Milwaukee, Wis., Feb. 11, 2015 – The Greater Milwaukee Foundation allocated more than $3.2 million in discretionary funds to strengthen the community in the fourth quarter of 2014. Through the generosity of its donors, the Foundation uses a competitive grantmaking process to address critical issues in the community and facilitate improvements in education and health attainment, safe and vibrant neighborhoods, robust arts and cultural opportunities, and an economy that enables all people to thrive.

“Our experience has taught us that inclusive regions with opportunities for economic growth, access to a high-quality education and great neighborhoods offer their residents a high quality of life,” said Ellen M. Gilligan, president and CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. “We are pleased to invest in making greater Milwaukee a strong community through our fourth quarter discretionary funding.”

The Foundation’s Board dedicated $1,281,500 to strengthening neighborhoods, including more than $780,000 supporting 15 neighborhoods in the Foundation’s Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative over the next three years.

Nonprofit organizations receiving neighborhood grants include: Agape Community Center, Center for Resilient Cities, Community Warehouse, Havenwoods Economic Development Corporation, Holton Youth and Family Center, IFF, Layton Boulevard West Neighbors, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Neu-Life Community Development, Riverworks Development Corporation, Sherman Park Community Association, Sojourner Family Peace Center, University of Wisconsin Extension – Waukesha County, Urban Anthropology, Walnut Way Conservation Corporation, and Wisconsin Humane Society.

The Board dedicated $601,000 to increasing economic opportunities in the region, including a $400,000 commitment to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation Match Day 2015, supporting food and shelter organizations.

Nonprofit organizations receiving economic opportunities grants include: Common Ground, Social Development Commission, Froedtert Hospital Foundation, House of Peace, Kiva, and Wisconsin Council on Children & Families.

The Board dedicated $336,800 to strengthening education, including a $25,000 commitment to the Foundation’s Summer Grants for Kids program for 2015.

Nonprofit organizations receiving education grants include: Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Foundation, Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, and WECA.

The Board approved $52,000 in grants supporting racial equity and inclusion. Nonprofit organizations receiving racial equity and inclusion grants include: Cardinal Stritch University and Nonprofit Center for Milwaukee.

The Board also allocated $931,586 across multiple areas that enhance regional vitality in greater Milwaukee.

  • Grants totaling $338,414 were awarded for projects in health and human services. Nonprofit recipients include: Advocates of Ozaukee, AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, Aurora Foundation, Benedict Center, Best Buddies – Wisconsin, Bread of Healing Clinic, Cedar Community Foundation, Family Service Agency of Waukesha County, Hope Street Ministries, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of E. Wisconsin. Additionally, a $75,000 commitment was made to the Foundation’s Wisconsin AIDS Fund.
  • Grants totaling $323,154 were awarded for projects in arts and culture. Nonprofit recipients include: COA Youth & Family Centers, La Casa de Esperanza, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee County Historical Society, and Radio for Milwaukee.
  • A $100,000 grant for a project supporting the environment was awarded to Urban Ecology Center.
  • A $70,000 grant for a project in community development was awarded to Midwest Bikeshare.
  • A $25,000 grant for a project supporting children, youth and families was awarded to Youth and Family Project.

About the Greater Milwaukee Foundation

For a century, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation has helped individuals, families and organizations realize their philanthropic goals and make a difference in the community, during their lifetimes and for future generations. The Foundation consists of more than 1,200 individual charitable funds, each created by donors to serve the charitable causes of their choice. The Foundation also deploys both human and financial resources to address the most critical needs of the community and ensure the vitality of the region. Established in 1915, the Foundation was one of the first community foundations in the world. With a total asset base of more than $847 million, it is also among the largest.

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