How do you want to leave the world? A little brighter? Us too.
You're a friend of the Goodman Center, so we know you believe in strengthening the lives and securing the futures of EVERYONE in our community. Join us on this journey, as we commit to doing just that today, tomorrow and beyond.
The Evolving Role of Donors: An Evening with Vu Le
Join nationally known social justice advocate and nonprofit blogger Vu Le on Sept. 20 and learn how equity and justice are tied to love and legacy.
Register Now70 Gifts for 70 Years
In 2024, the Goodman Community Center will mark our 70th anniversary of strengthening lives and securing futures.
To celebrate this major milestone, we're excited to launch our Love & Legacy Campaign to strengthen and secure the future of GCC, with the goal of inspiring and documenting 70 planned gifts by 2024 — just in time for our 70th birthday.
And there's more...
We also want to help you secure your legacy as you envision the future you want for your family and community.
In the months leading up to 2024, we'll be hosting workshops on a variety of legacy-building topics. We hope you can join us for a few of them. Check out the full list below.
ilana natasha photography
The Power of Planned Giving
You can leave a loving gift to future generations – the power of a connected community – by including the Goodman Community Center in your estate plans, and helping us reach our goal of 70 gifts for 70 years.
Fill Out This Statement Of IntentCommunity Workshops to Secure Your Legacy
These free workshops will provide tools and ideas for you to create your own legacy planning and charitable gift making. We're offering them as a resource to our community with no planned giving intentions required — anyone is welcome and invited to join us!
Wednesday, Sept. 20, 6-7:30pm
“We should take the work seriously, but not ourselves.”
Writing about nonprofit work on his blog, Nonprofit AF, Vu Le takes the work of philanthropy very seriously, but he doesn’t take himself too seriously. His blog is littered with his irreverent and often self-deprecating sense of humor. He shines a light on the challenges nonprofits face, and he does it with a brilliant mix of levity and gravity. If you read his article about community-centric fundraising or his pep talk for nonprofit “jedi unicorns,” you’ll quickly see that this is a person who cares deeply about philanthropy and knows just how important nonprofits are to their local communities.
We’ve invited Vu to Madison to share his insights with our incredible community. The evening promises to be thought-provoking and filled with laughter, joy and hope.
Goodman Center Brassworks building
214 Waubesa St., Madison, WI 53704
Planning Your Financial Future, presented by Sue Peck
Wednesday, June 7 at 2:30pm
Want to learn more about how to plan for your financial future? Join us for a free workshop featuring GCC friend and neighbor, Sue Peck, founder and president of Evolution Financial. Whether you are new to investing or would simply like a refresher, this is an opportunity to learn more about the different investment options, types of accounts and how everything works together. We’ll also discuss the different parts of financial planning and how they all come together to take care of your financial picture.
Sue Peck, CFP, RLP, is a registered investment adviser in the state of Wisconsin. Peck does financial planning and investment management, specializing in working with people in transitions such as the loss of a loved one or having gone through divorce. She currently serves on the board of the Northside Business Association, as well as the Northside Planning Council.
In the Evjue Room of our Ironworks Building
149 Waubesa St., Madison WI 53704
Be the Good: Celebrating Kindness in Our Community
Thursday, April 27, doors open at 6:30pm
At the Goodman Community Center, we’re lucky to witness acts of goodness every day, and we want our neighbors to get a little snippet of what we see. That’s why we plan to shine a light on the kindness all around us with an evening of storytelling on April 27. Community members will be invited to share their stories of kind acts both large and small leading up to the event.
Join the evening's MC, John Urban, and hear stories from Goodman CEO Letesha Nelson, other local leaders, youth and neighbors.
All are welcome to attend, so we've created a range of ticket price options (including free). All tickets gain the same access to the event.
In the Bea & Lau Rooms of our Brassworks Building
214 Waubesa St., Madison WI 53704
How to Start Planning Your Estate, presented by Michelle Behnke
Tuesday, February 21 at 2:30pm
A solid estate plan is one of the best things you can have for yourself and your loved ones, but getting your estate in order can sound like a monumental and stressful task. It doesn't have to be! Attend this free workshop for a helpful overview on planning your estate, including covering many of the circumstances to be aware of when making legacy plans.
Michelle Behnke is the principal of the firm Michelle Behnke & Associates, where her practice is focused in the areas of business advising, real estate, and estate planning. She is involved in the American Bar Association, currently serving as the Chair of the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession.
In the Evjue Room of our Ironworks Building
149 Waubesa St., Madison WI 53704
Community Chat with Letesha Nelson: Women Leaders Stepping Up
Wednesday, December 7, 7:30-9:00am
Goodman Community Center CEO Letesha Nelson will be joined by women leaders around Madison to discuss the most pressing challenges our community faces and the many ways area residents and leaders can be part of the solution and do better. The discussion will look to inspire accountability from all members of a community - individuals and businesses alike.
Letesha will be joined by these five local leaders:
- Alexis London, Executive Director of Bayview Foundation
- Sandy Morales, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County
- Vanessa McDowell, CEO of YWCA of Madison
- Veronica Castillo, Assistant Director of East Madison Community Center
All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Coffee, tea and pastries will be available starting at 7:30am and the discussion will run from 8-9am. This discussion is free to attend, and registration is encouraged but not required. Drop-ins are welcome.
In our Brassworks Building
214 Waubesa St., Madison WI 53704
Strategic Philanthropy: Unique Strategies for Tax-Efficient Giving, presented by Resonant Capital Advisors
Wednesday, October 26 at 2:30pm
Today's financial challenges are obvious every time we turn on the news, pump gas or buy groceries. For organizations and individuals alike, it is more important than ever to plan and be ready for everything — especially if you want to renew or increase your philanthropic impact. That is why our second Love & Legacy workshop will focus on financial planning and giving strategies during market uncertainty and volatility. Please mark your calendar and join us.
Resonant Capital Advisors is an independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firm based in Madison and founded in 2018. It provides comprehensive financial planning, investment solutions and reporting to its clients as a fiduciary advisor. Resonant was named to the Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers list, which recognizes top independent RIA firms from across the U.S. The firm, its shareholders and employees have a proud history of community and charitable involvement and look forward to sharing their experience with workshop attendees.
Anyone is welcome to join us for this free workshop. Registration is encouraged but not required, and drop-ins are welcome.
In the Evjue Room of our Ironworks Building
149 Waubesa St., Madison WI 53704
How to Prepare an Obituary, presented by Karen Faster
Wednesday, August 24 at 2:30pm
Writing an obituary can be a monumental and stressful task, especially when the author is overwhelmed with grief. Whether you want to write your own obituary or a memorial for someone you love, this workshop is for you. Topics cover what to include, organization of content, how to work with relatives and the funeral home’s role.
Karen Faster learned to write obituaries as a cub newspaper reporter in rural Minnesota. In the decades since, she has written obituaries for relatives and helped friends draft obituaries for their family members. Now retired from years of editing policy analyses and research grant applications for the university, she's excited to share her expertise with the community.
Anyone is welcome to join us for this free workshop. Registration is encouraged but not required, and drop-ins are welcome.
In the Evjue Room of our Ironworks Building
149 Waubesa St., Madison WI 53704
For more information about building your legacy plans, or for more info on workshops, please contact:
Dani Luckett
Chief Development Officer
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