Greater Milwaukee Foundation

What Greater Milwaukee Foundation does

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity and Wisconsin's oldest and largest community foundation, established in 1915 and headquartered at ThriveOn King in Milwaukee's historic Bronzeville neighborhood. The Foundation manages over $1.3 billion in assets across more than 1,500 donor funds and serves four counties in southeastern Wisconsin: Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha. Its operating model centers on receiving charitable gifts, bequests, and legacy promises from individual donors and estates; pooling these funds with investment management supported by Marquette Associates; and deploying the capital through competitive grantmaking cycles (held three times annually), impact investing (including ThriveOn Small Business Loans), and cross-sector partnership initiatives. Racial equity and inclusion serves as the organization's North Star, with a 2020 strategic plan anchoring work across reimagining philanthropy, catalyzing systems change, building inclusive culture, and following community voice.

Core products and services include the Donor Portal (FCSuite-based), Grantee Portal, Community Bridge nonprofit directory, Community Engagement tools, meeting space facilities, impact investing products, and adviser recognition programs (Herbert J. Mueller Society, Community Adviser & Ambassador Network). The Foundation operates a portfolio of partnership initiatives rather than technology products: ThriveOn Collaboration (with Medical College of Wisconsin and Royal Capital), Milwaukee Succeeds (cradle-to-career education), Community Development Alliance (housing equity), and MKE Civic Action Team (crisis response). It also sustains affiliated partner foundations including West Bend, Cedarburg, and Oconomowoc Area Foundations, and supporting organization Cream City Foundation (joined July 2024). Technology is operationally utilitarian, with no AI/ML capabilities and no public APIs.

Revenue mechanics combine donor contributions and bequests ($84 million in total gifts in 2025, including $36.4 million in realized bequests) with returns on a $1.3 billion investment portfolio. Fund minimums begin at $25,000 for establishing a named charitable fund; investment management fees are described as 'low' and are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation paid $97 million in grants in 2025 (up from $75 million in 2024, with $26.9 million in discretionary grants), and has awarded over $1.2 billion in grants over its 110+ year history. The organization maintains National Standards certification since 2001 and received the 2023 HUD Secretary's Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships.

Name

Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Legal name

Greater Milwaukee Foundation Inc.

Website

https://greatermilwaukeefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1915

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Greater Milwaukee Foundation is Wisconsin's oldest and largest community foundation, managing $1.3 billion across 1,500+ donor funds and serving four southeastern Wisconsin counties through grantmaking, impact investing, donor-advised funds, and cross-sector community partnerships guided by racial equity.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN), Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB), Foundation/NGO & Philanthropic Scholarships (EDAIAOAH)

Keywords

• Community foundation services
• Philanthropic grantmaking
• Donor advised funds
• Charitable fund management
• Impact investing

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donor Contributions and Bequests: The Foundation receives charitable gifts, bequests, and legacy promises from donors. In 2025, realized over $36.4 million in bequests and documented approximately $52 million in new legacy promises. Total gifts in 2025 were $84 million.
2. Investment Returns: With over $1.3 billion in assets under management, the Foundation generates returns on invested funds that support grantmaking activities

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is a community foundation that manages charitable funds for individual, family, and institutional donors; pools and invests those assets; and distributes grants to nonprofit organizations across Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties. Its offerings include donor advised funds, planned giving and legacy society services, competitive grant cycles, impact investing (loans and equity), and community convening initiatives.

Product overview

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is Wisconsin's largest community foundation offering a portfolio of philanthropic services rather than technology products. Core offerings include grantmaking programs with competitive cycles three times yearly, an online Community Bridge nonprofit directory connecting donors with funding recipients, donor and grantee web portals for fund and grant management, and impact investing tools structured as favorable loans for community investment. The Foundation operates several partnership initiatives including ThriveOn Collaboration (with Medical College of Wisconsin and Royal Capital), Milwaukee Succeeds (education), Community Development Alliance (housing), and the MKE Civic Action Team (crisis response). Additional services include meeting space facilities, professional adviser recognition programs (Herbert J. Mueller Society, Community Adviser & Ambassador Network), and the Greater Together Campaign. The Foundation serves Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties with over $1.3 billion in assets under management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ThriveOn Collaboration: Cross-sector community partnership with Medical College of Wisconsin and Royal Capital focused on community health and vitality
• Milwaukee Succeeds
• Community Development Alliance
• MKE Civic Action Team
• Community Bridge

Products and services

• Community Bridge Online directory connecting donors with Milwaukee-area nonprofits so donors can explore local organizations and align contributions with their giving goals.
• Grantmaking Program Competitive grant cycles three times per year that fund 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the four-county service area, including general operating, project, capital, and multi-year support.
• Donor Portal Web portal where fund advisers manage charitable funds, view contributions and grants, initiate grants and contributions, and access statements and tax receipts.
• Grantee Portal Web portal enabling nonprofits to submit grant applications and post-award reports to the Foundation.
• Impact Investing Mission-aligned investments structured as equity investments or loans with favorable terms that deliver financial returns while supporting disinvested communities.
• ThriveOn Small Business Loans Impact investing loans that provide favorable financing terms to support small business development in the greater Milwaukee area.
• Meeting Space Reservations Fourth-floor meeting and event space at ThriveOn King accommodating 4 to 75 attendees, with hybrid meeting capabilities and on-site amenities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1.2 billion in grants awarded over the past century to support nonprofits and initiatives
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Cream City FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Joined the Greater Milwaukee Foundation in July as a supporting organization, maintaining independent board and decision-making power while benefiting from investment expertise, administrative support, and regional reach. Serves the LGBTQ+ community.
• Community Development AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023A public-philanthropic housing partnership working to bridge the housing gap among Black and Brown homeowners in conjunction with Milwaukee's first collective affordable housing strategic plan. Recognized with HUD Secretary's Award in 2023.
• Medical College of WisconsinflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018A community-based partnership created to advance joint efforts designed to improve health and strengthen the community. The collaboration later grew to include developer Royal Capital and became known as the ThriveOn Collaboration.
• Royal CapitalflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Developer partner in the ThriveOn Collaboration, a historic partnership to redevelop the former Gimbels-Schuster's Department Store into ThriveOn King, home to the Foundation and other community organizations.
• CatchafireminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership supported by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Bader Philanthropies, and Zilber Family Foundation connects Milwaukee nonprofits with skilled volunteers for short-term projects.
• Milwaukee SucceedscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011A cradle-to-career education partnership focused on ensuring success for all children in all schools throughout Milwaukee, part of the Foundation's collective impact initiatives.
• West Bend Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999First geographic affiliate of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, established with $1 million in combined contributions from local West Bend leaders.
• Marquette AssociatescoreTechnology or IntegrationInvestment consultant working with many community foundations nationwide, providing investment management expertise for the Foundation's $1.3 billion in assets.
• Cedarburg Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeographic partner foundation affiliated with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.
• Oconomowoc Area FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeographic partner foundation affiliated with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation serving the Oconomowoc area.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Fidelity Charitable: Largest U.S. donor-advised fund sponsor offering an alternative channel for charitable giving that competes directly for Greater Milwaukee Foundation's prospective donor base.
• Schwab Charitable: Major national DAF sponsor providing low-friction charitable giving vehicles that compete with community foundation fund minimums and restrictions.

Direct peers

• Cleveland Foundation: The original community trust that inspired Greater Milwaukee Foundation's 1915 founding; one of the largest U.S. community foundations with similar grantmaking, donor fund, and cross-sector convening model.
• Chicago Community Trust: Midwest community foundation serving the Chicago region with multi-billion AUM, comparable grantmaking, donor advised funds, and racial-equity focused strategy.
• The Minneapolis Foundation: Regional Upper Midwest community foundation operating competitive grant cycles and donor fund services in the Minneapolis metro, with similar racial equity and community impact focus.
• Boston Foundation: Established community foundation managing hundreds of donor funds and a multi-million-dollar grantmaking portfolio with similar civic engagement and racial equity strategy.
• Greater Cincinnati Foundation: Mid-size community foundation with comparable geographic scope, donor services, grant cycles, and affiliated partner foundation model.
• San Francisco Foundation: Bay Area community foundation with similar grantmaking, donor advised fund, and racial equity strategy; comparable in mission and operational structure.
• Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta: Regional community foundation in a comparable Midwestern/Southern metro with similar donor fund management, grantmaking cycles, and equity-focused community impact work.
• The Pittsburgh Foundation: Regional community foundation with multiple component funds, donor advised fund services, and impact investing offerings comparable in scale and operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Greatermilwaukeefoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/greater-milwaukee-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/grmkefdn

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Greater Milwaukee Foundation