U.S. Venture Open Surpasses Goal Raising Powerful $5,395,972 to End Poverty in Northeast Wisconsin

41st annual event reaches full capacity in support of ending poverty

(Appleton, WI) – August 12, 2026 – The 41st annual U.S. Venture Open raised $5,395,972 to end poverty in Northeast Wisconsin in addition to more than $1.1 million dedicated to tornado response and rebuilding efforts in communities impacted by this year’s devastating storms. This year brought 1,008 golfers and 1,300+ dinner attendees gathering for the nation’s largest one-day charitable event dedicated to ending poverty, joined by guest of honor, Tim Tebow.

Since its inception in 1986, the U.S. Venture Open brings together hundreds of partners, golfers, and volunteers on the second Wednesday in August. For more than four decades, the event has raised more than $80 million and granted $63 million through the Basic Needs Giving Partnership, supporting innovative solutions to address the root causes of poverty.

“Forty-one years in, the U.S. Venture Open continues to show what is possible when our partners, volunteers, and community come together around a shared purpose,” said Greg Vandenberg, Director of Giving and Community Engagement at U.S. Venture. “This year’s event reached full capacity for the first time in 12 years. It is a powerful reminder of the generosity and commitment that fuel this work and helps create lasting change for individuals and families across Northeast Wisconsin.”

The event kicked off with the Welcome Reception Tuesday evening. Attendees were able to tour the U.S. Venture new corporate headquarters at the historic 222 Building in downtown Appleton. Following the tours, attendees made their way to Jones Park to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and live entertainment the night before the outing.

This year’s dinner program, held at Van Abel’s of Hollandtown, featured renowned speaker, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist, Tim Tebow, known for his athletic career in football and baseball, motivational speaking, and awarding winning books. Tebow, founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation, shared his personal story of faith, purpose, and the legacy and impact he wants to leave behind. His reflections on the power of communities working together echoed the mission of the U.S. Venture Open. The conversation was moderated by Emmy award winning ESPN broadcaster, Laura Rutledge, a former Miss Florida and current host of NFL Live.

In 2007, the J. J. Keller Foundation partnered with U.S. Venture to form the Basic Needs Giving Partnership. In 2025, the Basic Needs Giving Partnership awarded $4.8 million in new grant commitments and $4.2 million in grants distributed to nonprofits throughout Northeast Wisconsin. The grantmaking match of $600,000 this year from the J. J. Keller Foundation leads this effort along with lead partner matches of $200,000 from Oshkosh Corporation, ThedaCare and Thrivent.

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About U.S. Venture Open
The U.S. Venture Open is the nation’s single largest one-day charitable event dedicated to ending poverty. Funds from the event support the Basic Needs Giving Partnership with grants made to non-profit organizations across Northeast Wisconsin. The event started in 1986 with 100 golfers and has grown to 1,300 attendees representing nearly 500 partners who golf at regional courses to raise money for programs that help end poverty. To donate or learn more, visit the U.S. Venture Open website. Follow the event on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

About the Basic Needs Giving Partnership
The Basic Needs Giving Partnership envisions thriving, equitable communities across Northeast Wisconsin. Investments are made for local and regional solutions that address the root causes of poverty in alignment with shared values of trust and collaboration, curiosity and learning, and equity with a systems-based approach. Through grantmaking, organizations are funded across a 10-county footprint in ways that not only meet current needs in our communities, but also actively work to disrupt the policies, practices, and systems that hold poverty in place.

About U.S. Venture, Inc.
For over 75 years, U.S. Venture, Inc. has been recognized as an innovative leader in the distribution of renewable and traditional energy products, lubricants, tires, parts, and using data-driven insights to manage energy and information in the global movement of goods. U.S. Venture delivers creative, sustainable solutions that give their customers a competitive edge, and enable the company to support the communities in which they live, work, and play. Through the values lived by their family of brands, U.S. Energy®, U.S. AutoForce, Breakthrough®, U.S. Lubricants, and IGEN®, U.S. Venture seeks new ways to drive business success while being steadfast in its commitment to making the world a better place.

About the Tim Tebow Foundation
Tim Tebow is a speaker, entrepreneur, college football analyst for ESPN and SEC Network, the author of seven New York Times bestsellers, and the founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation. The Tim Tebow Foundation is dedicated to bringing Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. Since 2010, the foundation has served some of the world’s Most Vulnerable People – the real MVPs – across more than 100 countries through ministry focuses in Anti-Human Trafficking & Child Exploitation, Orphan Care + Prevention, Profound Medical Needs, and Special Needs.