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A little bit goes a long way: Partners in Giving makes community change

November 19, 2015 By Amy Toburen

With a theme of “Give a Little, Change A LOT,” this year’s Partners in Giving campaign reminds everyone that small acts of kindness create a significant impact in our communities – and around the world.

Employees of the state of Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the UW Hospitals and Clinics are part of a team of more 80,000 potential contributors.

Partners in Giving 2015

“That’s a big workforce,” says campaign co-chair Lori Berquam, vice provost for student life and dean of students at UW–Madison. “We’re part of a community that has continuously shown its commitment to the Wisconsin Idea through our work, but also through our contributions to more than 520 state and local organizations.”

Last year, 7,367 state, university, and UW Hospital and Clinic Employees contributed more than $2.58 million to the campaign.

In 2015, the campaign’s overall is to increase the total number of people pledging by five percent. Finding 368 new donors might seem like a big leap, but any contribution makes an impact.

“A dollar, five dollars, or 10 dollars can make such a difference,” says Berquam. “Instead of heading out for lunch or a cup of coffee, think about attaching those bills to your paper pledge form or submitting online via credit card online. Even that much helps make a difference.”

Partners In Giving runs through Nov. 30. Contributions can be made online online at giving.wi.gov or by payroll contribution, cash, or check by using the paper pledge form.

“This year’s theme really speaks to me,” says Tammy Kuhn Martin, campaign co-chair for the College of Engineering and a member of the coordinating committee. “My first donation was eight years ago. One of the reasons that I donate every year, and volunteer my time, is that it’s my way of giving back to organizations that have helped me and my family throughout the years.”

This year, with a small monthly donation, contributors can help provide books and learning toys for young children, help preserve protected land in north central Wisconsin, buy winter coats for clients in independent living, and much more.

Internationally, donors can choose to assist refugees, alleviate the suffering of individuals dealing with medical issues and address conditions contributing to poverty in many countries.

Many donors choose to give to the same causes year after year. Others may wish to spread out contributions to benefit multiple groups. An online charity lookup tool makes it easy to find organizations by location, emphasis, name and more.

“Everyone can find at least one organization to support, regardless of interests or beliefs,” says Berquam.

Partners in Giving ensures that donations are used efficiently by combining efforts with the participating charitable organizations to keep overhead costs lower than those of similar campaigns across the country.

With the help of many state and local employees, this campaign has forged change in our community and developed an effective foundation for progress.

“I always tell the donors in my college that if you haven’t been impacted directly, I bet you know at least one person that has benefited,” says Kuhn Martin. “Without donors like us, that service might not have been there.”

For more information on this year’s campaign and organizations, view the campaign booklet.