Our 100+ Women Who Care – Madison members nominate charities for consideration as an upcoming quarterly Impact Award winner or runners-up. If you don’t see your favorite charity below, it can be nominated or re-nominated by any member by submitting the nomination form here.
Our board members vet each charity upon nomination to ensure it’s a 501(c)(3) and would spend our donations in Dane County. Nominated charities remain on the list of eligible presenters for two years. Any charity that wins a quarterly Impact Award is eligible to be re-nominated after three years; runners-up are eligible for re-nomination after one year.
View our past Impact Award winners here.
Charities expiring December 2024:
Community Action Coalition of South Central WI
Transforming our communities by fostering conditions where everyone can achieve social and economic security. They offer housing and food security services, as well as other social services to help people become their best selves. cacscw.org
Green Pastures Living
Provide affordable housing and assistance for senior citizens who live independently in rural living. Safe, simple senior housing in rural communities to ensure they remain rooted in a familiar setting with trusted guidance and provision through their aging process. greenpasturesliving.com
Charities expiring March 2025:
Madison Public Schools Foundation-Teacher Support Network
They raise funds, develop community partnerships, and advocate for Madison’s public schools. They provide school supplies and material resources to students and teachers at 55 MMSD schools and programs, supporting 26,000 students and 2,700 teachers.
Schoolsmakemadison.org
Porchlight
Striving to reduce homelessness in Dane County by providing shelter, affordable housing, and supportive services that eliminate barriers and empower the individuals and families they serve. They envision a community without homelessness.
porchlightinc.org
Sleep in Heavenly Peace:
Volunteers that build, assemble, and deliver top-notch fully furnished beds to children and families in need at no cost because a bed is a basic necessity for the physical, emotional, and mental support a child requires. All donations are used to build, furnish, and deliver beds. www.shpbeds.org
Charities expiring June 2025:
Family Service Center
Reaching over 4,000 people each year, they specialize in mental health support across the age span, specializing in the treatment of children, birth through seventeen, who have experienced trauma or other stress in their young lives. fsmad.org
Charities expiring September 2025:
The Rage Fund
They identify, promote, and implement solutions to foster a more inclusive and diversely-able world. They shine a light on the importance of caregivers, help connect people to information on becoming an in-home caregiver and share public services available to people with disabilities. jointherage.org
Boys and Girls Club of Dane County – Vel Phillips Campaign
The first sculpture on the grounds of a state capital of an African American woman will be in Madison, Wisconsin. The campaign is to raise the funds to have the historic designation statue honoring Vel Phillips made and placed on the State Capitol grounds.
bgcdc.org/velphillipscampaign
Literacy Network
Serving ~1000 low-income adults each year in Dane County, they help individuals build skills and reach goals through personalized education services and support. Supported adults improve skills in English language, reading comprehension, and use of information technology.
litnetwork.org
Prairie Music and Arts
An arts education organization taking artistic opportunities directly to kids, by fostering artistic exploration and inspiring personal growth through collaborative, holistic, and creative experiences. The programs occur at community sites throughout the area. prairiemusic.org
More Smiles Wisconsin.
Formerly Madison Dental Initiative (MDI), this nonprofit provides dental services to the impoverished population of Dane County. Serving all low-income individuals aged 8 and over, they believe in long-term solutions emphasizing education, prevention, and access to care. moresmileswi.org
Charities expiring December 2025:
Access Community Health Centers
They provide access to high-quality, affordable health care to people who face financial, cultural, or language obstacles. Access provides medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services, regardless of ability to pay, to over 31,000 people in southwest Wisconsin. accesscommunityhealthcenters.org
Greater Madison Resource Center
GMRC serves those experiencing homelessness or financial difficulties impacting everyday life. They provide resources to resolve immediate crisis issues. Extension groups include Project Babies (diapers/infant needs) and Santas Without Chimneys (holiday gifts to homeless). gmrcmadison.com
LOV, Inc. (Living Our Vision Inclusively)
LOV, Inc. is a family-led community to mobilize their strengths and gifts to enrich the lives of people with disabilities and strengthen the civic life of the entire community. Their mission is to unite people with developmental disabilities to engage and build their best lives. lovinc.org
Community Shares of Wisconsin
They bring donors together with over 70 nonprofits to address social, economic, and environmental issues. In addition to fundraising support, Community Shares supports member non-profits with shared technology, 401k plans, and leadership development training. communityshares.com
Box of Balloons
Box of Balloons believes that a birthday celebration can give families the joy and hope they may be missing. Referrals come from Dane County Social Workers and advocates who identify children in need, children who otherwise would not have a birthday celebration. boxofballons.org
Developing Artists Murals and Alliances (DAMA)
DAMA fosters youth development through collective art experiences and trains local artists to transform communities. They use mural-making to help Dane County residents, especially youth, feel safe in their neighborhoods and proud of their communities.
damawi.org
Charities expiring March 2026:
UNIDOS
Empowers the community to break the cycle of domestic violence, end sexual assault and promote healthy family systems by providing free, confidential services, programming, and support to those affected by domestic or sexual abuse in and around Dane County. unidoswi.org
Outreach LGBTQ+ Community Center
Committed to equity and quality of life for all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and all other people through community building, health and human services, and economic, social, and racial justice advocacy.
outreachmadisonlgbt.org
Omega School, Inc
An alternative school for young people over 18 years old who were not succeeding in traditional high school, they provide a low student-to-teacher ratio, individualized instruction, and professional staff to create a place where students can learn and complete their GED/HSED. omegaschool.org
Centro Hispano
Where Latinx families can aspire upward to reach personal and professional goals while feeling engaged and strengthened with the tools for success. They empower youth, strengthen families, and engage the community throughout Dane County.
https://www.micentro.org/
Sun Prairie Explore Children’s Museum
A community space to inspire creativity, exploration, engagement, shared learning, collaboration, communication, critical thinking skills, and fun for all ages. Visitors take an active role in learning to understand diverse environments and interact in social contexts. explorecm.org/
The Latino Academy of Workforce Development
They provide linguistically and culturally competent adult education to ensure individuals and families thrive socially, economically, and civically. Programs include education (GED, English, digital), mentorship, financial coaching, and workplace skills (construction, CDL, ServSafe). latinoacademywi.org
Bikes for Kids Wisconsin
Formerly Free Bikes 4 Kidz Madison, they’ve given away 10,000+ bikes to children in need. Their mission is to make bicycling sustainable, equitable, and affordable as a means of everyday transportation. Over 85% of donated bikes are within Dane County.
Bikesforkidswi.org
Just Dane
Offering direct service programs for individuals and families involved in the criminal justice system, their services include prison reentry programs, services for children an incarcerated parent, reading programs, family visit programs and mentoring.
Justdane.org
The Playing Field
A unique, non-profit, early childcare education program that removes barriers to high-quality childcare and integrates children ages 6 weeks to 6 years from varied racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Funding model: 1/3 pay full tuition; 1/3 receive scholarships; and 1/3 receive grants. playingfieldmadison.org
Affordable Dental Care
A bilingual non-profit dental clinic providing quality and compassionate care to the uninsured and underinsured. They have performed over 6,000 procedures, given 500+ dental kits to children, and hosted dental education workshops for lower-income families. affordabledentalmadison.org
Charities expiring June 2026:
Girls on the Run
Essential life skills are the cornerstone of their research-based programs. Trained volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development, including managing emotions, fostering friendship, and expressing empathy.
girlsontherunscwi.org
Meadowood Health Partnership
MHP promotes literacy and provides neighborhood-based model health care to strengthen families. Partners include healthcare workers, Meadowridge Library, Today Not Tomorrow, Project Babies, Meadowood Neighborhood Center, and Neighborhood Connectors. mwhp.org/
Felicia’s Donation Closet
They locate and deliver needed bedroom and living room furniture, kitchen items, bath essentials, and toys for domestic abuse survivors and families who are moving from a shelter into their own homes. The 100% volunteer organization works throughout Dane County. feliciasdonationcloset.com/
Families & Schools Together
FAST partners with community organizations and schools to implement engagement programs. They provide training and coaching for engagement professionals, educators, and staff to create welcoming environments for families of color and low-income families. familiesandschools.org
Charities expiring September 2026:
Yada Fair Trade & Resale
Yada supports and empowers women who have been victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking. They want every woman served to feel known, valued and supported—to know they’re not alone and there is someone who sees them and cares about them.
yadaftr.com
Black Men Coalition of Dane County
BMC focuses on community involvement, mentorship, education, employment skills, and supported housing. Led by Black men who have beaten the school-to-prison pipeline and other systemic barriers, they reach populations who don’t trust human service systems or don’t know of programs to help. bmcdc.org
Madison Reading Project
Madison Reading Project has served 1000s of families, schools and community organizations since 2013 by providing free books and offering literacy programs to children and educators to ignite a love for reading and affirm and reflect the diversity of young readers. madisonreadingproject.com
Tri 4 Schools
Tri 4 Schools promotes active lifestyles, teamwork, and a positive approach to challenges. Core initiatives include: after school programs, events, school grants, and financial support to Dane County physical education budgets. tri4schools.org
Horizon High School
This school provides an alcohol- and drug-free environment with a low student-to teacher and counselor ratio. They support high school students in recovery from substance use disorders (SUD), including those who may have co-occurring mental health disorders. horizonhs.org
Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO) Music Makers Offering orchestra programs that build on school music, private lesson training and the Music Makers program for kids who may not have music experience, WYSO erases financial barriers for families and creates access to music education programming. wysomusic.org
The Rainbow Project
Prevention, intervention, trauma treatment and crisis / emergency services for children and their families (infants – middle school) who have experienced child abuse, neglect, community violence, gun violence, sexual abuse, domestic violence, severe accidents, child sex-trafficking, grief/loss and more. therainbowproject.net
NewBridge
Four area senior coalitions merged in 2019 to form NewBridge, providing programs, essential services, and a variety of activities allowing adults ages 60+ to remain active and independent. Special emphasis is placed on marginalized communities and lower income brackets. newbridgemadison.org
YMCA of Dane County
YMCA offers preschool, 4-year-old kindergarten, and before and after school care with 33% of participants receiving financial assistance. Each year they give back 5% of revenue dollars to ensure everyone can join their programs through financial assistance and scholarships. ymcadane.org
The Salvation Army of Dane County
The Salvation Army’s Social Services supports women and families in their journey from homelessness to housing. They provide a safe, warm environment for all seeking shelter while eliminating barriers to stable housing. salvationarmy.org
Charities expiring December 2026:
Waiting to Exhale
Committed to celebrating Black culture by providing a space where women can release their vulnerabilities and
find solace. waitingtoexhaleevents.org
Movin’ Out
Movin’ Out’s mission is to advance disability justice by co-creating safe, affordable, community-integrated
homes. Movin’ Out works to improve housing access and support, helping to build healthier, more resilient
communities. Movin-out.org
Rooted WI
We are committed to collaborations rooted in food, land, and learning so that people can grow and thrive in
healthy, equitable, and sustainable neighborhoods. Our work is grounded in racial justice, food sovereignty
and sustainable neighborhoods. rootedwi.org
Boys and Girls Club of Dane County
Leads the way in youth development programs by working with local businesses, foundations, and community
programs to produce positive outcomes for thousands of young people and their families. bgcdc.org
CC Cattle Company
Philanthropy farming: raises beef and agricultural products to help feel the food insecure in Madison and
Milwaukee. Future plans are to build an equestrian program to help wounded vets and first responders
suffering from PTSD. Cccattleco.org