$10,000 Grant from Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation Powers Youth Development

We're thrilled to announce that the Madison Parks Foundation has received a $10,000 grant from the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation to support the K.N.O.W. Program (Kids Need Opportunities at Warner) at Warner Park Community Recreation Center. This generous investment will help us continue serving 200 to 300 underserved youth ages 11-21 each week, providing the comprehensive support and opportunities every young person deserves. 

More Than Just a Program 

K.N.O.W. is where sports meet life skills, mentorship meets opportunity, and community meets transformation. Operating six days a week at Warner Park Community Recreation Center, the program predominantly serves youth of color from single-parent households on Madison's northside—a community where access to resources can mean the difference between struggle and success. 

Through our partnership with the Madison Parks Division, K.N.O.W. offers: 

• Sports-based youth development that builds confidence, teamwork, and leadership 

• Basketball referee certification training that creates real pathways to employment 

• Family Fun Nights that strengthen family bonds and build community connections 

• School-based programming that reaches an additional 200+ students where they are 

Creating Pathways, Not Just Programs 

What sets K.N.O.W. apart is our commitment to economic empowerment. When we train young people to become certified basketball referees, we're not just teaching rules—we're opening doors to employment opportunities and teaching valuable skills that transfer to any career. When we engage entire families through Fun Nights, we're strengthening the fabric of our neighborhoods. 

A Partnership That Works 

This grant represents more than financial support—it's an endorsement of the innovative public-private partnership model that makes K.N.O.W. possible. By bringing together the Madison Parks Foundation, Madison Parks Division, and now the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation, we're proving that meaningful change happens when organizations unite around a shared vision. 

The Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations in south-central and southeastern Wisconsin that focus on supporting strong families and healthy children. In 2025, the foundation provided over $2 million in grants to 161 nonprofits.

We're grateful to the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation for believing in our mission and investing in Madison's youth. Together, we're not just running a program—we're transforming lives and strengthening communities, one young person at a time. 

To support programs like K.N.O.W. and other Parks for All initiatives, make a gift today!