Appleton-based U.S. Venture recognized with Deloitte Wisconsin 75 community award.
Appleton-based company recognized by Deloitte
APPLETON – To whom much is given, much is required.
U.S. Venture CEO John Schmidt and his team at the Appleton-based oil company live by those words. At U.S. Venture, the “requirement” is giving back to a community that has given them so much.
From the annual golf outing that raises money to end poverty in northeastern Wisconsin to partnerships with schools, you’d be hard-pressed to find a business that has done more for its community.
U.S. Venture’s efforts in the Fox Cities and beyond were recognized with a Distinguished Performer Award in this year’s Deloitte Wisconsin 75 honors. The program, in which the accounting and consulting firm Deloitte recognizes the state’s largest privately and closely held companies, is now in its 19th year.
Deloitte’s Community Award acknowledges a company’s efforts or business choices that focus on giving back to the community.
“One of the things I love about U.S. Venture and the Schmidt family is it’s never really been about the publicity or the accolades,” said Greg Vandenberg, U.S. Venture’s director of giving and community engagement. “I am excited and proud and humbled to be a part of a company that does so much for those really underserved populations.”
The company is best known for hosting the U.S. Venture Open, a golf outing that has taken place annually since 1986. All proceeds raised during the event go towards ending poverty in northeastern Wisconsin. U.S. Venture partners with local nonprofits and businesses — such as the JJ Keller Foundation, ThedaCare, Thrivent and Oshkosh Corp. — to make the event a success each year.
The U.S. Venture Open raised about $40,000 during its inaugural tournament in 1986. The event has raised over $4 million in each of the past four years.
In addition, U.S. Venture and its partners raised another $5 million in 2020 for COVID-19 pandemic relief in northeastern Wisconsin.
“Raising those dollars has been a real challenge through the pandemic over the past couple of years,” Vandenberg said, “and yet it has been really incredible to see (our) partners continue to step up along with U.S. Venture. It’s something that is really special.”
U.S. Venture has raised funds for local schools, including the Appleton Area School District and Menasha Joint School District, throughout the pandemic. U.S. Venture also provided aid to schools in more rural areas, such as Clintonville and Shawano, where there might be less internet and broadband availability, Vandenberg said.
“When you saw so many kids that needed to be doing school virtually during the pandemic, it was imperative to get them the technology that they needed to continue their important education,” he said. “We were really proud to be a part of that.”
U.S. Venture’s footprint extends far beyond northeastern Wisconsin, and even overseas. In 2001, U.S. Venture partnered with VICODEC, a K-8 school located in Nairobi, Kenya. Through the partnership, U.S. Venture provides children in Kenya with education, nutrition and medical care.
Every two years, U.S. Venture employees have the chance to travel to Kenya and visit the school. A few years ago, U.S. Venture’s IT department installed satellite internet and a computer lab on VICODEC’s campus.
“Even though it’s far from here, it’s something that is near and dear to the heart of the company, and so many of our team members,” Vandenberg said.
U.S. Venture employs just over 1,200 people in locations across 26 states and Canada. Those employees are vital parts of a culture of community involvement within the organization.
“We really put a spotlight on our team members who give back to the communities that they live, work and do business in,” Vandenberg said. “That can be everything from serving at a shelter or food pantry, to being a coach for your kid’s little league team and being on the volunteer fire department. It really can take all shapes and sizes.”
While U.S. Venture takes pride in being based in Wisconsin, the business aims to have a positive impact on every market it serves.
“Even though our history and headquarters are here in northeastern Wisconsin, as the company has grown, we continue to try to engage every community that we have a presence in throughout the U.S.,” Vandenberg said.