Organ and Tissue Donation

Over 2,000 people in Wisconsin—and more than 100,000 nationwide—are waiting for a life-saving transplant. By registering as a donor, you give hope to those waiting. By making a financial gift, you help honor donors who gave the gift of life.

Whether your contribution is made in honor of a loved one currently waiting for a transplant, to recognize a donor’s generous gift of life, or simply because you understand the urgency—your support makes our work possible. 

As a Donate Life Wisconsin affiliate, the Versiti Organ and Tissue Outreach Program is committed to promoting donation awareness, education, and advocacy, with goals of growing the Wisconsin Donor Registry; increasing the number of donated organs, tissue, and eyes; and saving more lives. Your philanthropic gift allows us to host outreach events that aid in our efforts to grow the donor registry and give hope to those in need of transplants.

An outreach table at the annual Cream City 5K.

Attendees of the 2025 Donor Family Celebration at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Funding provided through Aftercare Program.

The Versiti Organ and Tissue Aftercare Program is committed to supporting donor families and honoring their loved ones. The program offers donor families resources on grief and loss, donation recognition items, and donation information. Families also have the opportunity to participate in donor family events, memorial programs, and our volunteer program. Your gift will allow us to create unique programs that help care for donor families after their time of loss.

Threads of Compassion volunteers attending a monthly meeting.

Established in 2005 by donor mother Lynn Baudo, Threads of Compassion is an all-volunteer group that knits and crochets comfort shawls for organ and tissue donor families. Each member of Threads of Compassion stitches positive thoughts, healing feelings, and love into every comfort shawl, with the hope that their small gift of compassion will bring Versiti Organ and Tissue donor families comfort during their time of sorrow. Your financial gift allows us to create shawls and help comfort donor families..

You are welcome to mail in your contribution form if that is your preference. You can download and print out the Versiti Contribution Form and mail it to the address below:

Versiti Organ and Tissue
PO Box 26576
Milwaukee, WI 53226

All checks should be made out to Versiti Organ and Tissue. You can indicate on the form if the gift is in memory or honor of a loved one. Please be sure to select a box on the form to indicate what program you would like your donation to go towards.

Does the company you work for match gifts? Finding out is as easy as asking your organization’s HR representative. For example, your company may offer to “match” your donation by donating $1 for every $1 you raise. Taking this small extra step can double the difference your contribution makes in the lives of those waiting today.

You have the power to shape the future of organ, eye, and tissue donation—and help save lives for generations to come—by making a planned gift. Options such as including a gift in your will, naming us as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance policy, creating a charitable gift annuity or trust, or donating real estate or other assets can offer meaningful benefits to you while supporting our mission.

If you’ve included us in your plans, please let us know so we can thank you and honor your generosity.

If you're 70½ or older, you can give money straight from your IRA to a charity of your choosing.

Why do it?

Instead of taking the money out and paying taxes on it (which could raise your income and tax bill), the money goes directly to charity — and you don’t pay income tax on it.

It can also count toward the amount you're required to take out of your IRA each year (called a required minimum distribution, or RMD), but without increasing your taxable income.

Please discuss this with your financial advisory and/or click here to learn more.

Enhance your charitable impact and tax benefits by donating long-term appreciated assets—such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or ETFs—directly to Versiti. This approach may allow you to give more and receive a larger tax deduction than by donating cash or selling the assets first and donating the after-tax proceeds. Click here to learn more or speak with your financial advisory.

If you're looking for a simple and tax-efficient way to support organ and tissue donation, consider giving through a donor-advised fund (DAF). As one of the fastest-growing tools for philanthropy in the U.S., DAF’s allow you to maximize the impact of your charitable giving while receiving valuable tax benefits. Click here to learn more or speak with your financial advisory.