The Milwaukee-based Burke Foundation announced it has awarded a total of $3 million in grants to eight area nonprofit organizations focused on urban education, youth and leadership development.
The grant recipients include:
- Messmer High School was awarded a challenge grant to support the creation of a new STEM-focused student productivity center.
- Milwaukee Academy of Science received a grant to support its general operations, including instructional technology, support staff and administrative support in the organization’s high school.
- Milwaukee Excellence Charter School received a grant to support general operations including support to expand student programming, staff training and leadership support.
- Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation was awarded a challenge grant to support the Greener, Healthier Schools project, which provides five MPS schools with outdoor classrooms within redeveloped schoolyards.
- City of Milwaukee MKE Parks’ initiative received a grant to support the renovation of play areas at 29th and Melvina and 30th and Cawker streets
- Silver Spring Neighborhood Center received a grant to support the Opportunity Youth Re-Engagement Program, which connects unemployed individuals that are 16-24 years old with educational and employment resources.
- St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care received a grant for the creation of an Intergenerational Play Garden.
- United Community Center was awarded a challenge grant to support the organization’s Early Learning Academy.
The Burke Foundation was founded by the late Richard Burke, former chairman of Trek Bicycle.
“Dick Burke’s vision was to make a difference in the lives of Milwaukee’s youth by ensuring that more young people have access to high-quality educational opportunities,” said Kathy Burke, board director of the Burke Foundation and daughter of Dick Burke. “We are excited to continue his legacy with new grants that provide innovative opportunities and programs that we believe can make a transformative impact on the lives our youth and on the long-term viability of our changing community.”
