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MILWAUKEE (BUSINESS WIRE), November 10, 2011 - The Northwestern Mutual Foundation – the largest corporate giver in the state of Wisconsin – is announcing $355,000 in grants to help 14 nonprofits ensure treatment and innovative therapeutic opportunities for Wisconsinites with special needs. The grants build upon the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to “Secure Future Generations” by strengthening area nonprofits that provide support to children with special needs.

John Kordsmeier is president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. (Photo: Business Wire)

“Every person – and especially every child – deserves the chance to embrace their full potential, so we collaborate with best-in-class organizations that serve those with special needs,” said John Kordsmeier, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “Our goal is to help strengthen the community by enabling nonprofits to provide specialized assistance where it matters most.”

Spotlight on St. Francis Children’s Center

One recipient of a Northwestern Mutual Foundation special needs grant is an organization that specializes in providing education, therapies and support services for children with special needs, St. Francis Children’s Center. The organization will allocate funds to support programs such as its Birth to Three Program, an initiative designed to meet the developmental needs of children under the age of three so that they receive special education, therapies and support necessary to overcome their specific challenges such as developmental delays, neuromuscular disorders, learning disabilities, and/or behavioral challenges.

“In the short-term, these services help children reach goals; the long-term effect is often significant economic and social rewards for the children, their families and our community,” said Gerald Coon, executive director, St. Francis Children’s Center. “This grant will help us give children with special needs a foundation for a better life.”

Highlighting Northwestern Mutual’s dedication to the community, more than 1,000 Northwestern Mutual employees donate 30,000 hours each year to community volunteer efforts – including St. Francis Children’s Center events – through group activities, mentoring, charity drives, and service on nonprofit boards.

Organizations receiving a Northwestern Mutual Foundation special 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) – “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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