Moments in Philanthropy || October 2009
In This Issue
New funds at Madison Community Foundation
Acorn Anniversary: Matches available for new MCF fundholders
Habitat ReStore 8th Anniversary
MCF honored by South Central Library System
Congratulations Urban League of Greater Madison
The Effigy Tree returns
Educational Foundation of the Albany Community
Upcoming Events for agencies supported by MCF
New Funds at Madison Community Foundation
Gordon Jenkins FundUrban League of Greater Madison Workforce Innovation Endowment FundAcorn Anniversary: Matches available for new fundholders
November 2009 marks the tenth anniversary of the Madison Community Foundation Acorn Fund program, an opportunity created for those who prefer to make smaller contributions over several years to build a fund to the $10,000 endowment level. To celebrate the occasion, individuals who have never before created an Acorn fund at MCF can start one in November.
- Funds must be started between November 1 and November 30, 2009
- The initial investment will be matched dollar for dollar up to $1000 per fund
- A limited number of matches are available on a first come, first served basis
- An Acorn “matures’ and provides distributions when the balance reaches $10,000
- To start an Acorn, contact Paul Houseman, Donor Relations Manager, at (608) 232-1763
MCF currently manages 218 Acorn funds and averages 20 new Acorn funds per year. Current and graduated Acorn funds total $2,645,380.57 as of 8/31/2009.
To learn more about Acorn funds, download the MCF Acorn Fund Fact Sheet and a sample Acorn Fund Agreement from our website:
Acorn Fund Information
Habitat ReStore 8th Anniversary
In 2001, Madison Community Foundation Board of Governors granted a gift of $50,000 toward the creation of the Habitat ReStore - an outlet for new and used donated building materials to be sold to the public. By the end of 2002, the Habitat ReStore was turning a handsome profit. On September 19th, 2009, the facility celebrated eight years of success.
Today, the Madison Habitat ReStore is the flagship of thirteen Restores in Wisconsin, with a deconstruction program so strong that it is a nationally recognized role model. Through the sales of donated building materials, the Madison facility garners enough funds for at least two Habitat homes per year. Over 1,000 tons of reusable materials are diverted from landfills annually and provide materials to the public at prices far below retail. The ReStore hosts over one hundred volunteers per week and is used as a training site for workforce development.
“One thing that has not changed, and that makes us so successful,” said Jen Voichick, Madison Restore Director, “is that this place is run by the community, for the community.”
Located just off Hwy 51 on Madison's East Side at 208 Cottage Grove Road, the Habitat ReStore accepts donations of new and saleable used building materials such as cabinets, lighting and plumbing fixtures, doors, lumber, flooring, and windows.
For more information, visit:
http://www.restoredane.org
MCF honored by South Central Library System
On Thursday, September 24, Bob Sorge, Vice President of Strategic Development for Madison Community Foundation, accepted the 2009 Partnership Award from the South Central Library System. The SCLS Partnership Award is presented each year to an organization, agency or business that works with the South Central Library System or its member libraries to provide new and innovative library programs and services.
Madison Community Foundation was nominated by the 27 libraries in Dane County for its major grant of $750,000 for library collections. The individual libraries have used this funding to acquire specialized resources, programs and equipment that otherwise would have been out-of-reach for these institutions. As part of SCLS LINKcat system, those new resources will reach well beyond Dane County borders.
Congratulations Urban League of Greater Madison
Just hours before midnight on October 1, the Urban League of Greater Madison reached their capital campaign goal of $4.1 million. Reaching this deadline allowed ULGM to capture a gift of $380,000 from the Kresge Foundation, the most prestigious and competitive challenge grant program in the nation. The campaign included funds for bricks and mortar, endowment, and programming for the new facility on Madison’s south side.
“We congratulate the Urban League of Greater Madison for completing an extraordinary campaign during these times,” said Kathleen Woit, President of Madison Community Foundation. “The Urban League’s Center for Economic Development & Workforce Training will be the first of its kind in the nation building on another major Madison community asset.”
The Board of Governors of Madison Community Foundation contributed the following to the Urban League of Greater Madison campaign:
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$100,000 in 2007 for the ULGM capital campaign
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$50,000 in 2008 to enhance workforce development programs
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$25,000 in September 2009 for an endowment fund to support workforce training
The facility is projected to open in November 2009.
To contribute to the endowment at MCF click here:
Workforce Innovation Fund.
The Effigy Tree returns
The Effigy Tree is back at home in Madison’s Hudson Park. First carved in totem-style from a lightning-struck hackberry tree in 1991, it was decaying when it was removed in the spring of 2008 to be cast in bronze by original artist Harry Whitehorse. Madison Community Foundation Board of Governors contributed $5,000 toward the bronze casting and another $5,000 for the establishment of an endowment for permanent upkeep of the sculpture and surrounding grounds. Members of the Ho-Chunk Nation sponsored a re-dedication of the sculpture in the park on September 26, 2009.
“This Effigy Tree sculpture in Hudson Park represents an asset to our community that is cultural, historical, physical and artistic,” said Paul Houseman, MCF staff member who worked to set up the endowment.
To donate to the Effigy Tree Endowment, click here:
Effigy Tree Endowment Fund
Read more about the preservation project and installation here:
Effigy Tree
Educational Foundation of the Albany Community Endowment
The Educational Foundation of the Albany Community recently completed its second successful fund raising effort to grow the EFAC endowment held at Madison Community Foundation.
“We began this fund as a way to provide funds to support youth in the Albany area,” said Forrest Ross, President of the Educational Foundation of the Albany Community. “Our goal is to promote innovative and creative educational programs and opportunities for Albany youth in areas that are not typically funded by tax dollars.”
Projects funded so far include: reading programs at the Albany Public Library, music programs, an elementary school science fair, and programs to support drug prevention in the community.
To contribute to the fund, please visit:
Educational Foundation of the Albany Community Endowment
Upcoming Events for agencies supported by MCF
Wisconsin Book FestivalSonya Newenhouse & Dennis Boyer: Listen to the Land and EnActWhat: Dr. Sonya Newenhouse presents EnAct: Steps to Greener Living, an empowering manual designed to help mobilize neighborhoods to create sustainable living environments, and to build community amongst participants. Dennis Boyer presents “Listen to the Land” a national dialogue on environmental concerns.
When: Thursday, October 8, 2009 - 8:00 - 9:30 PM
Where: Promenade Hall/Overture
For more information visit:
Wisconsin Book FestivalA Fund For Women 2009 Annual Event and FundraiserWhat: An Evening Together with speaker Dr. Parry Aftab, Cyberspace Safety Advocate
specializing in Cybercrime, Cyberabuse & Cyberbullying
When: Thursday, October 15, 2009 - 5:00 social hour and 6:00 dinner
Where: Monona Terrace Convention Center
For more information visit:
http://www.affw.org/