News & Stories · Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Inspiring Community All

In putting community first, the road less traveled can mean more to gain

Apr 30, 2024

As a foundation today, we identify as a community leader, a trusted partner and a philanthropic steward.

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eNews All

Business support cohort yields collaboration and growth opportunities

Mar 26, 2024

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

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EducationeNews All

Milwaukee Succeeds project offers providers support on accreditation journey

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.

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eNewsThriveOn All

ThriveOn King artists talk honoring Bronzeville’s past with pieces for the present

Mar 20, 2024

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

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eNews All

Foundation extends heartfelt welcome to new Board members

Feb 14, 2024

Greater Milwaukee Foundation Board welcomes new members.

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News All

Foundation raises over $726 million in Greater Together Campaign, unites community around investment in lasting change

Feb 9, 2024

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

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Inspiring Community All

Philanthropy and community leadership in action

Jan 25, 2024

The Foundation has always been an engine for philanthropic impact.

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NewsThriveOn All

Story of Bronzeville’s past, present & future to be told through artwork featured at ThriveOn King

Jan 9, 2024

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

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eNews All

Take a look: Greater Milwaukee Foundation builds relationships and celebrates with community

Nov 27, 2023

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

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eNews All

Greater Milwaukee Foundation award recipients embody a Milwaukee for all

Nov 27, 2023

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

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EducationeNews All

Early childhood education advocacy pays off, but big gaps remain

Nov 27, 2023

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

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Community wellnessGreater Together Magazine All

Building health equity from the ground up

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.

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Greater Together Magazine All

Lifeline program unleashes wave of support, resources for furry friends

Nov 15, 2023

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

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Greater Together MagazineHousing All

Donors, community partners open the door to long-term housing affordability in MKE

Nov 15, 2023

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

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Greater Together Magazine All

Philanthropy helps fuel small business growth and economic equity

Nov 15, 2023

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

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Awards All

2023 William C. Frye Award Recipient - Ted and Mary Kellner

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.

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Awards All

2023 Frank Kirkpatrick Award Recipient - Ernesto and Olivia Villarreal

Nov 15, 2023

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

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Awards All

2023 Doug Jansson Leadership Award Recipient - John Daniels III

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.

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Awards All

2023 President's Award for Leadership in Racial Equity and Social Justice Recipient - Lupe Martinez

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.

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News All

Ellen Gilligan to retire from Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Oct 11, 2023

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

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Inspiring Community All

Generating community impact requires a catalyst and commitment

Sep 22, 2023

Greater Milwaukee Foundation demonstrates catalytic power in Greater Together Campaign.

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AwardsNews All

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

Sep 1, 2023

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

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Awards All

2023 Jackie Herd-Barber Award - Kristen Hardy

Sep 1, 2023

Kristen Hardy receives 2023 Jackie Herd-Barber Award.

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EmploymenteNewsThriveOn All

Coming to ThriveOn King, JobsWork MKE takes comprehensive approach to employment

Aug 1, 2023

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

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eNewsHousing All

Foundation and CDA encourage collaboration from all sectors in housing efforts

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.

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Grants at workeNews All

Responding to community voice for maternal, family well-being

Aug 1, 2023

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

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eNews All

Foundation welcomes new Board members, salutes service of another

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.

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Action Report All

Action Report on Racial Equity – Summer 2023

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.

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HousingNews All

Milwaukee public-philanthropic housing partnership recognized nationally

Jun 14, 2023

HUD Secretary’s Award honors Greater Milwaukee Foundation, CDA

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EducationInspiring Community All

State budget investment in early childhood education would be gamechanger for families and economy

Apr 1, 2023

High quality early childhood education is hard to find and even harder to afford.

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eNews All

Organizations trust Greater Milwaukee Foundation to help reach goals

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.

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eNews All

A Milwaukee for All: Foundation and partners move from convenings to action

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.

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eNewsHousing All

Groups break down silos to tackle lead abatement

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

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Greater Together MagazineThriveOn All

Vibrant hub will bring investment, resources to revitalize MLK Drive

Jan 1, 2023

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

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Greater Together MagazineThriveOn All

Beyond the bricks and mortar

Jan 1, 2023

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

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Inspiring Community All

Building an inclusive culture includes learning in public

Jan 1, 2023

Since 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.

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EducationGreater Together Magazine All

'Because the kids deserve it’ Foundation’s makes investment in Black-led college prep school

Jan 1, 2023

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

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Greater Together MagazineProfiles in philanthropy All

Leading by example

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.

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Greater Together MagazineProfiles in philanthropy All

Adviser committed to diversifying financial industry

Jan 1, 2023

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

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Greater Together MagazineProfiles in philanthropy All

Meg and Ricardo Diaz: Devoted to expanding children’s access to education and opportunity

Jan 1, 2023

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

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Action Report All

Action Report on Racial Equity – Winter 2022

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.

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NewsThriveOn All

Anonymous donor gives $1 million to Foundation for ThriveOn King development

Nov 22, 2022

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

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EducationeNews All

‘Take your rightful place’: Danae Davis Makes Way for Next Generation

Nov 1, 2022

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

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eNews All

Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s latest ‘A Milwaukee for All’ centers lived experience

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.

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eNews All

Foundation honors community leaders with Greater Together awards

Nov 1, 2022

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

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Grants at workeNews All

‘Voting is true power’: Foundation supports mobilization efforts

Nov 1, 2022

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

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EducationHousingInspiring Community All

Foundation influences historic, cross-sector collaborations

Oct 1, 2022

Foundation promises to deepen our impact, our connections and our resolve to build a better Milwaukee

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Inspiring Community All

Transforming community together

Sep 1, 2022

The 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.

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Greater Together MagazineThriveOn All

Community is in the driver’s seat when it comes to catalytic collaboration

Aug 22, 2022

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

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Greater Together MagazineProfiles in philanthropy All

Donor’s gift opens door for other donors of color

Aug 22, 2022

From grantee to donor, Danae Davis' philanthropic journey.

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Grants at workGreater Together Magazine All

Bronzeville’s beacon of hope and healing

Aug 22, 2022

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

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EducationGreater Together Magazine All

Caring for the Caregiver

Aug 22, 2022

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

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Greater Together Magazine All

Taking business to the next level

Aug 22, 2022

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

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Grants at workGreater Together MagazineHousing All

Collaborative center works to stem the tide of evictions in MKE

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.

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Greater Together MagazineProfiles in philanthropy All

Gertrude Payton: A servant of God, community and humanity

Aug 22, 2022

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

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eNews All

Foundation reimagines philanthropy with Edgar Villanueva in “A Milwaukee for All”

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.

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eNewsHousing All

Accessible housing solutions receive Foundation support

Aug 1, 2022

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

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eNews All

Foundation invests $1 million in immediate violence prevention, healing efforts

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.

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eNewsThriveOn All

Halfway through 2022: ThriveOn Collaboration celebrates construction, other major milestones

Aug 1, 2022

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

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Grants at workeNews All

Economic development, healthy food and youth engagement intersect at new neighborhood grocery store

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.

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NewsThriveOn All

ThriveOn King Building Construction to Commence

Jun 7, 2022

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

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Action Report All

Action Report on Racial Equity – Summer 2022

Jun 1, 2022

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

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Inspiring CommunityThriveOn All

New paths to change intersect through ThriveOn Collaboration

Jun 1, 2022

We are striving for a thriving, equitable region while also working hard to build an inclusive culture within our own organization’s walls.

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EducationNewsThriveOn All

ThriveOn Collaboration to bring high-quality early childhood care and education center to ThriveOn King while mobilizing $5 million for current neighborhood providers

Apr 22, 2022

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

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News All

Foundation’s newest impact investment supports diverse construction firm

Apr 5, 2022

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

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Inspiring Community All

Transformative philanthropy calls for a rewritten playbook

Jan 1, 2022

Our strategic actions – reimagining philanthropy, recentering communities and remaking systems – are aimed at transformation. We are rewriting the playbook for philanthropic impact.

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Greater Together MagazineProfiles in philanthropy All