Facts

In 10 years, Tomorrow's Hope has given over $2.4 million to the southern Wisconsin health care community!

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is Tomorrow’s Hope?

    In 1994, we were asked by a reputable organization to fund raise for them. We accepted and were overwhelmed by the ‘healing’ we, as individuals and organizers, found through this effort. We were also financially successful. After three years, our supporters started to ask us where the money went. We asked our representative from the national organization where the money went and were given the ‘pie chart’…research, education and services. After numerous requests, we continued to get the pie chart in response. Because of that, we approached our contact at our local hospital and asked how much money they received from our event. We were told they didn’t receive any of the money we raised. We were shocked. We assumed at least some of our dollars were going towards our local health care.

    Because of that discovery and many conversations, we as volunteers chose to form our own organization, Tomorrow’s Hope. We decided to expand the parameters of our support. We created a mission statement which states we “foster health-related research, education and support services for people touched by life-limiting illness.”

    The wording of our mission statement allows the following:
    1. Life-limiting illness includes cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and more. If my life has been touched by heart disease and yours by cancer and our local health care needs dollars to enhance one of these programs, why wouldn’t we support them?
    2. Our health care service area includes Fort HealthCare, Watertown Area Health Service and facilities in Madison and Milwaukee. That, realistically, is where we go for health care…between Madison and Milwaukee.
    3. Our organization may be headquartered in Jefferson but includes all of us in our health care service area.

  2. What percentage of the dollars raised goes to health care providers?

    Tomorrow’s Hope is a highly volunteer involved organization. Our nine-year Annual Report average shows:

    Fundraising: 1.4%

    General and Administrative Costs: 7.2%

    Given Directly to Health Care Providers: 91.4%

  3. Why should I support Tomorrow’s Hope?

    If you look at the recipients chosen by Tomorrow’s Hope, you will see that they are located in Fort Atkinson, Watertown, Madison, Milwaukee and Jefferson. Funds raised support the providers for all of these communities, and indeed, all of Southern Wisconsin — not just one community. See our patient origin charts on the Recipients pages to see who is helped by our funds.

    Research done by UW Comprehensive Cancer Center, National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Association impacts all of us internationally.

  4. Why should I help Tomorrow’s Hope when we already support an event that raises funds for our community?

    There are many wonderful fundraisers in our community. When you give to any organization, be sure you understand exactly how your donation is being used. You have the right to call your local health care facilities to ask them how much they receive from local fundraisers. How will the donations benefit you, your loved ones and your community?

    Tomorrow’s Hope offers the chance to make a direct deposit into your community by giving funds directly to local health care providers!

  5. Is your focus just on cancer?

    No! Tomorrow’s Hope supports organizations that help anyone who is touched by a life-limiting disease. This includes cancer, heart conditions, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, Niemann-Pick disease or Alzheimer’s.

  6. What does “direct impact” mean?

    All of the money we raise supports health organizations that are located in or service the Southern Wisconsin area. Research projects funded by Tomorrow’s Hope benefit all of us world-wide.