Foundation update

Green Bay Area Public School District

Steve Goldberg, Executive Director*, met with the district’s mental health leadership team to help them shape their school mental health story for funder outreach.

Wausau School District

Wausau is using funds from us and Connexus Credit Union to fund their new mental health navigator position.

Racine Unified School District

We’ve processed a $20,000 gift from a family foundation whose leaders have ties to the Racine school district. They reached out to us after hearing about our program and indicated they wanted to make a donation before year-end. They have expressed interest in making this a multi-year gift, so we’ll help the district keep in touch with them.

Foundation Yearbook

Watch for our first year-end report, including a look back at our history, coming out soon at the Foundation website.

Golf Outing 2024—A Celebration of School Mental Health in Wisconsin

Mark your calendars for our next golf fundraiser on August 5, 2024! Our inaugural event in 2023 was a tremendous success. Last year’s funds enabled the Foundation to add a new school district to our mental health funding initiative. We hope to see you this year for another fun outing and appreciate your support in helping more students access mental health services in Wisconsin public schools.

*Consultant to WEA Member Benefits Foundation, representing Steve Goldberg Consulting, LLC.

Update on challenge grants for student mental health programs

WEA Member Benefits Foundation, Inc., with major funding from WEA Trust, is providing challenge grants to four K–12 school districts as part of a pilot program. Money granted will be used as each district sees fit. Here is what has taken place so far.

July 12, 2022: The American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation and the American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact have committed to supporting this pilot project, joining a growing list of corporate philanthropic organizations.

June 22, 2022: The Appleton Area School District received a $40,000 grant. Appleton was chosen not only for its services but for the existing community partnerships and track record of support in the Fox Valley.

April 25, 2022: Racine Unified School District Executive Director of Student Services Andrea Rittgers announced the District received a $40,000 challenge grant, and they plan to use the money to offset high insurance deductibles for families so that all students have access to the District’s mental health clinics.

April 11, 2022: Members of the Sun Prairie School Board and district administrative team met with Foundation Executive Director Steve Goldberg and Janet Thomas, Associate Director of Student Services, during a presentation of a $30,000 donation for student mental health programming in the district.

“When we asked school mental health professionals what was missing from student mental health support, they frequently mentioned private philanthropy,” said WEA Member Benefits Foundation Executive Director, Steve Goldberg. “We’re not the one stoking the fire under this engine. School districts are hungry for this.”

For more details and up-to-date information, visit the Foundation news page.

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)

Did you know you can choose to give up to $100,000 to a qualified charity from your IRA (other than an ongoing SEP or SIMPLE IRA) without counting it as taxable income when you are over 70½ years old? This type of gift is called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD).

A QCD will count towards your required minimum distribution (RMD). However, you can’t claim a charitable contribution deduction for any QCD not included in your income.

Our financial advisors can help you calculate how much you may want to rollover to a Traditional IRA that will generate a QCD equal to the amount you intend to gift each year. You will still have an RMD from your 403(b), but it will be a smaller amount. Give us a call at 1-800-279-4030, Extension 6730 or visit our Financial Planning pages to learn more about QCDs.

P.S. Would you consider using all or part of your QCD to give to WEA Member Benefits Foundation? Visit the website to learn about our new initiatives that support our public school teachers and students.

The creation of WEA Member Benefits Foundation, Inc.

The Foundation came about based on our set of corporate beliefs.

At WEA Member Benefits:

The creation of the WEA Member Benefits Foundation is a natural extension of our beliefs. Its purpose is to support public education, public educators, and the communities they serve. The goal of the Foundation is to provide financial resources for their success.

This year’s WEA Member Benefits’ Annual Student Art Contest, for example, was co-sponsored by the Foundation. Thanks to a generous donor, students  gained some very special recognition for their creative work. Learn more about our student art winners.

Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible to the extent allowed under applicable law and can be made in the form of cash or check, bequests from a will or estate plan, or qualified charitable distributions from an IRA. You may also name the WEA Member Benefits Foundation as a beneficiary in your IRA or 403(b) account.

Learn more about WEA Member Benefits Foundation and how to contribute, or contact us at 1-800-279-4030.