Local Charities & Organizations to Volunteer or Donate to | In & Around Madison, WI

The new year is a great time to reflect and recuperate. I’m not sure about everyone else, but I tend to get swept up in the holiday season treadmill and start of winter by mid-November. It doesn’t stop until late December making it hard to think beyond this time. 

Around the holidays, I ask my kids to think about goals for the upcoming year. There’s typically a few that would be considered attainable and some that are innovative and would span their lifetime. I love to hear their thoughts on how to better themselves, community, or the world. 

Alongside this, they pick a charity and make a donation. 

This year, we’re pushing a bit beyond the donation and pairing their charity with an event. Visit the shelter, help at the pantry, or volunteer at a senior center. 

As if on repeat, the state of the world is negative, depressing, and scary. Trying to find some semblance of positivity is a challenge. Paying it forward might be the only way to feel that even a small gesture or impact can make a difference. 

Here’s a list of some local charities or organizations that appreciate support year round:

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Dane County: providing mentors to children since 1966.

Clean Lakes Alliance: protects and improves our local waterways.

Cook It Forward: a new nonprofit connecting local restaurants to supply meals to other nonprofits that distribute food.

Dane Buy Local: a group that supports local businesses.

Dane County Humane Society: a 100% adoption guarantee shelter since 2012.

Goodman Community Center: a near east side community center providing support, classes, and food to children and families. 

Just Bakery: a nonprofit providing a 12 week vocational program to those experiencing significant barriers to employment. 

Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund: a nonprofit supporting local families heating and cooling bills.

Madison Reading Project: a nonprofit giving books to local children in need.

Middleton Outreach Ministry: a nonprofit supplying clothing and food to families experiencing need.

Porchlight, Inc: a local nonprofit providing housing and crucial social services to the homeless.

REAP Food Group: a group supplying food to those experiencing insecurity. They also support food to schools and businesses under normal circumstances.

Reach Dane: a local group supporting education of children and social services for families in need.

River Food Pantry: feeding families during times of need. 

Ronald McDonald House: provides support and services to children and families during illness.

Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin: provides food to those experiencing hunger. Many programs educate families and children on healthy eating, teach cooking and support those with diabetes.

United Way of Dane County: a nonprofit providing support services for the community.

YMCA of Dane County: provides fitness classes, food and programs for families and children with financial assistance when needed.

Here’s to helping our local community!