MGE’s May Lor, Cedric Johnson and Laura Kaker show their support at the YWCA Madison’s annual Circle of Women luncheon. Funds donated at the event support local programming to address race and gender equity, job training and transportation, and housing and shelter.
MGE Foundation
Established in 1967, the MGE Foundation is MGE’s philanthropic arm. Support from the Foundation helps our local organizations improve lives today and the lives of future generations by working to preserve the long-term health and vitality of our community.
In the last five years, the Foundation has given more than $5.2 million to more than 400 community organizations. These organizations help to create a better present and future in many ways, including:
- Supporting the community’s most vulnerable populations.
- Fostering our community’s culture, arts and history.
- Protecting our health and environment.
- Advancing diversity and inclusion.
- Educating and nurturing our children.
In 2018 alone, the Foundation contributed to more than 175 local organizations, a few of which are featured in this report. The Foundation is proud to support the work of these organizations and the goals of many others across our community.
Foundation Giving: Community Service
The MGE Foundation's contributions to local organizations help to support long-term quality of life in our area and serve those who are at risk among us. From support for local community centers to our area’s domestic violence shelter, from child counseling and daycare to our local foodbank, our public libraries and beyond, there are many people working hard to serve and to improve our community for those who live here.
We see it as our responsibility and privilege to support these efforts and to work as partners. Here are some examples of the more than 175 organizations the MGE Foundation supported in 2018.
“The Road Home Dane County provides opportunities for homeless children and their families to achieve self-determined goals and affordable, stable housing. It takes a community response to end family homelessness, and the MGE Foundation has been a strong partner with The Road Home in finding solutions. Your support of our housing programs and energy-efficient improvements in our buildings makes it possible for more families to succeed.”
Kristin Rucinski, Executive Director
The Road Home Dane County (Pictured)
The Road Home Dane County
Access to stable and affordable housing in Dane County remains a critical issue for many families. Last year, The Road Home Dane County helped 183 families – including more than 400 children – find and maintain stable housing. Through partnerships with local nonprofits, government agencies, volunteers and businesses, The Road Home Dane County works with families to help build skills, connect with community resources and foster relationships that help to reduce the extreme emotional toll that homelessness has on children and parents alike.
In June 2018, The Road Home Dane County moved into a larger office space to serve more local families. The new facilities include better accessibility for families, private office spaces to ensure confidentiality, more space for classes and community-building activities, a children’s play area and a room for group therapy sessions and community meetings.
“MGE has supported The Rainbow Project with their generous philanthropy since 1990. We are grateful for the MGE Foundation’s sponsorship of Rhumba 4 Rainbow, our annual fundraising gala. Some MGE employees also have volunteered to paint, clean and repair our clinic, while others raised funds to supply our play therapy rooms through United Way of Dane County’s Seasons of Caring. A few years ago, after a Rainbow therapist talked at MGE about how children’s superhero costumes helped child victims feel less vulnerable when they talked about their trauma, we received a dozen superhero costumes from MGE employees. These are the acts of kindness and caring that keep us going.”
Sharyl Kato, Executive Director
The Rainbow Project (Pictured)
The Rainbow Project
The Rainbow Project provides support to families with young children who experience trauma including abuse, neglect and violence. Evidence-based counseling services help build, strengthen and support healthy parent and child relationships in Dane County and surrounding areas. Programming is available to address the overall well-being of affected families as well as preventive education to promote community awareness to childcare centers, schools and local agencies. The Rainbow Rapid Response team also exists to provide immediate response and support for families involved in community violence or trauma crisis situations.
In 2018, The Rainbow Project was able to help more than 1,500 children and 1,600 adults through fundraising events such as the annual Rhumba 4 Rainbow event. Rhumba 4 Rainbow showcases a celebrity dance competition, a professional Latin dance floor show and an amateur salsa dance competition.
Foundation Giving: Culture and Enrichment
As the capital city, Madison enjoys a rich history from the seat of government to the state’s flagship university and the vision of Frank Lloyd Wright, architect of the city’s lakefront Monona Terrace. The city’s vibrant arts scene has grown with the community. The MGE Foundation recognizes the importance of culture, arts and history, to the fabric of our community, we’re committed to supporting the local programming, creativity and education that enrich our community’s arts and culture.
“Our mission is to make Madison a better place to be and visit by providing live jazz events free to the public. We promote awareness of the jazz art form and increase local community culture with performer diversity, enhanced visibility for our local jazz artists and public performance opportunities for area youth musical groups.”
Spencer Stanbery, Event Director Jazz at Five
Jazz at Five
Madison has a love for the performing arts, and live music is at its core. Jazz at Five, an outdoor summer concert series, provides free, live jazz performances to showcase the art while enhancing the visibility of local artists. The outside stage is set up where State Street meets the Capitol Square, a prime location that draws nearly 3,000 spectators to gather and enjoy live music from local youth and adult performers on Wednesday evenings in August.
The unique event is run mostly by volunteers and has been part of Madison’s culture for the past 25 years thanks to support from area businesses. The festive atmosphere has showcased many diverse acts both young and old and has become a true summer tradition for the community.
“MGE has been a proud partner of Madison Children’s Museum for many years. They have supported our efforts to reduce barriers to access through our Access for Everyone programs and have been amazing supporters for our environmental education programming. Together we have worked to provide outdoor play experiences and nature exploration to all children through the museum’s three outdoor green exhibit spaces.”
Deb Gilpin, President and CEO
Madison Children's Museum (Pictured)
Madison Children’s Museum
The Madison Children’s Museum (MCM) is dedicated to connecting children with their families, communities and the world around them by fostering a love of learning through discovery and creative play. The museum, founded in 1980, hosts nearly 200,000 visitors, 300 school groups and more than 800 education programs annually. With its focus on children and the future, MCM is committed to sustainability - and is the only museum in Wisconsin to be awarded LEED Gold certification. Through recycled materials, repurposed exhibits and solar-powered energy generation, MCM seeks to go beyond green by working locally and sustainably on all projects.
Through corporate and individual donations, the Access for Everyone (AFE) programs at MCM were designed to welcome all members of the community to the museum regardless of financial, cognitive, cultural or physical barriers. AFE sponsors support monthly family free nights, subsidized admissions and memberships, group visits for schools and organizations at reduced prices; free memberships for first-time parents; and exclusive time for children with sensory challenges and their families to explore the museum.
Foundation Giving: Environment and Health
Investments today can yield a more sustainable tomorrow—launching environmental initiatives, advancing quality health care and building bridges of understanding. MGE has long supported health initiatives that touch many lives—from infants to seniors. We also have funded initiatives to protect our water, air and land as we work to educate the next generation. Environmental progress and a healthier population go hand in hand. We’re dedicated to promoting both in the communities we serve.
“With over 2,000 volunteers contributing almost 80,000 hours this past year, enthusiasm for our mission has never been higher. The Ice Age Trail provides an inexpensive, premier, outdoor experience only a short drive away for most Wisconsinites. MGE’s support of the expansion of our national headquarters in Cross Plains is allowing the Alliance to expand current initiatives and to develop new, meaningful opportunities for the ever-evolving diversity of future outdoor enthusiasts.”
Mike Wollmer, Executive Director
Ice Age Trail Alliance (Pictured)
Ice Age Trail Alliance
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a 1,000-mile footpath, tracing ice age formations through some of Wisconsin’s most beautiful natural areas. The trail is maintained by a vibrant network of nearly 2,000 volunteers. Their work helps to give countless walkers, runners, hikers, nature enthusiasts and others the opportunity to enjoy and to travel the path year-round through 132 communities in 31 Wisconsin counties.
The Ice Age Trail Alliance, established in 1958, was created to support and to protect the trail through strongly rooted programs focused on trail development, land conservation, outreach, education, communications and philanthropy. Youth education programs provide future conservationists the opportunity to explore educational concepts through nature and provide service learning opportunities through volunteerism. Alliance volunteers and staff collaborate with local groups and organizations to introduce people to the economic, environmental and social benefits offered by the Ice Age Trail.
“Partners like MGE make it possible for us to do the real work of supporting women every day to improve their health, transform their circumstances, and to literally save their own lives. Partnership makes the powerful difference, and MGE is on the front lines with us!”
Lisa Peyton-Caire, Founder and President
The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness (Pictured center)
The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness
Black women in Dane County and across Wisconsin face alarming health disparities and are more likely to die from heart disease, cancer and stroke as well as other highly treatable and preventable illnesses at higher rates and younger ages. Despite having greater access to health care in Wisconsin, black women face unique social and economic barriers and are less likely to receive preventive health care that facilitates timely detection, diagnosis and treatment of chronic conditions.
The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness is dedicated to disrupting these disparities by implementing long-term solutions to improve the lives and health of black women and girls in our community. Through sponsorships, the Foundation provides year-round health and wellness education and social supports centered around physical, emotional and financial well-being and partners with organizations to address systemic issues that impact black women’s health. The Foundation also hosts an annual Black Women’s Wellness Day, an event that brings together more than 500 attendees with informative and inspiring workshops focused on fitness, health, wellness and available community resources.
Foundation Giving: Equity and Inclusion
Respecting the differences of all people, perspectives and cultures helps us to advance the well-being of our community. MGE supports organizations that advocate for inclusion and provide opportunities and programs to help people reach their full potential regardless of race, ability, gender identity, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Our service area is fortunate to have a wide array of organizations that strive for the equitable participation of all groups in the communities we serve.
“We are grateful to Madison Gas and Electric and their strong partnership to promote and sponsor our Moxie Conference and Racial Justice Summit. These events provide an environment for people to learn and engage in authentic and reflective conversations around racial justice and gender equity. Attendees are equipped with resources to affect systemic and interpersonal change and leave empowered to carry out that work in their own respective ways and spheres of influence. Thank you for standing with us, MGE!”
Vanessa McDowell, Chief Executive Officer
YWCA Madison (Pictured)
YWCA Madison
The YWCA Madison is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women. Through race and gender equity programs, the YWCA is working to create a more inclusive community that addresses and trains against racism and sexism. The organization’s programs help women develop skills to advance in their careers. The YWCA also works with individuals, organizations and companies in our community to improve in racial justice and gender equity.
To further its mission, the YWCA Madison hosts annual events such as the Women of Distinction Awards luncheon, designed to highlight and honor women in our community who are doing great work around YWCA Madison’s mission, and the Racial Justice Summit, which brings together community stakeholders to work on eliminating barriers that foster racism in our community.
Ruth Winans, pictured above, is thankful to have been paired with her standard poodle, Faith. Both graduated from Occupaws in 2017. The two live on Madison’s west side and are inseparable. Winans says having Faith gives her the ability to walk confidently in the course of doing errands and participating in social activities, and Faith’s watchfulness increases Ruth’s sense of security.
“We appreciate the support that Madison Gas and Electric Foundation has given us over the years. With your help, we are able to provide veterinary care to our guide dogs and puppies in training to ensure we’re providing healthy, safe and effective partners for our clients.”
Barbara Schultze, President
OccuPaws Guide Dog Association
OccuPaws Guide Dog Association
OccuPaws, based in Madison, raises, trains and places guide dogs with visually impaired adults throughout the state and parts of Illinois and Minnesota at no cost to the client. Since its inception in 2005, more than 50 individuals and guide dogs have been matched, free of charge, through careful assessment of lifestyle, activity and personality traits. The organization’s innovative training program provides custom sessions for the dog and client in their home environment. This ensures that each client learns the specific skills, learning style and innate characteristics of their dog without having to leave their home, job and family to receive effective training.
OccuPaws, run on a network of volunteers, provides full-time, in-home training to puppies at an early age to provide a foundation for learning and socialization. OccuPaws is accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation. As one of only 13 accredited training facilities in the country, military veterans also are able to receive all veterinary expenses paid for by the VA (the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs).
Foundation Giving: Youth and Education
Today’s youth represent our community’s future. MGE and the MGE Foundation are committed to providing the next generation with energy education for a more sustainable tomorrow. From elementary to college students, MGE provides programming around energy efficiency, sustainability, safety and utility industry careers. We also support local organizations that enrich the lives and expand the minds of young people through science, technology, engineering, math and beyond. Education and opportunity fuel a vibrant community, strong local economy and healthy families for our future.
“Some kids don’t know how good they are, how smart they are and how much their voice matters. Goodman is all about changing that. The more holistic our approach, the better outcomes we see. So we listen and surround our young people with opportunities to reignite their natural curiosity. They develop a strong sense of self and their potential. This promotes physical and emotional health and helps them envision their path to a meaningful, engaged life.”
Becky Steinhoff, Executive Director
Goodman Community Center (Pictured)
Goodman Community Center
The Goodman Community Center has become a cherished community resource, serving 35,000 people every year. The center offers innovative programs that help preschool children through young adults succeed in school and life, nutritious meals and social activities that keep older adults healthy and connected, and an abundance of activities to support and enrich parents and families. Healthy food, fun and fitness are provided through a food pantry, gym, fitness center, skate park and free outdoor splash pad. The center’s community rooms are popular venues for weddings, classes and meetings with on-site catering offered through a teen-employment program. It’s a vibrant hub of activity.
For 65 years, Goodman has been powered by broad support from donors and community partners like MGE and nearly 3,000 volunteers annually. Goodman keeps growing and changing, but its growth is driven by one thing that will never change — its commitment to helping build a stronger, more inclusive community.
“Music Makers is a program that has been impacting young people in the Madison area and their families for over 10 years. Now under the umbrella of the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras, this program has the opportunity to grow and expand and meet the needs of even more young people. WYSO Music Makers enriches and develops the skills of children from all backgrounds in an inclusive and non-competitive environment. With shared experiences in music making, our program brings together a truly diverse group of families from all across the racial, ethnic and socioeconomic spectrum.
Thanks to the generous pledge from the MGE Foundation, we will continue to grow our programming and pursue our mission of providing transformative music experiences and opportunities to Madison’s young people.”
Bridget Fraser, Executive Director WYSO
Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras
The Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras (WYSO) Music Makers program was established in 2007 for young children who have a passion for music. The program has grown from 11 violinists at its inception to more than 85 current students who make up an orchestra of violins, violas, cellos, pianos, guitars and vocalists. Students receive private and group lessons from professional musicians, access to instruments and performance opportunities for little to no cost.
The program also provides highly skilled and motivated middle to high school students the opportunity to build leadership experience, gain professional training and extend their musical coaching by mentoring and instructing students. Support for this program comes from local organizations and donors and helps develop the musical skills of children from diverse backgrounds throughout our community.