Kohl's $25M Lifeline: A 25-Year Battle for Wisconsin's Youth Health

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. – April 30, 2026 – Kohl’s has announced a new $1 million donation to Children’s Wisconsin, a move that not only addresses immediate healthcare needs but also commemorates a quarter-century of a powerful alliance. This latest contribution brings the retailer’s total financial support for the pediatric health system to over $25 million since 2001, cementing a partnership that has become a cornerstone in the fight for children's physical and mental well-being across the state.

The donation, announced from Kohl's Menomonee Falls headquarters, is more than a celebratory gesture. It represents a strategic reinvestment in a community grappling with significant challenges, particularly in youth mental health. The funds are earmarked to bolster critical care resources and expand access to mental health services, reflecting an evolution in the partnership's focus to meet the most urgent needs of Wisconsin families.

“Our long-standing partnership with Children’s Wisconsin reflects our shared belief that every child deserves to grow up happy and healthy,” said Christie Raymond, Kohl’s chief marketing officer. “We’re proud to provide our hometown families with the vital resources and care they need to ensure a brighter future for every child.”

A Blueprint for Sustained Corporate Impact

In an era where corporate philanthropy can often be fleeting, the 25-year relationship between Kohl's and Children's Wisconsin stands as a testament to the power of sustained investment. The more than $25 million contributed over the years has allowed the health system to develop, implement, and scale long-term programs that go far beyond what single, sporadic donations could achieve.

One such area of consistent support is the Child Life program. Philanthropic funding is crucial for this service, which is not always fully covered by insurance but is vital for patient outcomes. Child Life specialists are trained professionals who help children and their families cope with the stress and anxiety of hospitalization. They use play, preparation, and education to explain medical procedures, helping to reduce fear and trauma. This long-term funding ensures that thousands of young patients receive emotional and developmental support during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

This enduring commitment allows Children's Wisconsin to be more agile and responsive. As Gil Peri, president and CEO of Children’s Wisconsin, noted, “We are deeply grateful to Kohl’s for believing in and supporting our mission, which allows us to deliver care for the whole child, including their mental and behavioral health and programs that support families when they need it most.”

Confronting a Youth Mental Health Epidemic

The partnership's most critical recent focus has been addressing Wisconsin's stark youth mental health crisis. State data paints a grim picture: a 2022 report from the Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health revealed that 34% of students felt sad and hopeless almost daily, a 10% increase over the previous decade. Furthermore, 22% of high schoolers reported self-harm, and 52% experienced anxiety. In 2018, the state ranked last in the nation for youth access to mental health care, highlighting a desperate need for intervention.

Kohl's has stepped directly into this breach. The company was an early and significant financial backer of Children's Wisconsin's five-year, $150 million commitment to combat this crisis. Kohl's funding was instrumental in opening mental health walk-in clinics, a revolutionary step in providing immediate, accessible care without the need for appointments or referrals.

Since 2022, these clinics in Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Green Bay have provided emergency mental health services to over 4,500 children and teens. The Craig Yabuki Mental Health Walk-In Clinic in Milwaukee alone has served more than 1,000 children since it opened. This direct access provides a crucial safety net, offering immediate help for children struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and school avoidance, and preventing deeper crises.

The 'Goods For Good' Engine

Fueling this substantial philanthropic output is an innovative retail strategy: the Kohl's Cares Goods For Good® program. This initiative carves out a unique space in corporate giving by tying charitable contributions directly to the sale of specific products, typically children's books and plush toys priced affordably.

The model's power lies in its promise: 100 percent of the net profit from these items is donated to nonprofits that support family health and wellness. This transforms a simple shopping trip into a direct act of community support, allowing millions of customers to become participants in the philanthropic mission. It creates a sustainable and scalable funding stream that is less susceptible to the whims of corporate budget changes.

The success of this model is staggering. Throughout its history, the Kohl's Cares program has funneled more than $165 million to nonprofits in the Milwaukee area alone, demonstrating how a retail-integrated approach can generate a massive and consistent positive impact.

A Lifeline for a Leading Institution

Even for a nationally ranked institution like Children's Wisconsin, which U.S. News & World Report recognized as one of the country's top pediatric hospitals, philanthropy is not a luxury—it is essential. The health system invested over $189 million in community benefits in the last year, including $102 million in uncompensated care for children on Medicaid and those facing health inequities. This gap between the cost of care and reimbursement underscores the critical role of donors.

Long-term partners like Kohl's provide the stability needed to innovate and expand services that are vital but underfunded. The quarter-century partnership has enabled Children's Wisconsin to pioneer new models of care, from school-based mental health screenings to the walk-in clinics that are now a front line in a public health emergency. The collaboration demonstrates how corporate citizenship, when applied consistently and strategically over time, can become an indispensable part of the community's health infrastructure, helping to build a brighter, healthier future for its youngest and most vulnerable members.