About Us

Our Vision: Our University transformed by donors wishing to fulfill aspirations and legacies.

Our Mission: Drive long-term University support through strategic engagement and impactful giving.

We Value:
In service to alumni, friends, donors and community for the benefit of the University and its
students, faculty, and programs…

• Professionalism, Integrity and Trust – We promise the utmost professionalism, financial stewardship, and personal integrity to earn our stakeholders’ unconditional trust.
• Leadership – We promise leadership by example via our own personal commitments and making a difference through our own volunteerism, work, and giving.
• Results-Driven – We promise to define ambitious goals and expect to be accountable to them using our strengths with collaborative, purposeful and innovative actions.
• Transparency – We promise to listen to understand, communicate clearly and openly and honestly advise those we serve.
• Dignity and Respect – We promise to be inclusive and treat all with the utmost dignity and respect.

Message from UW-Whitewater Foundation:

Dear Friends of the UW-Whitewater Community,

As the President of the UW-Whitewater Foundation, Inc., I am writing to share some important information about the role and operations of our Foundation, which plays a crucial part in supporting the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

The UW-Whitewater Foundation, Inc. operates independently from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. We are a legally incorporated non-profit organization, governed by our own board and bylaws. This independence allows us to focus specifically on our mission of fostering philanthropy to benefit the University, without the influence of university administration or state funding mechanisms.

Our operations are funded through generous philanthropic contributions from alumni, friends, corporations, and other supporters, rather than student tuition or fees. This ensures that the funds we manage are directed toward enhancing the educational experience and opportunities available to current and future UW-Whitewater students.

To maintain financial stability and maximize the impact of the donations we receive, the Foundation invests its assets through a diversified approach managed by professional firms. This strategy helps us to secure a robust financial footing that can reliably support the University's needs over the long term. For those interested in our financial practices, we make our public financial information accessible through IRS Form 990.  The investment portfolio is managed with the utmost care, integrity, and professionalism.

Our commitment to governance, financial stewardship, and integrity is unwavering. To uphold these values, the Foundation respectfully declines requests for meetings with external groups or those of a political nature intended to influence the investment portfolio. This policy helps us to remain focused on our primary mission: to drive long-term support for the University through strategic engagement and impactful giving.

The UW-Whitewater Foundation is dedicated to making a significant difference in the lives of students and the broader university community. We are grateful for the continued support from all our donors and partners, whose generosity enables us to fulfill our mission.

Sincerely,

Katie Kuznacic President, UW-Whitewater Foundation, Inc.