Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin Program Donates over $400,000 to local libraries
The Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin recently completed a matching gift program, resulting in over $400,000 in contributions to local libraries in 22 communities.
Matching Gifts for Library Endowments: Southern Wisconsin Incentives For Tomorrow (SWIFT)
Starting in July 2024, the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin (CFSW) launched the SWIFT IV phase—a homegrown matching initiative focused this past fiscal year on strengthening long-term support for library programs, maintenance, and operations. On an impact level, local libraries are essential to creating strong, connected, and forward-thinking communities. Together, the CFSW Board and the Schlecht Family Foundation are proud to continue their partnership and philanthropic support for libraries through Phase IV of the Southern Wisconsin Incentives for Tomorrow (SWIFT) program.
History of SWIFT
Launched in 2020, the SWIFT program enables local donors to establish permanent endowments that align their personal giving with community needs. Using unrestricted assets, the CFSW Board has offered matching funds to grow local resources. Phase I (2021) provided a 1:1 match to community fund endowments and filled in under a week. Phase II (2022) offered a 50% match, with 97% of advisory boards participating. Phase III (2023) expanded to donor-advised funds, offering up to $5,000 in matching funds while allowing donors to remain involved on an ongoing basis. These community incentives have been successful beyond anticipation; “a testament to what’s possible when local philanthropy aligns with local needs,” according to CFSW Board Chair Mary Jo Villa.
A Legacy of Literacy: CFSW Board Raises over $400,000 for 22 Southern Wisconsin Libraries
Over the course of the year, the Board collaborated closely with local leaders, donors, and volunteers to raise an impressive $400,000+ in support of 22 libraries across the region. From small rural townships to bustling city neighborhoods, each library is receiving resources tailored to their community’s unique needs—whether for technology upgrades, early literacy programs, mobile services, or expanded collections. Through this phase, participating libraries have worked to grow their endowment funds, ensuring sustainability for years to come. Donations to the effort were matched at a rate of $2 for every $1 through June 30, 2025 (up to $3,750), thanks to the generosity of the Schlecht Family Foundation. All funds directly support local programming, maintenance, and operations of our partnering libraries.
This campaign was not just about dollars raised; it was about demonstrating that public libraries remain essential to healthy, informed, and connected communities. Each contribution, large or small, was a declaration of belief in free access to information and the power of literacy to transform lives—and ensure that our libraries continue to serve as beacons of learning, creativity, and opportunity.
The story continues. And it begins, as always, with community.
If you would like to provide additional support to your local library involved in CFSW’s SWIFT IV Phase, you can find us online at https://cfsw.org/ or call our office at 608-758-0883 to speak with Wyatt Jackson, CFSW President/CEO.