As the role of educators continues to expand, our response must grow with it.
Here’s what meaningful support looks like, and why it matters.
As the Madison Public Schools Foundation reflects on 2025, we begin with gratitude. Our Schools Make Madison Champions, the donors who choose to make an unrestricted contribution of $500 or more each year, are a special group of community members who believe deeply in strong public schools. Their consistent, flexible support allows the Foundation to invest in the relationships, infrastructure, and advocacy that create lasting impact for students, educators, and schools across our district.
Flexible Support Where It Matters Most
Because of these Champions, the Foundation is able to respond to real needs while also strengthening long-term systems. In 2025, this support helped power meaningful investments across our programs. Through the Adopt-a-School program, school partners contributed more than $700,000 in volunteer time, donated materials, and direct support—showing what’s possible when schools and community partners work together.
At the same time, the Teacher Support Network delivered $500,000 directly to educators for classroom supplies, winter gear, and snacks. These investments reached classrooms quickly, helping teachers meet students’ needs at the moment they mattered most.
“The Teacher Support Network has been an invaluable resource for our classroom. The art supplies, in particular, help students regulate emotions, express themselves, and find grounding when words may fail them. It has made a meaningful difference in both my classroom environment and my students’ personal growth.”
— Britt Falbo, Teacher, Metro Middle School
Advocacy That Delivers for Schools
Champions’ contributions also sustain the Foundation’s advocacy work, which is one of our most powerful tools for long-term change. Since 2020, community-led referenda campaigns have resulted in voters approving more than $950 million for school buildings and operations. These investments support safe facilities, stable operations, and learning environments where students can thrive across MMSD.
This work reflects the power of informed, community-driven advocacy, and the importance of having a trusted organization ready to lead when it matters most.
The Engine Behind the Work
Behind every program and partnership is our committed, hard-working Foundation staff. Champions help sustain this dedicated team, who serve as the engine supporting all of the Foundation’s work, including more than 170 individual school and program funds. This capacity allows the Foundation to steward resources carefully, support school leaders effectively, and stay closely aligned with district priorities.
Looking Ahead, Together
Perhaps most importantly, Champions help create capacity—the ability to anticipate, coordinate, and plan alongside MMSD, rather than simply react. That shared approach positions us well as we look ahead to an exciting year: celebrating our upcoming 25th anniversary, implementing an updated strategic plan, our annual Schools Make Madison Summit, and a pivotal advocacy and election season for public education.
Thank you to all of our Champions for standing with our schools year after year. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and leadership, and we are proud to move forward together.
