Our Impact
Together, we’re building a strong community where everyone has access to stable housing and enough nutritious food to thrive.
Annual Report FY2026
We bring our community together to create food and housing security through action and advocacy.
Food Security + Clothing Center
Total Expenses: $4,896,420
Our food security programs and clothing center are open to anyone who lives in Dane County. We offered in-person shopping five days a week, while providing deliveries and mobile food pantries two times a month for people unable to come to the pantry. We also continued to offer access to food for holiday meals and through our emergency food bags. Our clothing center provided free clothing for children and adults.
1,913,455
pounds of food distributed (the equivalent of 1,594,546 meals)
123,289
visits to food pantry
2,093
food deliveries to households
6,727
pounds of produce harvested from our gardens
914
households received Thanksgiving food
15,600
household visits to the clothing center
“I could not have flourished the way I did after all of the heartbreak, debt, and change that I had faced if it wasn’t for my family and WayForward.”
-WayForward food pantry and clothing center guest
Housing + Other Stability Programs
Total Expenses: $1,306,228
Our housing stability programs focused on keeping people in their homes so they could avoid eviction and the trauma of homelessness. Case managers worked with individuals and families to provide financial assistance, connections to resources, and other support. Our Connections program, funded in part by Dane County Department of Human Services, helped people who are living doubled up without housing of their own to find stability.*
*
In FY27, we are shifting to a two-track approach for housing support with short-term Crisis Prevention Services and more intensive Ongoing Stability Programs that can include case management of up to 12 months.
726
households received housing stability funds
99
of surveyed housing program participants maintained stable housing for a year or longer
673,000
in direct assistance provided to help people stay in stable housing
557
students pre-k to college received backpacks and school supplies
Financial Data & Reporting
Financial Donations + Other Income
$2,511,900
Individual Support
$1,836,617
Grants + Foundations*
$352,311
Business + Other Organization
$210,409
Events (gross)
$114,325
Other Income
Total Support
55%
Financial Donations + Other Income
45%
In-Kind Donations
*
This amount includes a generous four year pledge of which $826,531 is designated for the next three years.
Partnerships matter
Community partners make our work possible, including businesses, community centers, faith communities, foundations, grocery stores, government, individual donors and volunteers, school districts, Second Harvest Food Bank, United Way, and other nonprofits.
Community Support
1,103
volunteers
26,707
volunteer hours
13
full-time paid staff equivalent contributed by volunteer hours
We continue to experience high levels of demand for our programs.
4
times as many visits to the food pantry since five years ago
2
times more funds invested in our housing programs than we were just five years ago (not including government grants)
4
times more pounds of food distributed than were just five years ago
"WayForward helped us rebuild our lives and move in a positive direction."
During a difficult time, WayForward helped me secure a safe and stable place to live. Having housing stability gave me the foundation I needed to focus on improving other areas of my life. They also supported me in finding a good-paying job, which has allowed me to become more independent and confident in my future. Knowing that I could rely on the food pantry for groceries during tough times made a huge difference for me and ensured I did not go without basic necessities. Because of WayForward, my kids have had a safe place to live, food on the table, and more stability in their daily lives. That peace of mind means everything to me as a parent.
-WayForward programs participant
Three Ways to Engage
Give
Create food security and housing stability by making a financial contribution. Become a recurring monthly donor to make a long-lasting impact.
Donate Now 
Donate Food
Food donations from drop-offs, our online wish list, and food drives keep our shelves stocked and give pantry guests the dignity of choice.
Learn More 
Volunteer
Volunteers are vital to supporting our mission and programs. A variety of one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities are available.
Learn More