The Northwestern Mutual Foundation announced it is giving nearly $1.7 million in grants to local nonprofits and organizations that support community development through housing support, access to youth and family resources and food programs.
The grants will support initiatives in Milwaukee’s Amani, Metcalfe Park and Muskego Way neighborhoods, which the foundation has been investing in since 2013.
“Partnering with residents and neighborhood organizations is critical to understanding the challenges and opportunities in our city,” said Eric Christophersen, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “Together, we’re laying the foundation for long-term, sustainable impact in Milwaukee.”
The foundation highlighted its work with the Amani Housing Strategy, an initiative developed in partnership with residents and community partners – including Northwestern Mutual, LISC, Dominican Center, Amani United and Ezekiel CDC – to address the need for quality and affordable housing in the neighborhood, located just northwest of downtown.
The plan is designed to improve existing and new housing stock and expand the range of quality developments in the neighborhood. The plan will be piloted on a single block beginning this summer and continue through 2020.
“The Amani Housing Strategy will not only improve the physical infrastructure of our neighborhood, but it will also deepen the sense of community and connection among neighbors, leading to improved safety, health and economic opportunity for Amani residents,” said Sr. Patricia Rogers, executive director of Dominican Center.
Earlier this year, Northwestern Mutual partnered with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity on two Rock the Block volunteer events that engaged residents in beautification and improvement projects in Amani and Metcalfe Park, including the pilot block.
The full list of Neighborhood Grant recipients includes:
- ACTS Community Development Corporation
- Artists Working in Education
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee
- COA Youth & Family Centers
- Data You Can Use
- Dominican Center for Women
- Ezekiel CDC
- Feeding America
- Habitat for Humanity
- Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center
- Journey House
- Junior Achievement of Wisconsin
- Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee
- Metcalfe Park Community Bridges
- Milwaukee Christian Center
- Milwaukee Community Business Collaborative
- Milwaukee Repertory Theater
- Operation DREAM
- Pathfinders
- Pepp Nation
- Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation
- Safe & Sound
- Sixteenth Street
- Community Health Center
- Sojourner
- Foundation
- The Parenting Network
- Urban Economic Development Association of Milwaukee
- We Grow Greens
- Wisconsin Black Historical Society
- Wisconsin Voices
