Nonprofits

We are a consolidated resource providing streamlined access to support services, enabling families to address both current and future needs proactively.

Welcome to our Nonprofit Resources page! In Wisconsin, especially in Dane County, there is a wealth of resources available through various nonprofits catering to individuals with diverse disabilities. Unfortunately, many families struggle to locate these resources due to lack of awareness or time constraints. Our primary principle at MCC is to facilitate easy access to support services for families, enabling them to address both current and future needs proactively.

As parents of a daughter with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, we understand the ongoing challenges of navigating through available resources, often leading to frustration. We are committed to continuously researching and identifying other nonprofits across Wisconsin that could be beneficial to you and your family.

At MCC, we are committed to expanding our database; however, it’s improbable to encompass all nonprofits. If you’re aware of a nonprofit that could benefit families and should be featured on our website, please reach out to us.

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Our Mission: With understanding and compassion, we eliminate accessibility and safety barriers by building home modifications for children with disabilities.

Our Vision: That children with disabilities and their families can safely and comfortably thrive in their homes.

For more information visit: https://logansheartandsmiles.org/

The Isaac Strong Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Rock County Wisconsin. The foundation was founded in loving memory of Isaac, a vibrant and courageous boy who battled neuroblastoma. Diagnosed at just two years old, Isaac was a ray of sunshine who touched countless lives with his light and bravery. After gaining his angel wings in June 2020, the foundation was created to honor his legacy and provide support to families navigating the challenges of childhood cancer.

MISSION: Together, We Shall educate, advocate and celebrate inclusive communities while connecting everyone through empowerment and belonging.

VISION: Inclusion without limits.

For more information click here.

Family Voices of Wisconsin supports families who have children with disabilities and special health care needs. We empower families to navigate health care and community support and services.

Learning Sessions: familyvoiceswi.org/learn/

Resource Library: familyvoiceswi.org/resource-library/

We provide a safe and specialized play area for all Autistic and other special needs individuals and their families, while helping facilitate community education and acceptance. https://spaceautastic.org/

We help people develop tools and skills to make informed choices for themselves and work to increase the choices available to people with disabilities. http://www.accesstoind.org/

The Waisman Center is dedicated to advancing knowledge about human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases through:

Research spanning the biological, behavioral and social sciences
Training for students and post-doctoral fellows, providers and the community
Services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families
Outreach to the community.

The Children’s Resource Center – South helps families of children and youth with special health care needs navigate the health care system.

We provide in-home and community support to families in Dane County (WI) who are raising children with disabilities at home. Services include Family support and Community Inclusion. Visit us at https://fsrcdane.org/

IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) is a program for adults with disabilities and elderly people in Wisconsin. It is a self-directed program. That means that you will have the freedom to decide how you want to live your life.

Hodan Community Services is a Community Rehabilitation Program which provides work services, food services, senior day services and enrichment activities at our main facility.

The Mission: Gio’s Garden’s mission as a non-profit organization is to nurture and strengthen families with children with special needs (birth through 6 years) by increasing their access to needed services.

The Vision: Gio’s Garden seeks to grow into a one-stop special services delivery organization for children with special needs and their families. Examples could include a respite care facility, professional therapy, client advocacy, and social work/support.

Our mission is to empower autistics, other neurodivergents, and anyone who experiences mental health needs and sensory differences by providing meaningful, comprehensive support. We accomplish this by offering a variety of evidence-based, personalized therapeutic and educational services built on an individual’s strengths, goals, and community. Visit us at: https://www.commonthreadsmadison.org/

Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative WSPEI is all about partnerships, helping families and school districts find the resources that help them build positive working relationships leading to shared decision making and positive outcomes for children’s learning. WSPEI services are free of charge. The Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative (WSPEI) supports:

The Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Program helps children with disabilities and their families through supports and services that help children grow and live their best lives.

It is a home and community-based service waiver. It uses a Medicaid waiver to fund services for kids with disabilities. A waiver lets states use Medicaid to fund additional nonmedical services and supports not normally offered. The CLTS Program aims to keep kids at home instead of at an institution.

Wispact Inc. is a private nonprofit organization that administers pooled and community Special Needs Trusts for people with disabilities. Based in Madison, Wispact manages the Special Needs Trusts for more than 4,500 people throughout the state of Wisconsin. In addition to helping create the trust, Wispact provides many on-going services for the Beneficiary that include:

Alongside planning for life’s inevitabilities – death and taxes, I’m on a mission to make a real difference in the lives of families, especially those with children who have disabilities.

When I’m not busy crafting legal strategies, you’ll likely find me at the ballpark, cheering on the Brewers or the White Sox, or cruising through the streets on my rollerblades, soaking in the beauty of Madison. I’m also a passionate cyclist, exploring the city’s bike paths whenever the weather permits.

Beyond that, I’m honored to play a role in making a positive impact in our community by serving on the board of directors for Morgan’s Caring Connection because it’s a cause close to my heart.

So whether you’re in need of estate planning assistance or simply want to chat about the latest baseball game, I’m here to help. Let’s navigate the legal landscape together while enjoying life’s simple pleasures along the way.

Spina Bifida Wisconsin, Ltd. is committed to our mission – to enhance the lives of Wisconsin’s families affected by Spina Bifida by providing resources, peer support and social events in our community.

We strive to raise other’s awareness about the unique needs of people with Spina Bifida. We are ambassadors, peers and educators changing the lives of those we serve. Visit us at https://www.sbwis.org/aroundwi

The Mission: RISE UP is committed to supporting adults with developmental disabilities in achieving their desired quality of life throughout all phases of the aging process.

Vision:To assist adults with developmental disabilities in identifying and achieving their potential in their home and in the community by providing them with opportunities for maximum choice, independence, and personal growth.

Our mission is to unite people with developmental disabilities to engage and build their best lives. Founded in 2008, LOV Inc.

Is a family-led community in which we all mobilize our strengths and gifts to enrich the lives of people with disabilities and strengthen the civic life of the community as a whole. Visit us at https://lovinc.org/

Our Mission and Purpose:
To change the way the world views Down syndrome and to send a global message of acceptance for all.

Our Vision:
To see a world where individuals with Down syndrome are accepted and embraced in their families, schools, and communities.

For more information visit: https://gigisplayhouse.org/madison

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is a federal/state program designed to obtain, maintain, and advance employment for people with disabilities by working with DVR consumers, employers, and other partners.

DVR works with high school students who are transitioning from high school to post-secondary education and employment. Additional Resources

DVR101

To support seniors, adults with disabilities, their families, and their caregivers by providing useful information, assistance, and education on community services and long-term care options while serving as the single entry point for publicly-funded long-term care services while at all times respecting the rights, dignity, and preference of the individual. https://www.daneadrc.org/

The Mission of The Arc-Dane County is to ensure that all children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families are offered the same opportunities, choices, rights, and respect due all people in our community through example, education, advocacy, support, and legislation.

Mission: To unite ALL of Wisconsin in supporting our residents with developmental disabilities to lead their most independent lives.

Our Charge: We visited communities around the state to find out what issues matter to you and what you’d like to see change. We listened. And from your words came our 5-year plan for people with developmental disabilities.

To learn more, visit wi-bpdd.org

The Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin is dedicated to improving the lives of all who are impacted by Autism by providing information, resources and support, while raising awareness and acceptance in our community.

We create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully.

The Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin’s mission is to provide support to Wisconsin families and individuals with Down Syndrome and related disabilities through awareness, education, information, programs, services, and the exchange of ideas and experiences.

Paul’s Party started as a kindness campaign to celebrate Paul’s birthday, the year that he passed away at age 15. On the anniversary of his death, we had what was initially planned to be a small party and ended up raising over $15,000 to support a few charities that were important to Paul.

After that smashing success, we decided to set up a 501c3 non-profit to spend those funds properly, and Paul’s Party was born.

The mission of Paul’s Party is to fund FUN for kids with physical disabilities. Paul was a fun-seeker, and we know how difficult it can be to provide recreational opportunities for kids who use wheelchairs or even just can’t participate in the same way as their peers. So we fund sled hockey equipment, track racing chairs and equipment, hand bikes, summer camp scholarships…pretty much anything recreational and fun (and likely expensive).

As we’ve grown, we have also connected people and created a supportive community! We have provided these kids and their parents with a network of people who can truly understand what they are going through, which is absolutely priceless.

We provide charter motor coach services and vacations for both special needs and general public clients. Within their site, you will find a variety of information about the services they offer.

Every vacation is supervised by their owner, Kim Doll. Their tours are attended by Kim and/or their Special Needs Tour Lead, Karen. The owner Kim is a registered nurse, specializing in Critical Care. All other staff members/chaperones are carefully screened and selected volunteers. Many of their staff are social workers, teachers, group home staffers, medical professionals, and other qualified and experienced people. Visit us at
https://www.accessabilitywi.org/

Options for Independent Living is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization committed to empowering people with disabilities to lead independent and productive lives in their community through advocacy, the provision of information, education, technology and related services.

As part of the independent living philosophy of consumer-directed services, Options staff will provide information so individuals with disabilities, family and friends can make informed choices and achieve their goals.

A Board of Directors, composed primarily of individuals with disabilities, determines the direction of Options. Options is committed to hiring staff with disabilities.

Badger Prairie Needs Network is a 100% volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting poverty and ending hunger. BPNN operates a grocery-style food pantry that serves food-insecure households throughout Dane County.

Additional services include free Community Meal, career development opportunities, nutrition education, onsite access to Joining Forces for Families social workers and free legal advocacy focused on ending homelessness and leveling the playing field for people with limited financial means.

Fishing Has No Boundaries®, Inc. (FHNB) is a non-profit 501-C3 organization whose goal is to open up the great outdoors for people with disabilities through the world of fishing. FHNB has grown into a National Organization with 27 chapters in 13 states.

Enabling thousands of individuals with disabilities to participate fully in this spirit lifting, morale booster, trouble free recreational activity. Continue to look for additional announcements for new chapters in new states, opening up new dreams for persons with disabilities that might not otherwise experience what you or I might just take for granted.

Our mission is to raise funds for families that have children with disabilities in order to cover needed therapies, equipment and other disability-related expenses.

Our vision is that all families are able to provide needed services for their child with disabilities regardless of financial ability.

For more information visit https://www.rylanshope.org/.

Mission: To expand the capabilities, confidence, and quality of life for children and adults with disabilities by providing programs in dance, drama, creative writing, music, and visual art.

Our Story: Arts for All Wisconsin, formerly known as Very Special Arts or VSA Wisconsin, is a statewide arts organization that serves children and adults with disabilities. Since 1985, we have been guided by our understanding that the arts build bridges between people, support physical and mental wellness, and celebrate diversity in our community.

Mission: To foster a community of support and understanding for brothers and sisters of individuals with special needs.

Vision: Siblings will thrive throughout their unique life-long journey.

For more information visit https://wisconsibs.org/

The Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc., is a nonprofit agency committed to supporting the successful delivery of aging programs and services in 70 counties and 11 tribes in Wisconsin. We provide aging lead agencies in our service area with training, technical assistance, and advocacy to ensure the availability and quality of programs and services to meet the changing needs of older people in Wisconsin.

Established in 2004, The Penguin Project has evolved into a National program, with Chapter sites throughout the United States. The program provides a supportive environment for children with disabilities to explore their creative talents.