MGE Foundation

Established in 1967, the MGE Foundation is MGE's philanthropic arm. Support from the Foundation helps our local organizations to 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 over $5 million to more than 350 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 2017 alone, the Foundation contributed to more than 150 local organizations, just a few of which are featured in this annual report. The Foundation is proud to support the work of these organizations and the goals of many others across our community.

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In addition to our giving through the MGE Foundation, MGE also supports our community through partnerships and collaborations, memberships and sponsorships, and many other activities. With hundreds of local nonprofits, community organizations, institutions, advocacy and other groups, we have many opportunities to partner for the betterment of our community.

Community events, activities and programs bring people together to solve problems, educate, encourage and connect with one another. When we give of our time and support, we help to make our communities strong, healthy and vibrant.

We appreciate all of the opportunities we have to work together with local stakeholders and our customers in pursuit of shared goals for our community. A few of our activities from 2017 follow.

Working with Youth

We collaborate with others on youth-based programs—ranging from providing classrooms with Earth Day sustainability booklets to electric safety demonstrations and energy efficiency curriculum and activities. We also partner with community organizations to offer student internships and career programming for children in middle and high school.

STEAM Camp

In summer 2017, middle school students spent a day at MGE to experience careers in energy as part of STEAM Camp. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

MGE served as one of nine hosts across the area for the weeklong camp. MGE was pleased to partner in the program, coordinated by Strang, Inc., to give students the opportunity to experience careers in STEAM disciplines.

Campers came from the Urban League of Greater Madison, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County and Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Badgerland.

Future Quest 2017

As a participant in Future Quest 2017, MGE employees from Commercial Marketing, Corporate Communications, Gas Operations and Human Resources had the opportunity to talk with middle school students from across our community about energy-related careers. The Madison Metropolitan School District and the Dane County School Consortium partnered to offer this hands-on experience for students to explore different careers. In addition to learning about the energy industry, students learned from MGE employees about new technologies, such as electric vehicles, electric and natural gas safety, and sustainable energy.

Arbor Day

Arbor Day is an annual celebration for MGE and the kids at Shorewood Hills Elementary School. The yearly tree-planting event is part of the village's Arbor Day observance.

MGE helps to purchase the trees planted by the students. MGE Construction and Operations Coordinator Cathy Brodbeck helps to coordinate the event every year.

In addition to the students and MGE, the Village of Shorewood Hills Forester and Hooper Corporation line clearance employees help with the tree planting. We're thankful for the partnerships that help to make this annual educational event and fun community celebration happen.

Promoting Community Wellness

As a community partner, MGE supports efforts to make much-needed resources, like health and wellness information, accessible to those who need it. One example is the Rebalanced-Life Wellness Association, a men's health initiative run out of a barbershop on Madison's west side. With a large grant from SSM Health and funding from MGE, founder Aaron Perry partnered with barbershop owner Jeff "JP" Patterson to bring health information to men from communities of color. The creative partnership garnered a national audience when it was featured on a national network morning program in November 2017.

Fostering Sustainability

Sustain Dane's website reads, "We believe that change happens when inspired people take action." Sustain Dane's commitment to promoting sustainability throughout our community has long inspired MGE to partner with this local organization in support of their many efforts, such as Badger Bioneers.

The theme for the 2017 conference was "Human(ity)," and it served as an opportunity to celebrate diversity in humanity and in thought while also serving as a forum to bring together people seeking to impact our community in positive ways.

MGE also works with Sustain Dane on its MPower Business Champions program, a nationally recognized model for collaborating with local businesses and others to reduce carbon and advance sustainable practices.

Mentoring Youth

In 2004, local resident Will Green founded Mentoring Positives, Inc., an organization dedicated to mentoring our area's youth and building up their families. The mission was inspired by the example of Will's own mother, a single parent committed to supporting her three sons.

Mentoring Positives serves as a referral-based resource in Madison's Darbo-Worthington neighborhood where Will and his staff work to guide elementary through high school students toward a successful path in life.

MGE is proud to support the organization and cosponsor its annual fundraiser at which Linda Ketcham, Director of the Madison Area Urban Ministry (MUM), was honored for her support of Mentoring Positives. MUM, another local nonprofit, offers a range of services for individuals and families impacted by the criminal justice system.

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Our employees are part of the fabric of their communities—giving back, pitching in and stepping up when needed. Most of our more than 700 employees work in the Madison area and others work in southwestern Wisconsin.

MGE's dedicated employees volunteer on local boards, work for nonprofits and help generations from young to old. This report highlights only a small sample of the service of our valued employees who demonstrate a true commitment to our communities and the people who call them home.

Serving as Foster Parents

Keith Gabrielse of Gas Operations and his wife, Sarah, welcome foster children into their family. Their first foster experience provided a safe home for three brothers whose mother had just died from a heroin overdose. With a lot of patience, the Gabrielse family returned stability to the boys' lives before they went to live with their grandmother. This family continues to foster other children—providing a safe and loving home.

Helping Seniors

MGE employees regularly volunteer to deliver Meals on Wheels to local seniors. In addition to serving nutritious food, volunteers help seniors stay independent and provide a daily safety check. Bridget Creighton, in Customer Billing, and Vicky Heinz, in the Customer Center, use their lunch hours to deliver food to senior citizens on Madison's near east side.

Volunteering in Local Government

Some employees get involved and serve in local units of government. Mark Oehler is one example, volunteering to keep Prairie du Chien strong and growing. He works for MGE's Prairie du Chien Natural Gas Division. He currently serves on the Prairie du Chien Zoning Board of Appeals and the Crawford County Local Emergency Planning Committee. In the past, his service has ranged from the Prairie du Chien City Council to Economic Development Corp. Mark also works with youth as an assistant high school soccer coach.

Being a Role Model

With a caring adult role model, many children are more likely to avoid risky behaviors and focus on school. Young people face multiple challenges—having a Big Brother or Big Sister can help them get over those hurdles. That's why Mayra Medrano of Commercial Marketing and Scott Schmitt of Finance are "Bigs." They can make a difference. Big Brothers and Big Sisters work with children in the community, in schools and many places in between. This type of one-to-one mentoring makes an important impact in the lives of children.

Giving Through the United Way

As a community energy company, we support the United Way of Dane County because of its extensive reach in helping our friends, neighbors and customers. The United Way works toward lasting change in our community. MGE consistently ranks among the top 10 companies in total donations to the United Way. In 2017, our generous employees gave more than $172,000 to the Dane County campaign.

Left to right: Pam Cross-Leone, Senior Customer Center Trainer, serves on the Key Club Council. Jim Jenson, Community Education Manager, serves on the Business Volunteer Network. Jeff Keebler, President and CEO, serves on the United Way Board of Directors. Mayra Medrano, Business Community Service Manager, serves on the Rosenberry Society and United Way Cabinet. Mario Garcia Sierra, Community Services Manager, serves on the Community Engagement and Capacity Building Committee, and May Lor (not pictured), Residential Services Manager, serves on the Advisory Committee.

Community Leadership

MGE employees serve on various United Way boards and committees, helping to set the direction and address the needs facing our community. Several employees, including President and CEO Jeff Keebler, pose in front of a United Way mural, which states: "United Way is about many, many hands coming together to make Dane County a great place to live."

Seasons of Caring Campaign

The United Way of Dane County's Seasons of Caring campaign gets people involved by offering volunteer opportunities across the county. Working with volunteers, the United Way helps people better understand the needs in our county. MGE's team chose to work at Second Harvest Foodbank, which aids local hunger-relief charities.

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