For Immediate Release

 

September 25, 2009

Contact: Robin Reid

Madison Community Foundation

(608) 232-1763

rreid@madisoncommunityfoundation.org

 

 

NEW GRANTS TO LEVERAGE MILLIONS FOR THREE NON-PROFITS


The Board of Governors of the Madison Community Foundation recently announced  grants for three local non-profits that will pave the way to complete capital campaigns, start endowments, and leverage millions of dollars of other funds.

 "All three organizations have done an admirable job raising money in this financially challenging year," said Tom Linfield, Vice President of Grantmaking and Community Initiatives. "These monies will step up the pace in completing their goals."

Urban League of Greater Madison was awarded $25,000 to establish a Workforce Innovation  Endowment Fund that will directly support the delivery of workforce and career  training programs.

With less than a week to go, the MCF grant will count towards the last  critical match needed to

leverage $360,000 pledged by The Kresge Foundation for the $4 million bricks and mortar, endowment and programming plan of Urban League's new location on Park Street.

"The Madison Community Foundation was an early funder in the Urban League's capital campaign and with just weeks to go, gave the Urban League's campaign another shot in the arm," said Ed Lee, Interim CEO of Urban League of Greater Madison. "Gifts are still being accepted and can help the Urban League successfully meet its goal and secure this once-in-a-lifetime Kresge Challenge Grant opportunity."

Madison Children's Museum will receive a $150,000 award to help fulfill a $750,000 Kresge Challenge Grant for their new facility. The MCF award will fund a children’s art gallery and two early childhood exhibits.  The Museum has $1.2 million to raise by June 1st, 2010 to leverage their Kresge grant and finish their $10 million campaign. 

 

"We've long been supporters of the Museum and see this new facility as another gem in the downtown arts district, inspiring in children a lifelong appreciation of learning and creativity," says MCF President Kathleen Woit.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul is the third recipient of a gift of $100,000 to help energize the completion of the $4million capital campaign for the new facility at 2033 Fish Hatchery Road. The downturn in the economy has increased food pantry use by over 30%, while at the same time making the fundraising more challenging.  MCF funds will help St. Vincent de Paul leverage the final $500,000 needed to finish their campaign and continue to play a key role in the ability to serve the increased community need.

"All three of these organizations are great community assets and have undertaken ambitious campaigns during the most difficult fundraising climate in our history," says Kathleen Woit.  "The fact that they are so close to success is testament to their strengths and to the generosity of DaneCounty residents.  We are thrilled to add momentum to the final stages of each of these worthy projects."