Bradley Foundation It said it has distributed over $14.5 million to organizations in Milwaukee and Wisconsin in 2022. Honoring the legacy of the founding partners of the Allen-Bradley Company, the Milwaukee-based fundraiser supports organizations that support the arts, culture, education, health, and conservative ideals such as the free market and limited government. In 2021, it distributed $12 million in grants to organizations in the state. Since its founding in 1985, the foundation has given more than $400 million in total to Wisconsin organizations. “Leaders of organizations we support look at a problem, no matter how daunting, and ask themselves how they can solve it, not whether they can solve it,” said Rick Graber, president and CEO of the Bradley Foundation. “They are relentless in their quest, whether it is to help people change their lives, to enable students to discover their purpose, or to unite citizens through art. We are delighted to highlight them and their immeasurable impact on the lives they touch.” The foundation has released a list highlighting several 2022 grant recipients. They include:
- Milwaukee Ballet Company: $100,000 to support the New Nutcracker campaign. The choreography, sets, and costumes will all be updated to provide viewers with a fresher version that will retain the familiarity families have come to love.
- optimistic theater: $10,000 to support general operations. The Optimist Theater’s mission is to bring Shakespeare to audiences of all kinds. Since 2010 he has produced Shakespeare in the Park, free productions of a Shakespeare play in the green spaces of Milwaukee. The 2022 seasons brought Twelfth Night to many regions in the Milwaukee area and beyond.
- Beyond Vision: $225,000 to support a capital campaign. Beyond Vision is a non-profit social enterprise that employs people with visual impairment or blindness. The VisABILITY Center in West Allis will allow the organization to significantly expand career opportunities. Beyond Vision will also provide a wellness center with adaptive technologies and other services requested by its employees.
- Phoenix: $150,000 to support general operations. Phoenix’s long-term goal is to shatter the state’s dangerous but pervasive drinking culture.
- City on the Hill: $90,000 to support general operations. City on a Hill offers mentoring programs that encourage older youth to follow the path of responsibility, independence and academic success. City on a Hill is developing an alumni program to offer ongoing support to young adults and re-engage them in transforming society.
- Milwaukee School of Notre Dame: $500,000 to support a capital campaign. Founded in 1996, Notre Dame has grown from an all-girls secondary school to include a primary school and an all-male secondary school. This grant supports the expansion of Notre Dame on the near south side of Milwaukee.
- Messmer Catholic Schools: $275,430 to support capital expenses and $175,000 to support general operations. Messmer aims to develop each of its 1,200 students academically and spiritually. Messmer is a system of three campuses: Messmer High School, Messmer St. Mary and Messmer St. rose. It plans to complete critical updates to each of its buildings.
