The United Performing Arts Fund will attempt to raise $1.6 million through its 2015 Westside Campaign, which funnels into the nonprofit’s total 2015 campaign goal of $11.86 million.
The Westside Campaign, which UPAF introduced to the community in 2014, supports Waukesha County’s performing arts sector.
While UPAF did not meet the $1.5 million goal it set for its inaugural Westside Campaign by the campaign’s cutoff date, the nonprofit managed to exceed its fundraising goal by extending the campaign’s run.
“UPAF clearly established a foundation for growing its footprint in Waukesha County by exceeding last year’s $1.5 million Westside goal by 6.7 percent,” Tom Cardella, a 2015 campaign co-chair, said in a press release. “As I live on the Westside, I know firsthand how we all benefit from having a world-class performing arts scene. We are fortunate to have the best in music, dance and theater just 30 minutes away.”
UPAF announced its 2015 Westside Campaign goal during a kickoff event held Wednesday at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield. Earlier this month, the organization announced its $11.86 million goal for its entire campaign, which boosts its mission to support performing arts groups in southeastern Wisconsin and tout the critical role they play in the region’s vitality.
Along with Cardella, president and chief executive officer of Tenth & Blake Beer Company, this year’s campaign co-chairs are Patty Cadorin, vice president and chief of staff to the CEO of BMO Harris Bank, and Mark Sabljak, publisher of the Milwaukee Business Journal.
Also this week, UPAF announced the appointment of Michael Kellman, senior vice president of lending for North Shore Bank, to its board of directors. As a board member, Kellman will represent Next Generation UPAF, an affinity program for young professional donors. Kellman is also chairman of the UPAF Westside Cabinet.
