News & Stories

Jul 18, 2025

Building a vibrant Oconomowoc—OAF sparks joy, hope, and change through grants that uplift lives and energize community spaces.

Jul 18, 2025

Arts drive Milwaukee’s vitality—the Foundation and its donors gave $9.5 million to public art, museums, and artists.

Jul 18, 2025

Cream City Foundation’s new Foundation partnership secures its legacy of advancing LGBTQ+ equity and community well-being.

Jul 14, 2025

New professionals join Foundation Board as Foundation thanks others for their service.

Jul 10, 2025

Community advocacy helped secure $330M for early childhood education in Wisconsin’s 2025–27 state budget.

Jun 1, 2025

The Legacy Foundation continues the philosophy of Legacy Bank’s mission,whose mission was to make Milwaukee a better place for entrepreneurs and small businesses. 

May 7, 2025

Milwaukee realtor and developer Beechie Brooks faced doubters when he proposed a suburban-style subdivision for the Black middle class.

Apr 28, 2025

Imagine a single area of investment with the power to pay immediate dividends for countless employers and working families across Wisconsin.

Mar 25, 2025

Milwaukee Succeeds’ Autonomous Youth Council is putting youth-adult equity into practice.

Mar 25, 2025

The Foundation is connected to two local efforts working to address mass incarceration.

Mar 17, 2025

Greater Milwaukee Foundation issues $800,000 in affordable capital.

Mar 7, 2025

As the end of Child Care Counts approaches, Milwaukee Succeeds surveyed 650+ providers to explore the impact of the federal funding – and the looming crisis when it expires.

Mar 5, 2025

Foundation to distribute $3 million in grants to local nonprofits; application opens March 17

Feb 28, 2025

Feb 17, 2025

Reserve a meeting space at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.

Jan 30, 2025

A sturdy roof over one’s head and access to high-quality knowledge is essential to a person’s long-term well-being.

Jan 10, 2025

Your generosity can bring hope and relief to those affected, helping to rebuild lives and restore the community.

Jan 3, 2025

Community voices helped bring ThriveOn King to life.

Jan 3, 2025

How recent Foundation investments across sectors are helping the diverse south side thrive.

Jan 3, 2025

Meet our new President and CEO Greg Wesley.

Dec 20, 2024

Explore a year of growth and impact in Milwaukee Succeeds' 2024 Annual Report, featuring highlights from their youth leadership work, early educator trainings and brand-new policy initiative.

Dec 2, 2024

Community Connections Small Grants Program uplifts residents through direct small grants for neighborhood improvement projects.

Dec 2, 2024

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation presents several prestigious awards to people who bring greater opportunity, diversity and progress to the Milwaukee region

Dec 2, 2024

ThriveOn King has seen a flurry of activity in recent months with tenant partners, new construction and more.

Nov 12, 2024

Of all the roles a community foundation plays in a region's philanthropic, nonprofit and civic spaces, the role of a connector may be the most important.

Oct 22, 2024

Brad Pruitt has shepherded the reemergence of a cultural institution that is creating space for the difficult conversations that our community and country need to have.

Oct 22, 2024

Through leadership of one of Milwaukee’s top companies over the past 14 years, John Schlifske has made exceptional contributions to create positive change across our region.

Oct 22, 2024

Damian Buchman works tirelessly to remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from being able to participate in physical activity and recreational opportunities.

Oct 22, 2024

Nicole Robbins has helped transform the landscape of the King Drive corridor and surrounding neighborhoods through housing and commercial development.

Oct 21, 2024

Check out photos from ThriveOn King's open house.

Oct 9, 2024

The Foundation has continued its support of local activities that encourage civic engagement and participation in democracy by doubling the amount of grant funding.

Oct 7, 2024

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation and Otto Bremer Trust funded over 40 nonprofits through OBT's Community Responsive Fund.

Oct 2, 2024

Help those affected by Hurricane Helene. Make a contribution to organizations that have established relief efforts.

Oct 2, 2024

The ThriveOn Collaboration has selected Kinship Community Food Center, which serves residents in the Riverwest and Harambee neighborhoods, to operate a signature café in the historic ThriveOn King building.

Sep 16, 2024

Kathy Klein views philanthropy as a great avenue to deepen conversations with her financial clients.

Sep 16, 2024

Emily Tau uses her passion for Milwaukee, her strength as a social connector and her communication skills to help advance racial equity throughout the region.

Aug 27, 2024

Community hub will feature named spaces supported by philanthropy

Aug 8, 2024

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation started a new chapter with Greg Wesley as president and CEO.

Aug 1, 2024

Jul 23, 2024

Cream City Foundation has joined the Greater Milwaukee Foundation as a supporting organization.

Jul 23, 2024

President and CEO Ellen Gilligan reflects on transformative achievements, challenges during her 14-year tenure.

Jul 23, 2024

Foundation helps couple become more focused, strategic with philanthropy.

Jul 23, 2024

Naryan Leazer has deepened his relationship with the Foundation over the past 15 years, because of the impact it has on community.

Jul 23, 2024

Endowment fund paves the way for journalists of color, amplifying diverse voices in Milwaukee and beyond.

Jul 23, 2024

Donor Rachel Monaco deepens her connection with Foundation, honors husband’s memory through her donor advised fund.

Jul 23, 2024

Longtime donors David and Marge Hamacher consider the Foundation a valuable philanthropic resource.

Jul 23, 2024

Maribeth Bush helped nourish a culture of philanthropy through decades of service to Oconomowoc Area Foundation.

Jul 23, 2024

The Latino Chamber of Commerce’s new Foundation-supported fund will help entrepreneurs who have difficulty accessing capital.

Jul 9, 2024

Foundation welcomes new Board members and thanks others for service.

Jun 21, 2024

Hear why partners continue to place their trust in the Foundation.

Jun 13, 2024

Greg Wesley to continue to build on Foundation’s legacy of growth, collaboration

Jun 11, 2024

The Foundation aims to deploy $1 million in low-interest loans to support small businesses based in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee counties

Mar 26, 2024

ThriveOn Business Support Cohort gives small business owners an opportunity to collaborate and seek support.

Mar 26, 2024

To increase the number of high-quality early childhood education seats in the area, Milwaukee Succeeds and 4C for Children launched the Accreditation Facilitation Project.

Mar 20, 2024

Over 20 selected artists are completing their pieces for the first floor community hub at ThriveOn King.

Feb 14, 2024

Greater Milwaukee Foundation Board welcomes new members.

Feb 9, 2024

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Greater Together Campaign exceeded its ambitious $700 million fundraising goal.

Jan 9, 2024

Over 20 artists chosen to display art throughout the first floor of ThriveOn King.

Nov 27, 2023

Check out our photo gallery of various events featuring you – our neighbors, our community members and our friends.

Nov 27, 2023

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation celebrates leaders with a number of prestigious awards.

Nov 27, 2023

Advocates continue to raise awareness, bridge gaps and find solutions.

Nov 15, 2023

The Foundation is investing in the health, educational and economic well-being of people in the neighborhoods adjacent to the collaboration’s home, ThriveOn King.

Nov 15, 2023

Pets for Life is a nationally recognized program model that provides animal services, care and resources to underserved communities in Milwaukee.

Nov 15, 2023

A growing number of community organizations, funders, donors and housing advocates are committed to making affordable housing a reality.

Nov 15, 2023

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s work to strengthen economic opportunity through Milwaukee’s small business ecosystem revolves around providing access.

Nov 15, 2023

The couple has spent the past 40-plus years channeling their passions and skills toward improving nearly every major nonprofit and civic entity in Milwaukee.

Nov 15, 2023

While building their business, the Villarreals have been just as busy building community.

Nov 15, 2023

For the past 15 years, John Daniels III has spent his career trying to help young men discover where they want to spend theirs.

Nov 15, 2023

Martinez has used his background, leadership skills and influence on the state and national levels as well to help improve the lives of farmworkers.

Oct 11, 2023

Ellen M. Gilligan, longtime President and CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, has announced her summer 2024 retirement.

Sep 1, 2023

Maureen O’Leary-Guth named as 2023 Outstanding Professional Adviser of the Year.

Sep 1, 2023

Kristen Hardy receives 2023 Jackie Herd-Barber Award.

Aug 1, 2023

In 2024, JobsWork MKE will join the Foundation and other partners in the ThriveOn King building.

Aug 1, 2023

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation recently received the 2023 HUD Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships for its work with the Community Development Alliance.

Aug 1, 2023

Dalvery Blackwell, co-founder of the African American Breastfeeding Network, repurposed grant dollars to create Healing Waters.

Aug 1, 2023

Cristy Garcia-Thomas of Advocate National Center for Health Equity and Blaine Gibson of WE Wealth Management have joined the Greater Milwaukee Foundation Board.

Aug 1, 2023

Learn about the advancements we are making toward systems change in early childhood education and steps we are taking to ensure greater equity in our grantmaking.

Jun 14, 2023

HUD Secretary’s Award honors Greater Milwaukee Foundation, CDA

Mar 1, 2023

From diversifying revenue streams to creating a plan for sustainability, nonprofits turn to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation to establish agency endowments that help them achieve their goals.

Mar 1, 2023

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s virtual educational series “A Milwaukee for All” demonstrated the Foundation’s ability to build connections, make commitments and take action.

Mar 1, 2023

Through its convening power, social connections and advocacy efforts, the MKE Civic Action Team is helping a range of local partners and the city of Milwaukee address the ongoing threat of lead poisoning in Milwaukee homes

Jan 1, 2023

The area around Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is once again becoming a commercial and cultural destination.

Jan 1, 2023

With lead role in ThriveOn Collaboration, Foundation makes generational investment in historically Black neighborhoods.

Jan 1, 2023

Foundation’s $3M investment helps Black-led college prep school advance plans in Bronzeville.

Jan 1, 2023

Amanda and Jon Sacks passion for West Bend motivated them to partner with the foundation to ensure that their community continues to grow and thrive.

Jan 1, 2023

Blaine Gibson has been a thought partner, referral source and mentor in helping diversify the philanthropic sector

Jan 1, 2023

Improving access to high-quality education and opportunities for Milwaukee’s youth has been a focal point of the Diazes’ careers.

Dec 1, 2022

Read about our efforts to advance equity in Milwaukee through impact investing, engaging diverse donor communities and investing in community-based violence prevention and healing.

Nov 22, 2022

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Greater Together Campaign receives gift for redevelopment project.

Nov 1, 2022

Feaster creates spaces, opportunities for women in southeastern to succeed

Nov 1, 2022

Olivieri, through legal career and volunteer work, has opened the doors to opportunities for thousands in Latino community

Nov 1, 2022

Stanley’s dynamic leadership propels ongoing revitalization of Milwaukee’s ‘neighborhood of neighborhoods’

Nov 1, 2022

Through lifetime of service, Hollmon has addressed Milwaukee’s issues in holistic way

Nov 1, 2022

After seven years as executive director of Milwaukee Succeeds, Danae Davis retired in November.

Nov 1, 2022

The Foundation’s final “A Milwaukee for All” event of 2022 addressed the power of community philanthropy, the value of centering lived experience and how to reframe and co-create community narratives.

Nov 1, 2022

The Foundation’s annual Greater Together awards honored Ralph Hollmon, Keith Stanley, Lauren Feaster and José Olivieri.

Nov 1, 2022

The Foundation awarded $100,000 across seven groups to support their voter mobilization and education efforts.

Aug 22, 2022

Community engagement and collaboration are at the heart of the ThriveOn Collaboration.

Aug 22, 2022

From grantee to donor, Danae Davis' philanthropic journey.

Aug 22, 2022

America’s Black Holocaust Museum reemerges after 14-year hiatus with Foundation support.

Aug 22, 2022

Early childhood education providers receive support and resources provided through the MKE Early Childhood Education Coalition.

Aug 22, 2022

Over the past 13 years, JCP Construction has defied the odds and made a name for itself in Milwaukee.

Aug 22, 2022

The Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center is a comprehensive referral network connecting people — both tenants and landlords — to resources, education and services.

Aug 22, 2022

Gertrude Payton was actively involved with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation since 2002.

Aug 1, 2022

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s most recent “A Milwaukee for All” event on June 24 focused on ways to reimagine philanthropy, heal the hurt caused by colonization and create an equitable society.

Aug 1, 2022

In direct response to recent, escalating violence in Milwaukee, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation has dedicated an initial investment of $1 million to support urgent healing, community building and violence prevention efforts.

Aug 1, 2022

The ThriveOn Collaboration is celebrating. The past six months have seen a plethora of action.

Aug 1, 2022

Housing is a human right. The Foundation and donors invest in strategies to expand housing options.

Aug 1, 2022

A new grocery store in Sherman Park is providing access to affordable, healthy food options for residents and helping create an entrepreneurial ecosystem for local youth.

Jun 7, 2022

The ThriveOn Collaboration announces the official start of construction on its ThriveOn King building.

Jun 1, 2022

Learn about the steps we are taking – both internally and externally – to advance equity in our community.

Apr 22, 2022

The ThriveOn Collaboration is committed to expanding access to quality early childhood education.

Apr 5, 2022

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation has issued a new impact investment loan of $1.54 million to Milwaukee-based JCP Construction.

Nov 1, 2021

If there is anyone who can help those women and children believe that it is true, it is Carmen Pitre, the nonprofit’s leader for nearly 21 years. 

Nov 1, 2021

As a kid growing up in Rio Hondo, Texas, Ness Flores wanted to be a baseball player like his hero, the great Jackie Robinson. And while he loved baseball, he ended up going to bat for something else over the course of his professional career – advocating for the rights and protections of migrant farmworkers as an attorney.

Nov 1, 2021

Over the past two decades, thanks in part to the vision of Mark Eppli, Milwaukee is making inroads toward addressing that disparity.

Nov 1, 2021

To Virgis and Angela Colbert, there is no better way to invest in the future of a community than by investing in education.

Sep 30, 2021

The Foundation was the logical choice when Pedro Colón and his wife, Betty Ulmer, decided to make a legacy gift.

Sep 30, 2021

Over the years, Ralph and Margaret Hollmon have enriched the Milwaukee community through their activism and their volunteer efforts.

Nov 1, 2020

In Christine Neumann-Ortiz’s work as an organizer and activist over the years, no matter the number of successes achieved or series of struggles faced along the way, it’s always been about moving forward.

Nov 1, 2020

Darryl Johnson describes himself as a quiet leader. But the work that he has been able to accomplish over the past 17 years as executive director of Riverworks Development Corporation speaks volumes.

Aug 1, 2020

Throughout Dr. Jeanette Mitchell’s career, which has spanned the philanthropic, corporate, nonprofit and education sectors, she was always intrigued about the idea of what made a good leader.

Sep 30, 2019

Beauty awaits you at every corner of Three Bridges Park, a 24-acre urban oasis.

Jan 1, 2019

Hispanic Collaborative is geared toward propelling Milwaukee into the top 10 cities for Hispanics nationwide.

Jan 1, 2019

When Tom Florsheim commits to something, he does so wholeheartedly.

Nov 1, 0202

Ricardo Diaz believes that Milwaukee’s Latinx community is one of the city’s greatest assets. Over the past nearly 40 years, he has served as one of its biggest advocates.