2026 March Madness® Charity Challenge | True North Consultants Supports Community Nonprofits
March Madness® Meets Community Impact: The 2026 True North Consultants Charity Challenge
Each spring, basketball fans eagerly await the excitement of the NCAA® Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship tournaments. However, for True North Consultants, March Madness® represents more than thrilling buzzer-beaters and bracket predictions. Instead, it provides an opportunity to bring clients, vendors, and partners together to support nonprofit organizations making a meaningful difference.
Now entering its 16th year, the True North Consultants March Madness® Charity Challenge continues to transform friendly tournament competition into impactful community support.
Turning Tournament Brackets Into Community Impact
The March Madness Charity Challenge combines the excitement of NCAA tournament brackets with a powerful philanthropic mission. First, participants sign up and select a nonprofit organization they would like to support. Next, they submit their Men’s and/or Women’s NCAA tournament brackets.
As the tournament unfolds, brackets accumulate points based on correct predictions. Ultimately, the participant with the highest score determines which charity receives a donation from True North Consultants.
Consequently, each submitted bracket helps raise awareness of nonprofit organizations and the valuable services they provide to communities.
Two Brackets Mean Twice the Opportunity
In recent years, the Charity Challenge has expanded to include both the Men’s and Women’s NCAA tournaments. As a result, nonprofits now have two opportunities to receive charitable donations.
Participants may submit one or both brackets. Meanwhile, tournament standings continue to evolve throughout March and early April as games progress and unexpected upsets reshape predictions.
Therefore, the competition remains exciting from the opening rounds through the National Championship games.
Celebrating the 2025 Charity Challenge Winners
Last year’s tournament delivered an exciting finish for two incredible nonprofit organizations.
- Madison Reading Project – 2025 Women’s Bracket Champion
- Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin – 2025 Men’s Bracket Champion
Each organization received a $2,500 donation from True North Consultants, demonstrating how a simple bracket competition can generate meaningful support.
The Madison Reading Project continues to inspire young readers by distributing free books and offering literacy programs to families, schools, and community organizations across Dane County.
Meanwhile, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin plays a vital role in addressing hunger by providing nutritious food to communities throughout the region.
Now the question for the 2026 March Madness Charity Challenge is simple:
Will the defending champions repeat, or will another nonprofit make a championship run?
A Growing Tradition of Giving Back
Over the past decade and a half, the Charity Challenge has grown into a highly anticipated tradition among True North Consultants’ network of partners and clients. Not only does the event create friendly competition, but it also highlights nonprofit organizations that serve communities in meaningful ways.
Participating charities have included:
- Anti-Cruelty
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County
- Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington (Ox Hill)
- Capitol Area Food Bank
- Greater Chicago Food Depository
- Madison Reading Project
- Make-A-Wish® Illinois
- Make-A-Wish® Wisconsin
- Make-A-Wish® Virginia
- Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin
- S.O.M.E. – So Others Might Eat
- Special Olympics Illinois
- Special Olympics Wisconsin
- Special Olympics Virginia
- Susan G. Komen®
For example, in 2024, the nonprofit Anti-Cruelty was selected as the Charity Challenge recipient when a participant submitted the highest-scoring bracket.
Because of initiatives like this, the Charity Challenge continues to raise both awareness and financial support for organizations that strengthen communities.
How to Join the 2026 March Madness Charity Challenge
Fortunately, participating in the challenge is simple.
- Visit the official Charity Challenge website
- Select a nonprofit organization(s) to support
- Submit your Men’s and/or Women’s NCAA tournament bracket
Once brackets are submitted, participants can follow the standings as the tournament progresses. As a result, the excitement builds with every round—from the Sweet Sixteen to the Final Four and ultimately the National Championship.
Join the Madness for a Meaningful Cause
Although March Madness is known for its unpredictable games and dramatic finishes, the True North Consultants Charity Challenge proves that the tournament can also have a lasting impact on the community.
Every bracket submitted helps raise awareness for nonprofit organizations that are improving lives every day. Furthermore, it allows clients, partners, and vendors to engage in a fun competition while supporting important causes.
As the 2026 NCAA tournaments approach, the stage is set for another exciting chapter.
Who will win the 2026 Charity Challenge—and which nonprofit will benefit?
To learn more or register your bracket, visit: https://tncmarchmadness.com
Celebrating the Women of True North Consultants During Women in Construction Week
Each year, Women in Construction Week (March 1–7) recognizes the vital contributions women make across the construction and environmental consulting industries. This week also highlights the growing leadership and impact of women shaping sustainable development throughout our region. At True North Consultants, Inc., we are proud to celebrate the talented women whose expertise, dedication, and leadership strengthen our projects and communities every day.
From environmental consulting and project management to accounting, GIS services, and administrative leadership, the women of True North play essential roles in the work we do. Not only do they support complex development initiatives, but they also help guide our internal operations with precision and care.
We are proud to recognize:
- Amy Beczkiewicz, Project Consultant
- Madelyn Rodgers, Staff Consultant
- Michelle Schmidt, Corporate Services Manager
- Emily Zappia, Staff Consultant
- Kenya Vasser, Staff Accountant
- Jessica Mojica, Associate Accountant
- Caili Savitzky, Project Consultant
- Sabrina Valenzuela, Administrative Assistant
- Marjory Bredrup, Principal Consultant
- Amanda Vander Kelen, CAD/GIS Specialist
- Sarah Dahlman, Staff Consultant
Collectively, their contributions extend far beyond individual titles. Throughout every stage of a project—from planning and environmental review to reporting and implementation—they help ensure our work is thoughtful, compliant, and community-focused. In addition, their collaboration strengthens the relationships we build with clients, municipalities, and industry partners.
At True North Consultants, we believe strong teams build strong communities. Because of their technical knowledge, strategic thinking, and collaborative mindset, the women on our team help deliver sustainable, responsible solutions across the Midwest. As a result, our clients benefit from both expertise and integrity at every step.
Women in Construction Week offers an opportunity to reflect on the progress being made within the industry. However, it is also a reminder that inclusion, mentorship, and professional growth require ongoing commitment. Beyond this week of recognition, we remain dedicated to fostering opportunity and leadership within our organization.
Ultimately, we are grateful for the impact these women make—not just during Women in Construction Week, but year-round. Their work helps shape not only our company’s future but also the communities we serve.
To the women of True North Consultants—thank you for your leadership, your professionalism, and your lasting contributions.
Helping Shape Madison’s Future—One Project at a Time
Helping shape Madison’s future—one project at a time.
Madison continues to grow in thoughtful, impactful ways, and we’re proud to be part of that momentum. As highlighted in The Cap Times’ list of five major Madison development proposals to watch in 2026, True North Consultants, Inc., is involved in three of the top five projects shaping the city’s next chapter.
Our team is honored to provide environmental expertise on the following developments:
🔹 Redevelopment of Hooper Corporation’s former headquarters
Breathing new life into a landmark site through responsible redevelopment and forward-thinking planning.
🔹 Senior affordable housing on Madison’s west side
Supporting housing solutions that prioritize accessibility, affordability, and long-term community well-being.
🔹 Mid-rise development near the Mendota Yacht Club
Contributing to a thoughtfully designed project that balances growth, location, and environmental stewardship.
These projects reflect what drives us every day: collaboration, sustainable development, and the creation of places that serve communities for generations to come.
We’re grateful to work alongside developers, municipalities, and partners who share a commitment to doing this work the right way—and to helping Madison continue to thrive.
Read more at The Cap Times article, located here.
Madison Reading Project and Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin are the 2025 True North Consultants Charity Challenge Recipients
Congratulations to the Madison Reading Project, which won the Women’s Bracket, and Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, which took home the win for the Men’s Bracket in the 2025 True North Consultants Charity Challenge!
The Charity Challenge was created to support and raise awareness in all the communities in which True North Consultants operates. Creating a community entails becoming involved in it in various ways. Commitment to volunteering, time, and financial support is deeply ingrained in their culture. In general, they utilize the enthusiasm surrounding the annual NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship Tournaments to share this fantastic event with our clients and partners, showcasing the excellent work each of their selected charities does.
However, this year’s new addition was the inclusion of the Women’s Bracket. By hosting both the Men’s and Women’s competitions this year, True North Consultants elevated the event to another level. As a result, participants and the participating charities were given two chances to win. True North awarded $2,500 to each of the winning charities at the competition’s conclusion, totaling $5,000 in donations to the charities selected by the Men’s and Women’s bracket winners with the highest post-competition point totals.
Additionally, True North Consultants would like to congratulate Dan Milewsky, with Pace® Analytical, on winning the Men’s Bracket and Carole Schaeffer, with JLA Architects, on winning the Women’s Bracket in this year’s March Madness® Charity Challenge. Carole selected the Madison Reading Project to receive the 2025 True North Consultants Charity Challenge donation, having achieved the highest total score. Dan, on the other hand, selected the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. Thanks to Carole and Dan’s outstanding bracket-picking skills, each winner of the 2025 True North Consultants Charity Challenge received a $2,500 prize.
Unquestionably, being able to contribute to the Madison Reading Project (MRP) is an honor for True North. Since its founding, MRP has grown to help thousands of families, schools, and community organizations by offering free book distribution and engaging, enjoyable reading programs to teachers and kids. MRP offers free books and reading materials to the larger Dane County community.
Subsequently, it is a privilege for True North to once more help the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. Since 1986, Second Harvest has distributed approximately 241 million meals to the communities it serves. They think that everyone should have equal access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food. They provide the community’s hungry with nutritious food to help them thrive through their vital services, including food distribution, acquisition, and storage, as well as FoodShare Outreach.
True North Consultants would like to thank all our partners, clients, and vendors who participated in the 15th Annual True North Charity Challenge, which was a huge success once again. We also want to congratulate all of the nonprofit organizations that joined with True North this year, as the True North Consultants Charity Challenge continues to be a special and one-of-a-kind event.
The following charitable organizations partnered with True North Consultants for the Charity Challenge:
- Anti-Cruelty
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County
- Greater Chicago Food Depository
- Second Harvest FoodBank of Southern Wisconsin
- Madison Reading Project
- Make-A-Wish® Illinois
- Make-A-Wish® Wisconsin
- Special Olympics Illinois
- Special Olympics Wisconsin
- Susan G. Komen®
Please take a moment to learn more about each organization and its mission. Information on each organization will remain accessible through our website for several weeks.
About True North Consultants
Established in 2008, True North Consultants represents a unique assembly of science and engineering professionals dedicated to providing sustainable site development and resource management solutions. It is seen as an environmental consulting group well-versed in mitigating the environmental risks you may face.
Anti-Cruelty is the 2024 True North Consultants Charity Challenge Recipient
Congratulations on being the 2024 True North Consultants Charity Challenge recipient, Anti-Cruelty!
True North Consultants would also like to congratulate Stephanie Davis on winning this year’s March Madness® Charity Challenge. After scoring the highest points overall, she chose Anti-Cruelty to benefit from the 2024 True North Consultants Charity Challenge. Stephanie’s incredible bracket-picking abilities resulted in a $5,000 award for the 2024 True North Consultants Charity Challenge winner.
It is an honor for True North to support Anti-Cruelty, which has set the standard for animal welfare and humane education since its founding in 1899. Anti-Cruelty is not only a place to stay. This comprehensive animal welfare organization seeks to build a community of kind people through public education and animal assistance.
Anti-Cruelty assists approximately 40,000 pets and their owners annually with training, workshops, programs, a behavior hotline, and sheltering. As an open-door shelter, it accepts animals for any reason and is dedicated to providing compassionate, thoughtful care to those in need.
Anti-Cruelty, previously known as “The Anti-Cruelty Society, celebrated 125 years of giving the community’s best care in 2024. Despite all of the changes since Anti-Cruelty was founded in 1899, their goal has remained constant: creating a joyful and healthy community where people and dogs coexist and prosper. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish in the next chapter of their 125-year journey.
The 14th Annual True North Charity Challenge was once again a success, and True North Consultants would like to thank all our partners, clients, and vendors who participated. The True North Consultants Charity Challenge continues to be a unique and one-of-a-kind event, and we would also like to thank all the nonprofits that teamed up with True North again this year.
The following charitable organizations partnered with True North Consultants for the Charity Challenge:
- Anti-Cruelty
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County
- Greater Chicago Food Depository
- Second Harvest FoodBank of Southern Wisconsin
- Madison Reading Project
- Make-A-Wish® Illinois
- Make-A-Wish® Wisconsin
- Special Olympics Illinois
- Special Olympics Wisconsin
- Susan G. Komen®
Please take some time to learn more about each organization and its missions. Information on each organization will remain accessible through our website for several weeks.
About True North Consultants
Established in 2008, True North Consultants represents a unique assembly of science and engineering professionals dedicated to providing sustainable site development and resource management solutions. It is seen as an environmental consulting group well-versed in mitigating the environmental risks you may face.
Make-A-Wish® Illinois is the 2023 True North Consultants Charity Challenge Recipient
True North Consultants’ $5,000 Charity Challenge donation to be awarded to Make-A-Wish® Illinois to support their dedication to granting life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses. These wishes provide kids hope, strength, and joy when they need it most.
True North Consultants would like to thank our clients, vendors, and partners who participated in the 13th Annual True North Charity Challenge. We would also like to thank all the charitable organizations who partnered with True North again this year to continue making this an extraordinary and unique event.
Congratulations to this year’s winner, Anthony Bryant from Primera Engineers, Ltd., for scoring the most points and selecting our recipient as his charity choice in our 2023 March Madness® Charity Challenge. Because of Anthony’s superior bracket-picking skills, Make-A-Wish® Illinois is the 2023 recipient of True North’s $5,000 donation. True North is proud to support Make-A-Wish® Illinois. In addition, we’re thrilled to share that in 2023, Make-A-Wish® Illinois is once again granting wishes at a pace last seen before the pandemic started, allowing them to push forward toward fulfilling their mission of granting the wish of every eligible child. This past year, Make-A-Wish® Illinois granted 493 impactful wishes, but the work is not done. In 2023, they plan on granting approximately 700 wishes, representing a 42% increase over 2022. However, that will only make a small dent in the backlog of 1,500 wish children waiting for their wishes. With more children being diagnosed and referred every day, your support has never been needed more to help make sure that no child has to wait an unnecessary day for their wish to be granted. To learn more about the impact of a wish, visit https://wish.org/illinois/our-stories.
One wish can be the spark that helps a child believe anything is possible and give them the strength to fight harder. Wishes also give families hope, strength to persevere, and experiences that can forever change their lives. One wish can unite neighbors, friends, and an entire community. The following charitable organizations partnered with True North Consultants for the Charity Challenge. Please take some time to learn more about each organization and its missions. Information on each organization will remain accessible through our website for several weeks.
- The Anti-Cruelty Society
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County
- Capital Area Food Bank
- Greater Chicago Food Depository
- Second Harvest FoodBank of Southern Wisconsin
- Madison Reading Project
- Make-A-Wish® Illinois
- Make-A-Wish® Greater Virginia
- Make-A-Wish® Wisconsin
- SOME (So Others Might Eat)
- Special Olympics Illinois
- Special Olympics Virginia
- Special Olympics Wisconsin
- Susan G. Komen®
About True North Consultants
Established in 2008, True North Consultants represents a unique assembly of science and engineering professionals dedicated to providing sustainable site development and resource management solutions. True North is seen as an environmental consulting group that is well-versed in mitigating the environmental risks you may face.
True North Celebrates Their 15-Year Anniversary
We celebrate True North Consultant’s 15-year anniversary this year with great pride and gratitude. As we look back on our journey, we recognize that we couldn’t have come this far without the dedication and hard work of our employees, the support of our clients, and the partnership of our vendors.
Our success is built on our core values of one team, passion for people, celebrating success, and exceeding expectations. First and foremost, we want to express our gratitude to our employees, who have embodied these values and have been the backbone of our success. Their expertise, professionalism, and commitment to the client have been vital to achieving our goals and reaching this significant milestone. We are fortunate to have such a talented and passionate team devoted to delivering leading environmental solutions to our clients. We are grateful for their hard work and dedication and look forward to growing with them personally and professionally over the coming years.
Secondly, we extend our appreciation to our clients who have placed their trust in us over the years. It has been an honor to work alongside them, and we are grateful for the opportunity to assist them in achieving their goals. We are committed to exceeding their expectations while delivering the service and expertise necessary to make positive impacts on their businesses. We value our relationships with them and look forward to continuing to serve them as a trusted partner.
Lastly, we want to acknowledge the essential role of our vendors in our success. We are grateful for their support and collaboration, which have been invaluable. The exceptional services and products they have provided us over the years have enabled us to consistently deliver a superior work product to our clients. We appreciate their partnership and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.
As we celebrate this 15-year anniversary milestone, we are proud of our accomplishments and grateful for the support of our employees, clients, and vendors. We remain committed to delivering the highest level of service to our clients while making a positive impact on the lives of our employees and the communities within which we live and work. Thank you for being a part of our journey, and we look forward to many more years of success together!
About True North Consultants
Established in 2008, True North Consultants represents a unique assembly of professionals in science and engineering who are dedicated to providing sustainable site development and resource management solutions. True North is seen as an environmental consulting group that is well-versed in mitigating the environmental risks you may be facing.
Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of Chicago is annual charity recipient
True North was pleased to present a $5,000 donation to the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of Chicago as the chosen recipient from the 10th Annual Charity Challenge. Every year, True North invites clients, vendors and partnered charities to participate in this bracketed event that is run in conjunction with March Madness. This year’s winner, Jeffrey Harthun of Madison One Capital choose the winning bracket and made the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of Chicago is charity of choice.
True North thanks all the participants and are proud to support the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of Chicago as they continue to provide emotional, educational, physical and cultural resources to Chicago’s youth that allow them to enjoy their childhood and thrive into adulthood.
You can learn more about Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of Chicago and the other partnered charities at consulttruenorth.com/charity-challenge
2018 True North Charity Challenge Winner
True North Consultants $3,000 Charity Challenge donation to be awarded to Habitat for Humanity of Illinois to support their dedication to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through its affiliates in constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.
True North Consultants would like to thank all of our clients, vendors, and partners who participated in the 9th Annual True North Charity Challenge. Additionally, we would also like to thank all the charitable organizations who partnered with True North again this year to continue to make this a truly special and unique event.
Congratulations to this year’s winner, Tony Graff of City of Menominee Michigan. Because of Tony’s superior bracket picking skills, Habitat for Humanity of Illinois will be this year’s recipient of True North’s $3,000 donation. True North is proud to support Habitat for Humanity of Illinois as they work in partnership with Habitat affiliates, developing communities by building houses with people in need. We hope you will take some time to learn more about each organization and their important missions. Information on each organization will remain accessible through our website for several weeks to come.
The following charitable organizations partnered with True North Consultants for the Charity Challenge. We hope you will take some time to learn more about each organization and their important missions.
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
- The Anti-Cruelty Society
- Boys & Girls Club of Chicago
- Cornerstones
- Easterseals Metropolitan Chicago
- Greater Chicago Food Depository
- Habitat for Humanity
- Make-A-Wish® Illinois
- Salute, Inc.
- Salvation Army
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin
- Special Olympics Illinois
- Susan G. Komen for the Cure
About True North Consultants
Established in 2008, True North Consultants represents a unique assembly of engineering and science-related professionals dedicated to providing sustainable site development and resource management solutions.
Building Floors and Walls For Those in Need
True North Partners with DuPage Habitat for Humanity
True North Consultants believes that building a sustainable environment starts with grounding ourselves within our most valuable resource – our community. Therefore, we are committed to aligning our resources with our social values. True North Cares (TNCares) reflects our commitment to supporting our community through our annual True North Charity Challenge and give back days.
True North’s commitment to serve the communities we work in was put into action recently in West Chicago for DuPage Habitat for Humanity. We had a great time and the house is still standing! True North is proud to support Habitat for Humanity of Illinois as they work in partnership with Habitat affiliates, developing communities by building houses with people in need.
#TNCares #PassionforPeople #OneTeam