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Funding Organ and Tissue Donation

Your Support Makes a Difference

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.

Every dollar donated to Versiti directly supports efforts to increase organ, eye, and tissue donation. All contributions are 100% tax-deductible, because Versiti is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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More Ways to Give

Mail In Your Contribution

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.

Matching Gifts

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.

Charitable IRA rollover / Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)

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.

Contribute Appreciated Assets

Stocks

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.

Donor-Advised-Fund (DAF)

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.

Planned Giving

Two people holding hands.

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.

Ways to Contribute Your Time and Talents
Attendees at this year's "Ligh the Hoen" event.

Volunteer with Us!

Join the Versiti Organ and Tissue Volunteer Team!

Versiti Organ and Tissue volunteers:

  • Help raise awareness of the need for registered organ, tissue and eye donors
  • Educate the public on the positive impact that donation has in Wisconsin communities
  • Help people register their decision to donate

To apply visit Versitivolunteerview.org and specify “Wisconsin – Versiti Organ and Tissue” under location drop down.

Karen Matulis, Donor Mom

“Life for me became much better when I decided to join the Donate Life family by becoming an active volunteer. If only one person is impacted by what I do, that’s enough!”

– Karen Matulis, Donor Mom

Two volunteers holding a beautiful knitted blanket.

Threads of Compassion

Got a knack for knitting, crocheting or have a desire to learn? Join the Threads of Compassion group that creates shawls for our organ and tissue donor families. It was established in 2005 by a donor mother who sought a way to support other donor families and bring them comfort during a time of grief. Meetings occur on the second Tuesday of every month except December and January at Mount Carmel Lutheran Church. If you’re unable to attend a meeting, please contact volunteer4vot@versiti.org for alternative at-home options.

Daniel Perelman and his family.

Daniel Perelman and his family. Click here to read his story.

Share Your Story

If you're a donor family, telling others about your loved one is a meaningful way to honor their memory and continue their legacy. For recipients, reflecting on your experience can inspire others to register as donors and show the life-saving power of donation. We invite you to share your story with us and have your voice be part of this powerful message of hope and healing. If you’re interested, please click here and complete the form.

How Your Generosity Makes An Impact

Your support plays a crucial role in advancing our mission and bringing hope to individuals waiting for the gift of life. When you make a donation, you’ll have the opportunity to direct your gift to one of five specific programs, each focused on a different area of impact. Below, you’ll find a brief overview of how each program uses contributions to make a difference.

Versiti Organ and Tissue Donation General Outreach Program

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.

An outreach table at the annual Cream City 5K.

Threads of Compassion volunteers sitting at a table.

Threads of Compassion volunteers attending a monthly meeting.

Threads of Compassion Program

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..

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.

Attendees of the 2025 Donor Family Celebration at the Milwaukee County Zoo

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

Resiliency Program

The staff members at Versiti Organ and Tissue encounter challenging situations daily, which can lead to emotional and psychological fatigue and burnout. To support our staff, the Versiti Organ and Tissue Resiliency Program provides tools and resources to help them maintain resilience and balance in their daily lives.

This program includes organized group activities and interactive, thought-provoking sessions led by licensed counselors. The goal of the Resiliency Program is to create an environment where team members can reflect on their reactions to stressful situations and gain resources to manage both difficult work scenarios and personal life experiences.

Philanthropic contributions are essential in ensuring our staff have the necessary tools to cope with the daily stressors they face in their roles.

Donor Memorial Program

Donor Memorial Program drawing.
Donor memorial rendering.

Versiti Organ and Tissue is excited to create The Legacy of Hope Memorial at ThriveOn King—a space that pays tribute to those who have given the gift of life and to their families. Additionally, this memorial will honor all future donor heroes, providing a place of comfort and solace for the families and friends of donors—past, present, and future.

Butterflies are at the heart of this vision. Their metamorphosis reminds us of the life-changing promise of donation and the journey of donor and recipient. Their delicate nature and fleeting lifespan also reflect the preciousness of life, and the second chance donors generously give recipients.

We cannot bring this vision to life alone. Your financial support helps make this memorial a reality and ensures that we can continue honoring the selfless contributions of our donor heroes and their families for generations to come.

For more information please click here.

Annette Washington (Versiti Advisory Board Chair, Donor Mother, living Kidney Donor)

“As Chair of the Advisory Board and a proud donor mother, I am deeply committed to ensuring that every donor’s legacy is honored with the dignity it deserves. This memorial represents our community’s profound gratitude and stands as a lasting tribute to those who gave the ultimate gift—the gift of life. Through both my leadership and my lived experience, I am dedicated to building a space where families can find comfort and donors are forever remembered.”

– Annette Washington, Versiti Advisory Board Chair, Donor Mother, Living Kidney Donor

Tax Information:

Versiti’s tax identification number is 39-0807235.