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Snapshots of Philanthropy |
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Join Us!
This year the Donors Forum of Wisconsin marks its 30th year, and we're celebrating by highlighting philanthropys impact on our community with the Snapshots of Philanthropy, ePostcard series.
This will be a series of 30 profiles offering a glimpse into the many ways grantmakers are making a difference in communities through starting, expanding, sustaining, or partnering with critical initiatives and organizations. The Snapshots highlight the important role of philanthropy and its impact on our community, with an emphasis on the good work of our member foundations and corporate giving programs. The Snapshots will be delivered twice a month beginning on May 12, 2008 to DFW members, community leaders, legislators, and members of the media. The stories will collectively be housed on the DFW website.
Donors Forum members looking for information on how to submit a Snapshot please visit the members only section of the website.
We hope you will celebrate with us and sign up today to receive the bi-weekly Snapshots of Philanthropy ePostcard series!
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Foundation's Legacy Grants Helps Preserve Environment
 It was renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold's land ethic, developed on Wisconsin soil, that inspired the establishment of Sand County Foundation in 1965. Three of his protégées witnessed encroaching development around Leopold's family farm along the Wisconsin River. This motivated them to create a living tribute to Leopold's writings and conservation work, now known as the Leopold Memorial Reserve, where they would begin restoration, conduct research and inform others in order to conserve the private lands as an integral unit. The Foundation has now grown to where it applies Leopold's philosophy, internationally, to the land and to the sea.
Community Foundation Works to Reduse Substance Abuse and Mental Health Crises
 La Crosse Community Foundation has provided many years of leadership and support for two critical community needs - substance abuse and mental health crises. The Community Foundation first began supporting substance abuse issues in 2002 with a small grant to La Crosse Country Drug Court for drug testing kits. Two years later, the Foundation awarded a grant to the Mental Health Coalition of the Greater La Crosse Area and became highly involved in advocacy groups and task forces addressing substance abuse issues in La Crosse and West Central Wisconsin.
Community Foundation Catalyst for Workforce Solutions in Central Wisconsin
 Recognized as a national leader in workforce development, Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County (CFGSWC) in Wisconsin Rapids is encouraging regional collaboration, supporting comprehensive approaches and leveraging local philanthropy and public workforce resources to invest in creating innovative workforce solutions. Milwaukee's First Funders' Collaborative Celebrates 15 Years
 Over the past 15 years, the Nonprofit Management Fund has built the capacity of more than 500 local nonprofits to achieve their missions more effectively. "Milwaukee is fortunate to have a great community of nonprofit organizations," said Doug Jansson, president of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, which along with The Faye McBeath Foundation and the Helen Bader Foundation played a critical role in the Fund's inception. "In 1994, several funders realized that local organizations could benefit from assistance beyond our regular grantmaking that would improve their management capacity and governance effectiveness, which in turn would benefit the clients and the agencies as well as the entire community. From those discussions, the Nonprofit Management Fund was created." Foundation Emphasizes Strategies to Promote Sustainability
 The focus on making health education broadly accessible, effective, and sustainable is often overlooked in the current health insurance debate. The Argosy Foundation, a family foundation established in 1997, believes that magnifying the effectiveness of the associations focused on this work is ultimately critical to improving children and adults' health-related choices. |
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30 in a series of 30
Snapshots Demonstrate Philanthropy's Widespread Impact
 In 1978 a group of individuals engaged in philanthropy planted a seed by establishing the Foundation Forum, a membership association committed to promoting and supporting effective philanthropy. This seed has grown into the Donors Forum of Wisconsin (DFW) serving over 125 member organizations comprised of 325 grantmaking individuals.
Over the last 30 years, DFW has undergone multiple strategic planning processes, expanded services statewide, and enhanced professional development opportunities for grantmakers. DFW's series of 30 Snapshots of Philanthropy demonstrate how philanthropic activity is benefitting the community.
29 in a series of 30
Corporate Sponsorship Generates New Funding Sources
 The Northwestern Mutual Foundation, the largest corporate giver in Wisconsin,continues to advance its mission to inspire lifelong learning through its employee volunteer activities and through support of many nonprofit programs like, "The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD," - an early childhood development exhibit.
28 in series of 30
Foundation Invests In School's Future
 Siebert Lutheran Foundation has provided critical dollars towards capital campaigns to schools like St. Marcus School in Milwaukee that are educating some of the city's most impoverished children.
St. Marcus School, a college prep school serving predominantly low-income African American students, is dedicated to instilling students with wisdom, a sense of dedication and self-discipline, a positive attitude and Christian faith. Over 70 percent of students live in homes with single parent women heading their households and qualify for the federal school lunch subsidy program.
27 in a series of 30
Foundation Promotes Entrepreneurship to Feed the Hungry
 After surviving destructive flooding in June 2008, residents of Janesville are now disproportionately feeling the effects of the economic storm. Since the General Motors plant closing at end of 2008 and the subsequent job losses at several auto supply companies, food and other emergency needs have rapidly increased.
"Janesville recorded the highest unemployment rate at 13.5 percent for the state's twelve metropolitan areas in March 2009," said Sue Conley, Executive Director for the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin (CFSW). "The foundation decided it was time to look for new ways to address the emerging needs in the community."
26 in a series of 30
Philanthropist Inspires Neighborhood Revitalization
 In May 2008, Joseph Zilber announced a new ten year, $50 million community development initiative which seeks to improve the quality of life throughout Milwaukee. The Joseph and Vera Zilber Family Foundation is supporting the development of community plans in ten neighborhoods and a number of citywide projects that benefit low- and moderate-income Milwaukeeans.
25 in a series of 30
Foundation's Program Advances Arts & Education
 The Richard & Ethel Herzfeld Foundation, a perennial supporter of and partner with Milwaukee arts organizations and area schools, excels at identifying opportunities to advance the arts and culture sector in the city.
Since 2000, the Herzfeld Foundation's Arts in Education Program has provided access for Milwaukee area students to participate in all forms of the arts at prominent institutions including Betty Brinn Children's Museum, First Stage Children's Theater, Florentine Opera, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Ballet, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Milwaukee Public Museum, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
24 in a series of 30
Community Foundation Finds a Home for Senior Program
 Community foundations have an in-depth understanding of the issues, opportunities, and resources that shape the communities they serve.
Capitalizing on this type of knowledge, Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin was able to provide leadership to help sustain The Talent Shop in Wausau - a retail shop that offers one-of-a-kind handcrafted items and operates as a consignment shop.
23 in a series of 30
Foundation Advocates for Great Lakes
 The success of philanthropy often rests in its ability to be innovative, flexible and risk-taking. The Palmer Foundation's support for the Great Lakes Compact exemplifies these characteristics. Foundation President Mary Enroth had been involved for many years with efforts to protect the Great Lakes which contain more than 90 percent of the fresh surface water in the United States, and 20 percent of the world's supply. The Great Lakes Compact establishes the first-of-its-kind decision-making standards for Great Lakes water use and stresses conservation. With over a decade of work already on the Compact, the Palmer Foundation saw a window of opportunity to make the Compact a reality in 2008.
22 in a series of 30
Corporation Aligns Philanthropic Giving with Workforce Readiness Mission
 With its international headquarters in downtown Milwaukee, Manpower Inc. is a global leader in the employment services industry. The company is expanding upon its longtime partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) - the world's largest organization dedicated to preparing young people to succeed in a global economy - to teach young people career success skills across Wisconsin and the world.
21 in a series of 30
Foundation Seeks Independence for Young Adults with Disabilities
Most young people with developmental disabilities graduate from high school eager to take the next big step, only to find that society offers few opportunities to achieve their goals.
The Stackner Family Foundation has played a significant role in helping Shepherds Ministries launch Shepherds College, a three-year post-secondary educational program designed to assist these young adults in the successful transition from school to work and from home to independent living.
20 in a series of 30
Funders Inspire Hope with a Promise to Pay for College
Going to college is not the only answer to poverty, but a four-year degree increases the chances that an individual will make the leap to a stable, middle-class life.
With this in mind, philanthropists in Milwaukee are ensuring 82 first- and second-graders at Clarke Street Elementary School in the impoverished Metcalfe Park neighborhood will have the financial, academic, personal and social support necessary to successfully attain entry to college and receive a four-year degree.
19 in a series of 30
Giving Partnership Addresses Poverty and Basic Needs
A pair of family-owned companies in Northeast Wisconsin formed a giving partnership to help people struggling to secure basic life needs such as food, housing and health care. The Basic Needs Giving Partnership, a joint initiative of the U.S. Oil Open Fund for Basic Needs and the J.J. Keller Foundation Inc, provides support to prevent people in episodic crisis from becoming people in chronic need.
18 in a series of 30
Philanthropic Catalyst Cultivates Quality of Life for LGBT Community
 Since 1982, Cream City Foundation has been meeting the needs, advancing the rights, and celebrating the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people throughout Southeast Wisconsin. Cream City has increased its impact over the years by granting over $700,000, expanding its services, and building key partnerships to advance their mission.
17 in a series of 30
Banks Promote Financial Literacy Education
 The two largest banks based in Wisconsin, Associated Bank and Marshall & Ilsley Corporation, often partner with nonprofit organizations in their efforts to enrich the quality of life in the community and to better understand the needs of those they serve. A particularly innovative partnership is with Make a Difference-Wisconsin (MAD-WI), an organization that aims to teach teens basic personal financial management skills before they leave high school.
16 in a series of 30
Foundation Helps Parents to Succeed in School and in Life
 Jane Bradley Pettit is known for her tremendous impact on the Greater Milwaukee area. From 1985 until her death, Jane Bradley Pettit contributed more than $250 million to various projects aimed at improving the lives of families in the community. She established the Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation to initiate and sustain projects that promote the welfare of families and children and disadvantaged people, and was committed to using education as a method to improve the quality of life in Milwaukee. The innovative Life Impact Program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is an ongoing example of that legacy.
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15 in a series of 30
Community Foundation Develops Campaign to Improve Community Discourse
 Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin, are twin cities and seaports located on the western shores of Lake Superior. In 2001, the public dialogue surrounding critical issues facing the Twin Ports region was so contentious that citizens were hesitant to engage in the process.
In an effort to improve the tone of public discourse, the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation launched Speak Your Peace: The Civility Project.
14 in a series of 30
Funders Commit to Improving Race Relations
 Tyrone Dumas and Linda Mellowes, former Greater Milwaukee Foundation board member, are both longtime community volunteers with a passion for education, children and the city of Milwaukee. They share many of the same friends and each has a parent who grew up in the small Arkansas town of Fordyce. But the two didn't meet - and become friends - until they were introduced to each other through the Mosaic Partnerships Program which began in 2005.
13 in a series of 30
Funders Encourage Women's Leadership
 The Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee and the Brico Fund focus on improving the lives of women and girls through their grantmaking and promote issues that affect women and girls uniquely. Women bring a distinct and necessary perspective to good governance in the public, nonprofit and private sectors; however, studies show nationally that the political pipeline is 86% male and 81% white and men are twice as likely as women to self identify as political leaders and run for office before the age of 35. In Wisconsin women comprise only 22.7% of the state legislature; the lowest percentage in nearly two decades.
12 in a series of 30
MillerCoors Aids Bradford Beach Revitalization
 Milwaukee's historic Bradford Beach, the city's largest beach on Lake Michigan, suffered years of neglect, budget cuts, algae and water quality issues resulting in under use. In June 2008, Miller Brewing Company, now MillerCoors, announced it would donate $500,000 over five years to help revitalize Bradford Beach, an investment which is directed towards environmental and coastal management improvements.
11 in a series of 30
Foundation Supports Engineering and Technology Program
 In 1959, Robert and Patricia Kern founded Generac Power Systems, one of the world's largest independent manufacturers of complete engine-driven generator systems. After selling the business, they established the Kern Family Foundation to invest in the future through values, education and innovation. One of the Kern Family Foundation's signature programs has become support for Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a highly regarded academically-rich, project-based introduction to the skills needed for careers in engineering and technology. The curriculum aims to instill problem-solving, teamwork, communication and leadership skills in students as well as help them build the math, science and technology skills to prepare for and succeed in tomorrow's careers.
10 in a series of 30
Foundation Supports Fight Against Diabetes
 Diabetes, a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use the hormone insulin that converts sugars and starches into energy, and the complications associated with the disease affect 16.5 percent of Native Americans - that's more than twice the national average. The Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation is taking an active role to fight diabetes. Since 2002, the Foundation has provided annual support to the Medical College of Wisconsin, the largest research institution in eastern Wisconsin, for diabetes research and education initiatives.
9 in a series of 30
Corporate Foundation Ensuring a Positive Start for Kids
 The Brady Corporation Foundation's motto "Investing in Tomorrow's Leaders" encompasses its partner ship with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee's Daniels-Mardek branch, located near the company's headquarters on the north side of Milwaukee. The foundation's interest in building leaders starts with the Boys and Girls Clubs Spheres of Proud Achievement in Reading for Kids (SPARK) Early Literacy Program, which helps elementary school students who are starting to fall behind in reading.
8 in a series of 30
Progressive Fund Promotes Juvenile Justice Group
 In Dane County and Wisconsin, persistent poverty and racial inequity increase a young person's chances of falling out of the educational system and into the juvenile justice apparatus. Teen Build-Up was founded by six high school students from the Wexford Ridge Neighborhood on the West side of Madison to educate and empower teens on issues such as inequitable treatment around policing and school discipline. In 2005 Wisconsin Community Fund, Wisconsin's only statewide community foundation, issued a grant to the Wexford Ridge Neighborhood Center to build the capacity of the multi-racial, youth run program.
7 in a series of 30
Philanthropy Groups Helps Transform Child Welfare System
 The Child Welfare Philanthropy Group is committed to the safety, protection and well-being of the most vulnerable of children, those who had been abused or neglected and their families.Nearly a dozen funders in the Greater Milwaukee Area with support from two representatives from the Wisconsin Association of Family and Children's Agencies are igniting and sustaining transformation of the child welfare system to achieve this goal.
6 in a series of 30
Christian Foundation Nurtures Changing Community
 Founded in 2000, the Christian Stewardship Foundation enables people to give creatively and efficiently to a variety of causes and organizations throughout Wisconsin. The Christian Stewardship Foundation (CSF), an affiliate of The National Christian Foundation which is the 29th largest public charity in the country, has distributed more than $20 million to over 350 organizations, many in the Greater Milwaukee area. CSF has expanded the resources available for Christian and community nonprofits by increasing the efficiency and quantity of charitable donations from individuals, churches and ministries.
5 in a series of 30
Funders Build Pipeline of Nonprofit Talent
 The nonprofit sector is facing what experts call an unprecedented workforce crisis with organizations in Wisconsin and across the country struggling to recruit and retain talented staff. To cultivate new sources of talent and leadership, since 2003 the Theodore W. Batterman Family Foundation has been providing scholarship dollars for college students completing 10-week summer internships at nonprofit organizations in Rock and Jefferson counties as part of the College-to-Work Nonprofit Internship program.
4 in a series of 30
Funders Mobilize to Support Bayfield Recreation Center
 Bayfield, known as the gateway to the Apostle Islands, is a popular touring stop for visitors to the Lake Superior region. One of the most recent pressing issues facing the local community was the operation of the Bayfield Recreation Center, the hub of recreational activities and programs. The Bayfield School District had operated the center since 1986 and was losing over $150,000 annually after years of debit and maintenance issues. Members of the school board debated whether to sell, tear down, or remodel the Rec Center for another use.
3 in a series of 30
Corporate Foundation Invests in Summer Nutrition Program
 Thousands of children across Milwaukee County depend on the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs during the school year to receive nutritious meals. But what happens when the school year ends and summer vacation begins? The Fueling Young Minds Summer Meals Program, funded by an annual $125,000 grant from the Harley-Davidson Foundation since 2004, serves low-income children free, nutritious meals and snacks at safe, supervised locations such as schools, recreation centers, and playgrounds from the beginning of June until Labor Day.
2 in a series of 30
Family's Philanthropic Gift Catalyst for Mental Health Clinic
 Throughout Wisconsin and in the Fox Valley, the need for mental health services far exceeds the capacity of existing providers. In response to this need, in 2006 the J. J. Keller family pledged a $625,000 challenge grant toward a $2.5 million goal to establish a pediatric mental health clinic in the Fox Valley.
1 in a series of 30
Funder, Nonprofits Craft Health Care Solutions
Rising health care costs have had a tremendous impact on Wisconsin's nonprofit organizations. By working with nonprofits to develop creative solutions to these types of challenges, the Helen Bader Foundation was able to address this issue for Milwaukee-area synagogue Congregation Shalom. "In the past few years we've seen increases in the annual premium of 20 to 30 percent," said Marc Cohen, Executive Director of Congregation Shalom. "This has made it incredibly challenging to continue operations as well as attract and retain a stable workforce." |
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