The year 2025 was pivotal for Own It: Building Black Wealth’s mission to increase generational wealth in Black and brown communities through homeownership. Now that we are a full-fledged nonprofit, we are proud to publish our first annual report to share more about Own It’s impact since our inception in 2021!
PROGRESS
- 27 families have closed on their new homes (through December 2025)
- 350+ families have enrolled in the Education Program
- Over 1.2 million dollars has been raised since 2021
- Brokers, agents, and real estate professionals are signing on to be Ambassadors
In 2025:
- Our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status was approved.
- We rebranded and launched a new website.
- We collaborated with two more community partners (Anesis Therapy and Centro Dane County) in addition to our pilot partner, One City Schools to help families build wealth and overcome systemic barriers to homeownership.
- Down payment grants increased to $19,000 – matching the federal gift tax limit.
- We celebrated the most closings per year to date with 9 first-time homeowners (27 total since 2022).
- We grew our Ambassador Program to 80+ individual real estate ambassadors and new agency ambassadors.
- We shifted our energy to build the infrastructure to sustain growth, innovation, and impact as we expand.
Learn more in our 2025 Annual Report here!
Own It acknowledges the systemic racism embedded within real estate and financial systems, and is committed to creating real change. The lack of access to homeownership and mortgage financing is a persistent and grave injustice that Black and brown families continue to face in Madison and Dane County. Own It’s education program and down payment grants create real, measurable change for families of color in Dane County.
Want to get involved?
- Donate to grow the Down Payment Fund so more families can buy their first home.
- Spread the word by telling neighbors and friends about Own It.
- Engage your network by encouraging real estate professionals and bankers you know to become Ambassadors.
- Commit to giving monthly or annually. All donations are tax-deductible.
- Contribute at closing by giving a portion of the proceeds of your home sale or purchase.
- Choose Ambassadors by pledging to work with and refer Own It Ambassadors when buying and selling real estate.
- Invite us in by hosting an Own It presentation at your workplace, faith community, or neighborhood group.
- Subscribe to Own It email updates.
- Read the book “The Color of Law” by Richard Rothstein.
Tax-deductible donations can be made online at ownitmadison.org/donate or via check mailed to:
Own It: Building Black Wealth
6709 Raymond Road, Suite 110
Madison, WI 53719
ownitmadison.org
[email protected]
608.438.5005