Ten Milwaukee-area nonprofit organizations will receive a total of $1 million in grants from a new initiative created by GE Healthcare, the foundation of Milwaukee Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the GE Healthcare Foundation.
Powering Milwaukee Forward will fund the nonprofit's existing programs to improve access to basic needs like housing, food, and education within Milwaukee's underserved communities .
The announcement was made Friday at Avri Greek restaurant in Milwaukee's Brewers Hill neighborhood, with speakers including Antetokounmpo and his wife Mariah, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.
“I call this community home,” Giannis said. “And I want to continue to make a difference in this community.”
Nonprofit organizations receiving grants through this initiative include:
Acts HousingAfrican American Breastfeeding NetworkBoys and Girls Clubs of Greater MilwaukeeChildren's Wisconsin FoundationFeeding America Eastern WisconsinHunger Task ForceMilwaukee Habitat for HumanityMilwaukee Park Foundation16th Street Community Health CenterMetropolitan Milwaukee YMCA
The GE Healthcare Foundation donated $200,000 to support the African American Breastfeeding Network's doula training program and the Wisconsin Children's Community Connector program, said Victoria Glaser, managing director of the foundation.
“The Community Connectors program pairs mothers of children under 5 with community members,” said Meg Burzyski Nelson, president of the Children's Wisconsin Foundation and chief development officer of Children's Wisconsin. It's about coaching and goal setting.”
GE Healthcare and the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation, named after Giannis' late father, split the remaining $800,000 and provided it to support eight other nonprofits.
Andrew Ruhl, GE Healthcare's director of community affairs, said the organizations look for nonprofits with a “track record of success” addressing one of four issues: housing, education, food access or a safe physical environment. It is said that he was
“We know this is just the beginning. We know there are many other great nonprofits in this community working in this space, and we will continue to evaluate other organizations.” I intend to,” Ruhl said.
Grants to support access to housing, food, and other needs
According to GE Healthcare, these nonprofit grants will help support:
Acts Housing's homeownership program provides homebuyer and financial education, loan assistance, home rehabilitation coaching, and real estate services. In Habitat for Humanity's 2025 building season, the nonprofit hopes to build 36 new homes for first-time homebuyers and renovate 35 existing homes. Feeding America's foster partnership program provides healthy eating and birth support through prenatal nutrition boxes, prenatal and postnatal wellness boxes, empowerment workshops, and networking fairs highlighting Milwaukee's birthing services and resources. . Hunger Task Force Mobile Market. Address food deserts by delivering affordable, fresh food to the doorsteps of families and seniors. The construction of a soccer field and development of a soccer program on 16th Street was intended to promote physical activity, improve mental health, strengthen community bonds, and support youth development. Milwaukee Parks Foundation's “Atkinson Revitalization” Initiative. This includes building a new outdoor picnic shelter and community engagement at Atkinson Triangle Park on the city's north side. STEM programming at Daniels Marduc Boys and Girls Club with an emphasis on Black youth I live on the northwest side of Milwaukee. The YMCA's early childhood education program includes weekend meal kits, dental hygiene education, emergency child care, and parenting education.
