Ways to Support Downtown Madison
Please note that we began collecting this information in March 2020, we continue to update it in 2021.
Individual Business GoFundMe Efforts
Cask and Ale, are a small family business founded only four years ago. Because they don’t serve food, they have also been restricted much more than many businesses and have effectively been closed for months. As they face what promises to be a long and challenging winter, and without any signs of future government assistance, they humbly ask for help offsetting operating expenses and providing for staff.
Official GoFundMe Page: DONATE HERE
Fontana Sports, a fixture in Madison for 71 years has been destroyed by looting and vandalism. All on the tail of having to be closed for 60+ days due to COVID-19 state restrictions. They have recently re-opened thier doors and we hope with the support of the community they will stay open.
Official GoFundMe Page: DONATE HERE
Genna's Cocktail Lounge, they're your home away from home, the living room to you and all your friends. Genna's Lounge is nothing short of an institution in Madison, Wisconsin, a beloved gathering place on the Capitol square for over twenty five years and a third-generation family-owned business for over fifty years. And they need your help to get through winter.
Official GoFundMe Page: DONATE HERE
The Ivory Room Piano Bar, is a downtown fixture with their dueling pianos! They're a favorite of everybody and they could use your help to get through the winter months. The Ivory Room was their dream and they don’t want to close the doors, they love it and hope you do as well!! They thank you, they really do think their patrons are the best!! You can also send checks to Ivory Room Piano Bar if don’t want to pay the fees. 116 W. Mifflin St Madison, WI 53703.
Official GoFundMe Page: DONATE HERE
Nick's Restaurant, is a family owned and run restaurant that first opened up in 1959. Help them keep going and keep their family business open to serve you another day. Over the past 60 years Nicks Restaurant has had the pleasure of serving a diverse clientele ranging from students, politicians , actors , musicians , athletes and just about any type of customer that you can think of. Any donation will be greatly appreciated, and it will benefit the payroll for the most loyal staff I have ever had ( some days the waitstaff may only get one table ), as well as help with bills and taxes that come due at the end of the year.
Official GoFundMe Page: DONATE HERE
Osteria Papavero, is so grateful for your support so far in ordering gift certificates, curbside and delivery, but unfortunately those sales are not enough to keep them afloat through the winter. A donation from you can help keep their team employed while they serve you curbside. Even a small amount will add up to keep everyone on staff.
Official GoFundMe Page: DONATE HERE
Paul's Club, has been a huge part of the fabric of downtown Madison for decades. They miss their customers and with winter coming, they need the help of their past, present, and future customers to keep Paul's Club going. Help a small business keep the lights on this winter.
Official GoFundMe Page: DONATE HERE
The Plaza Tavern, a downtown Madison staple since 1930- hosting countless Badger tailgates, wedding parties, student get togethers, fundraisers, and family gatherings. Mary and Harold Huss created the Plaza Sauce recipe in 1963 that is still being enjoyed today. This family business could use your help to keep going.
Official GoFundMe Page: DONATE HERE
Princess of India Imports, has been your spot for beautiful clothes and jewelry since 1997. They could use your help to keep going.
Official GoFundMe Page: DONATE HERE
The Shamrock Bar and Grille, they have a rich history of philanthropy, as well as being a safe gathering place for the LGBT+ community. Please help this community cornerstone keep their doors open. They've been an important place in Madison where friendships are made and strengthened - and then there's their Friday Fish Fry. They've been there for you, but now they need you to be there for them.
Offical GoFundMe Page: DONATE HERE
Sotto Night Club, one of Madison's hottest dance clubs that's LBGTQ+ friendly, they miss seeing you at Sotto and hope to open up again as soon as possible. The city says patrons must be seated - that doesn’t work at a dance club, so they haven’t been open since March. Meanwhile, rent and utilities are being paid every month with no income coming in, and now tax payments loom. They are struggling. They want to hold on. News of the vaccine allows them to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but that light shining from Sotto’s open doors might be several months from now. They need your help to keep the space until the day they can open, welcome one of the most diverse crowds in Madison, and groove to our DJs again. Sotto is a community, and they're counting on their community to help get them through.
Official GoFundMe Page: DONATE HERE
Tutto Pasta, would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for the support you have given Tutto during its 22 years on State Street. They hope you have enjoyed it as much as they have! Without you, Tutto would not be here. Unfortunately, without you, Tutto may not be here for year 23. They have done their best to keep their doors open this year, but could really use your help making it through the winter.
Official GoFundMe Page: DONATE HERE
Villari's Martial Arts Cooperative, has proudly hosted a safe, supportive, and inclusive space for the Madison community to benefit from martial arts, fitness, and self-defense. At their dojo, all people—of all ages, identities, and abilities—can find strength, safety, and connection through martial arts. Due to the global pandemic, their revenue is down 80% and they are in real danger of closing their cooperatively owned business. They are fundraising to math grants to keep their dojo open and serving the community.
Official GoFundMe Page: DONATE HERE
KIVA Loans
The BID in an endorsed trustee for the City of Madison KIVA Loan program. Learn more about the City of Madison's participation in KIVA. These downtown businesses are in the first round of loan fundrasing on KIVA and could use your help to boost them to the national level of fundraising. Currently, loans to these businesses are being matched dollar for dollar by the City of Madison.
There are no known BID businesses fundraising with KIVA at the moment.
Other Individual Business Fundraising Efforts
There are no known BID businesses fundraising individually at the moment.
The Downtown Madison Fund
The purpose of this fund is to promote the vitality of downtown and leverage opportunities within and immediately adjacent to Madison’s Central Business Improvement District (BID). The BID represents more than 390+ businesses and 250+ property owners. It works to provide above and beyond the basic city taxpayer responsibility to generate an inviting, safe and inclusive entertainment and business destination that draws people from all parts of the city, county, and the world!
You can make a donation here: DONATE HERE
The Fund may be used for the following: building repairs/renovations/updates, facade repairs, small business support/loans, job preservation, job creation and training, quality of life programs, beautification, preservation, public safety and health initiatives, welcoming and enhancement features, events, holiday lighting and branding, art creation and installations, community outreach and engagement, research, economic impact and other information studies, partnership opportunities that strengthen downtown.
Distributions from the Fund will be advised by the Executive Committee of the BID. Distributions may be directed to tax-exempt public charities to provide support to those businesses, property owners and nonprofit organizations that are working together to strengthen our central city.
The Downtown Madison Fund is a component fund of the Madison Community Foundation , a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) community trust.
A financial statement of the Madison Community Foundation disclosing assets, liabilities, fund balances, revenue and expenses for the preceding fiscal year is available at www.madisongives.org/fs and will be provided to any person upon request.
Community Tip Jar
Madison Virtual Tip Jar
: Look for your favorite Madison area service industry professionals and help fill their virtual tip jars.
Register Your Business Updates
Have a business in the Central Business Improvement District? Want to share your special updates?
Click here to submit your information.