Make an Enduring Gift to Madison’s Public Schools

 Help ensure that each of our 50 schools is a place where every student can thrive now and in the future.

Started in 2018, the Foundation created this special recognition society to honor generous donors who make annual gifts of $500 or more in support of our public schools. Schools Make Madison Champions commitments allow the Foundation to sustain and expand current programing as well as to debut even more ways for the community to engage in support of the scholars, staff and families of Madison’s public schools.

Annual Contribution Fulfillment Form
Monthly Contribution Fulfillment Form

In three years, our Champion donors have made an enormous impact by:

  • Enabling us to focus on COVID relief support for Madison’s public schools. Since March of 2020, we have raised over $320,000 in COVID specific relief for Madison’s public schools. Funds have been used to support equitable Wi-Fi access across the district and to deliver at-home school supplies. In September, when back to (virtual) school season arrived, these monies helped us deliver 3,723 comprehensive school supply kits to students most in need of resources.
  • Stabilizing an advocacy platform fighting for our public schools. Across 2020, we engaged a coalition of supporters from around the community through the formation of the Vote Yes 2 Invest campaign. Our effort championed the passing of an operating and facilities referendum this fall – delivering $350 million in additional resources to Madison’s public schools. 
  • Supporting the launch of a Madison Public Schools Friends & Alumni Network working to help MMSD graduates reconnect with all that’s happening in our public schools and support the next generation of scholars.

Proud Schools Make Madison Champions, Betsy Huebel and Dave Silverberg, pictured here with children Sam & Hailey, both graduates of MMSD’s Memorial High School

“This initiative is vital to sustaining the Foundation as the go-to partner for the Madison Metropolitan School District. We look forward to helping the Foundation continue to grow and support Madison’s public schools so the community can meet the challenge of providing the best educational opportunities possible for the next generation and beyond.”
—Betsy Huebel, Schools Make Madison Champion

The Champion Spirit of Giving

 “I was part of the Foundation from the beginning. I’m a big believer in our mission and I’m so proud of how far we’ve come. We continue to support teachers but now we have a great plan to deliver far more resources to our staff, our schools and our 27,000 students. I invite you to join the Schools Make Madison movement. Together we have the opportunity to invest in our public schools, the most important element of a thriving city for all of us who call Madison home. “ 

Elaine Lohr – Founder, Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools

Become a Schools Make Madison Champion Today

Current champions have already helped us secure over $392,000 in support. Join us today as a Champion for our public schools! Schools Make Madison Champion donors commit to an annual contribution of $500 or more and are recognized at the levels listed below.

Our Schools Make Madison Champions:

Graduates – $25,000 + per year

Be our first Graduate Champion!

Your commitment today will help sustain the Foundation’s vital services and allow us leverage new, innovative programs – all benefiting Madison’s Public Schools!

Start a Champions’ pledge form here.  Contact us to discuss your giving preferences.

Principals – $2,500 + per year

Principal Champions

Thanks to our Principal Champions!

  • Carol and Peter Carstensen
  • Cathy and David Gilman
  • Melinda and Mark Heinritz
  • Melissa Auchard Scholz and Karl Scholz
  • Katie and Jay Sekelsky
  • Gisele Sutherland and Brett Thompson

Honor roll – $10,000 + per year

Honor Roll Champions

Thanks to our Honor Roll Champion!

  • Pat Schiro

Educators – $1,000 + per year

Educator Champions

Thanks to our Educator Champions!

  • 1 Anonymous
  • Samantha Baruah
  • Laura and William Bird
  • Brian and Mary Blanchard
  • Rich Cornwell and Karen Stuesser
  • Gordon and Gail Derzon
  • Ben Dickey and Elizabeth Connor
  • Jessica and Jim Doyle
  • Fred and Beth Evert
  • Susan Goodwin and Alan Fish
  • David and Sandra Gunderson
  • Jennifer and John Hannon
  • Michael Hertting
  • Ed Hughes
  • Erica and Ralph Kauten
  • Catherine Kestle and Robert Keller
  • Sara Krebsbach and Glenn Reinl
  • Elaine Lohr
  • Marty Malloy
  • Dan and Jean Nerad
  • Elizabeth and Daniel O’Callaghan
  • Kevin and Cheryl O’Connor
  • Monica and John Pembroke
  • Charles and Helen Read
  • Allison and Jeff Reimann
  • Ron and Cathy Rotter
  • Suzanne and Michael Swift
  • Vukelich-Austin Family
  • Michael and Beth Walsh
  • Beth and David Wilder
  • Jessica and Jim Yehle

Leaders – $5,000 + per year

Leader Champions

Thanks to our Leader Champions!

  • 1 Anonymous
  • Cummings Christensen Family Foundation
  • Betsy Huebel and Dave Silverberg
  • The Meanwell Legacy Fund
  • Joy C. Miller
  • Deb Neff and Kurt Sladky
  • Jeanne and Joe Silverberg

Scholars – $500 + per year

Scholar Champions

Thanks to our Scholar Champions!

  • Anne Arnesen
  • Leigh and Neeraj Arora
  • Jeff and Angela Bartell
  • Jim and Mary Bartzen
  • Jane and Ken Belmore
  • Patricia Brady and Robert Smith
  • Jennifer Seeker Conroy
  • Karen and Alan Crossley
  • Peter and Joy Dohr
  • Suzanne Dove and Miguel Garcia-Gosalvez
  • Joann and Joe Elder
  • Victoria and Tim Enright
  • Beth and Noel Goeddel
  • Bette and Steve Hartley
  • Eloise Hein
  • Janel Heinrich
  • Brian and Annette Hellmer
  • Anne and Paul Karch
  • Howard and Judith Landsman
  • Beth Lehman
  • Rhonda and John Norsetter
  • Kathryn Price
  • James and Tonya Prosser
  • Janet Reschke
  • Hailey Riggle
  • Mary Romolino
  • Steve and Laura Rose
  • Eldon and Jean Ulrich
  • Shown-Voichick Family
  • John and Shelly Van Note
  • Tripp and Nancy Widder
  • Guy and Ann Wilson

Champion Engagement Opportunities

What you can expect as a Schools Make Madison Champion

  • Listing in annual report in a special section devoted to Schools Make Madison Champions;
  • Recognition on newsletters, social media and website;
  • Your very own Champion branded lapel pin and magnet;
  • Invitation to an annual event exclusively for Schools Make Madison Champions members;
  • Briefings with MMSD leadership, including the Superintendent;
  • Signage and recognition at events;
  • Special acknowledgment during the Foundation’s 20th anniversary celebration;
  • Regular updates from Foundation staff and Board members; and
  • A point of contact at the Foundation.

“Our community has the awesome opportunity to work together to support Madison public schools so that all of our scholars reach their potential. We are so fortunate to have the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools as our “go-to” partner. Because of the Foundation, our community has already so many ways to provide resources to us. Working together, all of our elementary school students – including my scholars at Hawthorne Elementary School – will become the next generation of seniors graduating and going on to do great things. I believe that Schools Make Madison. Will you join me and Champion our Madison public schools?” 
–Beth Lehman, Principal, Hawthorne Elementary School, Schools Make Madison Champion donor