Browse our latest news, publications and stories of impact.
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.
read postCommunity Connections Small Grants Program uplifts residents through direct small grants for neighborhood improvement projects.
read postThe Greater Milwaukee Foundation presents several prestigious awards to people who bring greater opportunity, diversity and progress to the Milwaukee region
read postThriveOn King has seen a flurry of activity in recent months with tenant partners, new construction and more.
read postOf 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.
read postBrad 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.
read postThrough 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.
read postDamian Buchman works tirelessly to remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from being able to participate in physical activity and recreational opportunities.
read postNicole Robbins has helped transform the landscape of the King Drive corridor and surrounding neighborhoods through housing and commercial development.
read postCheck out photos from ThriveOn King's open house.
read postThe Foundation has continued its support of local activities that encourage civic engagement and participation in democracy by doubling the amount of grant funding.
read postThe Greater Milwaukee Foundation and Otto Bremer Trust funded over 40 nonprofits through OBT's Community Responsive Fund.
read postHelp those affected by Hurricane Helene. Make a contribution to organizations that have established relief efforts.
read postThe 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.
read postKathy Klein views philanthropy as a great avenue to deepen conversations with her financial clients.
read postEmily Tau uses her passion for Milwaukee, her strength as a social connector and her communication skills to help advance racial equity throughout the region.
read postCommunity hub will feature named spaces supported by philanthropy
read postThe Greater Milwaukee Foundation started a new chapter with Greg Wesley as president and CEO.
read postCream City Foundation has joined the Greater Milwaukee Foundation as a supporting organization.
read postPresident and CEO Ellen Gilligan reflects on transformative achievements, challenges during her 14-year tenure.
read postFoundation helps couple become more focused, strategic with philanthropy.
read postNaryan Leazer has deepened his relationship with the Foundation over the past 15 years, because of the impact it has on community.
read postEndowment fund paves the way for journalists of color, amplifying diverse voices in Milwaukee and beyond.
read postDonor Rachel Monaco deepens her connection with Foundation, honors husband’s memory through her donor advised fund.
read postLongtime donors David and Marge Hamacher consider the Foundation a valuable philanthropic resource.
read postMaribeth Bush helped nourish a culture of philanthropy through decades of service to Oconomowoc Area Foundation.
read postThe Latino Chamber of Commerce’s new Foundation-supported fund will help entrepreneurs who have difficulty accessing capital.
read postFoundation welcomes new Board members and thanks others for service.
read postThroughout my career, I have tended to be a risk-taker when it comes to growth and opportunity. I view the future through a lens of possibility rather than limitation.
read postHear why partners continue to place their trust in the Foundation.
read postGreg Wesley to continue to build on Foundation’s legacy of growth, collaboration
read postThe Foundation aims to deploy $1 million in low-interest loans to support small businesses based in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee counties
read postAs a foundation today, we identify as a community leader, a trusted partner and a philanthropic steward.
read postThriveOn Business Support Cohort gives small business owners an opportunity to collaborate and seek support.
read postTo increase the number of high-quality early childhood education seats in the area, Milwaukee Succeeds and 4C for Children launched the Accreditation Facilitation Project.
read postOver 20 selected artists are completing their pieces for the first floor community hub at ThriveOn King.
read postGreater Milwaukee Foundation Board welcomes new members.
read postThe Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Greater Together Campaign exceeded its ambitious $700 million fundraising goal.
read postThe Foundation has always been an engine for philanthropic impact.
read postOver 20 artists chosen to display art throughout the first floor of ThriveOn King.
read postCheck out our photo gallery of various events featuring you – our neighbors, our community members and our friends.
read postThe Greater Milwaukee Foundation celebrates leaders with a number of prestigious awards.
read postAdvocates continue to raise awareness, bridge gaps and find solutions.
read postThe Foundation is investing in the health, educational and economic well-being of people in the neighborhoods adjacent to the collaboration’s home, ThriveOn King.
read postPets for Life is a nationally recognized program model that provides animal services, care and resources to underserved communities in Milwaukee.
read postA growing number of community organizations, funders, donors and housing advocates are committed to making affordable housing a reality.
read postThe Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s work to strengthen economic opportunity through Milwaukee’s small business ecosystem revolves around providing access.
read postThe couple has spent the past 40-plus years channeling their passions and skills toward improving nearly every major nonprofit and civic entity in Milwaukee.
read postWhile building their business, the Villarreals have been just as busy building community.
read postFor the past 15 years, John Daniels III has spent his career trying to help young men discover where they want to spend theirs.
read postMartinez has used his background, leadership skills and influence on the state and national levels as well to help improve the lives of farmworkers.
read postEllen M. Gilligan, longtime President and CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, has announced her summer 2024 retirement.
read postGreater Milwaukee Foundation demonstrates catalytic power in Greater Together Campaign.
read postMaureen O’Leary-Guth named as 2023 Outstanding Professional Adviser of the Year.
read postKristen Hardy receives 2023 Jackie Herd-Barber Award.
read postIn 2024, JobsWork MKE will join the Foundation and other partners in the ThriveOn King building.
read postThe Greater Milwaukee Foundation recently received the 2023 HUD Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships for its work with the Community Development Alliance.
read postDalvery Blackwell, co-founder of the African American Breastfeeding Network, repurposed grant dollars to create Healing Waters.
read postCristy Garcia-Thomas of Advocate National Center for Health Equity and Blaine Gibson of WE Wealth Management have joined the Greater Milwaukee Foundation Board.
read postLearn 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.
read postHUD Secretary’s Award honors Greater Milwaukee Foundation, CDA
read postHigh quality early childhood education is hard to find and even harder to afford.
read postFrom 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.
read postThe Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s virtual educational series “A Milwaukee for All” demonstrated the Foundation’s ability to build connections, make commitments and take action.
read postThrough 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
read postThe area around Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is once again becoming a commercial and cultural destination.
read postWith lead role in ThriveOn Collaboration, Foundation makes generational investment in historically Black neighborhoods.
read postSince making our generational commitment to racial equity and inclusion, I have realized just how much of that journey involves the personal steps we take as individuals.
read postFoundation’s $3M investment helps Black-led college prep school advance plans in Bronzeville.
read postAmanda and Jon Sacks passion for West Bend motivated them to partner with the foundation to ensure that their community continues to grow and thrive.
read postBlaine Gibson has been a thought partner, referral source and mentor in helping diversify the philanthropic sector
read postImproving access to high-quality education and opportunities for Milwaukee’s youth has been a focal point of the Diazes’ careers.
read postRead about our efforts to advance equity in Milwaukee through impact investing, engaging diverse donor communities and investing in community-based violence prevention and healing.
read postThe Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Greater Together Campaign receives gift for redevelopment project.
read postAfter seven years as executive director of Milwaukee Succeeds, Danae Davis retired in November.
read postThe 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.
read postThe Foundation’s annual Greater Together awards honored Ralph Hollmon, Keith Stanley, Lauren Feaster and José Olivieri.
read postThe Foundation awarded $100,000 across seven groups to support their voter mobilization and education efforts.
read postFoundation promises to deepen our impact, our connections and our resolve to build a better Milwaukee
read postThe progression of voting rights reveals how society experiences real, systemic change. Today, I reflect on that work with deep gratitude and hope, as it confirms that significant change is possible.
read postCommunity engagement and collaboration are at the heart of the ThriveOn Collaboration.
read postFrom grantee to donor, Danae Davis' philanthropic journey.
read postAmerica’s Black Holocaust Museum reemerges after 14-year hiatus with Foundation support.
read postEarly childhood education providers receive support and resources provided through the MKE Early Childhood Education Coalition.
read postOver the past 13 years, JCP Construction has defied the odds and made a name for itself in Milwaukee.
read postThe Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center is a comprehensive referral network connecting people — both tenants and landlords — to resources, education and services.
read postGertrude Payton was actively involved with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation since 2002.
read postThe 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.
read postIn 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.
read postThe ThriveOn Collaboration is celebrating. The past six months have seen a plethora of action.
read postHousing is a human right. The Foundation and donors invest in strategies to expand housing options.
read postA 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.
read postThe ThriveOn Collaboration announces the official start of construction on its ThriveOn King building.
read postLearn about the steps we are taking – both internally and externally – to advance equity in our community.
read postWe are striving for a thriving, equitable region while also working hard to build an inclusive culture within our own organization’s walls.
read postThe ThriveOn Collaboration is committed to expanding access to quality early childhood education.
read postThe Greater Milwaukee Foundation has issued a new impact investment loan of $1.54 million to Milwaukee-based JCP Construction.
read postOur strategic actions – reimagining philanthropy, recentering communities and remaking systems – are aimed at transformation. We are rewriting the playbook for philanthropic impact.
read postThe Foundation was the logical choice when Pedro Colón and his wife, Betty Ulmer, decided to make a legacy gift.
read postOver the years, Ralph and Margaret Hollmon have enriched the Milwaukee community through their activism and their volunteer efforts.
read postThroughout 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.
read postBeauty awaits you at every corner of Three Bridges Park, a 24-acre urban oasis.
read postHispanic Collaborative is geared toward propelling Milwaukee into the top 10 cities for Hispanics nationwide.
read postWhen Tom Florsheim commits to something, he does so wholeheartedly.
read post