Updates from the UWWi Network

New ALICE Data Shows 35% of Wisconsin Households Can't Afford Basics

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Thousands of hard-working Wisconsin families remain unable to afford the basics

The latest data from United For ALICE, released in partnership with United Way of Wisconsin, reveals that 35% of households in Wisconsin are living beneath the ALICE threshold, meaning they cannot afford the basic costs of living. ALICE stands for Asset-Limited, Income Constrained and Employed.

The latest State of ALICE report reveals that traditional measures of poverty have severely undercounted the number of Wisconsin households that are living with financial hardship. The ALICE Report goes beyond traditional poverty measures to reflect the true costs of living in Wisconsin. The report establishes a Household Survival Budget, which includes housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, technology, taxes, and a modest allowance for miscellaneous expenses.

While the report states that 11% of Wisconsin households (269,822 households) live beneath the federal poverty line, the new research demonstrates that 24% (603,981 households, or more than twice as many) were beneath the ALICE threshold, earning above the poverty level but still unable to cover basic needs. When combined, the data reveals that 35% of all households in Wisconsin are experiencing financial hardship.

United Ways across Wisconsin are uniquely positioned to respond to the challenges facing ALICE households. United Ways:

Invest in youth opportunities, connecting young people with the support they need;
Build healthy communities, ensuring all families can make healthy choices;
Strengthen financial security, helping everyone to sustain and build security for future generations, and;
Advance community resiliency, ensuring their communities can bounce back after the unexpected.

“Behind these numbers are families making impossible choices every day — between groceries and utilities, childcare and rent,” said Charlene Mouille, United Way of Wisconsin CEO. “Local United Ways across Wisconsin use ALICE data to help guide their programs and investment strategies so that communities are equipped to respond to the conditions preventing families from maintaining household stability.”

Beyond funding and operating programs, United Ways convene partners across sectors to solve the most complex interconnected challenges, including those faced by ALICE households.

“We invite state and local leaders to read the ALICE report and work with your local United Way to help ensure that every Wisconsinite has the opportunity not to just survive, but to thrive,” said Mouille.

The State of ALICE in Wisconsin also reveals that:

Wisconsin ranked 7th in financial hardship among all 50 states plus the District of Columbia (with 1st place representing the lowest rate of hardship).
ALICE households were found in every major industry statewide, with the highest levels of hardship experienced by those working in accommodation and food services.
Poverty rates in Wisconsin have remained relatively flat since 2010, while the number of ALICE households has steadily increased.
Minimum wage workers in Wisconsin have seen no hourly pay rise since 2009. Yet for one full-time adult worker with one school-age child, that wage still was not enough to support the minimum cost of survival in any county across the state.

More state and local data is available through the State of ALICE Report and the ALICE Essential Index.

United Way of Wisconsin Celebrates Winners of Wisconsin’s First Statewide Upskill-A-Thon

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 22:24:00 GMT

United Way of Wisconsin is pleased to celebrate the winners of Wisconsin’s first statewide Upskill‑A‑Thon, a learning challenge that encouraged participants across the state to build in‑demand skills through free, self‑paced online courses.

Held Feb. 1–March 31, 2026, the Community Upskill‑A‑Thon was led by United Way of Wisconsin in partnership with United Way Fox Cities and Microsoft. The statewide challenge invited learners to complete courses on CommunityUpskill.org, earning points as they built skills in areas such as digital literacy, business, technology, and professional development.

Of the 281 participants, five from across Wisconsin earned top honors based on total points accumulated through completed coursework. Winners received cash awards in recognition of their commitment to learning and career growth. Together, the winners represent communities across Wisconsin including from the service regions of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, United Way Fox Cities, United Way of Northern Ozaukee County, Great Rivers United Way, and Fond du Lac County United Way.

The winners of Wisconsin’s first statewide Upskill‑A‑Thon are:
1st Place ($1,000): Latia Ference
2nd Place ($500): Tiana Ho
3rd Place ($250): Jill Klitz
4th Place ($100): Steve Stoczynski
5th Place ($50): Joseph Wheat

“This first-ever Community Upskill-A-Thon gave hundreds of participants across Wisconsin the opportunity to build in-demand skills in a flexible, accessible way,” said Charlene Mouille, President and CEO of United Way of Wisconsin. “By removing barriers to learning and offering free, self-paced courses, we’re helping people explore new career pathways that can open opportunities for greater economic stability.”

Participants shared that the Upskill-A-Thon helped them gain confidence, explore new career pathways, and think differently about emerging technologies, while others noted the value of building new skills during career transitions or as they prepared to enter the workforce.

The first Upskill-A-Thon may be complete, but the opportunity to utilize CommunityUpskill.org is just getting started. It continues to provide free courses in English and Spanish and pathways to earn industry-recognized credentials. The platform is designed to support learners at every stage, from those just beginning their digital journey to those looking to advance or pivot in their careers.

To learn more about the Upskill‑A‑Thon winners and explore free learning opportunities, visit CommunityUpskill.org.

Marshfield Clinic, United Way announce $90,000 investment

Fri, 15 May 2026 19:59:00 GMT

MADISON and MARSHFIELD, Wis. – Marshfield Clinic today announced a $90,000 contribution to United Way of Wisconsin to strengthen community health improvement efforts across central and northern Wisconsin. United Way of Wisconsin will distribute the funds to local United Ways within the Marshfield Clinic service area, supporting programs and partnerships that improve health and well‑being for individuals and families.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to improving health, supporting families, and building stronger communities across Wisconsin,” said Charlene Mouillé, President & CEO of United Way of Wisconsin. “By directing these dollars to local United Ways, we’re ensuring investments reach the community partners closest to the work—and to the people who benefit most.”

With this investment, Marshfield Clinic continues to demonstrate a long‑standing commitment to addressing substance use, behavioral health, access to care, food security, and other social drivers of health across Wisconsin and Michigan. The organization’s scale, reach, and deep community roots help demonstrate the meaningful role health systems have in improving health.

“Marshfield Clinic is proud to invest in the proven, collaborative model United Way brings to our communities,” said Jay Shrader, Vice President, Community Impact, Marshfield Clinic. “This contribution underscores our leadership in approaching health holistically – beyond clinical care – and our commitment to strengthening rural and underserved communities. When health systems and community partners come together, we can accelerate improvements in areas that matter most.”

Local United Ways Supported Through This Investment

Funding distributed by United Way of Wisconsin will support the following local United Ways located within the Marshfield Clinic Region footprint of Wisconsin and Michigan:

Marshfield Area United Way
Merrill Area United Way
Northwoods United Way
United Way of Dickinson County
United Way of Greater Chippewa Valley
United Way of Marathon County
United Way of Portage County
United Way of Rice Lake
United Way of South Wood & Adams Counties
United Way of Taylor County

About Sanford Health
Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization has 55,000 employees and serves more than 2 million patients and nearly 415,000 health plan members across the upper Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated nonprofit health system includes a network of 58 hospitals, 289 clinic locations, 145 senior care communities, 4,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and 1,100 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to nearly 80 specialties. More than 400 residents and fellows are trained each year through graduate medical education with Sanford Health fully funding and supporting 29 of the 40 available programs. Sanford Health also includes Lewis Drug, a pharmacy and retail chain with 60 locations in three states and nearly 190 pharmacists. Learn more about Sanford Health’s commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.

About United Way of Wisconsin:

As a statewide member association, United Way of Wisconsin serves local United Ways, supporting their capacity to individually and collectively help communities thrive. United Ways enhance lives and strengthen communities by collaborating with partners to mobilize the caring power of communities. enabling all individuals in Wisconsin to flourish. United Way of Wisconsin manages several statewide initiatives, including 211 Wisconsin, Volunteer Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Information and Referral Exchange, and Techquity Wisconsin. To learn more, visit unitedwaywi.org.

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Celebrating Lupita Ruiz: A Community Health Worker Making a Lasting Impact

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 19:06:00 GMT

In Washington County, Lupita Ruiz was recognized as a Community Health Worker Cancer Champion by the American Cancer Society and Kohl’s Health Families, demonstrating the extraordinary difference one person can make.

Through Casa Guadalupe Multicultural Center’s “Healthy Latinos, Healthy Futures,” a United Way of Washington County-funded program, Lupita helps individuals navigate cancer prevention, screening, and treatment with empathy and clarity. She breaks down language and cultural barriers and empowers people to understand their own health and care options. The “Healthy Latinos, Healthy Futures” program helps the Latino community prevent and manage all chronic health conditions and empowers them to make healthier lifestyle choices with education on nutrition, physical activity and mental wellness.

Lupita embodies everything a Community Health Worker (CHW) is meant to be: a trusted neighbor, a caring advocate, and a steady guide for those facing health challenges. Whether she's helping someone navigate a complicated medical system, schedule critical appointments, or break down language and cultural barriers, Lupita meets every person with patience, humanity, and hope.

Her mission centers on teaching individuals to advocate for themselves, understand their health, and make informed decisions. She lives by a powerful motto: “Take care of your body. You only have one, and there is no replacement.”

Here's to you, Lupita! Thank you for being a light, a leader, and a champion for your community.

Jeff Bezos donates $5 million to United Way for efforts to end homelessness

Fri, 5 Dec 2025 21:26:00 GMT

Local nonprofit United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County has received a $5 million donation from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The donation comes from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, a $2 billion philanthropic commitment that awards organizations and civil groups working to combat homelessness. The fund has awarded 280 leadership awards totaling more than $850 million since 2018, according to its website.

Read the full article >

Wisconsin charities cautiously optimistic during Giving Tuesday

Fri, 5 Dec 2025 21:24:00 GMT

MILWAUKEE — With solid early sales estimates in for retailers on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, nonprofit groups across Wisconsin were cautiously optimistic that Giving Tuesday would prove to be as successful, if not more so.

“We hope that trend continues in terms of generosity this holiday season,” said Carly Hanney, the director of community engagement for United Way of Marathon County. “Giving Tuesday is just such an important part of any nonprofit’s plan for how they’re going to sustain and support their services throughout the year.”

Hanney said she remained hopeful that people would continue to donate throughout the year as their organization’s work has become so critical in their community.

Read the full article >

On the Front Lines of Health

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:11:00 GMT

Impact Story from Great Rivers United Way
On the Front Lines of Health: meet people where they are, so everyone has the chance to thrive.

Read the article here >

United Way St. Croix Valley and United Way of Dunn County Complete Merger

Mon, 1 Jul 2024 16:38:00 GMT

United Way St. Croix Valley and Dunn County United Way have completed their merger, effective July 1st, 2024. The nonprofits had previously announced their intent to merge to form a stronger, more unified force for community impact.

The combined organization is “United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys” (UWSCRCV) and will serve communities throughout Burnett, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties. The merged website is uwvalleys.org.

Read the full article here.

Here's how much you have to make across the country just to get by

Tue, 28 May 2024 18:36:00 GMT

If you feel you need to make more money than ever just to get by, you're not alone.

Salaries needed to afford essentials have been ticking up, pointing to an increasingly large hole in the country's safety net. That comes as more Americans have been joining the ranks of ALICE: They're asset-limited, income-constrained, but employed. In practical terms, nearly a third of Americans are working and making enough money not to be eligible for public assistance but are still struggling to get by.

Read the full article here.

211 Wisconsin launches new resource navigation tool

Mon, 8 Jan 2024 15:53:00 GMT

United Way of Wisconsin announced recently that beginning on Jan. 1, 211 Wisconsin, a confidential phone service that connects community members in need with critical resources that is managed by the United Way, will introduce a new, free Social Determinant of Health (SDOH) resource navigation tool.

According to the release, the SDOH resource navigation tool will be curated to find food, housing, transportation, utility assistance and interpersonal violence community-based service providers, which will become a screening requirement of health care providers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the new year.

Read the full article here.

New 211 Wisconsin app will link people in need with resources near them

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 19:37:00 GMT

A new 211 Wisconsin app will help people find the closest sources for everything from food and shelter to help with addiction and even a divorce attorney.

For years, the United Way’s 211 hotline has provided live, 24/7 assistance to people in need of various resources, including help with housing, mental health services and food. With the launch of the 211 app, the hope is that the United Way of Dane County may be able to reach even more people in need, locally and statewide.https://madison.com/news/local/united-way-launches-211-wisconsin-dane-county/article_75018fc6-6d08-11ee-bd40-dfe7cb7adc94.html

Read the full article here.

United Way partnership to help connect all points of care

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 19:48:00 GMT

WAUKESHA — The United Way of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Statewide Health Information Network have announced their partnership in promoting the health and wellbeing of Wisconsinites through the United Way of Wisconsin’s Information and Referral Exchange project.

WIRE coordinates and supports whole-person care for individuals whose health care outcomes can be enhanced through the use of social services statewide.

WISHIN’s network of over 2,000 sites of care and 211 Wisconsin’s vetted community resource directory will be utilized under WIRE as a way to ensure that medical and social needs history is readily available for coordination among service providers. According to the organizations, this data exchange — carried out with proper permissions and controls — will result in better care, lower costs and maximized health outcomes.

Read the full article here.

United Way, Wisconsin health network to partner for Wisconsinites' well-being

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 19:46:00 GMT

WAUSAU-- United Way of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Statewide Health Information Network announced today a partnership aimed at promoting better health and well-being for all Wisconsin residents through the United Way of Wisconsin’s Information and Referral Exchange project.

Read the full article here.