Zilber Family Foundation Announces Nearly $2.4 Million in Grants to Benefit Neighborhoods

MILWAUKEE – At its May meeting, the board of directors of the Zilber Family Foundation awarded eight grants totaling nearly $2.4 million to nonprofit organizations. The grants support the work of the Zilber Neighborhood Initiative in Lindsay Heights, Clarke Square, and Layton Boulevard West neighborhoods. Through the Zilber Neighborhood Initiative, the Foundation supports nonprofit organizations working to improve conditions in a 110-block area on the city’s north side and a 170-block area on the south side.

Walnut Way, United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee, and Journey House each received multi-year grants to continue their work to improve the quality of life in Milwaukee neighborhoods. “The Foundation’s board of directors is pleased to continue to support these organizations that are vital to the success of the Initiative.  They and others have partnered with the Foundation since the beginning of the Initiative, envisioning and helping to shape the future of their neighborhoods,” said Susan Lloyd, executive director of the Foundation.

A grant of $150,000 will support Safe & Sound to carry out a public safety and community engagement strategy in the Clarke Square and Layton Boulevard West neighborhoods. Safe & Sound organizers will bring together residents, young people, law enforcement, and other community resources to build safe and empowered neighborhoods.

A grant of $140,000 over two years will enable Select Milwaukee to help families become and stay homeowners in the Clarke Square and Layton Boulevard West neighborhoods. Select Milwaukee will pre-approve potential buyers for conventional financing; connect potential buyers to established real estate lenders, down payment assistance programs, and other grant opportunities; and provide foreclosure-prevention services. As a result of the grant, at least 50 homes will be purchased in the neighborhoods.

A grant of $25,000 to Epic Community Center Organization will support after-school and summer programs for youth on the near south side. At least 400 youth will receive after-school tutoring and homework help; participate in classes in Ju-Jitsu, break dancing, and arts and ceramics; and take advantage of supervised open gym and recreation time.

Artists Working in Education will receive $50,000 over two years to provide art enrichment programs to youth in ZNI neighborhoods. AWE will operate its Truck Studio, Satellite Studio, and School Studio programs in parks and schools in the three neighborhoods. In the first year, AWE will engage at least 1,000 youth and design, create, and install at least six large-scale public artworks.

A grant of $40,000 over two years will support the Community Connections Small Grants Program, a joint effort of Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Northwestern Mutual Foundation, and Zilber Family Foundation, to promote resident initiative and involvement in their neighborhoods. Grants of up to $750 will be made available for several resident-led projects, and residents will determine which applications would best improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. This grant renews support for the program which started in 2014 and currently is in its third funding cycle.

“Residents are deeply knowledgeable about the assets and challenges in their neighborhoods and, through the small grants program, they are making visible improvements to neighborhoods,” said Lloyd. “We are excited about this program and look forward to supporting even more resident-led projects with this and other grants.”

Formed in 1961, the Zilber Family Foundation is a private independent grantmaking institution dedicated to enhancing the well-being of individuals, families, and neighborhoods, with a primary emphasis on the City of Milwaukee. Since 2008, the Zilber Family Foundation has awarded more than $28 million to support residents and nonprofit organizations working to improve the quality of life in Milwaukee neighborhoods through the Zilber Neighborhood Initiative. For more information, visit: www.znimilwaukee.org.

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.

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