Key Takeaways:
- Jerome "Jerry" Frautschi’s philanthropic efforts had a lasting impact on the city of Madison, with donations totaling over $205 million to various organizations and projects.
- Frautschi’s gifts supported a range of causes, including the arts, education, and community development, with a focus on benefiting children and families.
- His donations helped establish the Overture Center for the Arts, the Madison Children’s Museum, and the Lakeshore Nature Preserve Frautschi Center, among other projects.
- Frautschi’s humility and commitment to giving back to the community have been widely praised by those who knew him and worked with him.
Introduction to Jerry Frautschi’s Philanthropy
The late Jerome "Jerry" Frautschi’s decades-long support of Madison has left a lasting impact on the city. Frautschi’s philanthropic efforts, which totaled over $205 million, have been recognized as a significant factor in shaping the city’s cultural and educational landscape. His donations have supported a range of causes, including the arts, education, and community development, with a focus on benefiting children and families. According to Brenda Baker, co-CEO of the Madison Children’s Museum, Frautschi’s $5 million donation in 2000 allowed the museum to purchase a permanent home, and his support has been instrumental in the museum’s success.
The Impact of Frautschi’s Donations
Frautschi’s gifts have had a profound impact on the city of Madison. The Overture Center for the Arts, which was established with a record-breaking $205 million donation from Frautschi, is now home to nine resident organizations, including the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Madison Opera, and Madison Ballet. Tim Sauers, chief artistic experiences officer at Overture, noted that Frautschi "helped create a cornerstone of life in Madison" and that his legacy will continue to bring people together through the arts for generations to come. Additionally, Frautschi’s donations have supported the Madison Children’s Museum, the Lakeshore Nature Preserve Frautschi Center, and the Wisconsin History Center, among other projects.
Frautschi’s Humility and Commitment to Giving Back
Those who knew Frautschi have praised his humility and commitment to giving back to the community. Michael Johnson, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, recalled a meeting with Frautschi and his wife, Pleasant Rowland, in which they donated $1 million to the club’s workforce center. Johnson noted that Frautschi’s humility and willingness to listen were impressive, and that he was "all in" on supporting the club’s mission. Baker also spoke of Frautschi’s humility, saying that he was a "humble, genuine, down-to-earth human being" who cared deeply about giving back to the community.
Frautschi’s Background and Philanthropic History
Frautschi’s philanthropic efforts were shaped by his family’s long history of giving back to the community. He joined his father’s printing company, Webcrafters, after graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1956, and later served on the boards of various organizations, including the Madison Community Foundation and the Monona Terrace Commission. Frautschi’s donations have supported a range of causes, including the arts, education, and community development, with a focus on benefiting children and families. In 2009, he was named a Wisconsin History Maker by the Wisconsin Historical Society, recognizing his significant contributions to the state’s history and culture.
Frautschi’s Legacy
Frautschi’s passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes and praise from those who knew him and worked with him. Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin of the University of Wisconsin-Madison praised Frautschi as "an extraordinary benefactor" to both the university and the entire community. Baker noted that Frautschi’s legacy will be deeply felt in the community, and that his passing has left a "huge hole" in the city. However, his donations and commitment to giving back to the community will continue to inspire and support future generations. As Sauers noted, Frautschi’s legacy is one that will continue to bring people together through the arts for generations to come.
