2025 Extension Philanthropy Report

Thank you for partnering with us to strengthen UW–Madison Extension’s ability to bridge campus and communities, ensuring that research-based solutions reach people where they live and work. Below are stories of the incredible impact made possible by generous donors like you. Together, we are advancing the Wisconsin Idea to build resilient communities that are prepared to meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s possibilities. Extension connects campus to communities by bringing university research and expertise to all of Wisconsin. And we don’t do it alone. We rely on federal, state, and local funding to ensure educators in all corners of the state have the resources to address local needs. Private philanthropy and gifts also play a key role in our mission to develop educational programming that helps communities address complex problems using unbiased, research-based information.

Philanthropy helps Extension achieve three critical goals:

  • Expanding Access to opportunities by lowering barriers for Wisconsin residents.
  • Strengthening Service to address emerging issues in communities where our educators and specialists live and work.
  • Innovating Research to advance the Wisconsin Idea and leverage university resources to benefit all of our state.

Here are some innovative and impactful results from Extension’s 2025 giving:

Enhancing Civil Discourse | Supporting our theme of Innovating Research

Leadership Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing and enhancing leadership across Wisconsin, has funded the Leadership Wisconsin Endowed Chair for the Division of Extension. The chair helps communities engage contentious and complex public issues and understand the social and institutional contexts that shape their civic engagement. The current chair is Dr. Amber Wichowsky, an associate professor at the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs, and her outreach involves bringing communities together for civil dialogue and engagement.

Keeping Families Connected Through Literacy | Supporting our theme of Strengthening Service

Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, but for many children in Wisconsin, a parent entering the legal system disrupts that chance. Research shows strong family connections during this time help children stay on track emotionally and developmentally. Partnering with prisons, libraries, and community agencies, Extension’s Literacy Link Program brings researched-based literacy and learning opportunities to families impacted by incarceration. Donations provide critical funds for the program and help children stay connected to their parents through initiatives like these:

  • Read and Connect workshop, which highlights the benefits of reading aloud for child development and strengthening family bonds. Parents are recorded reading a book for their child, and the video and book are sent to the child.
  • Transforming jail waiting and visiting areas into family-friendly, welcoming environments for children and families. Each visit includes a free, high-quality book for the child to take home.
  • Parenting Inside Out, a 10-session program that helps parents strengthen family connections and build resilience during and after incarceration.
picture of master naturalist class

Amplifying Learning for Master Naturalists | Supporting our theme of Expanding Access

Master Naturalists are dedicated to conservation service, leadership, and lifelong learning. They receive expert-led trainings in groups of 20 out in nature and in the classroom. Hearing the instructor clearly in a group can be a challenge, especially in outdoor settings. Natural elements such as wind, rushing water, traffic, or even distance can make it difficult to stay connected to the instructor. Two Master Naturalists helped their peers by making a gift supporting purchases of more amplifiers for instructors to wear. Now all Master Naturalist training sites have a dedicated amplifier that can be used for Master Naturalist trainings and all educational programming.

Boosting Rural Entrepreneurship | Supporting our theme of Strengthening Service

With funding from Compeer Financial, Extension expanded support and coaching for rural communities to boost entrepreneurship. Cohorts from the municipalities of Amery, Hillsboro, Merrill, and Mineral Point and Green and Washburn Counties received three years of coaching. The coaching focused on expanding leadership, identifying business opportunities, and developing long-term processes to support local business growth.

Youth as Partners in Civic Leadership | Supporting our theme of Expanding Access

The Youth as Partners in Civic Leadership (YPCL) Conference, made possible by donor support, amplifies youth voices across Wisconsin. It does so by equipping young people and adults with the skills to share civic leadership within their communities, schools, and organizations. At YPCL, intergenerational teams from across Wisconsin gather to learn community-organizing skills and bring those ideas home to inspire change in their local communities. The program features alumni who have led congressional campaigns, run large statewide nonprofits, and spearheaded youth-serving programs. YPCL serves as a catalyst for positive, youth-led community service and change, prompting participants to craft action plans to tackle real-world issues in their local communities.

Matching Master Gardeners with Community Needs | Supporting our theme of Expanding Access

Because of donor support, the Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener Program created a new online volunteer match service, called Find a Master Gardener. This service connects Wisconsin Extension Master Gardeners with community organizations seeking horticulture expertise. This digital tool allows nonprofits, schools, municipalities, and other partners to easily post volunteer opportunities through an online portal. Once an opportunity is submitted, it gets shared with Master Gardeners across the state.

picture of strong bodies class

Building Strength through StrongBodies | Supporting our theme of Expanding Access

StrongBodies is an evidence-based strength training program that empowers all adults, especially older adults, to improve their health, mobility, and overall well-being. Generous donations have expanded access and ensured that more residents, including those in underserved and rural areas, can benefit from this life-changing program. For example, the program created DVDs and thumb drives featuring StrongBodies class recordings produced in partnership with PBS Wisconsin. We distributed these recordings to counties upon request, helping participants in areas with limited broadband access to engage with the program. By offering multiple language options (English, Spanish, and Hmong), we are reaching a broader and more diverse audience across the state. Donor support also enabled volunteer engagement and recognition. Our trained Extension StrongBodies volunteers are central to program delivery in communities. During Volunteer Appreciation Month we were able to provide them tokens of gratitude, such as tote bags and first aid kits featuring the StrongBodies logo. These small but meaningful items recognize the vital role volunteers play in expanding program access. With the help of generous supporters, StrongBodies continues to grow as a resource for health, connection, and resilience throughout Wisconsin.

Looking at Livability in Southwest Wisconsin | Supporting our theme of Strengthening Service

In recent decades, rural America has seen a decline in public services, amenities, and civic institutions, with fewer schools, hospitals, grocery stores, and social organizations. However, not all rural communities have followed this trend. Some have found ways to sustain their public services and local amenity-providing businesses, thereby maintaining a high level of “livability.” These rural communities tend to be vibrant and resilient places with a high quality of life.

Because of a generous multi-year gift, Extension is piloting a new Community Economic Development Specialist position in Southwestern Wisconsin, filled by Blake Roberts. With over 15 years of experience in community development, economic mobility, childcare systems, and workforce development, Roberts brings a deep commitment to creating vibrant and resilient rural communities. She will be working in Crawford, Grant, Lafayette, and Richland Counties.

Training for Critical Clerk Roles | Supporting our theme of Strengthening Service

Clerks play a critical role in keeping communities running efficiently. In a partnership with the Wisconsin Towns Association and the League of Municipalities, dedicated funding supports workshops and webinars for clerks to learn to navigate a wide breadth of responsibilities. These learning opportunities cover everything from election administration and running effective meetings to human resources management and financial reporting. This programming includes Clerk College, a comprehensive, year-long program that reaches virtually every new town clerk in the state and serves as a refresher for experienced clerks.

Connecting to Nature at Upham Woods | Supporting our theme of Expanding Access

Upham Woods is a residential outdoor learning center that encompasses 320 acres along the Wisconsin River in Juneau County. This outdoor laboratory provides opportunities for youth and adults from across the state to study both the natural and cultural history of Wisconsin. Most recently, generous donor support helped to rebuild the landing dock and ramp to the south side of Blackhawk Island. This ensures safe access for visitors to hike the trails and explore the caves so they can learn about the geology and ecosystems of the island. Previous fundraising efforts focused on re-routing damaged trails to ensure safe access to sandstone caves and scholarship support to enable youth of all economic backgrounds to connect with nature and each other.

photo of 4-h science experiment

 Helping 4-H Members Access Programs | Supporting our theme of Expanding Access

Oftentimes, transportation is one of the leading barriers to 4-H participation. When donors step up and remove that barrier, 4-H members and clubs can focus on getting the most out of their experiences. For example, thanks to a generous donation Langlade County youth have had incredible opportunities to travel, learn, and grow — locally, across Wisconsin, and even nationally. The donation fully covered the cost for all 26 youth (campers and counselors alike) to attend the 4-H Summer Camp. For many, this was their first time away from home. The experience allowed them to build independence, leadership, and lifelong friendships. Beyond camp, Langlade County youth also traveled to three locations: Washington, DC, to learn about civic engagement, Alabama to dive into the wonders of space exploration through hands-on STEM experiences, and the New England area to explore the founding of our country, deepen their understanding of American history, and reflect on what citizenship means today.