Help Us Help Others. If you're able, please donate online today. | View Details

Stoughton Area
Community Foundation

Stoughton, WI 53589
info@stoughtonfoundation.org
or contact us online


Donate

The Stoughton Area Resource Team, Inc. (START) provides a safety net for those in crisis. Recently, a 30-year old single father of two struggled to find work, to pay for daycare for his children and to secure a home; so much time was spent homeless and hopeless.

View Stories

Pass Through Account

The Stoughton Area Community Foundation is an established 501(C)3 non-profit organization with tax exempt status.  The Foundation has the personnel and resources to ensure that all SACF assets are well protected, invested and managed carefully.  Various community organizations or projects that may not have tax deductible capabilities or may not have these financial management resources are able to work with SACF using a Pass-Through Agreement. This agreement allows organizations to use SACF resources, and allows them legal means to accept tax-free donations. All money donated and designated for the organizations goes directly to them through SACF, with no fees for this service.

 

More than 30 organizations have taken advantage of SACF Pass-Through Accounts, with 15 active accounts. Over $1.5 million has been passed through to specific projects. It is a win-win for the entire community, as most pass-throughs have been designated for specific improvements to the Stoughton community, while some are operational to allow organizations to achieve their goals. For more than a quarter century, individuals, businesses and organizations have donated money to SACF, and the money has passed through to the designated project or organization.

 

There are two opportunities available with Pass-Throughs:

  1. The following forms can be used to establish a pass through for an organization or project that needs to place (tax deductible) donations in a well-managed place for their use.
  2. Anyone can donate to these specific organizations or inquire about them further.

 

 

Current Pass-Through Accounts


Current pass-through accounts are as follows:


AdamCan Recycling Scholarship Pass Through

This fund began in 2024 as a way to manage donations and disburse a scholarship to a graduating student in the Stoughton High School Special Ed program. The program was set up in rememberance of Adam Notstad, who created a sucessful recycling business and encouraged others to use their unique abilities and to provide visibility and respect to the disability community. 

Contact: Deb Notstad

HATS Housing Advocacy Team of Stoughton

HATS believes everyone deserves stable housing and works to address affordable housing needs in the Stoughton Area School District, by working within public/private entities and individuals. Their mission is to eliminate homelessness, one family at a time.

Contact: Mark Peterson

Historic Signage for Stoughton

This fund began in 2022 as city celebrated its 175th anniversary. Banners were made for downtown from funds donated by various groups.  Banners were then auctioned off.  Remaining funds are used for permanent historic signage in downtown Stoughton.  As of August 2023, there is a committee who is designing the first of 3-4 permanent signs for downtown.  The first sign will be at City Hall, and bids are being secured. Tentative installation will be sometime towards the end of 2023-2024. The goal is to raise funds for this ongoing project.

Contact: Bob Sprigman. 

START Stoughton Area Resource Team

START provides a safety net for those in crisis. It links Stoughton residents under age 55 with community resources, offers advocacy and provides support in housing, utilities, transportation, health and employment.

Contact: Laura Braund

www.STARTstoughton.org

Stoughton Food Pantry

SACF in 2022 partnered with the city of Stoughton and the Stoughton Food Pantry to establish a partnership connection with Second Harvest Food Bank. Second Harvest requires services to go to religious and non-profits.  Stoughton Food Pantry needed SACF, as a non-profit, to purchase items for the pantry in 2023---Sept 2023 has yielded 13 tons of food at a cost of less than ten cents to the dollar. $31,769 worth of food was purchased for $1,400.  The Stoughton Food Pantry has applied for own 501(c)3 under name of Friends of Stoughton Food Pantry.

Contact: Mike Hager

Forgiveness Factor

The goal is to teach forgiveness to students, parents, teachers, key caregivers. The benefits of teaching forgiveness starting with young children is far reaching, including better performance in school, fewer conflicts, and more positive attitudes. Money will be given from grants from established foundations. Stoughton Area School District would be a start for the programming, using past success nationally as a model. Many approaches will be used using a wide network of community members.

Contact:  Tim Markle

Stoughton FFA

The student organization FFA celebrated their 75 anniversary in 2012. In addition, HS agriculture classes have been taught for 100 years starting 1911-12 school year. As a result of selling mini farm equipment, profits began this endowment fund.  Annually, a percentage is paid back to the SHS ag department to improve student programming in order to further student success. This fund helped spear head the Bob Green Fund which provides scholarships and additional money to ag programs.

Contact: Jerry Wendt 

Jerry.wendt@gmail.com


Stoughton Kiwanis


The Stoughton Kiwanis Club is dedicated to creating opportunities for children to be curious, safe and healthy regardless of the community in which they live. We are generous with our time. We are creative with our ideas. We are passionate about making a difference, and we have FUN along the way!!

www.stoughtonkiwanis.org


Stoughton Library

This fund was formed as a result of city budget cuts.  Money is given to fill any void of budget that wasn’t met and do any projects needed. Some of the fund may be used to do a building feasibility study.

Contact: Jim Ramsey

friendsofstoughtonlibrary@gmail.com

Stoughton Opera House

The Stoughton Opera House Friends Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Opera House. Through targeted philanthropy, awareness building, and volunteer support, The Story Opera House Friends Association play an integral role in sustaining the Opera House as a first-class performing arts facility.

Contact: Jon Lewis

Stoughton Otis Sampson ALA Unit 59 Scholarship Fund

Pass through but also an endowment.  The account is specifically used as a scholarship provide $1000 scholarships each year for graduates of Stoughton High School going into the trades.

Contact: Cathy Rigdon

Stoughton Resettlement

Started in 2022, Stoughton Resettlement was formed to raise funds in order to bring 13 refugee families to Stougthon, providing the support needed to integrate families into our community.

Contact: Kay Weeden

Stoughton Seniors in Need

Started in 2000; established as a “frail elderly crisis” fund.  This was a one time donation. The fund has become part of the Stoughton Area Commission on Aging.

Contact: Cindy McGlynn

Stoughton Wellness Coalition

Money is spent on sustainability programs for youth to decline substance abuse and provide educational programming for adults.

Contact: Teresa Pellett

Stoughton Youth Center

Helps raise funds and supports youth center programs.

Contact: Bob McGeever


Notable Pass-Throughs 

Some noteable pass-through accounts have included the Stoughton Tornado Fund, Stoughton Memorial Veterans Park, Stoughton Innovation Center, Quad Park, Stoughton Senior Center, Stoughton High School Collins Field Restoration, Stoughton Kiwanis Disk Park, and the Stoughton Youth Center.

SACF Pass-Through Accounts


The Stoughton Area Community Foundation is an established 501(C)3 non-profit organization with tax exempt status.  The Foundation has the personnel and resources to ensure that all SACF assets are well protected, invested and managed carefully.  Various community organizations or projects that may not have tax deductible capabilities or may not have these financial management resources are able to work with SACF using a Pass-Through Agreement. This agreement allows organizations to use SACF resources, and allows them legal means to accept tax-free donations. All money donated and designated for the organizations goes directly to them through SACF, with no fees for this service.


More than 30 organizations have taken advantage of SACF Pass-Through Accounts, with 15 active accounts. Over $1.5 million has been passed through to specific projects. It is a win-win for the entire community, as most pass-throughs have been designated for specific improvements to the Stoughton community, while some are operational to allow organizations to achieve their goals. In the past 25 years, individuals, businesses and organizations have donated money to SACF, and the money has passed through to the designated project or organization.


There are two opportunities available with Pass-Throughs:

  1. The following forms can be used to establish a pass through for an organization or project that needs to place (tax deductible) donations in a well-managed place for their use.
  2. Anyone can donate to these specific organizations or inquire about them further.

Current Pass-Through Accounts


Current pass-through accounts are as follows:


AdamCan Recycling Scholarship Pass Through

This fund began in 2024 as a way to manage donations and disburse a scholarship to a graduating student in the Stoughton High School Special Ed program. The program was set up in rememberance of Adam Notstad, who created a sucessful recycling business and encouraged others to use their unique abilities and to provide visibility and respect to the disability community. 

Contact: Deb Notstad


HATS Housing Advocacy Team of Stoughton

HATS believes everyone deserves stable housing and works to address affordable housing needs in the Stoughton Area School District, by working within public/private entities and individuals. Their mission is to eliminate homelessness, one family at a time.

Contact: Mark Peterson


Historic Signage for Stoughton

This fund began in 2022 as city celebrated its 175th anniversary. Banners were made for downtown from funds donated by various groups.  Banners were then auctioned off.  Remaining funds are used for permanent historic signage in downtown Stoughton.  As of August 2023, there is a committee who is designing the first of 3-4 permanent signs for downtown.  The first sign will be at City Hall, and bids are being secured. Tentative installation will be sometime towards the end of 2023-2024. The goal is to raise funds for this ongoing project.

Contact: Bob Sprigman. 


START Stoughton Area Resource Team

START provides a safety net for those in crisis. It links Stoughton residents under age 55 with community resources, offers advocacy and provides support in housing, utilities, transportation, health and employment.

Contact: Laura Braund

www.STARTstoughton.org


Stoughton Food Pantry

SACF in 2022 partnered with the city of Stoughton and the Stoughton Food Pantry to establish a partnership connection with Second Harvest Food Bank. Second Harvest requires services to go to religious and non-profits.  Stoughton Food Pantry needed SACF, as a non-profit, to purchase items for the pantry in 2023---Sept 2023 has yielded 13 tons of food at a cost of less than ten cents to the dollar. $31,769 worth of food was purchased for $1,400.  The Stoughton Food Pantry has applied for own 501(c)3 under name of Friends of Stoughton Food Pantry.

Contact: Mike Hager


Forgiveness Factor

The goal is to teach forgiveness to students, parents, teachers, key caregivers. The benefits of teaching forgiveness starting with young children is far reaching, including better performance in school, fewer conflicts, and more positive attitudes. Money will be given from grants from established foundations. Stoughton Area School District would be a start for the programming, using past success nationally as a model. Many approaches will be used using a wide network of community members.

Contact:  Tim Markle

Stoughton FFA

The student organization FFA celebrated their 75 anniversary in 2012. In addition, HS agriculture classes have been taught for 100 years starting 1911-12 school year. As a result of selling mini farm equipment, profits began this endowment fund.  Annually, a percentage is paid back to the SHS ag department to improve student programming in order to further student success. This fund helped spear head the Bob Green Fund which provides scholarships and additional money to ag programs.

Contact: Jerry Wendt 

Jerry.wendt@gmail.com


Stoughton Kiwanis


The Stoughton Kiwanis Club is dedicated to creating opportunities for children to be curious, safe and healthy regardless of the community in which they live. We are generous with our time. We are creative with our ideas. We are passionate about making a difference, and we have FUN along the way!!

www.stoughtonkiwanis.org


Stoughton Library

This fund was formed as a result of city budget cuts.  Money is given to fill any void of budget that wasn’t met and do any projects needed. Some of the fund may be used to do a building feasibility study.

Contact: Jim Ramsey

friendsofstoughtonlibrary@gmail.com

Stoughton Opera House

The Stoughton Opera House Friends Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Opera House. Through targeted philanthropy, awareness building, and volunteer support, The Story Opera House Friends Association play an integral role in sustaining the Opera House as a first-class performing arts facility.

Contact: Jon Lewis

Stoughton Otis Sampson ALA Unit 59 Scholarship Fund

Pass through but also an endowment.  The account is specifically used as a scholarship provide $1000 scholarships each year for graduates of Stoughton High School going into the trades.

Contact: Cathy Rigdon

Stoughton Resettlement

Started in 2022, Stoughton Resettlement was formed to raise funds in order to bring 13 refugee families to Stougthon, providing the support needed to integrate families into our community.

Contact: Kay Weeden

Stoughton Seniors in Need

Started in 2000; established as a “frail elderly crisis” fund.  This was a one time donation. The fund has become part of the Stoughton Area Commission on Aging.

Contact: Cindy McGlynn

Stoughton Wellness Coalition

Money is spent on sustainability programs for youth to decline substance abuse and provide educational programming for adults.

Contact: Teresa Pellett

Stoughton Youth Center

Helps raise funds and supports youth center programs.

Contact: Bob McGeever


Notable Pass-Throughs 

Some noteable pass-through accounts have included the Stoughton Tornado Fund, Stoughton Memorial Veterans Park, Stoughton Innovation Center, Quad Park, Stoughton Senior Center, Stoughton High School Collins Field Restoration, Stoughton Kiwanis Disk Park, and the Stoughton Youth Center.