Local ministries, “the hands and feet of Jesus,” were encouraged by the community support offered through the first United Madison Christian Givers (UMCG) grant award event of 2026. Six Madison area ministries received financial grants to further their work.
The amount of the grant awards were determined by the votes of the UMCG members who gathered at the InterVarsity building on Monday evening, February 9, 2026. Members make contributions of $50/quarter or more, 100-percent of which goes to local Christian ministries who share the Gospel through their compassionate services. More than $1.3 million has been awarded to more than 70 local ministries since 2013 by UMCG and its predecessor, Madison Christian Giving Fund.
The top three vote getters each received grants of $10,000
Jesus Lunch – It all started with five moms and their nine kids attending Middleton High School who thought their kids’ classmates needed to know somebody cared about them. So they started sharing sandwiches and testimonies on Tuesdays in the park across from the school and sometimes more than 1,000 kids have showed up. “We see our role as planting seeds, and with your continued partnership we can continue planting,” said Dawn Westerhoff, one of the moms. The weekly food budget during the school year is $1500-$1700.
Impact Christian Academy High School – Students desiring a Christ-centered high school education will be assisted by this grant, which will close the gap between what the voucher program pays for and the actual cost of the educational program.
Shelter from the Storm Ministries – Transitional housing for single moms and their kids has been the focus of Shelter from the Storm. This grant will help hire a Youth Coordinator and the implementation of a Youth Development Program that will support the spiritual growth, emotional healing, and life skills development so that youth in the program have a chance to thrive. “Many youth at the shelter have never attended church,” said executive director Connie Vacho.
Receiving $5,000 grants were:
Hands for Harvest – This network of small farms is dedicated to relieving food insecurity with good that is free of preservatives and additives. “We meet physical needs and support families spiritually,” said founder Aaron Lopp. This grant will go towards further development of the Boys Discipleship Program which began last summer. Youths 10-14 will learn hands-on farming skills integrated with weekly Scripture-based devotionals.
Lutheran Counseling and Family Services of Wisconsin – Mental health, addiction, and adoption services are offered by LCFS and this grant will support sliding-scale services in the Dane County area for uninsured and underinsured individuals and families. “You can’t point people to Jesus unless you have Christian therapists,” said Jennifer Sims.
Safe Families for Children Wisconsin – Keeping children safe and families together can reduce unnecessary involvement in the child welfare system, and that’s the goal of Safe Families. “Everyone I have met agrees that this is a need and they’re excited to see us,” said Anna McKay. The grant will program coordination and volunteer preparedness. Safe Families relies on trained volunteers who come to the program through contacts with local churches.
United Madison Christian Givers provides additional support to local Christian ministries through training seminars, monthly prayer support meetings, and through its partnership with Family Connect of Wisconsin. “I’m so excited to see how God is moving through the church,” said Family Connect of Wisconsin executive director Tracie Fountain. The next United Madison Christian Givers Grant Award Event will be held April 27, 2026.
For information on how to become a member of UMCG and supporter of local ministries which are the hands and feet of Jesus, go to: https://www.unitedmadison.com/