Greater Together Award Nominations
The Greater Together Awards is one of the ways that the Greater Milwaukee Foundation mobilizes to support and recognize exceptional contributions in the community, and to celebrate and amplify the incredible work of our recipients. This celebration of civic leaders in the region is made possible by the partnership between volunteers, staff, key partners, and other community members that play a role in the annual process. We are excited to present the opportunity to nominate civic leaders for the 2025 Greater Together Awards. Please include your submissions before the deadline by using the form below. We thank you in advance for your time and look forward to hearing from you!
About the awards and criteria
William C. Frye Award
William C. Frye was a community leader who, at the time of his death in 1954, was chairman of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation Board (then called the Milwaukee Foundation). It was his wish that this annual award recognizes individuals who have contributed their time, efforts or talents to make this a better community. The William C. Frye Award is one of the oldest and most well-respected civic awards in metropolitan Milwaukee.
Award criteria:
- Individuals who have contributed their time, efforts or talents to make Milwaukee a better community
- Significant time and energy and direct involvement devoted to projects/campaigns
- Considerable leadership and accomplishment through nonprofit boards, committees
Frank Kirkpatrick Award
A prominent real estate developer, radio commentator and enthusiastic civic participant, Frank Kirkpatrick established a fund at the Foundation through a bequest following his death in 1985. The award that bears his name is designed for individuals whose efforts have brought physical improvements to the community. The Foundation has presented it annually since 1988.
Award criteria:
- Made a significant contribution to the physical and/or economic development of the Milwaukee’s neighborhoods, with specific emphasis on central city neighborhoods
- Demonstrated leadership in confronting major problems affecting Milwaukee’s neighborhoods
- Worked to empower residents, especially low-income, disadvantaged persons
- Contributed to developing greater public awareness of issues confronting Milwaukee’s neighborhoods
- Helped attract development resources to solve neighborhood problems
Doug Jansson Leadership Award
Doug Jansson served the Greater Milwaukee Foundation as president and CEO for 17 years. During his tenure, the Foundation experienced a period of incredible growth in assets, grantmaking and community leadership. In 2010, the Foundation Board of Directors created the Doug Jansson Leadership Award to honor Jansson and recognize his commitment to developing new nonprofit leadership, particularly among those in underserved communities, in the greater Milwaukee area.
Award criteria:
- Community leader - volunteer or staff – working with an area nonprofit
- Minimum five years of service
- Passionate about community service and civic engagement
- Demonstrates the core values of the Foundation – collaboration, diversity, respect, inclusiveness, innovation, transparency, equity, integrity and effectiveness
- Strengthens the community by creating and sustaining effective partnerships
- Demonstrates marked improvement in the community as a result of their personal work
- Persons of diverse cultures and persons of color are given preference
Current and Past board members and past recipients are ineligible for nominations.
Past William C. Frye Award recipients
Past Doug Jansson Leadership Award recipients
Past Frank Kirkpatrick Award recipients
Past Ellen Gilligan Leadership in Racial Equity and Social Justice Award
Current and Past Board Members
Deadline
Complete the nomination form by May 28, 2025.
Questions
Contact Stephanie Khumalo at skhumalo@greatermilwaukeefoundation.org