Madison Public Schools Foundation

What Madison Public Schools Foundation does

Madison Public Schools Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 and headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. It serves as the designated private fundraising partner for the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), a 74-square-mile district comprising 52 schools, 25,306 students, and 6,380 staff. The Foundation's core mission is to channel private community resources — individual donations, corporate sponsorships, planned gifts, and endowment income — into Madison's public school system to address chronic underfunding and teacher out-of-pocket spending (estimated at $1.7M annually across the district).

The Foundation delivers its impact through a portfolio of named programs rather than a technology platform. Core programs include the Adopt-a-School program (matching 86 businesses and organizations with individual schools, contributing $837K in 2025), the Teacher Support Network (district-wide provision of classroom supplies and essentials to all 52 schools, $324K in 2025-26), School-Specific Endowment Funds (the first such program in the U.S., launched 2003, now numbering 170+ funds distributing $150K+ directly to schools in 2025), and the A Principal Experience event (connecting community leaders with school principals, running since 2004). Donor engagement programs include the Schools Make Madison Champions individual giving society (six tiers from $500 to $25,000+ annually), Schools Make Madison Sponsors corporate program (five tiers from $1,500 to $25,000+), and the Legacy Circle for planned giving. An affiliated 501(c)(4) advocacy arm, Schools Make Madison Advocates, conducts referendum campaigns and has helped secure $957M in public funding for Madison schools through the 2020 and 2024 referenda.

The Foundation operates with an 11-person staff and generates revenue through annual recurring donations across its tiered programs. Since 2001 it has secured over $42M for Madison schools through fundraising and $957M through public referendum advocacy. It holds the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency. Mo Cheeks assumed the role of President on June 1, 2026, succeeding Melinda Heinritz.

Name

Madison Public Schools Foundation

Legal name

Madison Public Schools Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://schoolsmakemadison.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Madison Public Schools Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as the designated private fundraising partner for Madison Metropolitan School District's 52 schools, delivering programs including Adopt-a-School partnerships, the Teacher Support Network, school-specific endowments, and referendum advocacy to address public school underfunding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Nonprofit / Public School Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Grantmaking Agencies & Education Program Grants Administration (EDADAHAD), Fundraising & Annual Giving (EDALAOAB)

Keywords

• Public school foundation
• Education fundraising programs
• Corporate school partnerships
• School endowment management
• Education nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Recurring annual donations from Champion donors at giving levels from $500 to $25,000+ per year, plus one-time general fund donations.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor the Schools Make Madison program at Visionary ($25,000+), Innovator ($10,000+), Catalyst ($5,000+), Leader ($2,500+), and Steward ($1,500+) annual tiers.
3. Planned Giving / Legacy Circle: Estate gifts, bequests, and planned giving arrangements that create long-term endowment support for Madison schools.
4. Endowment Management: Stewardship of 170+ endowment and program funds; fees charged for fiscal agent services for school fundraising activities.
5. Referendum Advocacy: Led advocacy campaigns for MMSD referenda including $350M Future Ready (2020) and $607M combined operations/renovation (2024).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Madison Public Schools Foundation is the designated private fundraising partner for the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), raising and stewarding charitable dollars to support all 52 Madison public schools, 25,306 students, and 6,380 educators. Its core offerings center on four program pillars: the Adopt-a-School program connecting 86 business and organization partners to individual schools; the Teacher Support Network providing classroom supplies, snacks, and essentials to eliminate teacher out-of-pocket spending; school-specific endowment funds (the first program of its kind in the U.S., launched 2003) distributing grants to all 52 schools; and a 501(c)(4) advocacy arm that has helped pass major referenda totaling more than $957M in school funding.

Product overview

Madison Public Schools Foundation operates as a non-profit organization rather than a technology product company. Its offerings consist of community programs supporting Madison Metropolitan School District: Adopt-a-School (business-school partnerships), Teacher Support Network (classroom supply funding), A Principal Experience (leadership engagement), and School Endowment Funds. The Foundation also manages donor programs including Schools Make Madison Champions (individual giving), Schools Make Madison Sponsors (corporate partnerships), Legacy Circle (planned giving), and Schools Make Madison Advocates (501(c)(4) advocacy). Additional programs include the Alumni Network, annual Summit events, and ABC Funds fiscal management services for school groups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Adopt-a-School: Program connecting businesses and organizations with individual Madison public schools through mentoring, tutoring, volunteering, in-kind donations, and financial gifts.
• Teacher Support Network
• A Principal Experience
• Schools Make Madison Champions
• Schools Make Madison Sponsors
• Schools Make Madison Legacy Circle
• Schools Make Madison Advocates
• ABC Funds
• Foundation for the Future
• Play Every Day
• DonorsChoose Gift Match
• Winter Coat Wonderland

Products and services

• Adopt-a-School Program A community partnership initiative that connects businesses and organizations with individual Madison public schools, providing mentoring, tutoring, financial gifts, in-kind donations, and volunteer support aligned with each school's improvement plan. 86 partnerships were active in 2024-25 contributing $837,000 in financial gifts, in-kind donations, and volunteer hours; cumulative investment since 2015 exceeds $8 million.
• Teacher Support Network A district-wide initiative that provides Madison teachers with funds to purchase classroom supplies, snacks, winter gear, and recess equipment that fall outside traditional school budgets, eliminating the need for teachers to spend out-of-pocket. Distributed $324,000 in support for public schools via the Teacher Support Network in 2025-26, and $345,000 in material resources for all district schools in 2024-25.
• A Principal Experience An annual event connecting community and business leaders with Madison school principals for a day of shadowing and insight into school leadership, designed to foster deeper engagement and potential long-term support for public schools. Since 2004, more than 1,000 community members have served as Principal Partners.
• School Endowment Funds School-specific endowment funds stewarded by the Foundation that provide annual grants to all 52 Madison public schools for arts, athletics, academic enrichment, and school-based priorities. The Foundation stewards 170+ endowment and program funds and distributed more than $150,000 directly to Madison schools from endowment and program funds in 2025.
• Schools Make Madison Champions Annual giving society for individual donors contributing $500 or more per year, with giving levels ranging from Scholar ($500-$999), Educator ($1,000-$2,499), Principal ($2,500-$4,999), Leader ($5,000-$9,999), Honor Roll ($10,000-$24,999), and Graduate ($25,000+). Provides unrestricted funding to support the Foundation's mission with donor recognition and receptions.
• Schools Make Madison Sponsors

Quantifiable outcome

• $42M+ raised for Madison public schools since 2001
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• American Family Insurance (Adopt-a-School Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014One of the largest employers in Dane County, American Family Insurance has been an Adopt-a-School partner since 2014, providing mock interviews and developmental experiences at Sherman Middle and Lake View Elementary.
• Alliant Energy (Adopt-a-School Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Alliant Energy is a major Adopt-a-School partner to East High School, having invested in programs like Tipping the Scales connecting legal professionals with students since 2020.
• Summit Credit Union (Adopt-a-School Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummit Credit Union partners with East High, La Follette High, Memorial High, and West High schools, supporting financial literacy programs and career development.
• UnityPoint Health-Meriter (Adopt-a-School Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner to Vel Phillips Memorial High School since 2017, providing after-school meals and healthcare professional mentorship at Memorial High.
• TruStagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdopt-a-School partner to Anana Elementary, Badger Rock Middle, Hamilton Middle, and Muir Elementary. Title sponsor of A Principal Experience since 2004.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Adopt-a-School Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner to Cherokee Heights Middle School and host venue for Schools Make Madison Summit, demonstrating commitment to education and community engagement.
• Group Health Cooperative of South Central WisconsinmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Adopt-a-School partner (with Leopold Elementary) and ongoing supporter of multiple schools including Anana, Badger Rock Middle, Lincoln Elementary, and Thoreau.
• Forward Theater CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdopt-a-School partner to La Follette High School, providing performing arts workshops, professional mentors, and directors for productions.
• EZ Office ProductscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner and Visionary Sponsor providing school supplies through the Teacher Support Network online ordering system.
• BMOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdopt-a-School partner to West High School and member of Schools Make Madison Sponsors program.
• Madison Community FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity foundation providing valuable funding and support for the Madison Public Schools Alumni Network.
• Nimick Forbesway FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporter funding the Madison Public Schools Alumni Network and believing in MMSD alumni coming together.
• Greater Madison Chamber of CommercemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional chamber partner supporting Foundation initiatives and community engagement.
• Madison Metropolitan School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary beneficiary and strategic partner of the Foundation, with Foundation serving as the district's key partner for private sector fundraising.
• Wisconsin Policy ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner providing analysis on school budgets and funding issues to support advocacy efforts.
• DonorsChoosecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization through which Madison Public Schools Foundation matches eligible teacher gift dollars dollar for dollar, up to $25,000.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation: Wisconsin-based education foundation supporting Milwaukee Public Schools through fundraising, endowment, and community partnerships — directly comparable structure, mission, and constituency (urban Wisconsin public school district).
• Denver Public Schools Foundation: Urban school-district foundation raising private funds and stewarding endowments for Denver Public Schools with Adopt-a-School-equivalent business partnership programs and teacher support initiatives — closest analog in scope and program mix.
• San Francisco Education Foundation: Independent nonprofit fundraising and grantmaking partner for San Francisco Unified School District with corporate partnerships, teacher grants, and school-specific programs — directly comparable district-foundation operating model.
• Chicago Public Education Fund (Kids First Chicago): Major urban district education fund (formerly Chicago Public Education Fund) that mobilizes philanthropic and corporate dollars for Chicago Public Schools — comparable scale, advocacy orientation, and corporate donor base.
• Pittsburgh Public Schools Foundation: Nonprofit fundraising partner for Pittsburgh Public Schools with classroom grants, donor programs, and community partnerships — directly analogous urban district-foundation structure and program set.
• Minneapolis Public Schools Foundation: Minnesota-based foundation supporting Minneapolis Public Schools through grants, corporate partnerships, and endowment stewardship — close geographic and structural peer with comparable teacher-support and school-endowment programs.
• Indianapolis Public Schools Foundation: Foundation supporting Indianapolis Public Schools with school-level grants, Adopt-a-School-style partnerships, and advocacy for district funding — comparable Midwestern urban district-foundation operating model.

Emerging players

• DonorsChoose: National crowdfunding platform for public school teacher projects; the Foundation has a formal dollar-for-dollar match partnership with DonorsChoose up to $25,000, making it both a programmatic collaborator and a complementary channel for teacher supply funding.

Others

• Wisconsin Policy Forum: Independent Wisconsin research partner that supplies budget and funding analysis used by the Foundation's advocacy arm; a research-enabling peer that amplifies the Foundation's referendum and K-12 funding advocacy work.

Regional players

• Madison Community Foundation: Regional community foundation in Dane County that co-funds the MMSD Alumni Network and operates as a parallel philanthropic vehicle in the same Madison geography — comparable donor-base overlap and regional civic-funding posture.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MadisonPublicSchoolsFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/madisonpublicschoolsfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/schoolsmakemsn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Madison Public Schools Foundation