March 9, 2022
Local foundation forges connection between mental health programs and private philanthropy
Madison, WI, —The philanthropic arm of a statewide insurance and financial services organization for educators has launched a pilot project to test a funding model for expanding private philanthropic support for school-based mental health programs throughout Wisconsin. The WEA Member Benefits Foundation, with major funding from its sister organization—WEA Trust—is providing challenge grants to four K‑12 school districts as part of the pilot: Appleton ($40,000), Racine ($40,000), Sun Prairie ($30,000), and Watertown ($30,000). The Foundation announced it will help those districts approach potential funders in their local communities to meet their challenge grant, potentially doubling the total for each district.
“When we asked public educators what kept them awake at night, one of the most common responses was student mental health. And when we asked school mental health professionals what was missing from this picture, they frequently mentioned private philanthropy,” said WEA Member Benefits Foundation Executive Director, Steve Goldberg. “So, we asked corporate foundations if they were interested in supporting school-based mental health, and many of them said yes, but they didn’t know how to determine which programs to support.”
The WEA Member Benefits Foundation worked with several statewide organizations to develop a funding model that would help potential funders use their donations to strengthen school-based mental health services. The state Department of Public Instruction, the Coalition for Expanding School-Based Mental Health in Wisconsin, the state Office of Children’s Mental Health, the Wisconsin Association of Family & Children Agencies, and other organizations have provided important input. The UW Center for Community & Nonprofit Studies has been engaged as an academic partner to structure and assess the pilot for possible expansion.
“This is such outstanding news. We are delighted to have been chosen as a partner for the pilot,” said Watertown Unified School District Superintendent Cassandra Schug. Janet Thomas, Associate Director of Student Services at Sun Prairie Area School District is “thrilled to be one of the recipients of this unrestricted grant,” and added that the district will use the grant to “strengthen and expand our current school-based mental health priorities.”
“We look forward to helping our four pilot school districts invite funders in their communities to join in this challenge grant opportunity. School-based mental health, especially during these stressful times, is so important to the success of our students. We hope others will join us in this effort,” said WEA Member Benefits President and CEO, David Kijek.
WEA Trust’s CEO, Vaughn Vance, added, “School districts throughout Wisconsin are experiencing an increased need for mental health services by employees and students alike. That is why we are so excited about this pilot effort and our partnership with the WEA Member Benefits Foundation.”
Initial funding for the pilot has come from WEA Member Benefits, WEA Trust, the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), GenRe, Empower Retirement, Delta Dental of Wisconsin, Parnassus Investments, Newport Group, Wisconsin Mutual Insurance, Velcor, Strom Ballweg, von Briesen & Roper, and T. Rowe Price.