Family Support Giving Fund

Family Support Giving Fund is sponsored by Morgan's Caring Connection. The Family Support Giving Fund removes the cost barrier for families caring for loved ones with special needs to access trusted planning help. It provides financial support for essential services like guardianship, special needs trusts, and estate planning.

Family Support Giving Fund | Morgan's Caring Connection Family Support Giving Fund Families caring for loved ones with special needs shouldn’t have to choose between planning for their child’s future and paying the bills. The Family Support Giving Fund removes the cost barrier so every family can access the trusted planning help they deserve. 29 grants approved for 2026 — we've reached 50 grants since 2024 .

Help us close the funding gap. Donate Now - Your Support Matters We started the Family Support Giving Fund because our donors and sponsors want transparency. They want to know where their money is going and the impact it has on families in our community.

Too often, donors give without ever seeing the difference their gift makes. This fund changes that. When you give, you’ll know your donation supports real families and is used for essential planning services — so you can see the impact, and families can plan with confidence.

Wisconsin children & young adults receive services through Children's Long-Term Support Program Wisconsin children identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder Wisconsin adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities rely on long-term support programs Yet there is no public funding available to help families pay for essential planning tools such as: Morgan's Caring Connection fills this gap through financial assistance, education, and trusted professional connections.

For families with special needs dependents, planning for the future isn’t optional — it’s a responsibility filled with urgency and love. But getting started is hard. Most families face three common barriers: they don’t know where to start, they don’t know who to trust, and even when they do, they often don’t have the bandwidth to figure it all out.

So planning gets put off — until a crisis forces them to react instead of plan ahead. The Family Support Giving Fund was created to remove those barriers. Through the fund, families receive financial support to cover essential services like guardianship, special needs trusts, and estate planning — delivered by the trusted professionals in our network.

At MCC, we help families connect to the right people so they can do their long-term planning. That connection is where families find peace of mind. This is not just a program.

It is a partnership of compassion between families, donors, and community members working together to create a brighter, safer future. We believe in transparency. Every step of the process is designed to ensure that donations directly support families and create lasting impact.

Anyone can donate to the fund. Families submit a simple application with a story and photo. Funds cover guardianship, estate & financial planning.

YOUR FUNDS provide families stability and peace of mind! 91 % toward our 2026 goal Our 2026 goal was to award 20 grants — and thanks to our donors and sponsors, we've far exceeded it. We've approved the final grant applications for 2026, bringing this year's total to 29 grants and our all-time total to 50 grants awarded since we started in 2024 .

Because we've approved more grants than originally planned, we need to raise an additional $14,000 beyond our original funding goal to fully cover every approved grant. Your support closes that gap and honors our commitment to every family counting on us. Behind every donation is a story of hope, strength, and a brighter future.

Every family's journey is unique, but they all share the same goal: ensuring peace of mind and security for their loved one's future. Through the Family Support Giving Fund, Morgan's Caring Connection is honored to walk alongside families as they take life-changing steps in planning for tomorrow. Meet the Shutter Family — Kim and Kane from Arena, Wisconsin, and their daughter, Sedona, a bright 30-year-old woman living with autism.

Sedona has lived independently in a Madison group home for over 15 years enjoying evening classes in music, art, and singing. Her parents' greatest wish is to ensure that Sedona will always have the care and guardianship she deserves when they are no longer able to make decisions for her.

They have applied for funding to complete essential estate planning — including wills and guardianship — so they can secure Sedona's long-term future and are taking important steps to ensure Sedona's future is secure and her independence is protected. Ethan's diagnosis at birth of having Down Syndrome came as a very big surprise to me. Although I had 4 other children, I felt as if I was starting from scratch.

Ethan is my youngest, now 11, and he makes everyday an adventure on our little farm. His older siblings are his favorite people to be with. Ethan's speech is very limited but I know inside he has so many ideas and great imagination.

I work part time as a server at Vintage Brewing Co and am so grateful for their acceptance. I would be grateful as well to be a recipient of a grant to help maintain Ethan's future. My family has lived in Madison, Wisconsin since 1999.

We moved here seeking a place where our son Jeremy, born with cerebral palsy, could receive comprehensive care. In 2005, Jeremy passed away at home. After Jeremy's passing, our daughter Kaili eventually received a diagnosis of schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder.

As her mother, I am profoundly grateful to receive support in planning for her future—ensuring that she has what she needs to live safely and with dignity, whether or not I am here to care for her. I am a single mom raising two young boys, both of whom have special needs. On May 6, 2021, my youngest son, Antone, was taken back for open-heart surgery after he was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot.

Along with his heart diagnosis, Antone has DiGeorge Syndrome. Antone is now four years old and is nonverbal. My older son, Kyson, is seven years old and is also autistic.

Every day, I am thinking ahead—about their care, their security, and what their lives will look like as they grow. My name is Cecilia, and I've spent my life caring for my 28-year-old son, David. He works at The MARC Center in Mt.

Horeb and is the brightest part of his day. As my Parkinson's progresses, simple tasks have become harder, and my medical bills keep rising. A grant from Morgan's Caring Connection would give me something I haven't felt in a long time: hope.

It would help me plan for the future, protect my son, and know that he will be cared for no matter what lies ahead. I am a single mom to two adult children, who both still live at home. My son is 21 and has autism and needs 24/7 supervision.

I am my son's primary caregiver. I am exhausted, overwhelmed and would appreciate some assistance in getting things completed and off my plate; so that I can have less worry and stress about my son's future. My name is Shannon Slesar, and I am writing to share the challenges my 13-year-old son, Noah, and I are currently facing.

Noah has Down syndrome and several complex health issues. As a single parent managing Noah's extensive medical and behavioral needs, I have struggled to maintain a consistent schedule. I am working with Janis Strutt, founder of Morgan's Caring Connection, to find long-term financial stability.

Estate planning would provide significant peace of mind, ensuring that Noah will be cared for in the future. My name is Maria Segura. I'm a single mom of three.

Benjamin and Emma both have disabilities. Benjamin has a host of disabilities: born with Down syndrome, deaf to his right ear, autistic, in remission with Leukemia, bilateral cataracts to eyes and unable to speak. I need help and I need a plan in place shall anything happen to me.

I need a WILL, an estate planning, power of attorney, corporate care, anything to ensure a plan is in place for my children shall I die in sickness or unexpectedly. My name is Gena. I am a 44 year old single mother and live-in caregiver to my 22 year old son Ender.

Ender was born premature with many health complications and later diagnosed autistic when he was a toddler. When he transitioned to adult services we were met with more difficult challenges. So, again, I quit my job to become a live-in caregiver to my son.

My son is worthy of a safe and secure future and I want to do everything I can to make sure he gets that! Haley is an amazing 30 year old woman living with some very profound disability issues related to being born with spina bifida. The accompanying challenges this disability adds to your physical and emotional health have presented our family with many unique needs throughout her life.

Most recently, Haley had a battle with melanoma cancer! My husband and I are reaching retirement age, but want to make sure that we have completed the necessary estate planning, to feel confident that Haley will be provided for, and have the level of care she requires, as we age and our income becomes fixed. I recently retired, in large part to meet Haley's needs, and this has obviously reduced our family income.

The estate planning grant would truly be a life saver for us to be able to ensure that we have completed all the legal requirements giving Haley the resources she needs to maintain a healthy, long life — even beyond our time with her! We met Raelynn when she was 3 days old in Houston, Texas. At a young age, she didn't develop the same rate as other kids.

Throughout her life, Raelynn's health has become more complex and more puzzling. She has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, autism, seizure disorder, sensory processing difficulty, developmental delays, behavioral difficulties, and more. Raelynn brings so much joy and light into our lives, but also many challenges.

Due to her complex medical care, one of us cannot work so we can juggle all her appointments. We are always thinking ahead trying to figure out what needs to be done next and the thought of something happening to us and not having a plan for our kids, especially Raelynn has added so much stress. We would be forever grateful for a grant to help us plan a future for our Rae.

My name is Melissa, and I am the proud mother of Bobby, my son who has autism. Bobby is a trusting and loving soul; once he gets to know someone, he truly feels they are part of his family. His warmth and openness make him a joy to be around, but also vulnerable to being taken advantage of, especially when it comes to managing his Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

As Bobby grows older, my greatest hope is to protect him from any financial exploitation and ensure his well-being is secured. I want to create a safe and supportive environment where Bobby's needs are met with respect and care. This is why I am seeking help with estate planning—to make sure Bobby's future is protected, his benefits are managed responsibly, and he continues to feel the love and security that family provides.

Hi there, I'm Melissa, mom of 2 great kids & wife to a hard working hubby. Our son is medically complex & is one of the coolest kids I know. He needs lots of extra support & love each day.

Because of that we're asking for a little support from you. Thanks. Isaiah is autistic.

I worked with him clinically and then providing respite care. After 1. 5 years of respite, he began living with us due to crisis with his biological parents.

We wanted to make sure he was safe and loved, so before 6th grade, Isaiah began living with us full-time. When Isaiah was close to 18, I began setting up his SSI, and we learned that he'd been receiving SSI into an account all the years he'd lived with us. His biological parents had control of the account, but the benefits he was entitled to were unaccounted for.

Neither SSA nor his biological parents know what happened to the money. We would have a great appreciation for any financial assistance we can get in preparing for our futures. His well-being has always been our #1 priority, and that becomes an even more substantial concern after we are gone.

Our daughter was born with Down syndrome and a complex congenital heart condition that required significant medical intervention in her earliest years. After multiple open-heart surgeries and an extended hospital stay, she received a life-saving heart transplant and is today a thriving, spirited three-year-old. Raising a medically complex child has reshaped our family in profound ways.

One parent stepped away from a professional career to provide the full-time care our daughter requires, reorienting our lives around what matters most. Our days now revolve around her needs, her milestones, and her future. Our daughter faces unique challenges, but she approaches every day with resilience and determination.

We are a family fully devoted to ensuring she has every opportunity to thrive and live as fully and independently as possible. Our son Jayce (10) is on the autism spectrum and struggles daily with hygiene and emotional regulation. Routine tasks like showering or nail care often trigger anxiety and overwhelm, creating daily conflict despite consistent use of structured supports.

Sensory sensitivities further impact his ability to self-regulate and follow through with daily routines. We have actively pursued support, including respite services, which were unsuccessful, leaving our family to manage full-time while also caring for extended family. Ongoing medical needs have created significant financial strain, limiting access to resources that support Jayce's growth and our family's long-term stability.

Jayce thrives through gaming. Funding for a structured program and laptop would provide a meaningful, skill-based pathway to strengthen daily living skills, confidence, and emotional regulation. With support from Morgan's Caring Connection, Jayce can build the daily living skills and emotional regulation needed to function more confidently and reduce long-term reliance on support.

Seventeen years ago, after waiting 4 years in an adoption program, we were asked to consider adopting our first son with Down syndrome. Special needs adoption had not been our intention. When he was waiting with no family to take him, we agreed—had he been born to us there would be no hesitation to love him!

Two years later, we pursued adopting our second son with Down syndrome. They have grown up as best buddies since. When COVID happened at the end of their elementary years, we started virtual/homeschooling.

We saw great results and have continued this method through high school. During this time, necessary changes were made to dad's employment. While homeschooling, mom has no longer been able to supplement income.

As the boys approach adulthood, guardianship and estate planning are necessary. A grant would bless our family in providing help for paying for these necessary next steps. Mulvihill-Williams Family Last year, our daughter Neve was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder after enduring two brain surgeries, an eye surgery, and countless medical tests.

At just two years old, she spends her days in physical, occupational, and speech therapy, surrounded by a team of specialists. Despite everything, she is joyful, determined, and full of light. Our lives shifted quickly and we've learned to live with uncertainty, focusing on giving Neve the best life possible.

Recently, we realized how important it is to plan for her future. Creating a trust would ensure she is always cared for, but the cost feels overwhelming alongside ongoing medical expenses. Support would help us take this critical step—providing peace of mind and protecting Neve's future.

Our family was surprised by Auggie in 2019. After years of fertility struggles, we were able to welcome Auggie's older brother Artemis. When Auggie came along without medical intervention, we were shocked.

He was born in October of 2019 with no known medical issues. Shortly after he joined us, the world stopped and we were tossed into the pandemic. At 15 months, Auggie stopped talking and regressed.

We sought every support system available to us but learned that Auggie is profoundly autistic. Another shock was two years later when Auggie became lead poisoned. We live in a older home and because he also has Pica, he ate some paint chips.

Our entire house needed to be lead abated. Auggie keeps us full of surprises and we're never really sure what to expect. But Auggie continues to be sweet, sassy and curious.

My name is Heather Cotter, and I am applying for a grant to help me be able to take care of my children's future. I want to do everything in my power to make sure my children are protected and financially secure. I am currently going through a divorce which has been very challenging and has impacted my children and me greatly.

For most of my married life I have been a stay-at-home parent. I have three beautiful and amazing children: Flynn (14), Keeli (12), and Sullivan (8). My children are not neurotypical.

Two out of the three are receiving long-term support services from CLTS and CCS for their disabilities. My oldest child, Flynn, has been diagnosed with a learning disability, anxiety, oppositional defiance disorder, and autism with a PDA profile. With all these diagnoses come multiple challenges that Flynn and our family must navigate, including school refusal and autistic burnout.

Right now, I am struggling financially and emotionally through this divorce process. I am trying to figure out how to get back on my feet and start a new life with my children. Our daughter Emilia was diagnosed with Autism just before the age of three when her vocabulary dropped from over 25 words to 0 in the span of 6 months.

Like all parents, this was a very difficult transition for us but through the years we have not let anything stop us from giving her the best life. We dove headfirst into the community to make sure we were doing everything possible to give her the skills and tools that every child should have. Now at 7 years old she is very active.

She loves to swing, swim, and terrify us by being a little too reckless sometimes. We are so blessed to have her in our lives and appreciate everyone who has supported us and will support us through our journey. We are looking for financial guidance to help protect our son's future.

He may potentially receive a medical settlement, and while we are grateful that these funds could provide him with additional security, we are also very concerned about making the right decisions. Our son currently receives important benefits and services that help support his everyday needs.

We have learned that receiving a settlement without the proper planning in place could potentially affect or cause him to lose some of those benefits. Our goal is not simply to manage a settlement; it is to make sure anything he receives is protected and used in a way that provides for him for years to come without jeopardizing the assistance he already depends on.

We are looking for someone knowledgeable in special needs financial planning, trusts, and benefit protection who can help us understand our options and put the right safeguards in place. I am the sole parent and full-time caregiver to four disabled children: Grace, Faith, CJ, and Rebekah ("Bee").

CJ and Bee are profoundly disabled, nonverbal, medically complex, and will need lifelong care, while Grace and Faith also live with significant disabilities. Our family is full of love and humor, but planning for the future is daunting, especially with no local family able to step into my role.

Morgan's Caring Connection's funding would make estate planning, trusts, and guardianship possible, giving me something I cannot create alone: a secure plan for my children when I am no longer here. Those 20 grants laid the foundation that made 2026 possible. In 2025 we set a goal of 5 grants — and, thanks to our donors and sponsors, we surpassed it by awarding 20 grants.

Together with 2024 and 2026, we've now awarded 50 grants since the fund began. Families across Wisconsin used their grants for estate planning, special needs trusts, guardianship, life insurance, ABLE accounts, and more. Below are just a few of the voices behind that year.

When I made the initial call I was in panic mode. Talking to Janis was calming — she gave me everything I needed. Truly one of the best experiences I've had in getting my daughter's needs met.

We are so grateful for Morgan's Caring Connection. They've given us the resources to be prepared for the unexpected. Morgan would be so proud of this legacy her family is continuing in her memory.

We are SO grateful to MCC for connecting us with a lawyer that specializes in Special Needs Trusts and for awarding us a grant to offset the cost. Janis and Kelly have been extremely helpful. From the moment I connected with Janis, I felt an overwhelming sense of comfort.

Because of MCC, I now have peace in knowing that my sons will have a home, guidance, and the support they need. At Morgan's Caring Connection, every gift makes a real difference. Families who receive support through the Family Support Giving Fund often share how this help has lifted a weight off their shoulders and provided peace of mind for the future of their loved ones.

These testimonials represent just a glimpse of the impact your generosity makes possible. With your support, more families can receive the security, relief, and hope they deserve. I can't say enough good things about this incredible organization!

Janis helped me create a special needs trust, life insurance, an estate plan, and a Will something I never thought possible as a single mom. Morgan's Caring Connection quickly connected us to excellent resources for cleaning and organizing, financial management, estate planning, and housing solutions for our adult daughter.

We are SO grateful to Morgan's Caring Connection for connecting us with a lawyer specializing in Special Needs Trusts and awarding us a grant to offset the cost. When our young adult son began working, we were lost on how to protect his benefits. Janis guided us to a financial advisor who answered all our questions and set us on a path for long-term stability.

Working with MCC brought my husband and I peace of mind. We are underly appreciative of your support making these profound decisions when we very busy caretaking our son with severe autism! We knew we had to accomplish this & you made it possible!

We can't thank you enough for your support! A huge burden accomplished! Janis is exceptionally proactive, with grace.

That kind of service is usually high priced! Janis & MCC does this important work for all the right reasons, from the heart, and it shows. Janis/MCC made the journey of providing a secure future for our daughter, Sedona, seamless.

Cherry on the sundae was the peace of mind we have now that Guardianship is successfully completed! Hard to find a more proactive, caring, hardworking and fun advocate than Janis, who just keeps making the world a better place. So much gratitude to you, Janis!

Kim Starr-Shutter and Kane Shutter Your contribution provides families with the security and peace of mind they cannot achieve alone. With your help, we can remove financial barriers and ensure every family is prepared for the future. Families in Wisconsin are raising special needs dependents.

Average cost of estate planning services — an expense many families simply cannot manage. Families supported through financial support grant funding, professional connections, and educational webinars. We are grateful for the generosity of our donors.

Each contribution makes a lasting difference and helps families find hope, security, and support for the future. Under Pressure Power Washing Ridgeway Fire/EMS Department Endres Mfg. Company Foundation Miller & Sons Supermarket Dane County Bar Association One-time donations are powerful.

But recurring donations are transformative. By choosing to give monthly, you help sustain the fund throughout the year, ensuring that families have continuous access to support whenever they need it most. Predictable resources that allow us to plan ahead and commit to more families.

Smaller amounts add up to big change over time. You become part of a community of committed supporters who stand with families month after month. Whether it's $25, $50, or $100 a month, your ongoing support ensures that the Family Support Giving Fund remains a reliable source of hope and stability.

We understand how overwhelming it can feel to prepare for your loved one's future. The Family Support Giving Fund is designed to be accessible, simple, and supportive. Applications Are Still Open We are continuing to accept grant applications.

Applications received by November 15, 2026 will be reviewed in December 2026 . While we are still accepting applications, additional funding will most likely not be available until January 2027 . Families interested in applying follow a straightforward process: Submit Your Application: Complete the application form on our website and include all required information and documentation to support your request.

Share Your Story: Submit a recent family or dependent photo along with a short story (no more than 150 words) about your situation. This helps us connect donors to the real lives their support is impacting. Stories are shared with donors to inspire and encourage continued giving.

* Why We Ask for a Photo & Story: Sharing a photo and short story helps us show donors the real families whose lives are being changed through their generosity. These stories create a personal connection, inspire others to give, and allow us to continue supporting more families like yours. We are sensitive to your privacy — only the photo and story you provide will be shared.

Financial Eligibility PDF Complete Grant Application