Madison Public Schools Foundation
Schools Make Madison
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
o Public Schools are the Heart of Madison: our children, our families, our neighborhoods, our businesses… our present and our future. o For more than 20 years, our public schools have experienced declining public funding, state and federal. o The Madison Metropolitan School District – Madison Public Schools Foundation public-private partnership is an essential engine for our community’s vitality and health. o This partnership gives community members a powerful voice in our public schools. o The Madison Public Schools Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit business dedicated to our public schools, the only agency in Madison with that singular focus.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Community Partnerships
The Foundation offers three premier programs to engage community members in the work of our public schools: 1) A Principal Experience gives a wide range of individuals the opportunity to learn in-depth about the job of a public school principal; and 2) Adopt-a-Schools brings a wide range of groups - corporations, nonprofit agencies, government units, and faith communities - into to our public schools. These partners provide human, material and financial resources in support of each school's School Improvement Plan. 3) Our Teacher Support Network features an online store accessible only to MMSD staff. Through the store, staff can order traditional classroom supplies, classroom decor, art materials, gym/recess equipment, and winter gear. We deliver on demand when the school needs it within 24-48 hours, thanks to our local partner, EZ Office Products.
Fiscal Agency Services
On behalf of the Madison community and the Madison Metropolitan School District, the Foundation manages over $14 million in assets; oversees more than 170 different funds, including a dedicated endowment for each of our 55 schools and programs; processes thousands of gifts annually; and provides fiscal agency services for PTOs, booster clubs, reunion classes, and other groups interested in support our public schools.
Madison Public Schools Alumni Network
Over time, the purpose of MPSAN is to connect a portion of our estimated 100,000 plus living alumni with fellow alumni, faculty, students, and staff, facilitating the delivery of a wide array of resources: intellectual, academic, career, collegiate, networking, and philanthropic. In a city that supports thousands of charities focusing primarily on local donors, MPSAN can draw on support from alumni around the world for local impact. Our current efforts concentrate on adding to our alumni database, which already numbers over 46,000 names; building high school specific alumni support groups at each of MMSD's six high schools; supporting graduation efforts; and dissemination alumni success stories through our alumni website - https://madisonalumni.nationbuilder.com/ - and social media.
Advocacy Program/Schools Make Madison Advocates
Over the last few years, the Foundation has built an advocacy platform, which now offers three distinct areas of engagement: 1) Our local program educates and informs local residents about issues and opportunities related to our public schools. For instance, we host Candidate Conversations with candidates for our local Board of Education, giving local voters the chance to get to know these individuals more personally. 2) We are the community's referenda hub through our 501c4, Schools Make Madison Advocates. In 2020, for example, we successfully led the Vote Yes 2 Invest campaign in support of MMSD's $350M Future Ready referenda package. 3) In late 2021, we launched a statewide program called Act Now 2 Invest, a Coalition for Wisconsin's Education and Economic Success. We recognized that, in order to be an effective partner for our local district and community, we needed to engage in more statewide outreach to secure better state funding and policy outcomes.
Schools Make Madison Champions / Sponsors / Legacy Circle
The Foundation offers community representatives a number of ways to support its mission and infrastructure, whether now or in the future:
- Schools Make Madison Champions: Individuals / families make annual commitments starting at $500 in support of the Foundation.
- Schools Make Madison Sponsors: Entities sponsor the Foundation's mission for 12 months, receiving recognition and benefits commensurate with their financial commitment level.
- Schools Make Madison Legacy Circle: Our Legacy Circle honors individuals / families that have named the Foundation in an estate plan.
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce 2017
Downtown Madison, Inc. 2017
Latino Chamber of Commerce 2017
Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce 2019
OPEN LGBTQ+ 2019
Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce 2020
Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce 2021
Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce 2022
Madison Downtown Rotary Club 2018
TEMPO Madison 2019
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Total database size: Increase from 17,842 (2018) to 18,500 (2019).
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
100% board participation in giving to operations.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
As our local public school district's premier fundraising partner, 100% board member participating in giving annually is critically important.
Raise $150,000 in operating gift revenue from Schools Make Madison Champions program.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
To achieve this revenue goal, we will also increase membership from 83 to 133 Champion households.
Increase size of newsletter eblast list.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Lead successful "yes vote" campaign on behalf of MMSD, securing a $350M referenda package.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Decreasing
Context Notes
The Foundation created a 501c4 to lead this referenda campaign. On November 3rd, over 80% of voters approved a $317M facilities referendum and over 76% approved a $33M operating referendum.
Deliver a minimum of $185,000 in materials to MMSD's 55 schools and major programs through the Teacher Support Network.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Community Partnerships
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
On average, MMSD teachers spend $750 out of their own pockets to fill school supply and family budgets. Our online Teacher Support Network store efficiently and effectively delivers classroom supplies
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The Foundation board approved our 2018-2021 strategic plan in the fall of 2017. The plan articulates 5 areas of strategic focus: Culture, Resource Development, Community Relationships, Marketing, and Advocacy. Each area has a topline qualitative and quantitative goal. An Executive Summary of the plan is included in this profile. We have extended this strategic plan to 2022, primarily because of COVID. We intend to begin a new strategic planning process this year, which will be our roadmap to our 25th anniversary, 2023-2026.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
• Build alumni network platform to include 7,500 members.
• Support MMSD efforts to build systems to manage 4,000 plus volunteer corps.
• Support the launch of the Madison Youth Savings Account initiative each year for approximately 2,000 MMSD Kindergartners.
• Continue to build major / planned gifts program – effectively articulating potential MMSD outcomes and benefits to the community – made possible through private sector support.
• Launch philanthropy program for start-ups/entrepreneurs.
• Build resources for school-specific fundraising efforts.
• Explore major vision / investment opportunity with key community partners, building a “cradle to career” continuum.
• Expand Community Partnerships program area.
• House and support success of Any Given Child Madison Director role.
• Explore comprehensive MMSD-Foundation brand platform to showcase success stories in a compelling and consistent manner.
• Present compelling, inspiring website experience for major stakeholder groups.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
o Incorporated in 2001, the Foundation has amassed an impressive track record:
We have given more than $32 million back to our schools.
We have secured more than $14 million in assets, including more than $9 million in 98 different endowments.
We partner with MMSD and raise funds and provide marketing support to promote our public schools.
We have established a dedicated endowment for each of our 50 schools, a first in our country.
We manage more than 170 funds, dedicated to a wide array of interests across the Madison school district.
We process thousands of gifts annually for our schools.
We have hosted over 1,100 community leaders in our schools through our A Principal Experience program.
48 of our schools receive resources through more than 70 community partnerships coordinated and overseen by our Adopt-a-School program. Our partners contributed over $1,100,000 in human, material and financial resources in 2019, including over 25,000 volunteer hours.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Incorporated in 2001, the Foundation has amassed an impressive track record:
We have given more than $32 million back to our schools.
We have secured more than $14 million in assets, including more than $9 million in 98 different endowments.
We partner with MMSD and raise funds and provide marketing support to promote our public schools.
We have established a dedicated endowment for each of our 50 schools, a first in our country.
We manage more than 170 funds, dedicated to a wide array of interests across the Madison school district.
We process thousands of gifts annually for our schools.
We have hosted over 1,100 community leaders in our schools through our A Principal Experience program.
48 of our schools receive resources through more than 70 community partnerships coordinated and overseen by our Adopt-a-School program. Our partners contributed over $1,100,000 in human, material and financial resources in 2019, including over 25,000 volunteer hours.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, The people we serve tell us they find data collection burdensome, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Madison Public Schools Foundation
Board of directorsas of 09/05/2023
Gary Jordan
American Family Insurance
Term: 2022 - 2024
Gisele Sutherland
BMO Harris Bank
Allison Reimann
Godfrey & Kahn
Suzanne Dove
Bentley University
Kerry Motoviloff
MTI and MMSD Teacher
Marty Malloy
M3 Insurance Solutions
Dan Nerad
Former Superintendent / Retired Educator
Kathy Costello
Retired MMSD Principal
Alyssa Hartung
Wipfli
Ben Dickey
Resonant Capital
Samantha Baruah
Mandy Marcum
Marcum Consulting
Dan Kennelly
Baker Tilly
Ted Jun
Second Harvest Foodbank
Anne Marie Malecha
Dezenhall Resources, Ltd.
Gary Jordan
American Family Insurance
Gloria Reyes
Briarpatch Youth Services
Beth Goeddel
Clasen Quality Chocolate
Andy Lyons
Eppstein Uhen Architects
Lisa Kvistad
Interim MMSD Superintendent
Jill Jokela
Community Volunteer
Richard McGregory
Madison College
Badri Lankella
WI Department of Natural Resources
Joe Luedke
RW Baird
Christina Ripley
WEAC
Nichelle Nichols
MMSD Board of Education
Matt Phair
City of Madison Mayoral Appointee - Teacher, Verona Area School District
Brenda Gonzalez
Downtown Madison, Inc. Appointee - UW Madison
Jenifer Kraemer
Kraemer Bros.
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
Transgender Identity
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 02/02/2021GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.