Oscar Rennebohm Foundation, Morgridge Center for Public Service team to expand nonprofit leadership development

The Oscar Rennebohm Foundation has announced a gift of $100,000 to expand the work of the UW Center for Nonprofits in the School of Human Ecology.

Robin Douthitt, dean of the School of Human Ecology says, “We believe the relationship between the Center for Nonprofits and the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation embodies the best of what public-private partnerships accomplish, ultimately leading both to new vistas

The foundation’s gift also represents the first lead gift that can be matched by the Morgridge Center for Public Service Matching Gift challenge program.

“This will bring another $50,000 to the transforming work of the Center for Nonprofits. It will result in new service learning, community-based research, civic engagement, and collaborative partnerships with other nonprofit organizations, ” says Douthitt.

Morgridge Center Associate Director Randy Wallar adds, “It’s gratifying to know our matching grant will forward the important work of the UW Center for Nonprofits. The Morgridge Match Challenge Grant program matches 50 percent of gifts and grants collected by UW–Madison campus entities and community-campus partnerships for new projects that advance the Morgridge Center’s mission and goals.”

“The UW Center for Nonprofits program will serve to expand the options for service learning and civic engagement in an exponential way,” said Oscar Rennebohm Foundation President Steve Skolaski. “Our belief in the work of both the Center for Nonprofits and the Morgridge Center for Public Service is exemplified by our $100,000 commitment. We hope it will encourage others to do the same.”

The Morgridge Center for Public Service, established in 1996 through a generous endowment by John and Tashia Morgridge, advances the Wisconsin Idea by promoting civic engagement, strengthening teaching and learning, and building collaborative partnerships through public service, academic credit-based service-learning and community-based research.

The campus and community impact of the Morgridge Center student engagement and volunteering is dramatic. More than 4,000 students are involved in Morgridge Center programming totaling 51,882 service hours, with a value of $1.1 million to the community.

The UW Center for Nonprofits was formally established at the University of Wisconsin in 2008 with input from nonprofit professionals and scholars from across the campus and community.

Oscar Rennebohm established the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation in 1949 to support education, research, health care and community service in the Madison metropolitan area. The gift announced today is consistent with the mission of the Rennebohm Foundation — to support the work of the UW–Madison.

During the past 60 years, the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation has provided grants for people and programs in many of the schools and colleges at the university. The foundation is known for supporting some of the most influential and innovative endeavors in Wisconsin.