The Milwaukee Bucks Foundation (MBF) is granting a total of $1 million to 15 Milwaukee-based organizations, marking a significant milestone for the Foundation, which launched in June 2016.
Bucks President Peter Feigin was joined by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, United Community Center Executive Director Ricardo Diaz, Bucks Head Coach Jason Kidd, Bucks General Manager Jon Horst, Bucks Senior Vice President Alex Lasry and Milwaukee Bucks Foundation Executive Director Alicia Dupies at today’s Foundation grant announcement in front of the new Bucks arena at the Milwaukee Tool Construction Site in downtown Milwaukee.
“We’re delighted to make such a major investment in these 15 community groups through the Milwaukee Bucks Foundation,” said Feigin. “The Bucks are proud to call Milwaukee home and we are committed to making a positive impact on the young people of our city by developing their potential. We are inspired by these organizations and thank them for the work they do to better our community.”
Each organization selected to receive funding from the MBF was chosen after a thorough review process and align with one of the Foundation’s three focus areas: youth education, youth health and wellness, and community betterment. All 15 community partners will use the MBF funds to improve results within their individual programs.
“When we launched the Milwaukee Bucks Foundation, our goal was to focus on providing support to organizations which align with our three focus areas,” Dupies said. “It was also clear that there was a major need for mentoring. Nearly every one of these organizations provide positive mentoring programs in some capacity. We are excited to strengthen our relationship with these community organizations.”
In addition to receiving funds from the MBF, each of the 15 organizations will have their respective logos and mission statements displayed on a reserved piece of fencing surrounding the Milwaukee Tool Construction site in downtown Milwaukee on Juneau Avenue, McKinley Avenue and Old World Third Street. The signs will remain in place for the duration of construction on the new arena.
“The Milwaukee Bucks Foundation has quickly taken to heart and to action the needs of our community,” Diaz said. “The energy and focus the entire Bucks organization has infused across Milwaukee over the last 18 months is unprecedented. On behalf of all grantees, we are honored to be a recipient of this first grant stream, and look forward to deepening our partnership with the team.”
The full list of grant recipients and their specific plans for the funds include:
- Schools That Can Milwaukee
Support new and existing programming for educators and students at Milwaukee Public Schools - Running Rebels Community Organization
Provide support for critical mentoring, educational enrichment and athletics programs for at-risk youth, especially African-American teen boys living in Milwaukee’s central city - Safe & Sound
Support Safe & Sound’s programs to unite residents, youth, law enforcement and community resources to build safe and empowered neighborhoods - Journey House
Support Journey House’s College Careers Program - Playworks
Engage 352 fourth and fifth grade students in Junior Coach Leadership Program at 22 school throughout Milwaukee and Waukesha, and support girls basketball program and expand funding to support a mutually-agreeable MPS school - United Community Center
Capital spend for the new court at the United Community Center’s gymnasium and after-school athletic programming for UCC and Bruce Guadalupe School youth - Silver Spring Neighborhood Center
Provide staff funding that will help to build a safer, stronger, neighborhood and community - COA Youth & Family Centers
Provide resources that are directly involved in COA’s Youth Development program, including pre-teen and teen group leaders and coordinators so that an increased number of youth can be served with high-quality programming - City Year Milwaukee
Support Whole School Whole Child program - Operation DREAM
Provide funding for two vans that will allow Operation DREAM to reach more boys and reduce the barriers they face in accessing the programming that can dramatically improve their lives - PEARLS for Teen Girls
Assist in continuing the organization’s plan to reach more young women in the community and accelerate the ability to improve their quality of life in Milwaukee - Dominican Center
Develop more leadership training, skill development and service opportunities for Amani youth - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee
Support the organization’s mentoring program that helps address the needs of youth facing adversity, by creating and supporting strong one-to-one relationships with caring volunteer adult mentors - Teach for America
Allows Teach for America to continue its growing impact in Milwaukee through the organization’s annual Youth Leadership Summit - St. Augustine Prep
Provide funding to allow students and neighborhood children to participate in swim safety and swim lessons
