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.
We are responsible for stewarding people’s trusted relationships with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.
We also have an unparalleled opportunity to model how to expand meaningful connections across diverse stakeholder groups who share an interest in moving greater Milwaukee forward together.
Wherever the priority, whatever the investment, a connection is the catalyst.
How can we strengthen more connections to enhance our collective potential as a region?
The answer lies in our actions taken together.
At the Foundation, we have experienced firsthand the success of building strong connections that create a collective impact.
Our pioneering Greater Together Campaign demonstrated the significance of trust and the power of making new connections. Of the more than 4,800 donors who contributed, over 3,000 are new to the Foundation. By inviting deeper engagement with a broad group of donors and emphasizing the value of giving time, talent, ties and treasure, we raised $726.8 million to strengthen our region and help ensure philanthropy includes our entire community.
Across greater Milwaukee, small business owners, early childhood education providers and developers in underinvested neighborhoods are actively contributing to the advancement of their communities. We aim to connect these entrepreneurs and enterprises with the strategic capital they need to grow and thrive. For example, our impact investing program has committed over $20 million in loans and other financial resources to enhance economic mobility and support projects that offer additional community benefits.
Throughout the Foundation’s 109-year history, our partnerships with effective nonprofits have served as a primary means of addressing residents’ needs and investing in a higher quality of life for our region. Our connection with those directly serving the community allows us to keep an accurate pulse on the issues our residents face. Guided by this knowledge, we have provided over $321 million in grant support since 2020 to help our community thrive, with $273 million of that coming through donor recommendation.
Sometimes, the most crucial outcome of an authentic connection is amplifying voices that may otherwise go unheard by those making decisions. For instance, residents have influenced over $1.3 million in funding toward community priorities through the Foundation's participatory grantmaking programs. Meanwhile, Early Childhood Education Ambassadors supported by Milwaukee Succeeds have contributed 2,300 hours of service toward ensuring parent and caregiver voices are centered in advocacy and strategy decisions.
When we connect across sectors, the potential for impact is at its highest. The coalescing of philanthropic, nonprofit, government and corporate entities behind the Community Development Alliance's affordable housing initiatives shows Milwaukee is ready for new solutions to deeply rooted issues. Additionally, the constellation of partners willing to plant a stake with us in Bronzeville as part of the ThriveOn Collaboration is a testament to our belief that access to opportunity strengthens neighborhoods and entire regions.
In my first few months as president and CEO, I have met with people across greater Milwaukee and been struck by the depth of connection people feel toward the Foundation and their interest in building a Milwaukee for all. This sense of belonging is our strength. I invite everyone to bring their interests, energy and perspectives to the table as we chart our shared future.
The fabric of our community is one we must weave together.
Gregory M. Wesley, JD
President and CEO
Greater Milwaukee Foundation