News

Hopefully year-end efforts were fruitful, holidays enjoyable and now we all ready to move forward into 2017 with renewed energy, high hopes and solids plans for success. As your Chapter President, I hope that AFP and all we have to offer is part of your plans for networking and education in the coming year.

Local Leaders Make 2017 Predictions for Milwaukee Philanthropy - On November 8, 500 luncheon attendees celebrated National Philanthropy Day and honored the past leadership of several Milwaukee philanthropists. But the event also looked forward: in a panel discussion convened by the AFP and moderated by Business Journal publisher Kira Lafond, area corporate and nonprofit leaders shared their thoughts on “what’s next” for Milwaukee philanthropy…

Milwaukee is known as a great, family-oriented community: People here know that giving to a family member in need is not only the right thing to do, but results in a warmer and stronger family environment that benefits everyone. Fair enough. But there’s a special group among us who take this even farther – who see all of us as family. These people extend their giving spirit to the community at large – and the result is a warmer, stronger metro Milwaukee.

Milwaukee is known as a great, family-oriented community: People here know that giving to a family member in need is not only the right thing to do, but results in a warmer and stronger family environment that benefits everyone. Fair enough. But there’s a special group among us who take this even farther – who see all of us as family. These people extend their giving spirit to the community at large – and the result is a warmer, stronger metro Milwaukee.

Why did I join AFP? Early in my career, I worked in small shops and was often the only Development staffer – and AFP provided not only the tips and tricks and educational resources to help me learn how to do my job well, but also the camaraderie and necessary support through an amazing network of colleagues.

Milwaukee-area businesses get it: corporate citizenship boosts the bottom line. The effect has been well documented: according to an annual survey conducted by the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship, more than 60 percent of business executives say that a company’s community involvement contributes to its business goals -- and not just reputation or employee engagement goals, but hard objectives like customer acquisition and retention, access to new markets, and attracting new investors.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals of Southeastern Wisconsin Announces Awardees for National Philanthropy Day® 2016. Philanthropists strengthen the community by enabling innovation, inspiring engagement, and spreading goodwill. The following awardees are being honored at the event this year:

Wisconsin businesses are hiring, and that is good news! According to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, the seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate in June was Milwaukee County is 5.6%…higher than the nation and balance of state, but moving in the right direction. An example of growing demand for labor is a regional job fair being held this month in which employers from Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties are eager to fill more than 1,000 positions.

Americans gave more than $373 billion to charity in 2015 – a new record, according to the Giving Institute’s Giving USA report released last week. Clearly, philanthropy is not just a uniquely American force for building community – it’s also big business. So to promote a robust culture of generosity locally, who better to partner than the Milwaukee Business Journal and the Association of Fundraising Professionals?