The Greater Milwaukee Foundation divvied up more than $5.4 million among area nonprofits and causes during the first quarter of 2015.
Initiatives in the realm of health and human services received the most foundation funding at more than $2.3 million – about 43 percent of all funds distributed.
Other community causes central to the latest funding cycle were:
*Arts and culture, which received more than $1 million in funding
*Education, which received $901,000
*Child, youth and family services, which received $249,000
*Community development initiatives, which received $245,000
*Environmental initiatives, which received $239,000
*Employment and training efforts, which received $132,000
*Other causes, such as religious institutions and disaster relief, which totaled $342,000 in funding
Another $4,000 from the first quarter was marked for the foundation’s Basic Needs Fund, which supports service providers filling basic needs, such as food distribution.
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s dollars stem from both donor advised funds and board directed grants. While donor recommended giving accounted for close to $4.3 million of first quarter grants, board directed grants accounted for more than $1.1 million.
“While their interests are varied, donors of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation are often motivated to improve life outcomes for people in our community,” Ellen Gilligan, president and chief executive officer of the foundation, said in an announcement. “Whether donors choose specific causes to support or provide the Foundation with nimble resources to address the needs of our time, they can count on us to be a steadfast partner with 100 years’ experience in helping our community thrive.”
The foundation is celebrating its centennial year in 2015. For more information on its community impact initiatives, visit www.greatermilwaukeefoundation.org.
