Teach for America Milwaukee Receives $200K Gift from Herb Kohl Philanthropies

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, November 13, 2024 — Teach For America (TFA) Milwaukee is proud to announce a generous $200,000 gift from Herb Kohl Philanthropies in support of its efforts to address educational inequities and strengthen the teacher pipeline in Milwaukee. This multi-year grant will directly support TFA’s mission to recruit, train, and develop high-quality educators, ensuring all students in Milwaukee have access to an excellent education.

Founded by former U.S. Senator and philanthropist Herb Kohl, Herb Kohl Philanthropies is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Milwaukee and across Wisconsin through strategic investments in education, civic engagement, and non-profit collaboration. In Milwaukee, Herb Kohl Philanthropies has been a longstanding champion of excellence in the teaching profession, and a strong advocate for educational equity, supporting programs that enhance teacher recruitment, professional development, and student success.

Their ongoing work demonstrates a deep commitment to providing every child with access to quality education and the resources needed to succeed. The $200,000 grant to TFA Milwaukee will be distributed over two years. This grant builds on the strong partnership between Herb Kohl Philanthropies and Teach For America Milwaukee, a collaboration that has supported TFA’s mission since 2017.

This funding comes at a critical time for education in Milwaukee, where teacher shortages and turnover have reached historic levels. With this additional support, TFA Milwaukee recruits college graduates and career changers annually, adding to the 570 teachers who have completed the TFA training. TFA Milwaukee also provides professional development to over 50 alumni and continues its innovative Teacher Pathway Program, which offers high school students dual enrollment courses to explore careers in education.

“We are deeply grateful to Herb Kohl Philanthropies for their continued belief in and support of our work,” said Michael Nguyen, Executive Director of Teach For America Milwaukee. “This generous investment enables us to recruit and develop more teachers and leaders who will make a lasting impact on Milwaukee’s education system. Together, we are working to ensure every child in our city has the opportunity to learn, lead, and thrive.”

Herb Kohl Philanthropies President & CEO, JoAnne Anton, emphasized the importance of investing in local educational leadership: “Teach For America Milwaukee has been a driving force in cultivating talented educators and leaders who are dedicated to expanding opportunities for students. We are proud to continue our partnership and support TFA’s vital efforts to strengthen the teacher pipeline and address educational inequities in our city.”

With the continued support of partners like Herb Kohl Philanthropies, TFA Milwaukee is poised to create lasting change in the city’s education system, providing students with the high-quality educators and leaders they deserve.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.