President and CEO
Bader Philanthropies | Milwaukee
Under Daniel Bader’s leadership since 1992, Milwaukee-based Bader Philanthropies has distributed $520 million in grants and program-related investments. In 2018, the foundation moved its headquarters from the Historic Third Ward to Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in Milwaukee’s Harambee neighborhood. Earlier this year, the foundation established the Bader Leadership Institute, with an initial cohort of 16 fellows, who are working with Milwaukee nonprofits to develop solutions to community challenges. Bader serves on numerous boards and committees, including the Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation and Relief International, where he chairs the fundraising committee.
Education: Bachelor’s, Rochester Institute of Technology
Secret talent: “I am a good flash chef. I can develop a delicious and healthy meal from scratch in 30 minutes or less.”
Your advice for a new leader: “One of the hardest parts of being a leader is building trust at all levels of the organization. I would advise building strong relationships throughout the organization. Strong relationships eventually lead to strong trust.”
Your first concert and most recent concert: “My first concert was Pink Floyd at County Stadium in 1997. I saw Pink! at Fiserv Forum on Oct. 23, which was our 30th wedding anniversary.”
Favorite movie: “‘Forrest Gump.’ It’s a fun movie to watch and takes us through important periods of racial and civic change in the U.S.”
2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile
Nonprofits and Education
President and CEO
Bader Philanthropies | Milwaukee
Daniel Bader has led Bader Philanthropies since its founding as the Helen Bader Foundation 30 years ago. The foundation is among the largest in the greater Milwaukee area and focuses its grantmaking on Alzheimer’s and aging, the arts, youth programming and workforce development. To date, it has provided over $426 million in funding, more than $248 million of which has been invested in southeastern Wisconsin. In his role, Bader works with the board of directors to set the organizational direction and long-term strategies for the foundation.
The foundation has made strategic investments in Milwaukee’s Harambee neighborhood, establishing its headquarters there in 2018 and converting a neighboring building into a center for wellness services last year. Earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation dispersed about $2.3 million to 63 organizations. More recently, it awarded a $5 million grant to support the development of The Opportunity Center, a sports complex proposed for Milwaukee’s north side.
Bader’s board service includes the Greater Milwaukee Committee for Community Development, Relief International and Rogers Behavioral Health System. He is also a director of Milwaukee-based Generation Growth Capital Inc. and Pasadena, California-based Materia Inc.
Education: Bachelor’s, Rochester Institute of Technology
