Local First Milwaukee Offered $10,000 Grant from the Kalio Fund

Milwaukee — Local First Milwaukee is excited to announce that they have been offered a matching challenge grant of $10,000 from the Kailo Fund. Money from this fundraiser will be used specifically for community outreach in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha, and Racine counties. With belief in the idea that “Shift Happens,” this opportunity will continue to create awareness of the importance of keeping dollars local for a thriving economy in Southeastern Wisconsin.

To date, $6,000 has already been raised towards the matching challenge thanks to gracious donations from Brewery Credit Union, Colectivo Coffee, Lakefront Brewery, Outpost Natural Foods Co-Op and other member businesses. Local First Milwaukee is now seeking more donors to join in and raise the remaining $4,000 over the remainder of the challenge, ending in March. Any member of the community can donate at localfirstmilwaukee.com/donate.

Success with this challenge will enable Local First Milwaukee to strengthen its mission in 2015 of strengthening local business, from business-to-business to banking and dining to shopping local. All donations are tax deductible and go toward raising awareness for Milwaukee businesses.

The Kailo Fund is a Wisconsin-based investment and philanthropic fund working to address social issues and opportunities through investments, philanthropy and entrepreneurial engagement directed by Grant Abert. An active philanthropist for 30 years, he co-founded the Donor Collaborative of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Community Fund, and served as President of the Threshold Foundation. He is a cofounder and board member of Sustain Dane, which educates businesses, governments, schools and citizens in practical steps toward community sustainability. He was a naval officer, IT professional and food entrepreneur. His present focus, as cofounder of Slow Money Wisconsin, is on growing the financial infrastructure for a resilient regional food system.

Local First Milwaukee is an alliance of metro-Milwaukee independent businesses and nonprofits. They are able to take tax-deductible donations for our community education work through a fiscal sponsorship agreement with the American Independent Business Alliance. Local First Milwaukee is an affiliate of AMIBA, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that supports independent business alliances throughout the US.

About Local First Milwaukee

Local First Milwaukee is metro-Milwaukee independent businesses alliance. Started in 2006, the organization’s message is simple: choose local first and watch the local economy prosper. They currently have over 250 members and are a member of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), who also serves as the organization’s fiscal sponsor.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.