New Investment Consultant Selected

Dear Donors and Partners,

We are pleased to share an important update regarding the stewardship of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s investment portfolio. After a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation process and national search, the Foundation has selected Marquette Associates, a Chicago-based firm with a presence in Milwaukee, as its  new investment consultant. The decision to transition to Marquette Associates from Crewcial Partners was made after careful consideration of their expertise, alignment with our mission and their ability to help us achieve our long-term investment goals. This transition will take effect in September 2025. 

This decision reflects our ongoing commitment to strong governance, fiduciary responsibility and strategic alignment with the Foundation’s long-term goals. Over the past decade, the Foundation’s invested assets under management have increased from $687 million to over $1.1 billion, reflecting our collective efforts and your continued support. We sincerely thank all donors and partners for your ongoing trust and investment in the Foundation. We also appreciate our long-time investment consultants at Crewcial Partners for their professionalism and stewardship. As the portfolio has grown, so has our responsibility to ensure that our investment strategy remains forward-looking, mission-focused and positioned for long-term success.

“The Foundation Board, Investment Committee and I are confident that this key partnership with Marquette Associates will strengthen our investment strategy and enhance our ability to steward donor philanthropy and impact in support of our responsibility to serve the region with integrity,”  said Mary Ellen Stanek, Foundation Board chair. 

The national search was led by a dedicated group of stakeholders, including current members of the Foundation’s Investment Committee, a former chair of the Investment Committee, and a donor and community representative. In keeping with our commitment to transparency, best practices and to ensure a thorough and impartial process, the Foundation also partnered with Kidderbrook Group, an external search consultant. 

Marquette Associates brings a compelling reputation, both locally and nationally, and has deep experience serving community foundations and mission-driven organizations, among others. Marquette Associates serves over 400 clients with combined assets under advisement of $407 billion. This includes over 50 clients in Wisconsin, with 20 clients located in Milwaukee.

We are excited to introduce Marquette Associates to you during an investment briefing and meet-and-greet in the fall. The investment briefing will provide a detailed overview of our new partnership, while the meet-and-greet will offer an opportunity for you to interact with the Marquette Associates team. We will share more details  soon. In the meantime, please refer to the website  marquetteassociates.com to learn more about the firm. 

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. 

With appreciation, 

Greg Wesley 
President and CEO
Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Yelena Chester 
Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Greater Milwaukee Foundation