Chapter 1 Who We Were at the Beginning

343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 10 12/30/14 2:18 PM CHAPTER 1 WHO WE WERE AT THE BEGINNING

The Milwaukee Foundation’s founding fathers were an impressive coterie of city power brokers representing industry, banking and the law. As Milwaukee edged into the 20th century, it was already a bustling community making a definite mark on the world with its broad range of breweries, foundries, factories, packing plants, lending institutions, transportation and related high-power commercial endeavors. There was strength in this town, economic power.

Pabst building in downtown Milwaukee

Photos courtesy of the Milwaukee County Historical Society

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 1 12/30/14 2:18 PM Citizens pointed with pride at Milwaukee City Hall, their civic symbol of CITY HALL AND FIRST power. The structure, completed in 1895, soared 15 stories and reached WISCONSIN BUILDING: 393 feet. It was the tallest habitable building in the world when finished. Both Milwaukee City To the locals, the presence of that massive Flemish-style landmark, Hall and the First with its tower and giant clock high above the streets, said something Wisconsin Bank indeed about Milwaukee’s civic might. However, the new First Wisconsin building have long Building, home of the First Wisconsin Trust, surpassed Milwaukee been symbols of City Hall as both the tallest building in Milwaukee and the state. The Milwaukee’s political structure was topped off Aug. 29, 1972, at 601 feet and 42 stories tall and economic muscle. and finally completed in 1973. Photos courtesy of Milwaukee County Historical Society The greater Milwaukee area also was exploding with an influx of immigrants, many from Eastern Europe eager to fi d stability in the New World. Adding to the city’s vibrant mix of German, Irish, Yankee and French influences were newcomers from Russia, Italy and other countries. By 1899, more than 30,000 Poles had moved to Milwaukee, a figure growing to 100,000 by 1915. This made the city one of the largest Polish communities in the country. Like other earlier arrivals, many took low-paying, entry-level jobs, and in time, all these hard workers and their offspring contributed greatly to Milwaukee’s élan.

ITALIAN AND POLISH IMMIGRANTS Proud, hard-working Italian and Polish immigrants were among the many new Milwaukeeans in the early 20th century.

Photos courtesy of the Milwaukee County Historical Society

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 2 12/30/14 2:19 PM At the end of the 19th century, the fi st suburbs were born, greatly SUBURBAN SCENE (SHOREWOOD) expanding the business clout of the entire area. Bay View was an Empty lots in 1924 Shorewood were independent village from 1879 to 1886. In 1892, Whitefis Bay, South Milwaukee and Wauwatosa were incorporated. Next came Cudahy quickly ﬁlling in as hundreds of new in 1895 and the village of North Milwaukee in 1897. East Milwaukee homes were built. (Shorewood) arrived on the scene in 1900. Almost immediately after, West Allis was organized in 1902 and West Milwaukee in 1906. These Photo courtesy of Milwaukee County Historical Society “inner-ring” suburbs provided a newly emerging middle class that was able to move up and out of the rough and tumble Third and Fifth wards where they originated. The upper crust had it even better, with their fi e mansions creeping outward along the northern lake frontage from downtown and west along Grand Avenue (Wisconsin Avenue) and in the Concordia neighborhood.

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 3 12/30/14 2:19 PM BIRTH OF THE MILWAUKEE FOUNDATION As greater Milwaukee was growing, it was obvious there were pressing community needs, particularly in the areas of health care, child welfare, education, housing and worker safety. In 1914, Cleveland had launched the nation’s fi st community foundation as a “means of intelligent charity.” Under the plan devised by banker/attorney Frederick Goff, “a competent administration” would ensure perpetual use of donated funds for the good of the community.

Goff’s idea was a way to overcome the limitations of charitable trusts and foundations at the time. He wanted to do away with the “dead MAYOR EMIL SEIDEL hand of charity,” whereby the uses of charitable bequests became Milwaukee Mayor Emil Seidel was in oﬃce when the ﬁrst meetings obsolete. His concept pooled together charitable resources of local of the Milwaukee Foundation residents into a single trust, and the distribution of the income was were held. overseen by a committee of community members. That committee Photo courtesy of Milwaukee County had the power and the wisdom to research a community’s needs and Historical Society distribute the money accordingly.

The following year, The Chicago Community Trust, California Community Foundation, The Boston Foundation, Greater St. Louis Community Foundation and the Minneapolis Foundation were launched. His administration received national kudos for its concern for public welfare and its efficient management. Milwaukee took notice. Yet even Seidel and his forward-thinking cohorts, nicknamed the “Sewer At this time, the city also was poised to shake off the mayoral scandal Socialists” who sought to improve day-to-day services for the citizenry, and city council corruption of past administrations, as well the memory were hard pressed to keep up with the demand for charitable assistance. of bloody labor unrest in the late 1800s. These challenges, contributing Although the bureaucrats created parks, repaired roads and generally to the growing pains of the burgeoning urban scene, were already being enhanced the quality of life for residents of all income levels, numerous tackled following the 1910 elections in which Mayor Emil Seidel and challenges remained. Subsequently, several of the community’s power many like-minded aldermen and other public officials secured office. elite gathered to seriously discuss how to help. Considering the Cleveland Seidel, the country’s fi st Socialist mayor of a major city, soon raised the model, their evolving thought was to create a Milwaukee Foundation to minimum wage and passed an eight-hour day standard for city workers. channel philanthropic resources.

4May 24, 1915: Led by the efforts of Oliver C. Fuller, WHAT WE DID president of the Wisconsin Trust Company, a Declaration of Trust is signed and adopted to create the Milwaukee GREATER MILWAUKEE FOUNDATION CENTENNIAL MILESTONES Foundation

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 4 12/30/14 2:19 PM Leading these captains of commerce was Oliver Clyde Fuller, president Then there was Isaac D. Adler, a director of Wisconsin Trust Company of Wisconsin Trust Company and founder of the First Wisconsin and a noted wholesaler of men’s clothing. His father, David, had National Bank. He knew of the Cleveland plan and was eager to try a founded the David Adler & Sons company, then one of the oldest fi ms similar idea locally. in Milwaukee. Isaac’s son, also named David, would become one of the country’s greatest architects. Among other gracious homes, he Fuller was joined by the Irish-born Patrick Cudahy, whose long list designed Milwaukee’s Villa Terrace, built in 1924 for the Lloyd R. Smith of business accomplishments included being president of Patrick family. Isaac Adler knew Cudahy through their many business dealings. Cudahy Family Company, a real estate powerhouse; president of The entire Adler family was noted for its support of Jewish causes, Cudahy Brothers Company meat packing empire; and director of First particularly in supporting orphanages. Wisconsin National Bank. Fred S. Hunt was secretary for the Milwaukee Dustless Brush Co., which Another friend involved in these early discussions was Adolph Finkler, was founded in 1897 and received a gold medal at the 1904 St. Louis who had been an architect prior to becoming secretary and treasurer of World’s Fair for its versatile products. As of 2013, the fi m was still the Albert Trostel & Sons Company tannery. Called a noted “Wisconsin manufacturing a wide range of brushes. Hunt was a prominent member man of progress” by those with whom he worked, Finkler married Ida of the Merchants and Manufacturers Association of Milwaukee, serving Trostel, Albert Trostel’s daughter. Long active in civic affairs, Finkler would on the organization’s membership committee. Consequently, he knew all go on to become a five-term president of the Milwaukee Art Museum. the players in the city, a handy affi iation when the time would come to seek out big time donors for the cause.

A sixth member of the group was distinguished former Judge Paul Trostel Received Frye Award D. Carpenter of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court’s First Division, who was then an assistant U.S. attorney. He was a lecturer at In 1987, Kim Trostel, Marquette University Law School and gave its commencement speech wife of Albert Trostel in 1912. Carpenter also was well known in political circles, being Jr., received the the son of the formidable U.S. Sen. Matthew Hale Carpenter who William C. Frye Award. represented Wisconsin in the late 1860s through the early 1880s. A noted Milwaukee While in the Senate, the elder Hale was president pro tempore during philanthropist and the 43rd Congress and was considered one of the nation’s leading community activist, constitutionalists. With this family background and connections, it was a she died at age 100 in plus to involve such a figure as the younger Carpenter. 2009. The Frye Award was named for the late Ohio-born Clement C. Smith, president of First National Bank Milwaukee William C. Frye, former and head of the Evanston Railway Company, started his career as a civil president of Rex Chainbelt Company and chair of the engineer. The Wisconsin Home and Farm School in Dousman, with its Foundation Board in 1954. The award, ﬁrst given headquarters in Milwaukee, was already a favorite charity when Smith out in 1957, honors individuals who, through their and the others talked about expanding their philanthropic endeavors. volunteer work, have made Milwaukee a better place. Smith, as well as the Albert Trostel & Sons Company, donated funds

Photo courtesy of Greater Milwaukee Foundation and purchased acreage for the farm as part of a communitywide effort

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 6 12/30/14 2:20 PM WORLD WAR I MILITARY IN DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE

CELEBRATING THE END OF WAR World War I was raging when the Milwaukee Foundation was established in 1915, and there was joy in the streets when the war ﬁnally ended.

Photos courtesy of Milwaukee County Historical Society

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 7 12/30/14 2:20 PM to secure tillable space where boys would learn farming skills. One of its missions was to “make the misfit boy fi in some useful place in the great fabric of the community” as well as to rescue those “who were just starting on the road to crime and ruin.”

With this wealth of talent, legal and business skills and existing track records of philanthropy, it wasn’t difficult to formally organize the Milwaukee Foundation. The group met officially for the fi st time at the Wisconsin Trust Company on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1915 at 11:30 a.m. On that auspicious day, however, their founders’ enthusiasm as reported in The Milwaukee Sentinel was dampened by other headlines.

German troops were rapidly advancing on Warsaw in the bloody Gorlice– WISCONSIN UNIVERSITY SETTLEMENT Tarnów offensive, and civilians were being evacuated from the city. The Wisconsin University Settlement was one of the Outside the staid rooms of the Trust building where the founders were ﬁrst social service agencies to receive Milwaukee gathered, Milwaukee’s large German and Polish populations were swept Foundation ﬁnancial assistance. up in war fever, arguing and fighting each other. Photo courtesy of Milwaukee County Historical Society

Despite what was happening on Milwaukee’s streets and overseas, the distributed at the committee’s discretion. It wasn’t long before the fi st founders forged ahead with their plans. The initial configuration was a grant was approved. Six days later, $50 from the Oliver C. Fuller Fund, charitable trust called the Milwaukee Foundation, with an organizational per his recommendation, was given to Wisconsin University Settlement. structure similar to other foundations at the time. The Wisconsin Trust Founded by sociologist Herbert Jacobs, the settlement’s managing Company was the original trustee and was principally responsible for association fought the city’s social and economic problems. The managing the Foundation’s investments. The Milwaukee Foundation settlement was geared toward helping underprivileged neighborhoods Committee consisted of community leaders appointed by public and providing needy families with clubs and classes in English literature, officials, the trustees and existing Board members. The committee was arithmetic and sewing. After a long relationship with the Milwaukee responsible for the administration of the Foundation and grantmaking Foundation, the settlement association closed its doors in 1931. decisions. Members were to serve five-year terms. At the time, The Milwaukee Journal reported that “the main idea of the Adolph Finkler was named fi st chairman, with the governing body made plan is a perpetual community trust through the medium of which a up of Adler, Hunt, Carpenter and Smith, who replaced Cudahy when the multitude of charitable bequests may be combined into one fund which latter decided not to serve after being appointed by the trust company will be large enough . . . to be of great benefit to the community.” directors. Wisconsin Trust Company was represented by its president, Oliver C. Fuller, and its secretary, Fred C. Best. Additional 1915 grants from the Oliver C. Fuller Fund included $25 each to the Wisconsin Home and Farm School Association, a project The first gift recorded was made at that fi st meeting in 1915 by Fuller favored by Foundation director Smith, and to Volunteers of America. This in the amount of $1,000, with $500 designated as donor directed and national group still actively serves veterans, victims of abuse and those $500 for operating expenses of the Foundation. The balance was to be with other social and family issues.

4 August 4, 1915: Fuller makes fifirst st gift to be divided evenly between 4August 10, 1915: First grant of $50 made to Wisconsin University operating expenses and “among organized, charitable associations in Settlement per Fuller’s request the city of Milwaukee,” subject to his approval

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 8 12/30/14 2:20 PM MILWAUKEE CHILDREN’S FREE HOSPITAL Milwaukee Children’s Free Hospital was one of the ﬁrst institutions to receive ﬁnancial assistance from the Milwaukee Foundation.

Reprinted with permission of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Word of the Foundation’s work spread quickly through Milwaukee’s through subsequent donations for education, medicine, the dispossessed philanthropic community as committee members got out and around, and children. Among those receiving grants were the Associated vigorously praising the value of supporting local causes. It was noted Charities, $50; Wisconsin University Settlement, $50; Wisconsin Home in the meeting minutes of Sept. 8, 1915, that “the trustee had been and Farm School, $25; Volunteers of America, $25; Boys’ Busy Life Club, informed that the Milwaukee Foundation had been named as beneficiary $25; Home for Friendless, $50; Milwaukee Infants’ Home, $50; and $50 in several wills.” to the Milwaukee Children’s Free Hospital.

By the next year, the Foundation was already hitting its stride. The fi st The committee sought to obtain a broader list of charitable slate of grants approved in 1916 totaling $325 was again from the Oliver organizations in Milwaukee County by reaching out to the Merchants and C. Fuller Fund. These early grants set a precedent that would continue Manufacturers Association of Milwaukee.

4November 16, 1915: Patrick Cudahy creates fi st permanent public fund with a $25,000 gift, directing the income be paid in equal portions to Associated Charities, Little Sisters of the Poor, St. Rose’s Catholic Orphan Asylum and St. Vincent’s Catholic Infant Asylum

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 9 12/30/14 2:20 PM This effort could be considered the Foundation’s fi st request for proposals. After sending out 56 inquiries, the committee received responses from the St. Aemilian’s Orphan Asylum in St. Francis; Mother’s Aid Society of the Milwaukee Maternity Hospital; Our Big Sisters Home Association; St. Joseph’s Orphanage; The Big Brothers and Big Sisters; Children’s Home Society of Wisconsin and Marie Institution for Infants and Children. While some of these organizations have faded into history, others have survived to contemporary times. For example, in 2013, the Foundation awarded a three-year, $450,000 grant to SaintA (formally St. Aemilian’s) to support its efforts toward improving children’s welfare.

Aware of the need for transparency in its transactions, the Foundation worked with Price, Waterhouse & Company to conduct the first audit of the ledger sheet in 1916. Also, toward the end of the year, Fuller directed the Foundation to make a grant of $50 “to a Jewish charitable organization or aid society.” Subsequently, the committee forwarded that amount to the Jewish (aka Hebrew) Relief Fund on Dec. 13, 1916.

ST. AEMILIAN ORPHAN ASYLUM (Top) St. Aemilian’s was one of the early recipients of a Milwaukee Foundation grant.

(left) Youngsters at St. Aemilian’s play on the institution grounds.

Photos courtesy of SaintA

4 1916: Inventor and Chain Belt Company founder Christopher Warren Levalley and his wife, Helen, make the fi st documented deferred gift through a remainder interest in a $100,000 trust

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 10 12/30/14 2:21 PM At the Jan. 8, 1917 meeting, the committee included the following in SPOTLIGHT ON EARLY SUPPORTERS the minutes, noting one of the fi st documented deferred gifts to the Foundation. CHARLES FRIEND “The Committee charged with the administrative distribution of the Milwaukee Foundation has considered with deep sympathy the Charles Friend was president of the specific trust created by the generous gift of Christopher Warren Hebrew Relief Association in 1916 Levalley, and his wife, Mrs. Helen Pitkin Spencer Levalley, as defi ed when the organization received a in their trust indenture dated December 20, 1916. The humane, major grant from the Foundation. He enlightened and far sighted objects graciously expressed by the was typical of the era’s concerned donors, no less than their munifi ent provision for the execution professionals who ensured that of those objects, must make a potent appeal to the respect, the Foundation contributions would be gratitude and the emulation of the community they have taken (sic) put to good use. order so effectively to serve. The Milwaukee Foundation is gratifi d Photo courtesy of Jewish to be permitted to cooperate in its sphere toward the fulfillment Museum of Milwaukee in perpetuity of the object which the donors have wisely and beneficently prescribed and believes the future generations will do HENRY HARNISCHFEGER honor to the founders of the Levalley Trust.” Cofounder of the Harnischfeger The committee, knowing the extensive array of needs in Milwaukee, drew Corporation, German-born Henry up a list of charitable organizations as a guide in distributing grants. Harnischfeger is credited with Ensuring the success of the Foundation over the next 16 years, Cudahy inventing the first gasoline- gave $75,000 to the cause. The gift constituted most of the Foundation’s powered dragline after World War earliest assets. The need to reach out to others was obvious, as attested I and developing numerous other by Foundation trustee George Luhman in the 1920s, who urged a heavy equipment products. Many stronger effort in educating Milwaukee as to the value of the trust. of the firm’s ideas came from Alonzo Pawling, Harnischfeger’s Photo courtesy of the This outreach did bring in other important gifts, especially when the Milwaukee County Historical Henry Harnischfeger Fund was set up by the president and founder of engineering partner. Pawling died Society the Harnischfeger crane manufacturing fi m. He provided a bequest in 1914 and was an inductee of $50,000 to establish his fund, emphasizing education. Marie E. into the National Mining Hall of Fame in 2009. Harnischfeger Harnischfeger remained interested in the fund, even after her husband’s carried on the company, becoming one of Milwaukee’s leading death in 1930. In 1934, the Harnischfeger Fund joined the Cudahy Fund industrialists and philanthropists. By 1922, the Harnischfeger fi m within the Foundation’s folds. was making upwards of $7 million a year and employing more than 1,600 workers. Among his causes was the Associated Charities of Milwaukee. The Harnischfeger Corporation is now part of Joy Global Inc., which markets surface mining equipment worldwide through its P&H Mining Equipment division. Joy Global’s corporate headquarters in Milwaukee still offers significant charitable financial support to local organizations working on education, as well as urban renewal and human services issues.

4 1917: Cudahy makes $50,000 gift, saying while he “prefers not to make any splash about the gift, as at this particular time everybody and everything is pointed toward helping to win the war. . .” he understands “you would like to do a little advertising in order to awaken some interest in the Foundation”

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 12 12/30/14 2:21 PM THERE WAS HARDLY A MORE NEEDY TIME IN MILWAUKEE’S HISTORY

Prohibition had a deleterious effect on Milwaukee during the 1920s and 1930s by impacting the brewery industry, one of the city’s major industries. Next, the Great Depression, a horrific economic catastrophe, resulted in tens of thousands losing their jobs. There was hardly a more needy time in Milwaukee’s history. Help from the Foundation saved many a charitable group from collapsing during this troubled time.

Despite hard times, two additional funds – the Hummel, Gregg and Wells Fund and the Howard E. Mitchell Fund – joined the Foundation in this era. Soon, six more funds joined them, helping boost the Foundation’s assets to $715,000-plus by the mid-1930s. Around this time, the Emil Blatz Fund, James D. Shaw, Wenthe-Davidson Engineering Co. and Malcolm F. Rogers funds were started.

During World War II, the Foundation continued its charitable outreach. By 1954, it had become a metropolitan resource, especially with the addition of the William A. Wasweyler Fund. Wasweyler designated 21 organizations to benefit from his fund, two of them based in Waukesha County. Today, the Foundation includes 365 funds created by Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington County donors. Grantmaking to organizations in these three counties is expanding as their populations increase.

HOOVERVILLE IN MILWAUKEE Destitute Milwaukeeans during the Great Depression lived in camps called “Hoovervilles,” a derisive nod to President Herbert Hoover.

Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee County Historical Society

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 13 12/30/14 2:21 PM SOBERING CHANGE FOR BREW CITY A crowd assembled around a gushing beer keg as Prohibition began.

Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee County Historical Society

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 14 12/30/14 2:21 PM In 1956, the Foundation finally reached $1 million in assets with a BRING BACK BEER $200,000 bequest establishing the Edith C. and J. Oscar Greenwald A sign about bringing back beer told the story of Fund. Oscar Greenwald was the grandson of Adam Gimbel who had Prohibition’s impact on Milwaukee. founded a major department store chain. Greenwald became manager of the Milwaukee department store in 1910 and then became president of Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee County Historical Society Gimbels Midwest. He was on the Foundation Board from 1925 to 1941 and was also a member of the Foundation’s distribution committee. Greenwald died in 1941.

4 1945: Foundation’s firstfi st scholarship fund is created thanks to 41956: Foundation reaches $1 million in assets, thanks to a fund $100,000 from bequest from Emil Blatz, the son of Blatz Brewery created through a bequest of the widow of Oscar Greenwald, grandson founder Valentine Blatz, “to purchase scholarships for worthy of the founder of Gimbels young men and women”

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 15 12/30/14 2:22 PM A SHIFT IN THE TAX CODE – FORFOR THE BETTER

In 1967, attorney Andrew Lauritzen returned to his hometown after investment returns and required community foundations to meet annual receiving his law degree from Harvard University. He accepted an public support tests to retain public charity status. The 1969 tax law opportunity to join Dudley Godfrey Jr. and Gerald Kahn, who had also clarified the requirements for donor advised funds and authorized founded one of the city’s most notable business law fi ms, Godfrey the creation of supporting organizations. Many of these code provisions & Kahn. Prior to Lauritzen, Godfrey was the Foundation’s major legal exist today and continue to influence the structure and operation of the adviser. Lauritzen fi st began providing legal services to the Milwaukee Greater Milwaukee Foundation and other community foundations. Foundation in 1970, following the enactment in 1969 of numerous changes to the Internal Revenue Code, which affected community When Lauritzen initially became involved with the Foundation, the foundations and other 501(c)(3) organizations. First Wisconsin Trust Company (which ultimately became Firstar Trust Company and then a part of U.S. Bank) managed the greatest percentage of the Foundation’s assets. Donald Buzard, executive ANDY LAURITZEN vice president of the First Attorney Andrew Lauritzen was a longtime Wisconsin Trust Company, was legal adviser to the Milwaukee Foundation, an influential member of the beginning in 1970 when he assisted the trustees’ committee and one Foundation in complying with various of the principal influences on tax law changes aﬀecting community the operation of the Milwaukee foundations and other charitable Foundation Trust. He took organizations which were enacted in 1969. a personal interest in the

Photo courtesy of Andrew Lauritzen Foundation throughout his career. Buzard died at age 86 on April 15, 2012, with suggested donations in his name going to the Foundation’s DSB Fund, an This was a watershed moment for the Greater Milwaukee Foundation Acorn Fund he created in 1993. and other community foundations because, among other things, the tax changes required all component funds to be subject to a variance power. Buzard was aware of the changes in the tax laws made in 1969 and This gave the Board the ability to modify any restriction or condition of contacted Dudley Godfrey and asked if there was anyone at Godfrey a fund if, in their sole judgment, such restriction or condition became & Kahn who could help the Foundation comply with the new tax code unnecessary, obsolete or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the requirements. William D. Vogel, chairman of the Milwaukee Foundation community or area served. For example, a donor could wish to support Board, was also acquainted with Dudley Godfrey and asked Godfrey & a particular agency, but if that nonprofit went out of business, the Kahn to serve as counsel to the Foundation. Board could use the power to reallocate the funds to support a similar nonprofit. Godfrey requested Andy Lauritzen, one of the firm’s bright young attorneys, to work on Foundation matters. Before long, Lauritzen was The new tax code also required community foundation boards to handling all of the Foundation’s legal work. Although Lauritzen was only have the power to replace trustees for inability to produce reasonable 30, he had a good working relationship with Buzard, who had a great

4 1969: Tax Reform Act of 1969 passed with some provisions that add 4 Foundation opens fi st ofofficefice at the Pabst Building, 110 E. Wisconsin Ave. a number of constraints on private foundations, making community foundations more advantageous as a vehicle for charitable giving

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 16 12/30/14 2:22 PM sense of humor and was businesslike and easy to work with. As a result, among Lauritzen’s initial endeavors on behalf of the Foundation was MILWAUKEE FOUNDATION FORGES AHEAD amending the organizational documents of the Milwaukee Foundation With attorney Andy Lauritzen’s assistance, the Foundation Trust to meet the requirements of the new tax law. engaged in several major initiatives over the years, some of which were precedent-setting for community foundations nationally. Perhaps one of the most transformative actions taken in the These included the following: Foundation’s fi st 50 years occurred when its leadership met with the • In 1989, the Foundation organized a corporation now leaders of two private foundations, the Faye McBeath Foundation and known as the Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc. to operate the Walter and Olive Stiemke Foundation. as a corporate community foundation in tandem with the original Milwaukee Foundation Trust. The IRS subsequently ruled that the original Milwaukee Foundation Trust and the new Milwaukee Foundation Corporation could be treated as a single community foundation for tax purposes. One of the principal reasons for organizing the corporation was to permit the Foundation to engage investment managers independent of the trustees.

• Another IRS ruling, a first, made it acceptable for the Foundation to establish various investment pools in which donated funds could be invested and to permit donors to designate the particular pools to which their funds would be allocated.

• Over the years, the Foundation has assisted in the establishment of several supporting foundations, which are independent 501(c)(3) organizations set up exclusively to carry out one or more of the purposes or functions of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. Such supporting organizations have been established to operate as geographic partners of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, GODFREY AND KAHN including the West Bend Community Foundation, Dudley Godfrey Jr. (left) and Gerald (Jerry) Kahn met Oconomowoc Area Foundation and the Greater Cedarburg as undergraduates at the University of Wisconsin Foundation, and also by some private donors who preferred and remained friends throughout law school. In to maintain their own independent foundation to support the geographic areas they serve. 1957 they formed the ﬁrm of Godfrey & Kahn, which was the primary legal adviser to the Foundation for many years.

Photo courtesy of Godfrey & Kahn

41970: Hiring of David Huntington, Foundation’s fi st full-time executive 4 Attorney Andrew Lauritzen, with Milwaukee’s Godfrey & Kahn law fi m, director and staff member; also serves as administrator for Stiemke and begins 40-year career of providing legal guidance to the Foundation McBeath foundations

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 17 12/30/14 2:22 PM Together, the three foundations decided to establish an office and employ staff to give professional assistance to their boards in fulfilling their charitable purposes. The three shared an association with the First Wisconsin Trust Company, a focus on the Milwaukee community and a real wish to handle their affairs more efficiently.

Under the guidance of Paul F. Meissner, an attorney on the McBeath board, the three foundations created Foundation Studies Inc. in 1968 and the following year hired A.T. Kearney, a Chicago executive search fi m, to fi d someone to run the operations. The fi m brought in David Huntington, former director of placement at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, to meet with Vogel, First Wisconsin Trust’s Catherine Cleary, Herbert Mueller of the Stiemke Foundation and Faye McBeath Foundation head Howard Tobin. After extended conversations, the leaders determined that New Englander Huntington fi the bill and offered him the job. For Huntington, it was “a chance to jump to the DAVID M.G. HUNTINGTON other side of the fence” and to accept additional challenges, although he David M.G. Huntington was executive director wasn’t that familiar with the Milwaukee charitable or development scene. and secretary of the Milwaukee Foundation from He began his new job on Jan. 1, 1970. 1970 to 1992. Over those 22 years, the Milwaukee Foundation grew from a 55-year-old shell of a Initially, the two private foundations contributed $7,000 each toward the foundation, unstaﬀed with some $4 million in total 1970 budget, and the Milwaukee Foundation, $6,000. The Foundation assets, to an entity of about $125 million with later got help in the form of grants from the Stiemke Foundation beyond a staﬀ of 10. It was ranked among the top 20 of what it paid for services. In 1975 and 1979, for example, the Steimke about 400 community foundations then in place Foundation contributed $10,000 toward “developing and operating a around the country. community trust.” A $15,000 grant in 1984 aided the “development and public awareness program of the community trust.” When Huntington was picked to head the Foundation, he had two Harvard degrees and The IRS soon determined that Foundation Studies would not qualify for three years’ experience in customer relations with tax exemption, suggesting instead that it would be most appropriate a large Wall Street bank. He had been through for those functions to be handled by the Milwaukee Foundation itself. infantry training in the Army and served in the That change was speedily made: the Foundation leased office space and Philippines and Korea at the end of WWII before from then on simply charged the two private foundations for executive successfully managing administrative posts at two services. That assistance from Stiemke was an important resource for major universities. the fledgling foundation. Photo courtesy of Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Huntington was subsequently made administrator of the Stiemke Foundation, a position he held until 1984, and was secretary of the McBeath Foundation through 1986 and executive director and secretary of the Milwaukee Foundation until 1992. Among his duties, Huntington composed all the agendas, minutes, agency contacts, correspondence and handled grants management for each foundation, as well as prepared and distributed printed annual reports.

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 18 12/30/14 2:22 PM Huntington was instrumental in taking the Foundation to new heights. A Harvard man, he had a long career in fund development, from banking to academia. He had spent about seven years in development work at the University of Chicago, fi st as assistant director of development for the university during a major campaign and then as director of development for the division of biological sciences, then the largest component of the university, including both its hospitals and medical school. The position put him in contact with foundations of all sizes, a valuable experience from which he learned a lot. In addition to these skills, he was outgoing, friendly and concerned about his adopted city CATHERINE CLEARY and its residents. Photo courtesy of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company archives Huntington immediately began developing grant programs, working out of a small office at 110 E. Wisconsin Ave. He was helped by Colette Carlson, a part-time secretary on loan from First Wisconsin Trust. During this time, the Huntington-Lauritzen team brought the Foundation’s organizational documents into compliance with the tax code. The young attorney then took on additional assignments, including drafting gift acceptance policies, standardizing donor agreements and gift forms, and fie ding general questions relating to the operation of the Foundation, donor relations and various legal issues.

BLAINE RIEKE With Gardner Friedlander, principal of the Gardner Foundation, Photo courtesy of the Huntington convened a luncheon group now known as the Donors Northwestern Mutual Life Forum of Wisconsin to share information and interests with other Insurance Company archives foundations in the area. The forum was instrumental in establishing a foundation reference collection called the Funding Information Center at the Marquette University Library. The collection keeps tax returns on all local private foundations available to help local agencies and institutions in their search for support. The group held regular grantseeker sessions at the Foundation’s office, talking with agencies about the Milwaukee, FOUNDATION FORUM OF WISCONSIN McBeath and Stiemke foundations and the policies, practices and Incorporated on April 1978, the Foundation Forum of procedures used in applying for grants. Wisconsin, under the able leadership of Richard Yeo, began the networking, peer-to-peer education and professional Blaine Rieke started with the First Wisconsin Trust Company in 1973 development that became the organization’s mission. Yeo was as a senior executive after being invited to join the staff by Catherine a director of the Patrick and Anna Cudahy Fund. In 1991, the Cleary, then First Wisconsin Trust president and the first woman in the Foundation Forum changed its name to the Donors Forum of country to hold such a high office. When Cleary retired in 1976, Rieke Wisconsin. Connie Bach, executive director from 1987 to 1999, became president and CEO. He worked closely with senior trust officers. expanded services to include site visits, hosted regional and Don Buzard and Rieke directed policy issues for the trust company. national speakers, and joined the Forum of Regional Association Others involved were trust vice presidents Lee Wolcott and Max Grefig. of Grantmakers. During its 25th year in 2003, the forum was Attorney Dick Gallagher was also a great support because of his interest led by Doug Jansson, as chair of the Donors Forum board, and in philanthropy and knowledge of estate planning. After his retirement Deborah Fugenschuh as president. from First Wisconsin Trust, Rieke maintained a supportive interest and served on the Foundation Board from 1996 to 2006.

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 19 12/30/14 2:22 PM MANY FIRSTS MARKED

EDITH FINLAYSON JOSÉ OLIVIERI FRED GUTIERREZ

Edith Finlayson was the fi st African The first Latino Board member was José In 1991, Fred Gutierrez was the fi st Latino American on the Foundation Board. Moving Olivieri, a partner with Michael Best & on the Foundation’s staff and was still to Milwaukee in 1958 with her husband, Friedrich LLP, who was appointed by the working there in 2014 as a senior program William, she became the fi st African Milwaukee Bar Association in 1994. He officer. The late Sarah Ford was the fi st American nurse at Milwaukee’s Veterans became chair of the firm’s Labor and African American on staff.

Administration hospital. A “professional” Employment Relations Practice Group and Photo by Jim Moy volunteer, she was a presence locally and co-chair of the Government and Public Policy nationally. A founding member of the National Group. A native of Puerto Rico, Olivieri was Organization for Women, Finlayson died in the Foundation’s Board vice chair (with Polly 2001. Finlayson was Board vice chair under H. Van Dyke) from 1996 to 1997 and chair Milwaukee Journal publisher Irwin Maier from 1997 to 1999.

from 1973 to 1974 and Board chair from Photo courtesy of Greater Milwaukee Foundation 1974 to 1976. She was replaced on the Board by community activist Gwen Jackson, chair emeritus of the American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin and its fi st African American Board chair.

Photo courtesy of Greater Milwaukee Foundation

4 1972: Edith Finlayson, appointed by the senior judge of the U.S. District 4 1976: Milwaukee Brewers create the Hank Aaron Youth Fund at the time Court for the Eastern District, is Foundation’s fi st African American of his retirement as a tribute to the home run king. The fund provides Board member scholarships to help talented young people ages eight to 12 pursue their dreams .

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 20 12/30/14 2:22 PM POWER PLAYERS

FAYE MCBEATH WALTER AND OLIVE STIEMKE HERBERT J. MUELLER

The Faye McBeath and the Walter & Olive Walter and Olive Stiemke also were Herbert J. Mueller, a local estate planning Stiemke foundations added clout and financial important players on the city’s charitable attorney, was instrumental in helping the muscle early on to partner with the Milwaukee scene. Stiemke had been president of the Stiemkes establish their foundation. By the Foundation on many causes. The three Trackson Company and general manager of time of his death in 2001 at age 91, Mueller foundations always acted independently and the Caterpillar Company plant in Milwaukee had helped start more than a dozen such separately, yet regularly compared notes. for many years. When he died in 1967, he Greater Milwaukee Foundation funds with left an estate worth $7 million, and his wife, gifts totaling nearly $50 million. In recognition Faye McBeath graduated from the University Olive, succeeded him as chair of the Walter of his efforts, the Foundation formed the of Wisconsin in 1913 and taught school and Olive Stiemke Foundation, which acquired Herbert J. Mueller Society, honoring other until 1916 when her uncle, Lucius W. most of his estate. The foundation had advisers who have been helpful to the Nieman, founder of The Milwaukee Journal, awarded more than $2 million in grants to Foundation or have recommended starting encouraged her to join the Journal Company, numerous organizations since its beginning in a fund to their charitably minded clients. where she worked for the next 20 years. 1964. Sharing staff, it joined forces with the Hundreds of planners have subsequently been When Nieman died in 1935, McBeath Milwaukee Foundation in 1970. Olive Stiemke recognized from A to Z, from John A. Affeldt inherited one-fourth of his holdings in the died in 1982. The Stiemke’s philanthropy to Nate Zastrow. publishing company, a substantial amount of included support of the Stiemke Studio, one of which was used to establish the Faye McBeath three theaters within the Milwaukee Repertory Foundation. She became one of the city’s Theater complex on East Wells Street. greatest philanthropists, supporting programs addressing education, assistance for the blind and the arts. She died in 1967, and the bulk of the McBeath Foundation was due to be paid out by 2014.

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 21 12/30/14 2:23 PM Stiemke and Mueller were closely involved in Health Department and Community Health the motivation behind and the transition of Concepts. The latter had received grants from the Foundation to a multi-trust community both the Foundation and the Faye McBeath foundation. When Stiemke wanted to initially Foundation, so Huntington knew of her work. set up a private foundation, Mueller was the one Moore was hired as a program officer and who suggested that he consider transferring his eventually became the director of research and assets to a community trust. development before retiring in 2009.

Stiemke, after looking into the Milwaukee Weeks after hiring Moore, Jim Marks and Doris Foundation, thought it wasn’t as strong as Heiser were hired. After receiving his master’s it could have been at the time and decided degree from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee instead to create his own private foundation. in 1971, Marks took a planning position with However, he didn’t dismiss the idea of joining what was then called the Mental Health Planning the community trust later on. In fact, one of the Committee, later the Planning Council for Health purposes of Stiemke’s private foundation was and Human Services. As director of the Planning to encourage the development and effective Council, he learned how to work with a nonprofit operation of Milwaukee’s community trust. JIM MARKS board and nonprofit budgeting and financial Stiemke met with officials from the Council Photo courtesy of Greater Milwaukee management. In late 1974, he was appointed Foundation on Foundations, dutifully researched other executive director, a position he held until joining community foundations at the time – including the Foundation in 1984. Cleveland and Chicago – and ventured around the country to get a first- hand account of how they operated. Through his research, he found that While at the Planning Council, Marks applied to the Milwaukee community foundations had greater strength and faster growth if they Foundation for a grant related to mental health services, a Foundation had more than one financial institution as a trustee. priority area at the time. In 1984, Gwen Jackson, who was on both the Foundation and Planning Council boards, suggested to Huntington that Hoping to build the Milwaukee Foundation into a more substantial force he contact Marks to see if the Planning Council could help with proposal within the community, Stiemke worked with Mueller to encourage First reviews. Marks assigned his associate director to this project on a Wisconsin to modify the declaration of trust. They drew inspiration from time-limited contract basis but was hopeful that the Foundation would other trust agreements and the model declaration of trust proposed by continue to contract with the council longer term rather than hiring its the council. Sadly, Stiemke didn’t live to see his efforts bear fruit. He died own staff. Huntington didn’t agree, however, and eventually hired Jane in early 1967 before the declaration of trust was modified later that year. Moore for the program officer position.

M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank and Marine National Exchange Bank agreed In the meantime, Marks learned that the Foundation was looking to hire to be added as trustees. As part of the amended declaration, all of someone with finance and budgeting experience in anticipation of the the Foundation trustees had to approve of any major policy changes Stiemke Foundation being folded in as a fund by the end of the year. within the organization, including expanding the Board and naming an That got Marks to thinking that it might really be interesting to work for independent investment adviser. a foundation, although the position they originally were looking for was an administrative assistant. He subsequently proposed to Huntington In 1984, it quickly became obvious that with the size of the job, that he make the opening an assistant administrator position, basically Huntington could use additional help. Among his fi st hires in 1984 second in command. Huntington liked the idea and presented it to his was Jane Moore, former Peace Corps volunteer who had experience board, which agreed. in planning, evaluation and research with the City of Milwaukee

4 1983: Shaw Scientist program begins, thanks to bequest from Dorothy Shaw, widow of 4 1984: Jim Marks, Doris Heiser and Jane Moore hired to Milwaukee attorney James D. Shaw. University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Michael M. Cox assist the rapidly growing Foundation and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Peter J. Wejksnora are fi st recipients

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 22 12/30/14 2:23 PM FOUNDING FATHERS

JUDGE PAUL D. CARPENTER CLEMENT SMITH FRED S. HUNT

ADOLPH FINKLER OLIVER C. FULLER PATRICK CUDAHY

Photos courtesy of Milwaukee County Historical Society

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 5 12/30/14 5:09 PM Once hired, Marks’ biggest challenge was preparing financial statements. In fact, he was the fi st staff person to compile such documents for the Foundation. Prior to that time, auditors did this work. As the Foundation grew in size and complexity, it became clear that it needed someone with more accounting expertise to manage its finances on a full-time basis. At that time, Marks transitioned into his role as director of grant programs.

Later in his tenure, Marks took on the responsibility for the Foundation’s largest individual fund – the Ceres Foundation – a $16 million supporting organization with a primary focus on sustainable agriculture. This was extremely time intensive, given the size of the fund and the passion of the donor for the cause. Marks managed all aspects of the fund, from soliciting proposals to gathering basic organizational information, as well as following up with the grantees and the donor.

Next hired was Doris Heiser, who had attended the Donors Forum DORIS HEISER as a representative of the Junior League of Milwaukee. Early in 1984, Photo by Jim Moy Huntington told Heiser about a half-time position at the Milwaukee Foundation working with donors. Heiser thought about the job and called Huntington a couple of weeks later saying she would like to apply and asked if the position was still open. It was. Compared to the hustle and bustle of work at the Foundation a few years later, the environment was quite low key when Heiser began.

CERES FOUNDATION SUPPORTS ORGANIC AGRICULTURE Demonstrating its diverse funding opportunities, the Foundation has assisted the Ceres Foundation, named after the ancient goddess of agriculture. The Ceres Foundation provides grants to support organic agriculture initiatives primarily in western Wisconsin, eastern Iowa and Minnesota. It has also been a leading supporter nationally of research and advocacy efforts to preserve pollinators and natural environments as well as to remove toxins from food sources. JANE MOORE Photo by Jim Moy

41985: Foundation’s Walter and Olive Stiemke Fund makes $750,000 grant to the Milwaukee Repertory Theater toward the construction of the Stiemke Studio in the Milwaukee Center Complex

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 23 12/30/14 2:16 PM The Foundation was always eager to help recognize community leaders. It created SCHOOL OF FRESHWATER SCIENCES the Shaw Scientist Award in 1982 with a bequest from Dorothy Shaw, widow of James D. Shaw, a prominent Milwaukee attorney. Her $4.3 million gift endowed the James D. Shaw and Dorothy Shaw Fund within the Foundation. She directed that the fund be used to advance the fie ds of biochemistry, biological science and cancer research at UW–Madison and DOROTHY SHAW UW–Milwaukee. Since then, the asset value Photo courtesy of Greater of the Shaw Fund has grown to more than Milwaukee Foundation $15.5 million, even as it has distributed millions of dollars in grants over the years.

Each young Shaw Scientist receives $200,000 in unrestricted research support. Since its launch, in addition to $2 million in special grants, Shaw’s fund has awarded more than $12.5 million in grants to 65 scientists from both universities. Huntington always pointed out that the awards were perfect examples of what a community foundation could do.

Another example of the program’s impact came in 1985, when veteran KENNETH H. NEALSON, PH.D. researcher Dr. Kenneth H. Nealson became the Shaw Distinguished Photo courtesy of the J. Craig Venter Institute Professor at the Center for Great Lakes Studies, predecessor of the School of Freshwater Sciences, a key player in Milwaukee’s efforts to establish itself as an international leader in water research and innovation. The position allowed him to continue his studies on metals and microbes.

THE FIRST SHAW SCIENTIST RECIPIENTS: REBECCA KLAPER University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Michael M. Cox Shaw Associate Professor at University of Wisconsin- (left) and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Peter Milwaukee’s Great Lakes Water Institute J. Wejksnora (right) Photo by Jim Moy Photos courtesy of Greater Milwaukee Foundation

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 24 12/30/14 2:16 PM HARRY ANDERSON, TREE PLANTING On June 4, 1980, Harry Anderson, executive director of the Milwaukee County Historical Society, presented a major speech at the 65th annual meeting of the Milwaukee Foundation. After the formal business meeting, the attendees toured a Historical Society exhibit featuring the work of the Milwaukee Foundation over the years and were then invited outside for a tree planting. The ceremony, according to Foundation Board Chair William C. Messinger, was to commemorate “our roots, past, present and future.” On hand to provide an historical link to the past were Michael Cudahy, great-grandson of a Foundation founder Patrick Cudahy; George Chester, nephew of Clement C. Smith, another founder; and Douglas E. McKey, son of Douglas F. McKey, secretary pro tem for the Foundation in 1915.

Photo courtesy of Milwaukee County Historical Society

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 25 12/30/14 2:16 PM BUILDINGS WE’VE CALLED HOME The Foundation has migrated to several office buildings over the years. It fi st had a room and a half in the Pabst Building, 110 E. Wisconsin Ave., before moving to the Plankinton Building, 161 W. Wisconsin Ave. After 25-year sojourn to larger quarters at the German-English Academy Building, 1020 N. Broadway, next led to the current locale in Schlitz Park, 101 W. Pleasant St.

Pabst Building, 110 E. Wisconsin Ave. 1969-1975

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 26 12/30/14 2:17 PM Plankinton Building, 161 W. Wisconsin Ave 1975-1984

German-English Academy Building, 1020 N. Broadway 1984-2009

Schlitz Park, 101 W. Pleasant St. 2009-present

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 27 12/30/14 2:17 PM SHARON LOXTON of-inquiry process, however, the staff could readily review up to 100 Photo by Jim Moy concepts and invite the most promising to submit full proposals. Everyone agreed this system was a great improvement, made at relatively no cost.

Over time, the Board and staff also felt that grantmaking was fragmented and disconnected. Many small, one-year grants were being made, and it was difficult to measure their impact. Eventually, for the Another team member was Sharon Loxton, hired from Arthur Andersen most promising projects that demonstrated measurable results, the & Co., where she was an auditor. In 1988, the Foundation was looking for Foundation and its funding partners made larger grants over multiple a fiscal officer, and Huntington sent a note with a position description years. As a result, grantmaking became more strategic, synergistic and to Steve Graff, the office managing partner at Andersen. Loxton’s collaborative. It was also important that the Foundation’s story was background in auditing financial institutions and nonprofits was a good spread by a variety of means, from newspaper ads to annual reports. fi for the Foundation, which at that time had only seven employees. The first promotional piece was a slim pamphlet put together by She became the Foundation’s fi st controller in 1989, the fi st fiscal Catherine Cleary at the First Wisconsin Trust in 1969. When Stan Hack officer of any type at the Foundation. By then, the Foundation had was Board chair in 1975, he asked Milwaukee public relations specialist about 180 funds and just over $71 million in assets. There weren’t any Robert Zigman to help get out the word about the Foundation. Former comprehensive systems available that integrated financial, grantmaking newsman Bob Riordan, initially a volunteer and eventually a paid and contribution activities at the time. consultant, was also instrumental in helping publicize the Foundation.

Loxton’s fi st task was to understand the fi ancial records and begin In those days, foundations supported collaboration among nonprofit preparation for the audit. In addition, she staffed the Investment organizations but did not often collaborate with other foundations. The Committee, which selected a corporate investment manager, and set Faye McBeath Foundation office was adjacent to Jane Moore’s. When up the accounting for the Foundation’s new investment pool. As part Sarah Dean became executive director of the McBeath Foundation, the of that process, the Foundation’s investment policy was rewritten. two began discussing common issues and concerns. This led to more Capitalizing on a trend beginning in the endowment fie d at the time, the discussions with Robin Mayrl at the Helen Bader Foundation. In turn, the Foundation’s payout practices for grants were converted from “spend three organizations began to collaborate in earnest, bringing in other actual income earned” to one that spent a percentage of growth. An donors and public-private funders. By partnering with other foundations extensive study calculated and projected the impact of the change, and Foundation donors, discretionary dollars expanded to develop and and presentations were made to donors to convey the benefit. Colonial sustain projects that had a greater impact on the Milwaukee community. Consulting from New York was hired to help and eventually became the Foundation’s regular investment consultant. Loxton also prepared tax Among these were the Sponsor-A-Scholar program, Compass Guide, returns in house rather than sending them out to the accounting fi m. Nonprofit Management Fund (a coalition of local foundations, corporations and United Way of Greater Milwaukee), UWM Helen Bader The Foundation staff had its work cut out for it. In the 1980s, it received Institute for Nonprofit Management, Connecting Caring Communities, 70 to 100 proposals every quarter, each requiring Board committee economic development in transitional neighborhoods, redevelopment review. This time-consuming system resulted in declining 90 percent of of Menomonee Valley and Project Lead the Way. Moore played a pivotal the requests for various reasons. This was onerous to grant applicants role in helping these organizations work together. after all their hard work preparing submissions. By instituting a letter-

4 1986: Creation of Journal Foundation funds, a cluster of 4 1989: Foundation hires Sharon Loxton as its fi st controller permanent funds that represents contributions from more than 33 active and retired employees of Journal Communications

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 28 12/30/14 2:17 PM MENOMONEE VALLEY COMPASS GUIDE

By partnering with other foundations and Foundation donors, discretionary dollars expanded to develop and sustain projects that had a greater impact on the Milwaukee community.

HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE SPONSOR-A-SCHOLAR

343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 29 12/30/14 2:18 PM Having been “on the other side of the table,” Moore wanted to make One of the highest-profile successes was the Foundation support in the grant process and experience more transparent by creating establishing Riverworks Development Corporation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 “Grantseeker” sessions for anyone interested in knowing how the organization formed in 1992 after the closing of the sprawling American Foundation reviewed grants, what questions to anticipate and how Motors Corporation complex in Milwaukee’s northeast industrial corridor. to “make the case.” Later, she focused her experience and developed Riverworks focuses on helping train and place Milwaukee residents into a graduate course at Marquette titled “Nonprofit Organizations, jobs while providing benefits and financial coaching at the same time. Management and Trends in the Third Sector.” When David Huntington indicated he was considering retirement in Among many executives who lent their expertise to the Foundation at 1992, the Foundation conducted a national search for his replacement. this time was Brent Rupple, former chairman, president and CEO of Gene Struckoff, a headhunter hired by the Foundation who wrote the Robert W. Baird. Rupple served the Foundation in various capacities, defi itive handbook on how to start community foundations and was including as a Board member for 10 years and as a member of the skilled in providing technical assistance to new community foundations, Investment Committee for 24 years. found an attractive candidate in Douglas Jansson.

By its 75th birthday in 1990, the Foundation included 200 funds with After receiving a master’s in public administration from the Maxwell total assets of $83 million. It launched the fi st of several grantmaking School at Syracuse University and spending years leading a relief initiatives, including the Neighborhood and Family Initiative, focusing on program in Nigeria following that country’s civil war, Jansson became an the economic revitalization of Milwaukee’s Harambee and near North analyst in the Governor’s Offi e of Policy Research in Columbus, Ohio. Side neighborhoods. It was the fi st of many Foundation initiatives that The office was funded largely by the Ford Foundation to provide the combined grants from several funds to leverage grant commitments governor with nonpolitical research on issues facing the state such as from other foundations. alternatives to incarceration, how to regulate the new cable television industry and related issues.

TAKING THE INITIATIVE Foundation donor Dorothea Mayer, a bus tour attendee, and former Foundation Board chair Gwen Jackson take part in the Milwaukee Foundation Associates tour of the Harambee neighborhood, supported through the Foundation’s Neighborhood and Family Initiative.

Photo by Frank Miller

4 1988: Wisconsin AIDS Fund is established to support 4 1990: Development of the Neighborhood and Family programs directed at the prevention and further spread Initiative for Milwaukee’s Harambee neighborhood of AIDS, as well as care and treatment services with funding from the Ford Foundation

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 30 12/30/14 2:18 PM Three things motivated Jansson to accept the position at the Foundation. First, he knew the Foundation did not need to be “fixed.” Huntington had assembled a terrifi staff, and the Board was highly motivated to see Jansson take the Foundation to the next level. Second, Jansson was impressed with the beauty of Milwaukee – the lakefront, its cultural facilities, its local and state parks and its strong civic organizations. Third, he said, “It just felt right for me to be back in the Midwest.”

THE CALATRAVA ON THE MILWAUKEE LAKEFRONT

After a few years in Columbus, Jansson became a program officer with DOUG JANSSON the Chicago Community Trust before heading up the Rhode Island Greater Milwaukee Foundation for roughly 12 years, during which time the foundation’s Foundation president assets had grown from $25 million to nearly $200 million. By then, and CEO from 1993 to Jansson was ready for a new challenge. 2010.

Jansson had fi st gotten to know Huntington when he worked for the Photo by Jim Moy Chicago Community Trust. He was invited to meet with the board of the Faye McBeath Foundation, which Huntington also staffed early on, to discuss how the Trust approached its grantmaking in the area of children and youth services.

Under Jansson’s leadership from 1993 to 2010, the Foundation enjoyed one of the most successful periods in its long history. Assets more than quadrupled, more than $300 million in grants were made to nonprofits, and the Foundation launched the partner foundation concept.

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 31 12/30/14 2:18 PM GEOGRAPHIC PARTNERS

Demonstrating the Foundation’s outreach into the broader community, The Oconomowoc Area Foundation was launched through the efforts the first regional affi iate to become a philanthropic partner with the of Jim Marks and Fred Gutierrez. Together, they assembled community Foundation was the West Bend Community Foundation. The idea for its leaders, presented the idea and provided the ongoing staff support. creation came from two West Bend civic leaders, the late Cliff Nelson The Foundation also agreed to rely on the board of the Oconomowoc and Douglas Ziegler. After much research, they determined that it Area Foundation to make grants from the Hilbert Scherffius Fund, a made more sense to create a foundation as an affi iate of the Greater substantial fund created by the donor to benefit that community. Milwaukee Foundation rather than a new, freestanding community foundation. By doing so, they could benefit from the Foundation’s staff The Greater Cedarburg Foundation was also launched and over time, resources and investment pools. Together, Nelson and Ziegler personally the founders determined that it could operate more economically and pledged $1 million in unrestricted contributions to jumpstart the West effectively as a Foundation affi iate. Particular credit in this partnership Bend Community Foundation. went to Mal Hepburn, a local entrepreneur and philanthropist. Overall, these three geographic affi iates have demonstrated that they will continue to grow as essential partners with the Foundation.

West Bend Community Foundation

Greater Cedarburg Foundation

Oconomowoc Area Foundation

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 32 12/30/14 2:18 PM BLUE CHIP REGATTA IN OCONOMOWOC SCIENCE LAB IN WEST BEND

Wider community outreach was made possible by creating Foundation affiliates, which could benefit from Foundation staff resources and investment pools.

MUSEUM OF WISCONSIN ART IN WEST BEND

CEDAR CREEK IN CEDARBURG OCONOMOWOC IMAGINATION STATION

343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 33 12/30/14 2:18 PM COINVESTMENTS

In 2006, the Foundation started a concerted effort to engage donors as One of the most exciting programs developed at the Foundation under co-investors, and since that time has secured more than $10.2 million her watch was Match Day, when community members united to raise in coinvestments from donor advisers for a wide range of programs and funds for area food and shelter agencies. projects. For the Foundation, community leadership and co-investment are symbiotic, providing donors with exciting opportunities. As a Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a good friend of the Foundation, called result, donors contribute more and have a feeling of ownership. In its the organization a partner in strengthening the city. He explained that various reports, the Foundation has viewed co-investment as a multi- by advancing important initiatives, the Foundation provides financial pronged strategy that (a) builds and solidifies relationships throughout resources, but its role is so much more. The people, the energy the community, (b) strengthens the Foundation’s reputation as a and the ideas it brings make a huge difference in the outcomes of philanthropic leader, (c) increases the number of people and institutions these initiatives. involved in and knowledgeable about an issue and (d) increases the potential magnitude and sustainability of impact.

There are numerous examples of what such coinvestments have helped fund over the years. They allowed Urban Ecology Center to purchase 30 microscopes; supported the Museum of Wisconsin Art’s capital campaign for its new building in West Bend; supported the food pantry at the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin; helped Milwaukee children attend summer camp; backed UWM’s LGBT Film Festival; supported Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council’s fair lending program to prevent predatory lending and mortgage rescue scams; and promoted the Women in Science program at the Medical College of Wisconsin. More than 1,100 grants have been awarded since the idea of coinvesting took off.

With Doug Jansson’s retirement, Ohioan Ellen M. Gilligan joined the Foundation in 2010 as its leader. She previously spent 12 years at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation where, as vice president of community investment, she directed and oversaw all of its grantmaking programs for an eight-county service area. She also served as president and secretary of The HealthPath Foundation of Ohio, a $21 million supporting organization of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. The fi st Match Day was held in 2012 as an online event, and a total of $1.8 million was raised in less than 24 hours by Foundation donors Experienced in building coalitions and partnerships to address critical and the greater Milwaukee community in support of 19 nonprofits. needs and issues including education, neighborhood and community development, race relations and safety net services, Gilligan eagerly Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas plunged into the Milwaukee charitable scene. She brought new and innovative ideas with her to immediately leverage the Foundation’s Photo by Jim Moy charitable assets to address areas of vital concern in the community.

4 1994: Camps for Kids scholarship program created by the Foundation, 4 1996: Foundation awards fi st $1 million grant (thanks to the Walter Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and a number of youth-serving agencies to and Olive Stiemke Fund, Halbert and Alice Kadish Fund 1 and Elinor give central city children a chance to attend summer camps Gallun Pritzlaff Fund); Milwaukee Art Museum is recipient

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 34 12/30/14 2:18 PM Through its leadership and generous support of its donors, the Foundation has helped develop and nurture projects such as the Mequon Nature Preserve (above), the Urban Education Fellows Program (below left) and the Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative (below right), among many others. Overall, 30 percent of the total grants made in 2013, or about $11.9 million, supported health- and human services-related programs. Education was the second-largest funding area, with nearly 19 percent, or $7.3 million, in grants awarded to education-related projects and programs.

Jeﬀ Monday and Jennifer Morris, Urban Education Fellows Program

4 1996: Foundation reaches $200 million in assets 4 1997: Foundation and YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee join together to create Sponsor-A-Scholar mentoring program for low-income high school students

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343150 Greater Together body Rev3.indd 35 12/30/14 2:19 PM A good example of the Foundation’s evolving role in the community is Milwaukee Succeeds, a communitywide collaboration launched under Gilligan’s direction, which aims to improve educational outcomes for every child in Milwaukee. As Barrett said, “[The Greater Milwaukee Foundation] has unique reach, influence and drive to accomplish this goal.” Milwaukee Succeeds is an expansive partnership with more than 300 community and educational organizations involved in varying aspects of the work. With a focus on every child – cradle to career – the program helps bridge the gaps among different school systems and provides a holistic perspective on strategies that will make a difference in the lives of Milwaukee’s children and their families.

Echoing the mayor, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele noted that in the 20 years he has lived in Milwaukee, he has watched the Foundation grow the number of grants it gives and the amount it is able to give, but, more importantly, he has watched it increase its professionalism, demand for outcomes and the degree to which it strategically makes decisions. He pointed out that the Foundation leadership “is fantastic and getting better” under Gilligan, saying that she “is great to work with, and her vision is an excellent addition to our community. I’m looking forward to seeing the impact I know the Foundation will continue to have for the next 100 years.”

With this support and encouragement, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation is eagerly moving into its next century, looking forward to many more years of civic involvement, emphasizing ongoing concern for its donors, accepting and overcoming challenges and continuing to care for the area’s citizenry.

MILWAUKEE SUCCEEDS CO-CHAIRS John Schlifske, Jacqueline Herd-Barber and Mike Lovell

Photo by Jim Moy

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