A new hire leans across the breakroom table. “What’s the best perk here?” Without hesitation, a longtime employee smiles. “The time I get to spend at our adopted public school.”
As leaders — one from the public K-12 sector and one from a health care organization — we see every day that volunteerism is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s a strategic advantage. It strengthens teams, deepens company culture, and makes a tangible difference in the communities where we live and work.
Companies across the country are waking up to this reality. In a LinkedIn poll referenced in an April 2024 edition of Fortune, nearly 70% of respondents said they had participated in an employer-supported volunteer program. The benefits are clear: higher employee retention, stronger engagement and measurable gains in morale and productivity.
Here in Madison, businesses have a unique way to turn these trends into action: Adopt-a-School, a 20-year partnership program led by the Madison Public Schools Foundation.
Schools need business leaders
Our public schools today are about so much more than academics. They are hubs for meals, mental health services, after-school care and family support — all layered on top of their essential academic mission.
But expanding needs, tight budgets and stagnant state funding mean that schools need help.
“Today’s public schools are asked to do more than ever before, and we are proud to meet that challenge. But we know we can’t do it alone. Strategic partnerships with our local business community are essential to helping every student succeed,” said Joe Gothard, superintendent of the Madison Metropolitan School District. “Together, we can build a stronger future for our students and our community.”
Through Adopt-a-School, companies of every size partner directly with individual schools to listen to their needs and co-create support plans — whether that’s providing academic tutoring, mentoring students, donating materials or hosting career panels.
It’s a public-private partnership model that’s worked for two decades and today, the opportunity to make an impact is more important than ever. Strong public schools are the foundation of a strong economy. They build skilled workers, informed citizens and vibrant communities — and that’s good for business.
GHC-SCW’s commitment
At Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin (GHC-SCW), our commitment to public schools runs deep. We were the very first Adopt-a-School partner back in 2005, and 20 years later, we’re proud to still be “all in.”
Volunteering at local schools and supporting this program reflect the heart of who we are: a cooperative built on service, commitment and the well-being of those we serve. For nearly 50 years, being deeply involved in our community has been central to our values.
We’ve seen firsthand how volunteerism and staying rooted in our communities strengthens our connection to our mission, to each other and to the people we serve. And it’s not just the big projects that make an impact. Sometimes it’s one afternoon reading to a second grader. Sometimes it’s showing a high schooler what a career in health care could look like. Every experience creates meaningful relationships and fosters a shared sense of purpose for our staff as much as for the students.
For over two decades, we’ve found ways to keep saying yes because the return is clear: healthier schools, more connected employees and a stronger community that benefits us all.
When we invest in young people, we invest in the health and strength of our entire community. That’s what being a cooperative has always been about. Every volunteer, every student, every special moment strengthens the fabric of our future.
This year, we were honored to receive special recognition for our commitment at the foundation’s third annual Schools Make Madison Summit, but the real reward has always been the relationships we’ve built and the communities we proudly serve.
Proven engagement model
Since 2005, hundreds of organizations — from Fortune 500 companies like TruStage and American Family Insurance to local businesses like Yahara Software — have joined Adopt-a-School to tailor volunteer programs that fit their mission, people and capacity.
Each partnership is unique. Some provide classroom volunteers or academic mentors. Others offer financial support through mini-grants, sponsorships or donated materials. Many host career panels, organize supply drives, support school events or share expertise in areas like technology, marketing or health.
But you don’t need a massive budget or a huge team to make a difference. Some of our strongest partnerships come from organizations with just a handful of employees — proving that impact isn’t about size, it’s about commitment.
One standout example is Yahara Software, a locally owned company that designs custom software to solve complex problems. Rooted in Madison, the team sees its involvement with local schools as a meaningful way to give back and stay connected to the community. Their Adopt-a-School partnership with Vel Phillips Memorial High School is one way they put that commitment into action.
“Opportunities to see modern tech work up close are still uncommon for most students. Inviting them in gives us a chance to demystify it — to show that it’s collaborative, creative and happening right here in Madison,” said Kevin Meech, CEO of Yahara Software. “It’s one way we invest in the future of our work and our community.”
Why volunteerism matters
Employer-supported volunteer programs deliver real, measurable business outcomes, including:
1. Skill building: Employees grow in leadership, communication and project management.
2. Culture strengthening: Teams collaborate across departments with a shared sense of purpose.
3. Talent attraction:Millennials and Gen Z seek out companies with authentic community engagement.
In today’s competitive labor market, offering employees meaningful ways to give back isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s a strategic move that strengthens your workforce and protects your bottom line. Adopt-a-School provides a simple, flexible model to boost employee engagement while investing in the future talent pipeline in Madison.
Getting involved
For the 2025-26 school year, 25 Madison public schools are still seeking business partners through Adopt-a-School. Every school deserves a strong community partner and your business can be the difference.
Here’s how to start:
1. Contact the Madison Public Schools Foundation for an exploratory conversation.
2. Together with the foundation, identify a school that aligns with your team’s interests and strengths.
3. Partner with the school and foundation to shape a meaningful support plan.
4. Launch your engagement with continued guidance and partnership from the foundation.
Whether your team volunteers a few times a year or develops a year-round program, you’ll strengthen your culture, retain great employees and help shape the future of Madison’s workforce.
To learn more and explore a partnership, contact the Madison Public Schools Foundation at mpsf@schoolsmakemadison.org.
Melinda Heinritz is president of the Madison Public Schools Foundation. Mark Huth is CEO of GHC-SCW.
Interested in offering leadership guidance to IB Madison readers? Email Joe Vanden Plas at joe@ibmadison.com to be considered for this column.
