How to Support MWCR Through Donations or Membership

Updated

You can support Minnesota Wisconsin Collie Rescue (MWCR) by donating, joining or renewing a membership, volunteering, fostering, or adopting. MWCR is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization run by volunteers, and its site states that donations are tax deductible. The site presents adopting, fostering, and donating together as ways to "make a difference," so support is not limited to money.

Donating to MWCR

MWCR's mission is to rescue rough and smooth Collies that have lost their homes, place them in foster homes, provide medical care, assess their traits and personalities, and match them with adoptive families. Donations fund that work.

  • Tax status: MWCR identifies itself as a 501(c)3 non-profit and states that donations are tax deductible. Keep your donation receipt for your records.
  • Where to start: The site's "Donate Now" and "Support Us" sections list the ways you can help. The homepage also points visitors to "Find out all the ways you can help," covering adopting, fostering, and donating.
  • Other ways to give: The site lists volunteering alongside donating as a support option, and its events include fundraising.

The site does not publish specific donation amounts, payment platforms, or processing details, so check the Donate page for current options before giving.

Membership: New and Renewal

MWCR offers two membership paths on its site:

Option Who it's for Action
New Membership First-time members Use the New Membership link in the site menu
Renew Membership Existing members Use the Renew Membership link, or the "Renew Now!" prompt on the homepage

Membership is separate from donating: a membership is a recurring way to belong to and back the organization, while a donation is a one-time or occasional gift. The site does not list membership dues, terms, or benefits, so confirm those on the membership pages before signing up.

Events and Fundraisers

MWCR holds events that double as fundraisers:

  • 2026 Annual Dinner and Fundraiser — Saturday, October 24, 4–8 pm, at the Radisson Hotel on Harborview Plaza in La Crosse, WI. The guest speaker is Barbara O'Brien, photographer and host of The Empathetic Trainer podcast. The site directs visitors to "Join Us" for more information and to sign up.
  • 2027 Collie Calendars — available for purchase through the site's "Order Now!" link.

Attending the dinner or buying a calendar supports the rescue while giving you something in return.

Non-Monetary Support

If you would rather give time than money, MWCR lists fostering and volunteering as core ways to help. Fosters provide temporary homes and help assess a Collie's traits before adoption; volunteers keep the rescue running. The site has separate Foster Application and Adoption Application pages, and an "Available Collies" section shows dogs currently looking for homes, such as Rupert (8-year-old mix), Cotton/Parker (2-year-old rough coat), and Archie/Dooley (2-year-old rough coat).

A Practical Checklist

  1. Decide whether you want to give money (donation), commit to membership, or give time (foster/volunteer).
  2. For a donation, open the Donate or Support Us page and follow the current instructions; keep your receipt for the tax deduction.
  3. For membership, choose New Membership or Renew Membership in the site menu and complete the form.
  4. For events, check the Annual Dinner page for sign-up details and the calendar page to order.
  5. For fostering or volunteering, submit the Foster Application or contact the rescue through the site.

MWCR's volunteers and foster homes are based mainly in Minnesota and Wisconsin, with placements reaching New York, Texas, California, Canada, and beyond. It accepts rough and smooth Collies and may take Collie mixes on a space-available basis.