Who are the Friends:
Founded in 1975, the Friends of the Waisman Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that supports the center’s research, training, service, and outreach missions through:
- fundraising
- volunteer efforts
- community outreach
How do the Friends Help:The Friends raise awareness and support for the Waisman Center through three community fundraisers: a spring benefit, a golf outing, and the Waisman Whirl 10K/5K/1M Run, Walk & Roll for All Abilities.
Activities
About the Friends
Founded in 1975, the Friends of the Waisman Center, Inc. is a nonprofit, 501 (c)(3) organization. Membership includes UW faculty and staff, families, area businesses, companies, and organizations, and others who simply want to help the Friends support a unique resource at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
How do Friends Help?
The Friends of the Waisman Center enhance and supplement many types of activities at the Waisman Center that otherwise would not be possible. Most of these activities directly benefit children with developmental disabilities and their families.
Clinics revitalization project.
Over a three-year period, the Friends donated $80,000 for a project to revitalize the Waisman Center’s clinical space. Each year, the specialty clinics of the Waisman Center serve thousands of individuals—from throughout Wisconsin and beyond—who have autism, Down syndrome, fragile X, cerebral palsy, or other developmental disorders.
- Ongoing outreach program for young children. The Friends hosts the Waisman Center Children’s Theatre, with support from Baird. The series features culturally-enriching, educational, and entertaining programs that reach thousands of children and their families each year.
Additional Friends’ projects include recognition awards for outstanding students; travel scholarships for families who participate in educational programs at the Waisman Center; and support for the John D. Wiley Seminar Series, which brings internationally renowned scientists to the Waisman Center for presentations that are open to the community. And finally, a long-term project of the Friends has been the sponsorship of the Stevens International Collection of Art by People with Disabilities, an inspiring collection of close to 150 works of art from 15 countries.
For more information about the Friend of the Waisman Center or to make a contribution, please contact Teresa Palumbo palumbo@Waisman.Wisc.Edu, or 608.263.5837 Or send mail correspondences to:
Friends of the Waisman Center
Waisman Center – Room 239
1500 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53705-2280