Milwaukee-based Aurora Health Care has announced a supplemental, one-time contribution of $10 million to expand and enhance a number of community health and wellness programs in eastern Wisconsin. The initiative, named the Better Together Fund, will support the expansion of primary care and behavioral health services, as well as sexual assault and domestic violence prevention and treatment programs.
As part of this effort, Aurora is establishing a charitable fund at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and, in partnership with the Foundation, will facilitate grant-making over time using those funds. Beginning this week, Aurora is inviting eastern Wisconsin federally qualified community health centers, free clinics and sexual assault and domestic violence prevention and treatment programs to submit a proposal for funding consideration.
“Aurora is proud to be able to make this $10 million investment in the health and wellness of the people and communities we have the privilege of serving,” said Dr. Nick Turkal, chief executive officer of Aurora Health Care. “As a nonprofit organization and a leader in health care in our state, we believe in reinvesting to create better access points to health care for all and addressing these issues of greatest need.”
Ellen Gilligan, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, said her organization is pleased Aurora chose it as their partner in philanthropy.
“For nearly 100 years, we have helped our donors fulfill their charitable wishes for a stronger community, and we are committed to supporting Aurora’s effort to have the greatest impact on the health of our region,” she said.
“Aurora’s never shied away from difficult conversations and community concerns; we take on tough issues and work to find solutions to problems, as we’re doing here with the creation of the Better Together initiative,” Turkal said. “It is vital for folks in our community – regardless of income – to have access to the care they need, when they need it. This $10 million gift to the community will create additional access points to help address these key, critical needs.”
Qualified community organizations interested in learning more about the Better Together initiative and applying for funding consideration may visit http://www.Aurora.org/BetterTogether.
