful Year-End Giving

David Koehler | October 29, 2019

As the community’s foundation, we are privileged to play a role in the extraordinary generosity of our neighbors − particularly at year’s end. To be most effective, here are a few tips to keep in mind as you plan and direct your year-end giving. Read More

My Principal Experience

Andy Davey | October 11, 2019

This past Tuesday I had the privilege of being part of the Foundation for Madison Public School’s A Principal Experience. I spent the morning with two other guests – Tory Laube from Demco and Abby Schulz from TASC – at Hawthorne Elementary school, not far from my home on the east side of Madison. Instructional coach Lori Kluetzman was our guide into the complexities of Hawthorne. Read More

Meet Carmen Jeschke, MCF's New Vice President of Finance & Operations

October 8, 2019

MCF is excited to welcome Carmen Jeschke to our team. Carmen joined MCF on October 1st, stepping into the role vacated by Ann Casey’s retirement. Carmen comes to MCF from Kollath CPA in Middleton, where she most recently was Tax Manager. Read More

Volunteers Make an Impact

Bob Sorge | September 25, 2019

I’ve been thinking a lot about volunteering lately. Perhaps not surprisingly – volunteering is a valuable gift to any nonprofit – and using philanthropic resources effectively and efficiently is always on my mind in one way or another. It goes with the territory. More recently, I’ve been thinking more specifically about what it means to volunteer, and what it looks like to make an impact. Read More

Supporting Those Who Nurture and Uplift Our Kids

Andy Davey | September 11, 2019

While my one-year-old son gleefully ate handfuls of corn bread and macaroni and cheese – and also dropped handfuls of the gooey stuff onto my work pants and dress shoes – I was reminded yet again how much care and support every child needs to be happy, healthy, and successful in life. The two of us, along with my wife and some friends, were hanging out on the glorious Monona Terrace rooftop for the last Dane Dances of the summer. We had the pleasure of enjoying the smooth sounds of a classic Motown band, mingling with others in one of Madison’s most diverse public festivals, and even shaking and swaying a little on the dance floor ourselves. But the evening also featured a special celebration for some of our city’s too often unsung heroes: out-of-school-time workers. Read More

Waving Goodbye to Ann Casey

August 28, 2019

Today we wave goodbye to Ann Casey, MCF’s incomparable Vice President of Finance and Operations, who is retiring after 20 years at MCF. Before she set off to start her next adventure, Ann was kind enough to share some thoughts with us. Read More

The Recipe for a Successful Capital Campaign

Tom Linfield | August 20, 2019

Capital campaigns are both daunting and invigorating. They can take years from planning, to campaign, to construction, to grand opening and require a lot of time, energy, and resources. They involve a million details, from feasibility studies to naming opportunities to carpet samples. And they can be an emotional rollercoaster for staff and board members. Read More

Field Trip: Exploring the Bayview and Goodman Community Centers

Becki Fiegel | July 31, 2019

Several times a year, the entire MCF staff gets out of the office to visit and learn more about the organizations MCF and its donors support. I was excited to participate in one of these field trips earlier this month, when we visited the Bayview Community Center and the Goodman Community Center. Read More

Working With MCF: An Advisor's Perspective

David Koehler | July 15, 2019

As a professional advisor, helping your clients establish their charitable plans is a significant responsibility. Not only are you helping them and their families achieve their philanthropic goals today, you’re also helping them leave a legacy for tomorrow. It can be a long and personal journey for your clients (and you!) that’s both rewarding and demanding. Read More

MCF Welcomes Becki Fiegel

June 21, 2019

Get to know Becki Fiegel, MCF's new Communications Director. Read More

MCF and the Evjue Foundation Announce $1 Million Grant to Madison Youth Arts Center

May 22, 2019

On May 21, Madison Community Foundation announced a $500,000 grant toward the new Madison Youth Arts Center, in conjunction with a $500,000 grant from the Evjue Foundation. MCF President Bob Sorge and Paul Fanlund, editor and publisher of the Cap Times, made the joint grant announcement during Madison Gives, MCF’s annual dinner at Monona Terrace, with more than 600 in attendance. Read More

Variance - The Community Foundation Super Power

Ann Casey | April 19, 2019

Often when we open a new endowment fund – especially for a nonprofit organization – we are asked about what will happen if something changes with anything related to the purpose of the fund or the organization. This is when we will explain a unique aspect of a community foundation: variance power. Read More

Women and Philanthropy

Martha Taylor | March 29, 2019

One of the greatest joys you can have in life is giving of self – time, talent and resources. This concept of giving in everyday life – living philanthropically – permeates the teachings of all religions and humanitarian traditions. We see these principles applied to business, government and civic life resulting great acts of good in our society. Read More

Imagination and the Arts

Tom Linfield | March 6, 2019

Imagine if the dozens of arts groups serving youth in Madison had a specialized, state of the art facility to call their own; a large building that could provide rehearsal and performance space, visual art gallery space, costume and set production shops, and multiple, flexible classrooms for teaching music, dance, voice, theater and art. Read More

Say Yes!

Diane Ballweg | February 19, 2019

Philanthropist Diane Ballweg reflects on her time as Chair of Madison Community Foundation’s Board of Governor. Read More

Building Blocks for the Common Good

Andy Davey | February 5, 2019

What do a splash pad full of soaked kids and chatting parents, an elementary school that provides health services, a library space for making art, and a park with hikers climbing to a hilltop chapel have in common? Aside from each being funded by Madison Community Foundation grants and endowments, they are all examples of what sociologist Eric Klinenburg calls “social infrastructure” in his new book, “Palaces for the People." Read More

Madison Reading Project is on the Move

Brennan Nardi | January 24, 2019

Rowan Childs spent her childhood on the move. While her father’s corporate career required the family to relocate every few years, her mother made sure one thing in their lives remained constant: the family’s ever-growing book collection. Read More

Hey Nonprofits, It's OK to Say Thank You!

Ann Casey | January 14, 2019

Year-end giving makes December a busy month at Madison Community Foundation. It’s a time when we receive charitable donations from a variety of individuals and organizations and send out dozens, if not hundreds, of donor advised grant distributions. I pondered the various ways nonprofit organizations receive support from their donors—through MCF as well as other charitable giving tools and entities. And I thought about how confusing those gifts can be and how nonprofits may need to adjust their systems to deal with them. Read More

$1 Million Estate Gift Will Support OutReach Forever

David Koehler | December 4, 2018

Bill and his wife, Joyce, were well known for their extraordinary generosity toward the people and causes they loved—the arts, learning, helping the underserved, parks, history, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community, and more. Read More

Who Knew? Things I Learned From our Recent Community Impact Grant Proposals

Tom Linfield | November 14, 2018

Each fall more than 80 agencies apply for a grant from Madison Community Foundation's Community Impact Fund. This year, MCF asked 28 of those agencies to submit a full proposal. Reading the applications is always a fascinating experience—each project illuminated through a five-page proposal that expresses research, need, opportunities, and planned impact. Read More

Diversity is Strength

Bob Sorge | November 1, 2018

Five years ago, the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families (now Kids Forward) published the Race to Equity report. Its revelations of racial disparity hit our proud, progressive community from out of the blue … at least it hit me that way. Read More

Tackling Tough Questions About Dane County's Nonprofit Sector

Andy Davey | October 16, 2018

The number of nonprofit organizations in Dane County has doubled in the last two decades. To what degree does this proliferation indicate a nonprofit sector that is healthy and vibrant, or one that is full of redundancies and confusion? Read More

The Role of Storytelling in Measuring Impact

Brennan Nardi | October 2, 2018

Despite the good, important, and often transformative work nonprofits are doing in our communities every day, they will be the first to tell you that measuring their impact is a challenge. Read More

That Nagging Feeling

David Koehler | September 20, 2018

If you are like many nonprofit professionals, you have a nagging feeling you should be doing more with planned giving and discussing it more frequently with your organization’s supporters. Read More

A "Bunch" of Tax Planing Ideas

Ann Casey | September 4, 2018

With the new tax laws in place, are you among those who will no longer itemize due to state and local tax deduction limits ($10,000 per year) and the doubling of the standard deduction* ($12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples)? Read More

Bridging the Out-of-School Gap

Tom Linfield | August 21, 2018

I was way over-involved in high school. I worked on the school paper, yearbook, sang in the choir and madrigals, and played violin in the orchestra. But my biggest creative outlet was theater, performing as Mr. Bumble in “Oliver” (got to sing the title song), a dancing waiter in “Hello Dolly,” (had to dance down a staircase holding a turkey) and the villain in our senior class play (complete with top hat, a Snidely Whiplash moustache to twirl, and a barrage of audience hisses whenever I did the hero wrong). Read More

Why Endowments Rock

Bob Sorge | August 7, 2018

Okay, okay—juxtaposing “endowments” and “rock” might sound like I’m pushing it a bit. Those are two words you don’t typically see together. For some people the word “endowment” has a bit of mustiness to it and, well, “rock” doesn’t. But let me make my case… Read More

A Thousand Words: MCF's Year of Giving in Pictures

Brennan Nardi | July 17, 2018

Over the past year, photographer Beth Skogen and I have been traipsing around Madison to document our 75th Anniversary Year of Giving grants in action. For every great image we print in a newsletter or annual report we share with donors who make all of this possible, there are so many more that never get published. So I dove into our archives for a few of my faves that deserve to be appreciated and enjoyed. Read More

What I'm Reading This Summer

Andy Davey | July 3, 2018

As Madison Community Foundation’s Community Resource Analyst, I’m responsible for understanding, as best I can, what’s happening in the nonprofit sector here in Dane County. Part of that means keeping up with what fellow researchers and practitioners are writing about the field more broadly. Read More

Higher CGA Rates Provide Opportunities for Donors

Ann Casey | June 19, 2018

Madison Community Foundation, like most nonprofits that accept CGAs, follows the gift annuity rates recommended by the American Council on Gift Annuities. Earlier this spring, the ACGA released new rate tables, the first change since January 1, 2012, when rates were decreased dramatically due to the low interest rate environment at the time. Read More

Legacy Donors Will Transform the Madison Area's Future

David Koehler | June 6, 2018

Over the past 18 months, Madison Community Foundation welcomed an astounding 101 new Legacy Society member households—individuals and couples who have included a gift of any amount in their will or estate plan to create a permanent legacy of giving. Read More

Community Schools Take Flight in Madison

Tom Linfield | May 22, 2018

Question: What makes a great community? The answer: a great school. And the reverse is true, too–if we make neighborhoods a great place to live, with learning opportunities, green space, community gathering space and opportunities for fellowship and training, then we offer families a chance to thrive. Read More

Amplifying the Voices of Women in Nonprofits

Diane Ballweg | May 8, 2018

"At some point in your life a door will open and let the future in!" MCF has been swinging doors open for 75 years, impacting projects and lives throughout Dane County. As part of our "Year of Giving," the Amplify Madison grant will build the capacity of women leaders in area nonprofits. Read More

New MCF Research Sheds Light on Size, Scope of Dane County Nonprofit Sector

Andy Davey | April 24, 2018

In the months preparing to start my position as a research fellow at Madison Community Foundation last fall, I became more and more excited by the stories I read about MCF’s work and the things I imagined I’d be learning more about. I read about grants to support single Latina moms building their literacy skills, funds for youth learning to make everything from metal sculptures to new software programs, and seed money for lasting investments in major civic projects like Monona Terrace. Read More

Storytelling Strengthens Community and Philanthropy

Brennan Nardi | April 10, 2018

Storytelling is at the heart of what I do as communications director at Madison Community Foundation. With every donor’s gift, and every grant we give, there is a unique and special story that provides insight into the work we do as part of our mission to enhance the common good through philanthropy. Read More

Playing the Long Game

Ann Casey | March 27, 2018

Since 2006, Commonfund has served as Madison Community Foundation’s strategic investment partner assuring the sustainability of our permanent endowments. Ann Casey, Vice President of Finance and Operations, reflects on MCF's financial health during the ups and downs of stock market volatility. Read More

6 Reasons to Start a Donor-Advised Fund 

David Koehler | March 13, 2018

As 2017 came to a close, calls, emails and gifts to Madison Community Foundation (MCF) steadily increased. The confluence of a strong stock market, year-end giving and looming changes to tax laws drove donors to give generously, adding to an already strong year for philanthropy. When the dust settled, Madison Community Foundation saw a 65% increase in the number of new charitable funds opened over the previous year. Read More

Inside the Impact of Dane County Nonprofits 

Tom Linfield | February 27, 2018

What makes Madison special for you? Lakes? Education? Libraries? Arts? Festivals? Chances are, there’s a nonprofit (or two, or five) working hard to save those lakes, make that education accessible, build that new library, put on a show, or gather the community for a free event. Read More

MCF Blog Will be a Team Effort

Bob Sorge | February 13, 2018

Welcome to Volume 1, Issue 1 of Madison Community Foundation’s new blog. That’s right—your community foundation just got hip! Read More