Endres Foundation Announces November 2022 Grants

Read the press release here

2022 American Family Insurance Championship raises more than $2.2 million for charity

After COVID-related limitations on attendance and associated events in 2021, the PGA Tour Champions American Family Insurance Championship returned in 2022 with no restrictions and raised $2,234,000 for charitable organizations, it was announced today.

This brings the total amount raised for charity to $14,813,000 since the inaugural event in 2016.

Approximately half of the 2022 proceeds will be distributed to the American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, and 140 other primarily local charities will share the rest in varying amounts. 

The total proceeds raised and charitable organization recipients were revealed at an event today held at American Family Insurance corporate headquarters. The event featured championship host/player Steve Stricker, American Family Insurance CEO and Enterprise President Bill Westrate, American Family Children’s Hospital President Nikki Stafford, representatives from community nonprofit grant recipients, tournament sponsors and volunteers. The celebration of the tournament proceeds results was held in-person for the first time since 2019.

“Every year we are filled with even more gratitude for the amazing support we’ve received for the American Family Insurance Championship,” said Steve and Nicki Stricker. “Six years ago, we believed we had a good idea that would work, but we could’ve never imagined what a fantastic community this event has become – from volunteers to fans to sponsors. And the best part is, year after year we’re helping those in our community who need it most. That’s what we really celebrate today.”  

The sixth American Family Insurance Championship was held in June at University Ridge Golf Course in Madison. Fans from 32 states attended during the three days of tournament play and 925 volunteers from 14 states donated 20,000 hours of time to the event. The local economic impact of the tournament was estimated to be approximately $15 million. Total economic impact from 2016-2022 is estimated at $83 million.

“This is an exciting professional sporting event and so much more – an event that brings our community together for a great cause,” said Bill Westrate, American Family Insurance CEO and enterprise president. “We’re proud to sponsor the American Family Insurance Championship and raise money for nonprofit organizations whose programs and services make life better and more equitable with meaningful impact that lasts far beyond tournament week.”

In addition to the American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, here is just a sample of the other organizations addressing various needs in our communities and how the grant funds will be used: 

Badger Childhood Cancer Network
The Badger Childhood Cancer Network’s (BCCN) mission is to educate, support, serve and advocate for children with cancer and blood disorders, their families, survivors of childhood cancer and the professionals who care for them. As children and their families navigate their cancer journey, they’re provided with information and resources, emotional support, advocacy, financial assistance, age-appropriate toys, games and activities during lengthy hospital stays, and gifts during the holiday season.

Camp Hometown Heroes
Camp Hometown Heroes is a free week-long overnight summer camp for children and siblings of fallen U.S. Service members that provides a place for children to bond with others who have faced the same loss and also receive grief counseling to positively move forward in their lives.

Coalition for Children, Youth & Families
At the Coalition, they believe every child deserves a champion for love and support and every champion deserves support. Our mission is to inspire, inform and support families to build strength, confidence and resiliency. Their unique programs leverage innovative technologies to offer on-demand learning and resources while still providing compassionate, individualized one-on-one support.

Little John’s Restaurant
The mission of Little John’s Restaurant (LJR) is to increase access to nutritious chef-quality meals through food-rescue and food-excess programs. Working with local grocers and farmers to rescue under-utilized food resources, they turn those items into healthy meals for families. LJR believes that Food is Love and that good food should be available to everyone.

SHARP Literacy
SHARP Literacy offers a wide range of comprehensive STEAM-based programs that encourage curiosity, creativity and discovery while sharpening critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills. SHARP plays a critical role in narrowing the opportunity gap, and ultimately impacting families, communities and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. 

“The commitment of the American Family Insurance Championship to supporting the Madison and the surrounding areas has made it one of the top events on our Tour,” said PGA TOUR Champions President Miller Brady. “The charitable efforts of American Family Insurance, Nicki and Steve Stricker and the tournament team have had a remarkable impact in Wisconsin, raising nearly $15 million since 2016. PGA TOUR Champions is proud to be part of an event that does so much for the local community.”

Next year’s event will be held June 3-11, 2023, with special events during the week and tournament play at University Ridge Friday-Sunday, June 9-11. Stricker will host the tournament for the seventh time and play for the sixth time.   

Anyone interested in volunteering for the 2023 event can sign up by accessing this link at the volunteer registration page.

See the complete list of 2022 grant recipients

See this infographic for statistics on the AmFam Champ from 2016-2022

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About Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation
Established in 2013 when Steve Stricker became a brand ambassador for American Family Insurance, the mission of the foundation is to inspire and develop strong families and healthy kids so they can pursue their dreams. The foundation supports organizations that produce tangible outcomes that align with this mission. Web: https://www.amfam.com/sponsorships/amfamchampionship/foundation; Twitter: @StrickerFNDN

About the American Family Insurance Championship
The American Family Insurance Championship was created in 2016 by American Family Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions and PGA player and Wisconsin native Steve Stricker. Since its inception, the championship and associated events have raised more than $14.8 million for the American Family Children’s Hospital and other charities. The 2023 championship will be held June 3 -11 at the University Ridge Golf Course in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information: Web: amfamchampionship.com; Twitter: @AmFamChamp; Facebook: American Family Insurance Championship; Instagram: amfamchampionship. #AmFamChamp

Ascendium: $100K Grant to Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County to Support Local Students’ College, Career Success

A local program with a proven track record of helping area youth develop the skills, habits and experiences to be successful in their college and career journeys is getting an extra boost from a $100,000 grant. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County has been awarded one of Ascendium’s Good Neighbor Grants and is using the funds to support the operating costs of its Advancement via Individual Determination/Teens of Promise Program (AVID/TOPS).

AVID/TOPS, a partnership between the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County and the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), is a rigorous college and career preparatory program primarily serving students from low-income backgrounds, students of color and aspiring first-generation college students. Some of its offerings include academic support, college field trips, career exploration activities and internship opportunities. Almost 1,000 MMSD students participate in AVID/TOPS.

Ascendium’s grant will benefit students like Benjamin Davis, who participated in AVID/TOPS during his four years at Madison East High School. Through the program, Davis received tutoring services, visited organizations across Madison to learn more about the jobs they offer, participated in paid summer internships and toured college campuses. Davis is now a sophomore business major at Bryant & Stratton College with plans to transfer to Marquette University or the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee next year to pursue a career as a financial advisor.

“Receiving guidance on critical thinking, study methods and professional language really put me ahead of my peers. The college field trips were especially beneficial since, as a first-generation college student, you don’t know what you don’t know,” Davis said. “There were many people who helped me and with whom I connected as part of AVID/TOPS. For me, AVID/TOPS is more than just a program — it’s a family.”

“AVID/TOPS is making a difference in the lives of students by putting them on a path to realize their greatest potential,” Michael Johnson, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, said. “We are able to do this through a robust program and dedicated staff who build impactful relationships with members to help position so many of them for success. This funding will allow us to maintain and grow the remarkable successes of AVID/TOPS. We are grateful to Ascendium for their support.” 

This grant is just one of 10 Good Neighbor Grants Ascendium awarded in the fall of 2022 for a total award amount of $1 million. The grants are unique in that they are entirely employee-driven. Ascendium employees nominate and vote for nonprofits that positively impact the communities where they live and work. The recipients use the funding to increase education and workforce training outcomes for learners from low-income backgrounds.

“We’re thrilled with our employees’ decision to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County and students like Benjamin with a Good Neighbor Grant,” Brett Lindquist, Ascendium’s vice president – strategic communications, said. “Being able to continue our partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County and play a small part in helping these students realize their dreams is incredibly rewarding.”

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County

Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County is a leader in youth development programs, working with local businesses, foundations and community programs to produce positive outcomes for more than 7,500 young people and their families. Our core program areas include character and leadership, health and wellness, education and career development, sports and recreation and the arts. To learn more, visit bgcdc.org.

About Ascendium

Ascendium Education Group is committed to making education and training beyond high school a reality for more people. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we fund initiatives across the U.S. that help learners from low-income backgrounds achieve upward mobility; provide student and employee success solutions to colleges and businesses; invest in education-focused innovations to improve learner outcomes; and provide information, tools and counseling to help millions of borrowers successfully repay their federal student loans. While we have many roles, we have one goal — elevating opportunity by creating a world where everyone can rise to their highest potential. To learn more, visit ascendiumeducation.org.

6AM Marketing Participating in Madison Public Schools Foundation’s Adopt-a-School Program

6AM Marketing is thrilled to be partnering with the La Follette High School Business and Marketing team through the Madison Public Schools Foundation’s Adopt-a-School program. We will be offering a combination of volunteer and financial resources to the program, sharing time, talent, and expertise. 

La Follette teachers Kurtis Nelson and Darrin Graham are thrilled to be able to provide their students with the opportunity to engage with and learn from our experience and knowledge in the industry. 

If your organization is interested in learning more about the Adopt-a-School program, contact Mary Bartzen at mbartzen@SchoolsMakeMadison.org.

511 Volunteer Hours Donated in WI and Quad Cities by Old National Bank Staff in Service Event

Madison, WI. (October 3, 2022) — Old National Bank celebrated its first Better Together Volunteer Days of service on September 28^th and 29^th. The two-day event provided staff across Old National’s seven-state footprint the opportunity to volunteer together in the communities where they live and work. 

Team members throughout our markets partnered with community organizations to serve food security organizations, seniors, community centers and more.

There were virtual volunteer opportunities for those who could not participate in person. During the two days, 52% of employees from Wisconsin and the Quad Cities volunteered 511 hours with 10 non-profit organizations. Company-wide, 1,572 Old National team members were able to help 110 organizations, by volunteering 5,311 hours in seven states. 

“As Old National grows geographically, serving in our communities really keeps us grounded in terms of our mission as a community bank,” said Kathy Schoettlin, Chief Brand & Culture Officer. “We’re excited for this opportunity to help strengthen our communities through volunteerism, and we’re proud of our team members for making service a real part of our company culture.”

Click here to access professional-quality, high resolution (300 dpi) photos, sorted by community. You may use any photo without attribution. If you would like more information/context about a specific photo, please contact Kate Miller at kate.miller@oldnational.com.

ABOUT OLD NATIONAL

Old National Bancorp (NASDAQ: ONB), the holding company of Old National Bank, is the sixth largest commercial bank headquartered in the Midwest. With approximately $46 billion of assets and $28 billion of assets under management, Old National ranks among the top 35 banking companies based in the U.S. and has been recognized as a World’s Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute for eleven consecutive years.  Since its founding in 1834, Old National Bank has focused on community banking by building long-term, highly valued partnerships with clients and in the communities it serves. In addition to providing extensive services in retail and commercial banking, Old National offers comprehensive wealth management, investment, and capital market services. For more information and financial data, please visit Investor Relations at oldnational.com.

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