Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Recent Articles

Small grants program celebrates 10 years of big impact
Press Release

Small grants program celebrates 10 years of big impact

Local foundations collaborate to support resident-led projects

Cream City Foundation Joins Greater Milwaukee Foundation Family
Press Release

Cream City Foundation Joins Greater Milwaukee Foundation Family

Funder, advocate for LGBTQ+ priorities focused on impact, sustainable growth

Greater Milwaukee Foundation offers up to $1 million in new, accessible business loans
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee Foundation offers up to $1 million in new, accessible business loans

Qualifying businesses in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee can apply

Otto Bremer Trust selects Greater Milwaukee Foundation as philanthropic partner for new Community Responsive Fund
Press Release

Otto Bremer Trust selects Greater Milwaukee Foundation as philanthropic partner for new Community Responsive Fund

The Foundation will administer and distribute $3.5 million in grants of up to $75,000 to local nonprofits by July; application is now open

Greater Milwaukee Foundation raises over $726 million in Greater Together Campaign, unites community around investment in lasting change
Ellen Gilligan to retire from Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Press Release

Ellen Gilligan to retire from Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Longtime Foundation President and CEO leaves legacy of growth, collaboration

Convening will elevate leading from lived experience
Author bringing indigenous wisdom to Greater Milwaukee Foundation event
Press Release

Author bringing indigenous wisdom to Greater Milwaukee Foundation event

June 24 ‘A Milwaukee for All’ convening aims to shift mindsets about philanthropy

Mary Ellen Stanek Award for Diversity in Corporate Governance Announces 2022 Award Recipients
Press Release

Mary Ellen Stanek Award for Diversity in Corporate Governance Announces 2022 Award Recipients

Cecelia Gore, of the Brewers Community Foundation, and Froedtert Health are chosen honorees

Ford Foundation president will feature at capstone ‘A Milwaukee for All’
Press Release

Ford Foundation president will feature at capstone ‘A Milwaukee for All’

Greater Milwaukee Foundation event promotes transformative philanthropy

Seventeen small businesses receive Greater Milwaukee Foundation loans
Press Release

Seventeen small businesses receive Greater Milwaukee Foundation loans

Investment helping build back jobs, economy in Black and Brown neighborhoods

Convening aims for needed change in early childhood education system
Press Release

Convening aims for needed change in early childhood education system

Greater Milwaukee Foundation continues ‘A Milwaukee for All’ series Sept. 17

Sinclair named chief diversity and inclusion officer for GMF
Foundation makes new impact investments of more than $11 million
Virtual On the Table MKE 2020 examined theme of ‘Healing Justice’
Press Release

Virtual On the Table MKE 2020 examined theme of ‘Healing Justice’

Greater Milwaukee Foundation now accepting applications for ‘Ideas to Action’ funding

Robertson promoted as Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s first EVP, COO and CFO
Three days of healing justice through On the Table MKE starts Monday
Press Release

Three days of healing justice through On the Table MKE starts Monday

Greater Milwaukee Foundation to host series of virtual, curated community discussions

Greater Milwaukee Foundation to marshal $30 million for economic recovery
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee Foundation to marshal $30 million for economic recovery

Long-term impact investments preceded by immediate small business relief

The Council on Foundations names Kenneth Robertson to 2020 Career Pathways cohort
Press Release

The Council on Foundations names Kenneth Robertson to 2020 Career Pathways cohort

Program creates diversity pipeline for next-gen executives in philanthropy

America’s Black Holocaust Museum unveils sculpture and announces major donations in partnership with Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Press Release

America’s Black Holocaust Museum unveils sculpture and announces major donations in partnership with Greater Milwaukee Foundation

America’s Black Holocaust Museum (ABHM) has received a signature work of art and more than $1 million in funding through the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and its donors

Four community leaders receive Greater Together Awards from GMF
Press Release

Four community leaders receive Greater Together Awards from GMF

“Congratulations to our 2019 Greater Together Award recipients whose pioneering and selfless work will inspire others for years to come.”

Sponsored: Join the Discussion at On the Table MKE
Sponsored

Join the Discussion at On the Table MKE

Greater Milwaukee Foundation invites your input to help shape our community's future.

GMF to manage $3 million endowment for women’s health from Columbia Health System
Press Release

GMF to manage $3 million endowment for women’s health from Columbia Health System

In August, the Foundation will release a request for proposals supporting healthy birth outcomes, and the Columbia Health System Endowment Fund for Women’s Health will be a key source of funding.

Greater Milwaukee Foundation grants exceed $80 million in 2018
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee Foundation grants exceed $80 million in 2018

As of Dec. 31, 2018, the Foundation’s assets totaled $833 million, based on preliminary figures.

Plug in and power up for community change with On the Table MKE
Press Release

Plug in and power up for community change with On the Table MKE

Greater Milwaukee Foundation initiative returns Oct. 9 to transform talk into action

Kundert becomes chair, three new directors join Greater Milwaukee Foundation board
Press Release

Kundert becomes chair, three new directors join Greater Milwaukee Foundation board

Kundert, whose career in the banking industry spanned more than three decades, is retired as chairman of JPMorgan Fleming Asset Management.

Michael Hoffman to join Greater Milwaukee Foundation as VP of Human Resources and Organizational Learning
Press Release

Michael Hoffman to join Greater Milwaukee Foundation as VP of Human Resources and Organizational Learning

Hoffman joins the Foundation from Cardinal Stritch University.

Kristen Mekemson named VP of Development and Philanthropic Services at Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Press Release

Kristen Mekemson named VP of Development and Philanthropic Services at Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Kristen Mekemson will join the Foundation March 29, 2018

Greater Milwaukee Foundation accepting nominations for annual Civic Awards
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee Foundation accepting nominations for annual Civic Awards

Please submit your nomination by March 5.

More than $95 million in Greater Milwaukee Foundation grants invested in community
Press Release

More than $95 million in Greater Milwaukee Foundation grants invested in community

The substantial investment in community development includes $52 million in charitable funds supporting the development of the downtown arena project, as directed by Sen. Herb Kohl.

Greater Milwaukee Foundation opening MPM to all for free Saturday, Aug. 12
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee Foundation opening MPM to all for free Saturday, Aug. 12

On Saturday, Aug. 12, not only will entry be free for all visitors, but hours will be extended from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Greater Milwaukee Foundation invests $400,000 in careers of Wisconsin scientists
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee Foundation invests $400,000 in careers of Wisconsin scientists

The awards program started in 1982 thanks to a $4.3 million bequest from Dorothy Shaw, widow of James Shaw, a prominent Milwaukee attorney.

Record $60 million in grants issued from Greater Milwaukee Foundation in 2016
Press Release

Record $60 million in grants issued from Greater Milwaukee Foundation in 2016

Foundation donors expanded their philanthropy by contributing more than $43 million to Foundation funds in 2016.

Colón appointment completes Greater Milwaukee Foundation Board expansion
Press Release

Colón appointment completes Greater Milwaukee Foundation Board expansion

The growth in board leadership was implemented to expand its governance capacity.

Foundation continues Gifts to the Community with free admission to lakefront sites
Press Release

Foundation continues Gifts to the Community with free admission to lakefront sites

The Foundation’s Gifts to the Community are being presented this year in partnership with Fund for Lake Michigan.

Greater Milwaukee Foundation launches fund to heal and strengthen neighborhoods
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee Foundation launches fund to heal and strengthen neighborhoods

The Foundation will seed the new community-wide fund with an initial grant of $200,000.

Foundation’s Nohl Fund grants $338,000 toward area arts programs
Press Release

Foundation’s Nohl Fund grants $338,000 toward area arts programs

The Mary L. Nohl fund has made grants of more than $7 million since 2001 in support of visual arts and arts education in the metropolitan area.

Construction leader honored for impact on region’s built environment
Press Release

Construction leader honored for impact on region’s built environment

Jorgensen received the Foundation’s Frank Kirkpatrick Award.

Greater Milwaukee Foundation grants $1.25M to Children’s to tackle childhood asthma
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee Foundation grants $1.25M to Children’s to tackle childhood asthma

Research partnership will study effectiveness of reducing environmental triggers of asthma

First-ever comprehensive study of Latino Milwaukee shows community’s impact on region
Press Release

First-ever comprehensive study of Latino Milwaukee shows community’s impact on region

Latino community study shows growth, opportunity, disparity

Greater Milwaukee Foundation has record year for grants
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee Foundation has record year for grants

The Foundation and its philanthropic donors provided more than $44.8 million in grants

Greater Milwaukee Foundation wraps 100th year with free week at the Zoo
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee Foundation wraps 100th year with free week at the Zoo

New snow leopard’s arrival among highlights of December Gift to the Community

Greater Milwaukee Foundation to honor community leaders Nov. 12
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee Foundation to honor community leaders Nov. 12

The awards will be presented Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Foundation’s annual Lunch with the President event.

Greater Milwaukee Foundation presents free day at Holiday Folk Fair International
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee Foundation presents free day at Holiday Folk Fair International

November Gift to the Community provides access to final day of cultural celebration

Greater Milwaukee Foundation announces free weekend at Discovery World, Oct. 3-4
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee Foundation announces free weekend at Discovery World, Oct. 3-4

All access, special activities await guests of the Foundation’s next Gift to the Community

Greater Milwaukee Foundation opens Miller Park for special day of public access
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee Foundation opens Miller Park for special day of public access

Partnership with Brewers Community Foundation at heart of September Gift to the Community

Youth employment focus of first grants from Greater Milwaukee Foundation-Wells Fargo initiative
Press Release

Youth employment focus of first grants from Greater Milwaukee Foundation-Wells Fargo initiative

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation has issued special grants to 17 local nonprofits for programs designed to strengthen Milwaukee neighborhoods.

Nature, ecology are focal points of Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s August gift
Press Release

Nature, ecology are focal points of Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s August gift

Experience the wonders of the natural world during a day of free access to sites in greater Milwaukee that advance environmental education, conservation, adventure and ecology.

Zoo will acquire two snow leopards with gift from Greater Milwaukee Foundation
20 nonprofits to benefit from 24-hour online giving event
Press Release

20 nonprofits to benefit from 24-hour online giving event

Each donation of $10 or more made on Thursday, March 19, will be matched; last year, more than $3 million was raised this way

New film festival among arts programs supported by Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Mary L. Nohl Fund
Press Release

New film festival among arts programs supported by Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Mary L. Nohl Fund

With support from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Mary L. Nohl Fund, Milwaukee will soon have its own Muslim Film Festival.

Greater Milwaukee Foundation invests nearly $30,000 toward Milwaukee area summer programs, activities
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee Foundation invests nearly $30,000 toward Milwaukee area summer programs, activities

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation awarded $29,800 in grants to area agencies

Greater Milwaukee Foundation invests in success of MATC students through scholarship initiative
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee Foundation invests in success of MATC students through scholarship initiative

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is partnering with Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) to increase opportunities for low income students to complete their education and enter a higher-wage profession.

Community organizer recognized for leadership
Press Release

Community organizer recognized for leadership

For his efforts to improve the quality of life in Milwaukee neighborhoods, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation will recognize community organizer Christopher Boston as the 2014 recipient of its Doug Jansson Leadership Award.

Greater Milwaukee community brings home another win for basic needs
Press Release

Greater Milwaukee community brings home another win for basic needs

Match Day 2014 raises more than $3 million for food and shelter agencies

Foundation grant to help St. Ann Center replicate intergenerational center on Milwaukee’s north side
Press Release

Foundation grant to help St. Ann Center replicate intergenerational center on Milwaukee’s north side

Funding part of $736,790 in capital grants awarded during 4th quarter

Mary L. Nohl Fund supports Latino history mural
Press Release

Mary L. Nohl Fund supports Latino history mural

Grant part of $134,000 to visual arts programs during second quarter

Metro Milwaukee ranks high for communities of color
Press Release

Metro Milwaukee ranks high for communities of color

Findings part of new report that measures well-being of metro area