The Green Bay Packers and Thrivent, a Fortune 500 financial services company, today announced the 10 Wisconsin nonprofits that will be honored this season through Game Changing Players, a new community program celebrating the people and organizations going above and beyond to make a difference across the state.
The joint initiative shines a light on Wisconsin nonprofits that are strengthening their communities and creating meaningful impact beyond the field, reflecting the shared commitment of the Packers and Thrivent to giving back and serving others.
Throughout the football season, featured nonprofits will be recognized on gamedays at Lambeau Field through pregame video board features, coverage on packers.com and one-of-a-kind experiences. The program will give Packers fans an opportunity to learn more about the organizations and missions moving Wisconsin forward. This year, the nonprofits being highlighted include organizations that focus on human services, homelessness and animal welfare.
"We are proud to partner with Thrivent to support the remarkable organizations serving communities across Wisconsin," said Packers chief sales and business development officer Craig Benzel. "The Packers have always brought communities together, and through the Game Changing Players program we are honored to shine a light on the vital work of these nonprofits and inspire our fans to support their vital missions."
"We believe strong communities are built by people who step up to serve their neighbors," said Lana Slygh, Senior Vice President of Brand and Integrated Marketing, Thrivent. "Through the Game Changing Players program, Thrivent and the Green Bay Packers will introduce more people to the Wisconsin nonprofits that are doing that work every day – and give fans new ways to learn about and support them."
As the Official Financial Services Partner of the Packers, Thrivent is helping extend that impact and create new opportunities to support communities across Wisconsin. Game Changing Players is a cornerstone of the partnership, which is already generating meaningful results. In July, more than 100 employees and volunteers from the Packers and Thrivent came together to pack 1,000 snack bags for the Boys & Girls Club of Wisconsin, the first nonprofit featured through the 2026 program.
The 2026 nonprofit honorees and their respective gamedays include:
· Friday, Aug. 28: Boys & Girls Club of Wisconsin provides youth access to safe, supportive spaces where they can learn, grow and thrive.
· Thursday, Sept. 24: House of Hope Green Bay empowers youth experiencing homelessness by providing a path to stability through emergency shelter and ongoing support services.
· Sunday, Oct. 11: CART Auxiliary supports animal rescue, transport and emergency response efforts across the greater Green Bay area.
· Sunday, Oct. 18: Neighbor to Neighbor Volunteer Caregivers of Door County improves quality of life through medical equipment loans, peer companionship and respite for family caregivers.
· Thursday, Oct. 29: COTS in Appleton helps individuals experiencing homelessness transition toward self-sufficiency and independent living.
· Sunday, Nov. 15: HART Equine Therapeutic Center in Central Wisconsin empowers individuals with special needs through equine-assisted services.
· Sunday, Dec. 13: Ascend Services in Manitowoc inspires individual growth through community experiences, education and employment opportunities for people with varying abilities.
· Sunday, Dec. 20: Love & Blessings supports people experiencing homelessness in Southeastern Wisconsin through blessing bags, move-in kits, mats and other basic necessities.
· Monday, Jan. 4: Wildlife In Need Center in Oconomowoc works to rehabilitate injured and orphaned Wisconsin wildlife, advances research and provides community education.
· Jan. 9 or 10: Camp HOPE serves grieving children and families across Central Wisconsin, creating a safe and supportive space for healing, connection and resilience.
Learn more about the nonprofits and the Game Changing Players program at packers.com/game-changing-players.
About Thrivent: Thrivent is a Fortune 500 financial services company that helps build, grow and protect financial well-being through purpose-driven advice, investments, insurance, banking and generosity programs. Thrivent serves more than 2.4 million clients through thousands of financial advisors across the country and has more than $212 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/25). Thrivent carries strong financial ratings from independent rating agencies - including AM Best, Moody's and S&P Global Ratings - which demonstrate the company's financial strength, stability and ability to pay claims. Ratings don't apply to investment product performance and more information can be found on each rating agency's website. For more information about Thrivent, visit Thrivent.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
