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Appleton, Wis. – May 15, 2019 — U.S. Venture, Inc. announces the Oscar-winning actor, producer, and philanthropist Matthew McConaughey will be this year’s celebrity guest at the U.S. Venture Open, which will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. The funds raised at the annual event help end poverty in Northeast Wisconsin.

McConaughey is most recognized for his iconic film roles, but he and his wife Camila founded the
just keep livin (jkl) Foundation to empower high school students by providing them with the tools to lead active lives and make healthy choices for a better future. Committed to the health and well-being of youth in our communities, the jkl Foundation implements after school fitness programs in 33 inner-city high schools with the goal to “prevent so we don’t have to cure later in life.” McConaughey’s foundation encourages students to make positive life choices that improve their physical and mental health through exercise, teamwork, gratitude, nutrition, and community service. The just keep livin Foundation has served 20,000 kids in nine cities and the results have been incredible.

98% of 12th grade jkl students graduated high school and all have said the foundation has helped them create new, positive relationships leading to reduced stress and anxiety. jkl students have access to fitness coaches and health experts, which creates a safe and supportive environment for them to set goals, get in shape and build confidence. As a result, schools notice better test scores, grades, attendance and behavior. At j.k. livin after school programs, kids learn self-reliance and get a healthy start today, so they can make a better tomorrow.

“We’re grateful for the generous support of the U.S. Venture Open. Their commitment to eradicating poverty is truly inspiring and we’re honored to be a beneficiary of their philanthropic efforts focusing on improving the lives of our youth,” said Shannon Rotenberg, Executive Director of the just keep livin Foundation.

McConaughey’s dedication to empowering our nation’s youth is one reason U.S. Venture leaders pursued his involvement in the annual event. In the 33 years of the nation’s single-largest, one-day charity golf outing, millions of dollars have been raised and granted through the Basic Needs Giving Partnership to non-profits that focus on developmental needs of children and teens.

“U.S. Venture is committed to eliminating the root causes of poverty, and this event is truly a community-wide endeavor,” said John Schmidt, CEO and president of U.S. Venture, Inc. “We are proud to welcome Matthew McConaughey whose foundation is making an impact by increasing student’s test scores, grades, and graduation rates. We know a solid education is a key indicator in breaking the cycle of poverty.”

McConaughey will make a personal appearance at the U.S. Venture Open and be interviewed at the dinner reception held for registered guests that evening at Van Abel’s of Hollandtown.  

“Matthew McConaughey may have star status, but his work with at risk kids makes him an all-star,” said Greg Vandenberg, director of giving & community engagement for U.S. Venture. “His collaboration with national non-profits resonates with the work we do at U.S. Venture to end poverty.”

U.S. Venture Open
The U.S. Venture Open is the nation’s single-largest, one-day charitable event dedicated to ending poverty. It’s held at several regional golf courses: Oneida Golf and Country Club, Green Bay; North Shore Golf Club, Menasha; Thornberry Creek, Oneida; Fox Valley Golf Club, Kaukauna; Butte des Morts Country Club, Appleton; Wander Springs Golf Course, Greenleaf.

U.S. Venture underwrites all costs of the event and has done so since the inception. Funds from the event are held within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, with grants made to collaborating non-profit organizations in Northeast Wisconsin.

The event started in 1986 with 100 golfers and has grown to 1,100 attendees representing more than 500 partners who golf at regional courses to raise money for programs that help end poverty. To become a partner, visit www.USVentureOpen.com. Follow the event on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Basic Needs Giving Partnership

More than $1.6 million in new grants were awarded to more than 200 non-profit organizations in 2018. Proceeds from the U.S. Venture Open pave the way for collaboration between funders and non-profit organizations that are passionate about addressing the root causes of poverty in Northeast Wisconsin. The Basic Needs Giving Partnership was launched in 2007 when the J. J. Keller Foundation offered to match the grantmaking. The J. J. Keller Foundation will again match up to $800,000 for grants distributed and will be joined by lead partners Oshkosh Corporation, Thrivent Foundation & ThedaCare.
In the 33-year history of the event more than $42 million has been raised and $26 million granted.

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About just keep livin Foundation

The just keep livin Foundation implements after school fitness programs in 33 inner city high schools. Programs encourage students to make positive life choices that improve their physical and mental health through exercise, teamwork, gratitude, nutrition, and community service. Participating students have a safe place to enhance their lives with fitness coaches and health experts. The results have been incredible. Participants get in shape and gain confidence while also improving their grades, attendance and behavior. Friendships are built and fears are overcome. At our j.k. livin after school programs, kids learn self-reliance and get a healthy start today, so they can make a better tomorrow.