Northwestern Mutual Foundation Announces 29 Grants to Boost Literacy and Access to Higher Education in Wisconsin

News Releases

The Northwestern Mutual Foundation – the largest corporate giver in the state of Wisconsin – is announcing more than $1.1 million in grants to support literacy and increase access to higher education throughout Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

Of the 29 Foundation grants, 18 are K-12 programs that align with the Foundation’s objective of insuring academic achievement through literacy. Eligible initiatives include outcome-based K-8 grade reading programs that build academic aptitude, helping to increase high school graduation rates.

Eleven Foundation grants support higher education, including several state scholarship funds. Collegiate scholarships support the Foundation’s charge to develop our local economy by providing for the underserved.

“Supporting programs that improve literacy and make the dream of college a financial reality are critical long-term investments in Wisconsin’s future,” said Kimberley Goode, Northwestern Mutual Foundation president. “These grants will directly impact our community’s ability to unlock the potential of Wisconsin’s next generation and advance their development.”

Marquette University is receiving two Foundation grants, including funds to financially assist four first-generation college students and support the construction of the new Eckstein Hall at the Marquette University Law School.

“A high-quality education cultivates future generations of community and business leaders, adding to the long-term stability of our city and state,” said Julie Tolan, vice president for university advancement at Marquette University. “The support of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation – our longtime neighbor – will uplift first generation college scholars and Milwaukee’s law school.”

Teach For America’s Milwaukee program is also another Foundation grant recipient. Comprised of outstanding recent college graduates that commit to two years to expand educational opportunities in urban areas, Teach For America currently has 88 corps volunteers serving in Milwaukee Public Schools.

“According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Milwaukee is the nation’s fourth poorest city – contributing to the plight of Milwaukee Public Schools,” said Garrett Bucks, executive director, Teach For America–Milwaukee. “The Northwestern Mutual Foundation’s contribution allows us to cost-efficiently integrate young, highly motivated educators into MPS – opening the window of opportunity for inner-city students.”

Other programs receiving a Northwestern Mutual Foundation grant include:

K-12 RECIPIENT	PROGRAM
Business and Economics Academy of Milwaukee	Math STARS Summer Enrichment Program
City Year Milwaukee	Whole School Whole Child Program
Franklin Educational Foundation	21^st Century Literacy
Hope Middle School	Literacy Program
Marquette University High School	Evening Enrichment
Milwaukee College Preparatory School	Literacy Enhancements: SCORE and Accelerated Reader Library Books
Milwaukee Public Library Foundation	Partnership with Milwaukee Bucks Read to Achieve Literacy Program
Milwaukee Public Library Foundation	Summer Reading Program
MPTV Friends Inc.	Literary Programming Support
Next Door Foundation	Family Literacy Initiative
The Parenting Network	Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY)
Partners Advancing Values in Education	The PAVE School Quality Initiative
Pearls for Teen Girls	PEARLS Educational Support Activities
SHARP Literacy Inc.	SHARP Literacy Program at Greenfield Bilingual Elementary
St. Marcus Lutheran School	St. Marcus College Prep Center & Renaissance Program
United Community Center	Time to Read Program
Urban Day School	Success for All Reading Program
HIGHER EDUCATION RECIPIENT	PROGRAM
Admission Possible	Founding Funder of Admission Possible of Greater Milwaukee
Alverno College	Northwestern Mutual Scholarship Incentive Program
Carroll University	Northwestern Mutual Foundation Scholarship Program
Concordia University Wisconsin	Design Your Future Program
Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design	Service Learning
Milwaukee School of Engineering	Northwestern Mutual Foundation Scholarship Program
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Foundation	Northwestern Mutual Computer Science Scholarship Fund
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater	Northwestern Mutual Foundation IT Scholarships
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Foundation	Empowering Young Minds Scholarships Serving Underserved Students

About the Northwestern Mutual Foundation

The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to build strong, vibrant communities that serve as a legacy to future generations. The Foundation’s giving is designed to create an impact on the communities where the company’s employees and financial representatives live and work. In fiscal year 2010, the Foundation contributed more than $15 million to nonprofit organizations across the country.

About Northwestern Mutual

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company – Milwaukee, WI (Northwestern Mutual) - the “World’s Most Admired” life insurance company in 2011 according to FORTUNE® magazine - has helped clients achieve financial security for more than 150 years. As a mutual company with $1.2 trillion of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual has no shareholders. The company focuses solely and directly on its clients and seeks to deliver consistent and dependable value to them over time. Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a holistic approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability insurance, annuities, investment products, and advisory products and services. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, limited purpose federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company; and Russell Investments.

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