News Releases

MILWAUKEE (BUSINESS WIRE), August 11, 2011 - The Northwestern Mutual Foundation – the largest corporate giver in the state of Wisconsin – is announcing $730,000 in grants to help 22 southeastern Wisconsin nonprofits serving the basic needs of food, shelter and medical assistance to the homeless.

“When people in our neighborhoods – especially single mothers and children – are hungry, homeless or struggling to secure medical treatment, it affects the entire community,” said Deanna Tillisch, vice president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “These grants will help provide people-in-need with the foundation for a better life. Our goal is to help strengthen the community by enabling nonprofits to provide immediate assistance where it matters most.”

Spotlight on Hope House of Milwaukee

One recipient of a Northwestern Mutual Foundation basic needs grant is the long-term transitional housing nonprofit, Hope House of Milwaukee. The organization will allocate the grant funds to support programs such as its Chrysalis Project, an initiative designed to meet the housing and developmental needs of chronically homeless families, with a focus on children. Hope House of Milwaukee adopted this program in 1996 to find permanent solutions to chronic homelessness. The program provides stable, long-term housing to women and families as a starting point in tackling the barriers preventing them from reaching residential independence.

“Homelessness is on the rise in Southeastern Wisconsin, especially among single mothers and families who arrive at our doors without a safe place for their children to sleep at night,” said Ken Schmidt, executive director, Hope House of Milwaukee. “The Northwestern Mutual Foundation grant will allow Hope House to expand residential and temporary housing. The goal is to not have to turn anybody away in need, and, ultimately, create a ripple effect of positive change in the community.”

Funds will also help the nonprofit to continue operating its 34-bed emergency shelter. Last year, Hope House of Milwaukee served more than 13,000 men, women, and children in need of homeless services.

Organizations receiving a Northwestern Mutual Foundation basic needs grant include:

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 2011, 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 industry leader in total individual life insurance, long-term care insurance, and disability insurance dividends paid to participating policyowners – has helped clients achieve financial security for more than 150 years. Though dividends are not guaranteed, are reviewed annually and are subject to change, the company has paid life insurance dividends every year since 1872. As a mutual company with over $1.2 trillion of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual seeks to share its gains with policyowners and deliver consistent and dependable value to clients 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.