Colin Droster
Clockwise from top left: Sara Alvarado and Tiffany Malone, Kendra Deja, Tom Eggert, Kristie GoForth and Robin Ryan.
Clockwise from top left: Sara Alvarado and Tiffany Malone of Own It, Kendra Deja of Solace Friends, Tom Eggert of WorldWise Microfinance, Kristie GoForth of Bikes For Kids Wisconsin, and Robin Ryan of Literacy Network.
The election of Donald Trump to a second presidential term, and the policies that have followed, have impacted all areas of the economy, including the nonprofit world. Many organizations have lost federal funding or are facing future cuts. They are also under pressure to abandon their mission, if their focus has been on traditionally underserved populations.
In this cover story, we highlight five nonprofits that are navigating these challenging times while doing important work in Dane County. It is but a small sample of the thousands of groups offering services that fill in the gaps left by the public and private sectors. Links to the five stories are below.
Solace Home offers end-of-life care for people experiencing homelessness
Since opening in April 2024, Solace Home has accepted 18 terminally ill people who were unhoused or experiencing housing insecurity.
Bikes for Kids Wisconsin creates opportunities on and off the road
In recent years the group has shifted to a statewide focus and expanded programming for underserved communities.
Own It seeks institutional partners for institutional change
The group aims to address racial housing inequities and boost generational wealth for Black and brown families through homeownership.
Literacy Network teaches skills for career, citizenship, education
Courses on how to pass the citizenship exam are one of many services provided by the Literacy Network.
WorldWise Microfinance puts foreign aid where it counts
The work of the group is even more important given dwindling U.S. support for foreign aid.
Other related articles from our nonprofit issue:
Amid growing need, The River Food Pantry expands
The new facility will make it easier for volunteers and staff to serve
Audio description, live captioning and ASL interpretation are a few of the services offered by Madison’s performing arts groups for people with disabilities.
It’s been a fraught time for nonprofits since Donald Trump returned to the White House, especially organizations that serve immigrants, BIPOC communities, and women.
gBeta Urban League, a partnership between the Urban League of Greater Madison and gener8tor, provides coaching, mentorship and investment opportunities for entrepreneurs of startups.
Effort underway to upgrade Demetral track
Runners in the Madison area have limited access to running tracks. A group of athletes is planning a fundraising effort to convert a rundown track at Demetral Park into a nine-lane, 400-meter USA Track and Field-certified track.
