Building a better hometown starts with enhancing the quality of life in the community.

As an ongoing commitment to its hometown of Milwaukee for the past 160 years, Northwestern Mutual announced more than $700,000 in grants to Milwaukee-area attractions through its Foundation.

The grants will support nine nonprofits that provide cultural opportunities in the greater Milwaukee area. The programs selected focus on opportunities for children and families, attracting and retaining a strong workforce and enhancing tourism.

“Through our valued partnerships with area attractions, we’re providing local children and families with fun, engaging cultural and educational experiences,” said Eric Christophersen, president, Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “Milwaukee is our hometown, too, and we’re dedicated to making it a great place. We invest in these local institutions because we believe everyone in the community should have the opportunity to enjoy them.”

Spotlight: Betty Brinn Children’s Museum

One of this year’s grant recipients is the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. The museum is dedicated to providing educational resources that promote healthy development of children and families. The partnership extends beyond the walls of the museum itself with multiple touch points in the community that support other causes Northwestern Mutual champions. This year’s funding will support the Museum’s Family Focus program, Neighborhood Nights and, new in 2017, the Know & Grow program.

The Know & Grow program further supports children and families in Milwaukee neighborhoods by bringing the Museum’s parent-engagement, school-readiness, and STEAM-based programs as well as literacy activities to schools, churches, and community centers.

Since 1995, the museum has promoted healthy development of children from birth through age 10. The museum annually attracts more than 200,000 visitors, including 30,000 disadvantaged children and adults who benefit from museum outreach services.

2017 Destinations Grant Recipients

  • Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
  • Brewers Community Foundation
  • Discovery World
  • Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
  • Milwaukee Art Museum
  • Milwaukee Public Museum
  • Milwaukee Public Schools and Milwaukee Bucks partnership
  • Summerfest
  • Zoological Society of Milwaukee

In addition to making Milwaukee a great place to live and work, Northwestern Mutual is committed to improving the lives of children and families in need. Together with partners, the Foundation works to strengthen education and local neighborhoods, and find a cure for childhood cancer.

The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $300 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company’s employees and financial representatives live and work.

© Photo

Lee Matz