Donate
Empower people who are blind or visually impaired
The impact of your gift
All gifts are used to support the Council’s mission to promote the dignity and empowerment of the people in Wisconsin who are blind and visually impaired by providing services, advocating legislation and educating the general public.
$160
Provides a two-hour in-home visit by a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist to share tips for cooking, medication management, daily living tasks and home safety
$500
Sponsors a statewide webinar to provide free training about various topics related to eye health, vision loss, and adaptive products
WAYS TO GIVE
monthly giftS
Become a White Cane Circle member by making a monthly gift to the Council. This can be done via credit card, bank transfer, or by clicking the button below and selecting “Make this a monthly donation.”
Cash Gifts
Gifts of cash, check or credit card can provide immediate help for programs and services. The Council accepts MasterCard, Visa and Discover. Donations can also be made securely online through PayPal.
Tribute gifts
A tribute gift is a meaningful way to honor the memory of a loved one, show appreciation for someone special, or commemorate an occasion such as a birthday or anniversary.
Memorial Designation
To direct memorial donations to the Council, please include these words in the obituary:
“Memorial gifts may be made to Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired, 754 Williamson Street, Madison, WI 53703 or online at WCBlind.org.”
Matching Employer Gifts
A matching gift from your employer or former employer (if retired) can substantially increase the value of your gift. Please notify us if your gift is eligible for a corporate match.
Donor Advised Funds
The Council welcomes gifts from donor advised funds. Acknowledgement will be sent as directed by the foundation disbursing the funds.
Planned gifts
Gifts we receive through bequests and other estate gifts strengthen the Council’s ability to provide services to the thousands of people in Wisconsin who are adjusting to life with vision loss. Leaving a gift to the Council in your will provides a way for your values to live on indefinitely through the good works of the Council.
Your estate planner will need this information about the Council: Employer Identification # (EIN) is 39-0977746. Legal name is Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired, Inc., 754 Williamson Street, Madison, WI 53703.
Listen to the audio version of the “Planning with Purpose” newsletter:
Volunteer
Do you enjoy offering your time to help support a great cause? From time to time the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired looks to volunteers to help assist with special projects. Email Info@WCBlind.org for more information.
Current Opportunities
Spanish Translator: The Council is looking for help translating product descriptions into Spanish on our Sharper Vision Store website.
Garden Volunteer: The Council is looking for help this spring, summer, and fall with maintaining our small garden and flower beds.
Workplace giving
The Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired is a member of Community Shares of Wisconsin, a federation that raises money to support its member organizations that work for social, economic and environmental justice at the local, state and national levels. The Council will receive 100% of your gift when it comes through Community Shares!
Donor testimonials
Legacy Circle
Members of the Legacy Circle are individuals who have made a planned gift that will benefit the Council after their death. This could be through a will, trust, charitable gift annuity, insurance policy, retirement assets, or other estate gift.
“I think of any legacy as providing something for the future. In this case, our funds will help continue the Council’s great work of serving people who are blind or visually impaired around the state.”
Kathy Brockman
Council board member and supporter on the importance of becoming a Legacy Circle member
Council Friends
Friends of the Council contribute $500 or more in a calendar year.
“I want to be a part of all the great work people who are blind or visually impaired are doing. I want to help in some way.”
Karen Steffen
Council donor and family member
White cane circle
Members of the White Cane Circle make a monthly or quarterly gift to the Council to support year-round needs.
“It’s important that the Council is there as a portal for people experiencing vision loss and blindness across the state who don’t know where to turn. We are grateful that the Council is providing outreach to people in more rural areas.”
Mike and Susan Archer
Council client and new White Cane Circle members
Council Visionaries
Council Visionaries, over their lifetime, have given $20,000 or more in support of the Council’s work.
“I first started giving because I was the CEO/Executive Director, and felt giving was part of my responsibility to support the Council. Over the years, I got to know the Council and what they do to advocate for people who are blind and visually impaired. I give because I believe in the Council’s core values and mission; overall I believe in the people. That is why I give.”Loretta Himmelsbach
Former Council CEO/Executive Director
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GIFTS IN 2021 MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Everyday Ways to give
If you are an eligible member of Thrivent Financial, you can “vote” for your Thrivent Choice Dollars to be given to the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired. Learn more or to designate your Choice Dollars to the Council here.
When you buy online with AmazonSmile, you can designate the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired to receive 0.5% of your purchases — and it costs you nothing! On your first visit there, you can select the Council to receive donations before you begin shopping. The system will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make on AmazonSmile will result in a donation.
The Council is registered as an approved non-profit organization with Network for Good.
The Council is registered as an approved non-profit organization with Great NonProfits.
Donations can be made online or sent to:
Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired 754 Williamson Street, Madison, WI 53703
Direct questions to Lori at (608) 237-8114 or
