Below is the list of Agencies we support as well as some answers to questions some donors often have about our investments. Over 30 LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS – will be receiving funding throughout the year!
What Does It Mean to Be a United Way Supported Organization?
Being a United Way Supported Organization means that an organization has been recognized for its commitment to creating positive community impact. These organizations work alongside United Way to address critical needs and deliver services that improve the lives of individuals and families. In exchange for their dedication and effective use of resources, these organizations receive funding and support from United Way to help further their mission and make a lasting difference in the community.
Who Can Apply to Be a United Way Supported Organization?
Organizations that are dedicated to improving the well-being of individuals and communities can apply to receive support from United Way. To be eligible, these organizations must be nonprofit entities with a proven track record of providing services that address community needs. Applicants should demonstrate fiscal responsibility, transparency, and a commitment to measurable outcomes. United Way prioritizes organizations that work collaboratively to create lasting, positive change in the community.
Why Might an Organization Not Be Listed as a United Way Supported Organization?
There are several reasons why an organization may not be listed as a United Way-supported organization. One common reason is that the organization may not meet the specific criteria set by United Way, such as being a registered nonprofit with demonstrated impact and fiscal responsibility. Additionally, United Way may prioritize funding for organizations that address the most pressing community needs, and in some cases, an organization may not align with these priorities at a given time.
Other factors that could prevent an organization from being listed include incomplete or insufficient documentation, not meeting transparency or accountability standards, or a lack of measurable outcomes that align with United Way’s mission and goals. Each organization is carefully evaluated to ensure that funds are allocated in the most effective way to make the greatest impact on the community.
Community Network
BASE Fort Atkinson
734 Madison Ave, Fort Atkinson : 920-568-8858
BASE provides critical care to kids in the community during the critical hours that school is out. They operate after school programs in all four Fort Atkinson Public Elementary Schools and even provide a summer wrap around program. BASE is committed to providing quality, out of school care that will inspire our local youth to be contributing, productive and responsible community members through intentional programming that supports positive character development and unique opportunities to grow as individuals.
Bethel House
133 S Franklin St, Whitewater : 262-473-2715
Bethel House is an ecumenical project helping families facing homelessness in Whitewater. Bethel House provides transitional housing and case management to families in need. They utilizes seven private housing units where families can live for up to one year while working on the issues that led to their homelessness. Bethel House also provides their Homelessness Prevention Program and 4Wheels4Families program which helps local families by providing safe and suitable vehicles which have been donated.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
734 Madison Ave, Fort Atkinson : 920-563-2876
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is the oldest and most well respected youth mentoring program in the world. Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Wisconsin is one of over 500 affiliates who provide mentoring services in their local community. Since the mid 1970’s, our nonprofit agency has professionally matched children from primarily single parent households with volunteer mentors. Their approach to mentoring focuses on meeting youths’ most basic developmental needs early rather than solving problems after they occur.
Bread and Roses
209 North Ninth Street, Watertown : 920-261-1663
Bread & Roses is a free, weekly community meal served on Thursdays from 4:30pm-6:00pm. They serve a wide range of people – elderly, singles, young families, and everyone in between. It is a meal of fellowship for the community. The joy of Bread & Roses is that all are welcome. There is no sign-up or sign-in sheet. There is never a request for a donation. Find an empty chair at a table and enjoy the delicious home cooked meal.
Catholic Charities
3501 S. Lake Drive, Milwaukee : 414-769-3400
Catholic Charities mission to “provide service to those in need, to advocate for justice and to call upon others to do the same” has been the core of our work since 1920. Building upon this, we measurably improve the lives of those we serve and empower them to reach their full potential. When we accomplish this, lives are transformed and the benefits to the community can be exponential starting by improving the quality of life one person at a time.
Community Action Coalition
672 Johnson St Suite #302, Watertown : 608-237-1255
Community Action Coalition seeks to transform our communities by fostering conditions where everyone can achieve social and economic security. They help find safe and reliable housing for individuals without homes or who are having housing issues. Another program they also have is a food assistance program that help with fulfilling nutritional needs and even provides food for food pantries at zero cost. Community Action Coalition has many more programs targeted towards creating an equitable community.
Whitewater Community Space
834 E. Milwaukee Street, Whitewater : 262-379-0187
Their open doors put community into practice by sharing food and other resources, reusing clothing and furniture, and welcoming everyone’s contributions. They collect food, clothing, furniture, housewares and other items and offer them free of charge. There are no residency, income, or other requirements.
Crossroads House of Watertown
920-248-0522
Serving families/individuals with rental assistance in the Watertown geographical area school district. Crossroads offers rental assistance to those Watertown Unified School District residents who find themselves in temporary need of financial assistance to avoid eviction.
Dave Gallup Foundation
314 Madison Ave, Fort Atkinson : 262-470-8269
We provide a safe and supportive environment for women in recovery as they work to regain their lives through sobriety. The Cedar House located in Fort Atkinson WI, offers housing for up to 8 women to live and support each other as they work through recovery. We provide meetings, recovery coaches, and many other recovery and discovery resources to support you in sobriety and rebuilding and maintaining a life you both desire and deserve.
Fort Schools Family Connections
201 Park Street, Fort Atkinson : 920-563-7840
The Fort Family Connections Program is partnering with the United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties. This program is designed to keep monies raised in OUR community to benefit and support OUR families and OUR students of the School District of Fort Atkinson. The District’s Equity Committee is committed to providing support to families and students in need in grades K-12.
Girl Scouts of Badgerland Council
800-236-2710
Maybe you dream of exploring space, running your own business, or advocating for climate justice. You need somewhere to start. From writing your first code to hiking your first national park, we will help you build skills and discover talents you never knew you had. But the most important thing you’ll discover? Who you are and everything you’re capable of accomplishing today, tomorrow, and beyond
Haus of Peace
810 S 7th St, Watertown : 920-285-7179
We seek to understand the needs of each woman and child to connect them with the proper resources to help them heal and become self-reliant. We help to rebuild and reshape their lives through a combination of physical, mental, spiritual, financial, and emotional support. Guests are expected to follow integrity and accountability policies while at the Haus of Peace that continue to benefit them when living an independent life.
Homeless Coalition of Fort Atkinson
920-397-9307
We help the homeless and those on the verge of homelessness(transitional), in the environs of the School District of Fort Atkinson. HC of FA as an entity is comprised of a Board of Directors, elected officers, and citizens of Fort Atkinson. Our Board of Directors is made up of representatives from ecumenical and interfaith organizations, businesses, charitable organizations, and individuals concerned with the welfare of the homeless. Our officers are elected from this group. We hope to employ a part-time (.5FTE) person to manage the day to day activities and to coordinate the support from our various organizations. We hope to collaborate with UW-Whitewater’s graduate programs in Social Work and Business Non-Profit school to receive interns, as well as much needed guidance towards research-based best practices.
Hunt 4 Life
262-751-5880
At Hunt 4 Life Foundation we know that at some point every person is searching for their true purpose in life. Why does God have us here? We believe the total answer to that question can be simply found in God’s two greatest commandments. First, to love God with all your heart, soul and mind, and the second, to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-39). We believe the more we focus on living out these two commandments, the more fulfilled and purposeful our lives will be. So, simply stated, at Hunt 4 Life Foundation, we believe we are all on a Hunt 4 Life!
Jefferson County Head Start
920-674-5577
The Jefferson County Head Start program serves 270 students in Jefferson County and Western Kenosha County at six centers. The mission of the Jefferson and Western Kenosha County Head Start program is to nurture and promote the individual growth and development of each child, with respect to the diversity of each child’s family. The CESA 2 Head Start staff are passionate educators whose effectiveness relies on the active involvement of parents and community partners as they work to ensure school readiness and provide quality services that encourage success.
Jefferson County Human Services
1541 Annex Road, Jefferson : 920-674-3105
Enhance the quality of life for individuals and families living in Jefferson County by addressing their needs in a respectful manner and enable citizens receiving services to function as independently as possible, while acknowledging their cultural differences.
Jefferson County Literacy Council
218 S. Wisconsin Drive, Jefferson : 920-675-0500
The Jefferson County Literacy Council is committed to building communities that are strong in literacy, language and cultural understanding through information and resource sharing, referral, assessment and instructional services. With the hard work of volunteers and the JCLC staff, local funding, and community support we can realize our vision of helping learners defeat literacy challenges. JCLC is a volunteer based organization and relies on a small staff of only 3 part-time employees and a network of dedicated volunteers.
Liberty Through Literacy
Here at Liberty Through Literacy Foundation, we see the value in everyone. We want to be a catalyst for positive change, and since our beginnings in 2000, we’ve been driven by the same ideas we initially founded our Non-Profit Organization upon: support, empowerment, and progress. Learn more about our mission, our vision, and how we go about making the changes we want to see.
New Beginnings APFV
874 Collins Road, Jefferson or 143 W. Main St., Whitewater : 262-723-4653
At New Beginnings APFV, we provide comprehensive, compassionate support and services to people affected by violent crimes – domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, harassment and human trafficking. This includes but is not limited to crisis intervention, legal advocacy, safety planning, individual counseling, housing advocacy, children’s services, medical advocacy and information and referral to other relevant community resources.
Opportunities, INC
200 E Cramer St, Fort Atkinson : 920-563-2437
Opportunities, Incorporated was founded over fifty years ago by grassroots families to ensure individuals with the most significant disabilities had a place to learn, work and advance their independence. We have found that barriers to employment and independence can manifest in ways beyond what we consider as “Disability”. People with mental health issues, addiction, criminal backgrounds, English as a second language, military injury, an unstable work history and so much more, are seeking a place to build skills, gain experience and to simply “belong”. Opportunities, Incorporated has become that “place”. A place where people are turned around, not turned away. A place where people are respected, not ignored. A place where people win, not lose.
Rainbow Hospice
147 W Rockwell St., Jefferson : 920-674-6255
Founded by volunteers in 1990, Rainbow Community Care provides services that support patients and families throughout the entire journey with aging and serious illness. Highly regarded for excellence in hospice care, palliative care, advance care planning, grief support, parish nursing, and volunteer programs, we care for people living in their homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and at the Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek. Rainbow Community Care is dedicated to improving the overall health of the communities we serve in rural southern Wisconsin. Guiding our day-to-day work at Rainbow is a set of values centered around caring for the most vulnerable people living among us. We are here to serve you with the core belief that this is your life and your journey.
Rock River Community Clinic
1461 West Main Street, Whitewater : 262-472-6839
RRCC now offers health and dental care to the uninsured, underinsured, and low-income populations throughout Dodge, Jefferson, and parts of Walworth Counties. With support from the Rock River Health Care Network (HealthWorks), RRCC began the process of becoming an FQHC-Look-Alike in January 2020.
St. Coletta of Wisconsin
N4637 Co Rd Y, Jefferson :920-674-4330
Inspired by the Franciscan Values of compassion, dignity and respect, we support persons with developmental and other challenges to achieve their highest quality of life, personal growth and spiritual awareness. St. Coletta of Wisconsin will be the premier provider of support services for adults with developmental disabilities and other challenges throughout their lifespan. Through dynamic partnerships, exceptional customer service, a demonstrated commitment to quality and spirituality, we will work with persons receiving services to achieve their best life possible.
St. Vincent de Paul of Fort Atkinson
1525 Summit Dr., Ft. Atkinson : 920-568-1266
Every dollar spent in our store is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. When you choose to shop with us, you save so much more than money! Here’s a few of our favorite reasons to think thrift: Donations and profits stay local, Eco-friendly shopping, Supporting local jobs, Supporting local programming for residents.
Studio 84
121 W Center St, Whitewater : 262-473-9845
Studio 84 is a non profit art studio, gallery and store. We specialize in the creative and vocational development of people with disabilities including those with Autism, Down Syndrome physical disabilities, cognition delays and mental illness. We believe in creating an environment of inclusion. Open to all ages and all abilities.
Watertown Family Aid
514 S 1st St, Watertown : 920-285-3062
The primary purpose of Watertown Family Aid is to provide for those in need living within the boundaries of the Watertown Unified School District.
Watertown Family Connections
100 S. Water Street, Watertown : 920-261-2450
Watertown Family Connections (WFC), formerly the Watertown Family Center, is a community-based family resource center that is a welcoming hub of support, services, and opportunities for families with children ages birth-5. We’ve been serving families in Dodge and Jefferson Counties since 1994. Our programs and services are free of charge.
Whitewater Adult ESL
534 S Elizabeth St., Whitewater : 414-418-8424
The Whitewater Adult ESL program has been changing lives for 23 years. Started in 1997 by two visionary teachers, Jorge Islas-Martinez and Sandra Heyer, the Whitewater Adult ESL program provides English language instruction to area adults who desire to learn English so they can better connect with the community and support their families. In addition to improving their reading, writing, and communication skills in English, students in the program are able to work towards citizenship, learn basic computer literacy, and get information about local resources
Whitewater LEADS
Our mission: To support literacy, in all of its diverse forms, throughout and within the boundaries of the Whitewater Unified School District of Whitewater, Wisconsin
Your Friends In Action
147 W Rockwell St, Jefferson : 920-674-4548
All services are provided by volunteers. Volunteer services are not guaranteed and advanced notice is strongly recommended. Examples of volunteer services include: Rides to medical appointments, Grocery Shopping/Rides to the grocery store, Friendly Visits, Light Housekeeping, Check in phone calls, and Light meal preparation.
