Family Support Giving Fund

We started the Family Support Giving Fund because our donors and sponsors want transparency. They want to know where their money is going and the impact it has on families in our community.

Too often, donors give without ever seeing the difference their gift makes. This fund changes that. When you give, you’ll know your donation supports real families and is used for essential planning services — so you can see the impact, and families can plan with confidence.

We believe in transparency. Every step of the process is designed to ensure that donations directly support families and create lasting impact.

• Step 1

  Donate

  Anyone can donate to the fund.

• Step 2

  Apply

  Families submit a simple application with a story and photo.

• Step 3

  Allocate

  Funds cover guardianship, estate & financial planning.

• Step 4

  Impact

  YOUR FUNDS provide families stability and peace of mind!

Behind every donation is a story of hope, strength, and a brighter future. Every family's journey is unique, but they all share the same goal: ensuring peace of mind and security for their loved one's future. Through the Family Support Giving Fund, Morgan's Caring Connection is honored to walk alongside families as they take life-changing steps in planning for tomorrow.

• 

  Shutter Family

  Grant Amount: $5,200

  Meet the Shutter Family — Kim and Kane from Arena, Wisconsin, and their daughter, Sedona, a bright 30-year-old woman living with autism. Sedona has lived independently in a Madison group home for over 15 years enjoying evening classes in music, art, and singing.

  Her parents' greatest wish is to ensure that Sedona will always have the care and guardianship she deserves when they are no longer able to make decisions for her. They have applied for funding to complete essential estate planning — including wills and guardianship — so they can secure Sedona's long-term future and are taking important steps to ensure Sedona's future is secure and her independence is protected.

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• 

  Erickson Family

  Grant Amount: $2,750

  Ethan's diagnosis at birth of having Down Syndrome came as a very big surprise to me. Although I had 4 other children, I felt as if I was starting from scratch.

  Ethan is my youngest, now 11, and he makes everyday an adventure on our little farm. His older siblings are his favorite people to be with. Ethan's speech is very limited but I know inside he has so many ideas and great imagination. I work part time as a server at Vintage Brewing Co and am so grateful for their acceptance. I would be grateful as well to be a recipient of a grant to help maintain Ethan's future.

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• 

  The "D" Family

  Grant Amount: $3,350

  My family has lived in Madison, Wisconsin since 1999. We moved here seeking a place where our son Jeremy, born with cerebral palsy, could receive comprehensive care.

  In 2005, Jeremy passed away at home. After Jeremy's passing, our daughter Kaili eventually received a diagnosis of schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. As her mother, I am profoundly grateful to receive support in planning for her future—ensuring that she has what she needs to live safely and with dignity, whether or not I am here to care for her.

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• 

  Kastning Family

  Grant Amount: $3,300

  I am a single mom raising two young boys, both of whom have special needs. On May 6, 2021, my youngest son, Antone, was taken back for open-heart surgery after he was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot.

  Along with his heart diagnosis, Antone has DiGeorge Syndrome. Antone is now four years old and is nonverbal. My older son, Kyson, is seven years old and is also autistic. Every day, I am thinking ahead—about their care, their security, and what their lives will look like as they grow.

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• 

  Georgiles Family

  Grant Amount: $3,550

  My name is Cecilia, and I've spent my life caring for my 28-year-old son, David. He works at The MARC Center in Mt.

  Horeb and is the brightest part of his day. As my Parkinson's progresses, simple tasks have become harder, and my medical bills keep rising. A grant from Morgan's Caring Connection would give me something I haven't felt in a long time: hope. It would help me plan for the future, protect my son, and know that he will be cared for no matter what lies ahead.

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• 

  Sattertrom Family

  Grant Amount: Pending

  I am a single mom to two adult children, who both still live at home. My son is 21 and has autism and needs 24/7 supervision.

  I am my son's primary caregiver. I am exhausted, overwhelmed and would appreciate some assistance in getting things completed and off my plate; so that I can have less worry and stress about my son's future.

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• 

  Slesar Family

  Grant Amount: Pending

  My name is Shannon Slesar, and I am writing to share the challenges my 13-year-old son, Noah, and I are currently facing. Noah has Down syndrome and several complex health issues.

  As a single parent managing Noah's extensive medical and behavioral needs, I have struggled to maintain a consistent schedule. I am working with Janis Strutt, founder of Morgan's Caring Connection, to find long-term financial stability. Estate planning would provide significant peace of mind, ensuring that Noah will be cared for in the future.

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• 

  Segura Family

  Grant Amount: $4,400

  My name is Maria Segura. I'm a single mom of three.

  Benjamin and Emma both have disabilities. Benjamin has a host of disabilities: born with Down syndrome, deaf to his right ear, autistic, in remission with Leukemia, bilateral cataracts to eyes and unable to speak. I need help and I need a plan in place shall anything happen to me. I need a WILL, an estate planning, power of attorney, corporate care, anything to ensure a plan is in place for my children shall I die in sickness or unexpectedly.

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• 

  Eller Family

  Grant Amount: $2,950

  My name is Gena. I am a 44 year old single mother and live-in caregiver to my 22 year old son Ender.

  Ender was born premature with many health complications and later diagnosed autistic when he was a toddler. When he transitioned to adult services we were met with more difficult challenges. So, again, I quit my job to become a live-in caregiver to my son. My son is worthy of a safe and secure future and I want to do everything I can to make sure he gets that!

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• 

  Gruber Family

  Grant Amount: $2,125

  Haley is an amazing 30 year old woman living with some very profound disability issues related to being born with spina bifida. The accompanying challenges this disability adds to your physical and emotional health have presented our family with many unique needs throughout her life.

  Most recently, Haley had a battle with melanoma cancer! My husband and I are reaching retirement age, but want to make sure that we have completed the necessary estate planning, to feel confident that Haley will be provided for, and have the level of care she requires, as we age and our income becomes fixed. I recently retired, in large part to meet Haley's needs, and this has obviously reduced our family income. The estate planning grant would truly be a life saver for us to be able to ensure that we have completed all the legal requirements giving Haley the resources she needs to maintain a healthy, long life — even beyond our time with her!

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• 

  Jewett Family

  Grant Amount: $16,000

• 

  Kiel Family

  Grant Amount: $5,500

  We met Raelynn when she was 3 days old in Houston, Texas. At a young age, she didn't develop the same rate as other kids.

  Throughout her life, Raelynn's health has become more complex and more puzzling. She has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, autism, seizure disorder, sensory processing difficulty, developmental delays, behavioral difficulties, and more. Raelynn brings so much joy and light into our lives, but also many challenges. Due to her complex medical care, one of us cannot work so we can juggle all her appointments. We are always thinking ahead trying to figure out what needs to be done next and the thought of something happening to us and not having a plan for our kids, especially Raelynn has added so much stress. We would be forever grateful for a grant to help us plan a future for our Rae.

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• 

  Harmon Family

  Grant Amount: Pending

  My name is Melissa, and I am the proud mother of Bobby, my son who has autism. Bobby is a trusting and loving soul; once he gets to know someone, he truly feels they are part of his family.

  His warmth and openness make him a joy to be around, but also vulnerable to being taken advantage of, especially when it comes to managing his Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. As Bobby grows older, my greatest hope is to protect him from any financial exploitation and ensure his well-being is secured. I want to create a safe and supportive environment where Bobby's needs are met with respect and care. This is why I am seeking help with estate planning—to make sure Bobby's future is protected, his benefits are managed responsibly, and he continues to feel the love and security that family provides.

  Read More
• 

  Bussinger Family

  Grant Amount: Pending

  Hi there, I'm Melissa, mom of 2 great kids & wife to a hard working hubby. Our son is medically complex & is one of the coolest kids I know.

  He needs lots of extra support & love each day. Because of that we're asking for a little support from you. Thanks.

  Read More
• 

  Ohlson-Rappe Family

  Grant Amount: Pending

  Isaiah is autistic. I worked with him clinically and then providing respite care.

  After 1.5 years of respite, he began living with us due to crisis with his biological parents. We wanted to make sure he was safe and loved, so before 6th grade, Isaiah began living with us full-time. When Isaiah was close to 18, I began setting up his SSI, and we learned that he'd been receiving SSI into an account all the years he'd lived with us. His biological parents had control of the account, but the benefits he was entitled to were unaccounted for. Neither SSA nor his biological parents know what happened to the money. We would have a great appreciation for any financial assistance we can get in preparing for our futures. His well-being has always been our #1 priority, and that becomes an even more substantial concern after we are gone.

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• 

  Johnson-Vogel Family

  Grant Amount: Pending

  Our daughter was born with Down syndrome and a complex congenital heart condition that required significant medical intervention in her earliest years. After multiple open-heart surgeries and an extended hospital stay, she received a life-saving heart transplant and is today a thriving, spirited three-year-old.

  Raising a medically complex child has reshaped our family in profound ways. One parent stepped away from a professional career to provide the full-time care our daughter requires, reorienting our lives around what matters most. Our days now revolve around her needs, her milestones, and her future. Our daughter faces unique challenges, but she approaches every day with resilience and determination. We are a family fully devoted to ensuring she has every opportunity to thrive and live as fully and independently as possible.

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• 

  Searl Family

  Grant Amount: Pending

  Our son Jayce (10) is on the autism spectrum and struggles daily with hygiene and emotional regulation. Routine tasks like showering or nail care often trigger anxiety and overwhelm, creating daily conflict despite consistent use of structured supports.

  Sensory sensitivities further impact his ability to self-regulate and follow through with daily routines. We have actively pursued support, including respite services, which were unsuccessful, leaving our family to manage full-time while also caring for extended family. Ongoing medical needs have created significant financial strain, limiting access to resources that support Jayce's growth and our family's long-term stability. Jayce thrives through gaming. Funding for a structured program and laptop would provide a meaningful, skill-based pathway to strengthen daily living skills, confidence, and emotional regulation. With support from Morgan's Caring Connection, Jayce can build the daily living skills and emotional regulation needed to function more confidently and reduce long-term reliance on support.

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• 

  Gneiser Family

  Grant Amount: Pending

  Seventeen years ago, after waiting 4 years in an adoption program, we were asked to consider adopting our first son with Down syndrome. Special needs adoption had not been our intention.

  When he was waiting with no family to take him, we agreed—had he been born to us there would be no hesitation to love him! Two years later, we pursued adopting our second son with Down syndrome. They have grown up as best buddies since. When COVID happened at the end of their elementary years, we started virtual/homeschooling. We saw great results and have continued this method through high school. During this time, necessary changes were made to dad's employment. While homeschooling, mom has no longer been able to supplement income. As the boys approach adulthood, guardianship and estate planning are necessary. A grant would bless our family in providing help for paying for these necessary next steps.

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• 

  Mulvihill Family

  Grant Amount: Pending

  Last year, our daughter Neve was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder after enduring two brain surgeries, an eye surgery, and countless medical tests. At just two years old, she spends her days in physical, occupational, and speech therapy, surrounded by a team of specialists.

  Despite everything, she is joyful, determined, and full of light. Our lives shifted quickly and we've learned to live with uncertainty, focusing on giving Neve the best life possible. Recently, we realized how important it is to plan for her future. Creating a trust would ensure she is always cared for, but the cost feels overwhelming alongside ongoing medical expenses. Support would help us take this critical step—providing peace of mind and protecting Neve's future.

  Read More

Your contribution provides families with the security and peace of mind they cannot achieve alone. With your help, we can remove financial barriers and ensure every family is prepared for the future.

• 800,000+

  Families in Wisconsin are raising special needs dependents.

• $3,500

  Average cost of estate planning services — an expense many families simply cannot manage.

• 200+

  Families we have helped secure their future. Together, we can do even more.