Gordon Flesch Charitable Foundation Donates $22,750 to Madison-Area Charities

The Gordon Flesch Charitable Foundation is proud to announce that it has awarded $135,000 to 32 organizations in Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois in 2019. This includes $22,750 for 6 Madison organizations so that they can continue providing support and charitable services for their communities. Organizations receiving grants in 2019 include:

SMILES, or Special Methods in Learning Equine Skills, which offers horseback-riding therapies and activities to individuals with special needs. Funds to be used to buy hay reserves for the group's 22 horses.

The River Food Pantry provides food and resources to build a stronger community. Services include free groceries, meals, and clothing, as well as free mobile lunches for children and teens on non-school days. GFC Funds to be used for their MUNCH Mobile Free Lunch Program for kids and teens at 8 locations in Madison.

Madison Parks Foundation is dedicated to preserving and expanding parks, playgrounds and programming for the entire Madison community as well as surrounding communities whose residents use Madison parks.       GFC Funds to be used for converting one of Madison's playground to be more fully accessible.

Beacon is a day resource center for people experiencing homelessness in Dane County. The Beacon also provides access to computers and telephones, mail service, and transportation between night shelters. GFC Foundation Funds to be used for relief resources to Beacon guests experiencing homelessness and financial hardship such as bus passes, gas cards and emergency housing assistance.

Gio’s Garden nurtures and supports families of children with special needs. GFC's donation will be used for financial assistance for families who are not able to afford the essential service of respite care without help. 

Rosie’s Birthday Club visits numerous children’s organizations throughout the year with the goal of honoring all children for their birthday. GFC Funds to be used for supplies needed for birthday parties and gifts.

Since its inception in 2002, the Gordon Flesch Charitable Foundation has donated nearly $2 million to various philanthropic organizations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Each year, the foundation donates to the communities within GFC’s territories, staying true to founder Gordon Flesch’s mission to support the communities where GFC’s employees and customers live and work.

Unlike most corporate giving programs, the Gordon Flesch Charitable Foundation is managed entirely by company associates. Each year associates nominate organizations close to their hearts and close to their communities. The Foundation’s board of directors reviews nominations and selects award recipients. 

“The Gordon Flesch Company Foundation is just one of the ways GFC strives to engage in and support the communities in which we live and work,” says Cheryl Halverson, President, of the Gordon Flesch Charitable Foundation. “Through the Foundation’s work, we want to make sure GFC employees have the opportunity to engage with our fellow citizens, which is why it is important to us that the charitable giving is driven by our Associates and not through a third party or other intermediary.”

“Investing in our communities is one of the most important ways we can generate economic opportunity and support upward mobility for all people,” says Jeff Peters, Vice President of the Gordon Flesch Charitable Foundation. “We are excited and humbled to be able to help all of these great organizations and will be happy to see how each one of them uses their grant to continue all of the great work they perform for our communities.” 

If you’re interested in learning more about the Gordon Flesch Charitable Foundation, or to apply for the next round of grants, visit our website or download our brochure. 

About The Gordon Flesch Company

The Gordon Flesch Company is one of the largest independent providers of office technology solutions in the nation. Family-owned since 1956, the Gordon Flesch Company employs more than 600 people throughout 23 offices in the Midwest, with their corporate office in Madison, Wisconsin. They deliver unique business process expertise to solve challenging problems and achieve organizational goals. This includes integrating industry-leading software and hardware to build custom solutions that are supported by technical expertise, customer service and flexible, in-house financial services.