The YMCA Young Leaders Academy and the Brewers Community Foundation has opened the “Brewers Dugout” at the YMCA Young Leaders Academy. A $34,000 gift from the Brewers Community Foundation made the creation of the library at the school possible.
“Brewers Community Foundation along with Mark and Debbie Attanasio and our players are thrilled to contribute a meaningful gift to improve the quality of life for our children,” said Cecilia Gore, executive director of the Brewers Community Foundation. “We take great pride in having a positive impact on and off the field. Learning to read is a critical component that must be achieved in order to assure academic success.”
The gift from the Brewers Community Foundation supported the construction, furnishings and books to establish the library. The library will be used by The Young Leaders Academy as well as the YMCA Childcare and Early Learning Center.
“We are so grateful for the ongoing support of the Brewers Community Foundation for providing these children with one of the most valuable gifts we can offer our youth – the enjoyment of reading,” said Bob Yamachika, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. “The Brewers Dugout is another resource for our teachers as they address the critical need for our area’s youth to develop comprehensive reading and language skills. We are excited to see the joy on the faces of our students as they grow their love of reading in our library.”

Pictured from left to right: Cecelia Gore, executive director of the Brewers Community Foundation, Ronn Johnson, vice president of Charter Education for the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee, Bob Yamachika, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee, and two YMCA Young Leaders Academy students

Harley-Davidson helped raise more than $160,000 on behalf of the United Service Organizations (USO) throughout November and December. The money will be used to send care packages to troops overseas in 2012. Donations were collected by Harley-Davidson dealerships and Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) chapters around the country in honor of Military Appreciation Month and the holiday giving season between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, 2011.
“We’re incredibly grateful to our loyal customers and dealer partners who helped us make this partnership a big success,” said Mike McCann, director of Core Customer and Military Marketing for Harley-Davidson. “We’re always looking for new ways to support our military men and women, and we’re proud to have been able to work with the USO on this effort.”
Harley-Davidson issued a challenge to local H.O.G. chapters to each collect $500 or more, and more than 200 chapters, along with dealerships from coast to coast, rose to the challenge to help raise the money to support the USO and U.S. troops stationed overseas.
In addition to the snacks, toiletries and phone cards included in every standard care package, every package sent from the USO this year will also include two complimentary tickets to the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, approximately 250,000 tickets in total.
“These care packages are very important to our troops,” said USO Sr. VP and Chief Development Officer Kelli Seely. “They provide them with a touch of home and a way to connect with their loved ones. We’re thankful that Harley-Davidson was able to step up and support an effort that means so much to the USO and our troops.”

The United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) has named Penny Gutekunst as its chief development officer.   
Gutekunst has spent the last 15 years of her career working in nonprofit development, she most recently served as senior director of development at Children’s Hospital Health System and Foundation, she has also held positions at UPAF and the United Way of Greater Milwaukee. Prior to her work with nonprofits, Gutekunst spent 18 years in operational management at Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. and Duchow’s Marine, Inc.
"We are pleased to announce the hiring of Penny Gutekunst and are truly fortunate to have her join our team at UPAF," said Deanna Tillish, president of UPAF. "Her deep fundraising knowledge, strategic nonprofit development skills, and business and community contacts are a tremendous asset to us as we gear up for the 2012 campaign and beyond.”
Gutekunst will oversee, coordinate and implement the annual UPAF campaign by developing and leading fundraising strategies and activities and by working closely with the President and Board. She will also oversees the day-to-day responsibilities of the fundraising team, which includes developing and mentoring direct reports. The CDO will create and lead best practices in all development areas of the campaign. 

Accidental Genius: Art from the Anthony Petullo Collection, an original exhibition of modern self-taught art, opens to the public at the Milwaukee Art Museum today. The exhibit features more than 200 pieces and includes many European and American artists.
Former Milwaukee businessman and art collector Anthony Petullo recently gave a large portion of his personal collection to the museum.
“When I started I was a bit of an eclectic collector,” Petullo said. “I collected a little of this and a little of that but all the while I was looking for my niche. When I saw the work of the self-taught artists I knew that was it.”
Self-taught artists are artists not educationally trained, and according to Petullo, generally do not change or copy style from others throughout their careers.
“Many of these artists, for lack of a better term, are regular everyday people,” Petullo said. “They didn’t have a lot of money, many of them were very poor, some of them dealt with mental health issues and many didn’t even start working in art until very late in life.”
The exhibition features drawings, paintings, and objects by leading artists, including Henry Darger, Martín Ramírez, Bill Traylor, Adolf Wölfli, Anna Zemankova, and Carlo Zinelli, among others.
“Accidental Genius showcases an exceptional collection of eclectic modern self-taught art from creators driven by impulse, vision, and necessity, without regard for acclaim, popularity, or profit,” said Margaret Andera, adjunct curator of the exhibit.
The artists’ personal stories and motivations for the art are as compelling as the art itself, Andera said.
Petullo’s gift to the Museum makes the Milwaukee Art Museum one of the most important museum’s in regards to its collection of modern self-taught art, Petullo said. Petullo gifted more than 300 works to the museum.
“The gift of the Petullo Collection establishes the Milwaukee Art Museum as a leading American institution for the work of untrained creators, and comes at a crucial turning point in the history of the genre,” said Keegan. “The Museum’s commitment to the work of self-taught artists began as early as 1951 with the gift of two paintings by Wisconsin artist Anna Louisa Miller, and expanded through the Hall Collection and the Flagg Collection. With the Museum’s acquisition of the world-class Petullo Collection, its holdings now encompass a more broadly inclusive representation of this genre, and we are challenged to understand this work on a new level.”
Petullo built his collection over a span of three decades. Objects from the Petullo Collection have been on display throughout the country, including a six-stop museum exhibition, and various objects have been loaned to museums and galleries around the world.
“I am grateful that I have had the fortune to share these incredible objects with so many, and I am honored that they will continue to be enjoyed at the Milwaukee Art Museum,” Petullo said. 
Petullo is a Milwaukee entrepreneur and author, and a longtime member of the Museum’s Board of Directors and the Museum’s Exhibitions Committee. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee and has received multiple awards for his community service and charitable contributions.
The Museum will hold a 12-hour preview celebration for members today from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The exhibit will open tomorrow, Feb. 10 to the public and exhibition lecture with Petullo will be held at 1:30 p.m.
For more on the collection watch the video interview with Petullo here.

BizTimes Media is also giving away four pairs of tickets to Accidental Genius: Art from the Anthony Petullo Collection today. Like BizTimes Media on Facebook to find out how to win.

Northwestern Mutual Foundation donates to wellness education

The Northwestern Mutual Foundation will donate more than $660,000 in grants to strengthen nine nonprofit agencies that promote family involvement in wellness education in the Milwaukee area.
"Instilling healthy habits in children and their families is a powerful way for Northwestern Mutual to leave a legacy to future generations," said John Kordsmeier, president of Northwestern Mutual Foundation. "These best-in-class nonprofits have the strong wellness programs, leaders and goals necessary to make an enduring impact."
One recipient of a Northwestern Mutual healthy habits grant is The YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. The organization will allocate grant funds to support its Play in the Parks - A Passport to Play program, an initiative designed to encourage the development of family playtime and foster good health through physical activity. The Play in the Parks program, which was introduced last year, is a free program that encourages families to get moving and enjoy an evening of games and activities during the warm weather months. The Northwestern Mutual grant will enable the program to continue for a second year.
"Healthy habits can help to solve so many societal issues - childhood diabetes and hypertension to name a few," said Donna Bembenek, senior vice president, philanthropy and communication strategy, The YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. "The Play in the Parks program makes it easy and entertaining for kids to get outside, get active and live healthier."
Other organizations receiving a Northwestern Mutual healthy habits grant include:
Action for Healthy Kids (The Learning Connection); American Lung Association of Wisconsin (Youth and Lung Health - Proactive Protection); Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Milwaukee (Project REACH); Children's Hospital and Health System              (Healthy Neighbors, Healthy Neighborhoods); Education Foundation of Harris Country             (On the CASE: Healthy Living); The Medical College of Wisconsin (Family Health Through Worksite Wellness); Neighborhood House of Milwaukee (HUGS: Help Us Grow Strong); and The YMCA of the USA (Play Every Day Outdoors - Phase II).
BizTimes Media will present the Human Wellness Summit to help companies launch and grow employee corporate wellness programs on Thursday, March, 29, at the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee West. Companies also can nominate employees who exemplify extraordinary healthy behaviors for the inaugural Light of Wellness Awards. Additional information is available at www.biztimes.com/wellness.

Admission Possible officially changes its name
Admission Possible, the college access and success nonprofit organization, has officially changed its name to College Possible. The name change will support the growth of the organization as it expands in Milwaukee and nationally. 
“Our belief is that when college is possible, anything is possible and our new name fully captures that,” said Edie Turnbull, College Possible Milwaukee executive director. “We’re continuing our work to challenge cynicism through idealism and using our effective model to prove that your income level should not dictate your education level. We’re just doing it under a new banner.”
In recognition of the name change implementation, College Possible launched its new website www.CollegePossible.org as well as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles earlier this week.
“We want to invite individuals from every walk of life to get involved in opening a world of opportunity for our young people, our families and our communities,” said Turnbull. “As we expand our intensive college access and success services, we will need partners in that work.”

• Friday, Feb.10  Wine Maniacs Bar & Bistro in Oconomowoc is hosting Philanthropy February to benefit children and adults with disabilities. Throughout the month of February, when a patron uses the code word, Life Navigators, Wine Maniacs will donate 10 percent of the purchases to Life Navigators formerly ARC of Greater Milwaukee. Wine Maniacs will also donate 10 percent of all sales on Fridays in February to Life Navigators. Wine Maniacs is located at W359 N5002 Brown Street, Suite 105 in Oconomowoc. For more information, visit www.winemaniacs.com or www.lifenavigators.org.
• Sunday, Feb. 12 Have a Heart for Janet Edson fundraiser will be held at Coins Sports Bar, 1714 52nd St. in Kenosha from 12 to 3 p.m. Raffle prizes and a 50/50 raffle will be sold to help Edson and her family with medical expenses. At 2 p.m. come see comedian Dobie Maxwell, "Mr. Lucky!" $7 at the door includes a nacho bar, sweets table, soda, and beer. Donations are gratefully accepted! Those wishing to donate can donate directly to The Janet Edson Donation Fund, Chase Bank, 9900 39th Avenue, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 to Account #419620179. For more information visit the Have a Heart for Janet Facebook page. 
• Thursday, Feb. 16 SummerStage will host its fourth annual “Break-A-Leg Gala” from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Seven Seas Grand Ballroom in Hartland just off Highway 83. This year’s theme is “Rock Around the Clock – A Look Back to the 50s and 60s. Highlights of the evening will include a raffle, silent auction, dinner, and live entertainment featuring local performers, and special SummerStage announcements. Cost to attend is $60 per person or $480 for a table of eight. Tickets for the event may be purchased in advance on line at www.Summer-Stage.org. 
• Saturday, Feb. 18 Milwaukee Catholic Home will host S.O.U.L (Singers of United Lands) at 1 p.m. S.O.U.L.’s mission is to develop international and cultural relationships through vocal music from around the world. S.O.U.L. provides workshop, presentations, performances, and lessons for audiences of all ages during a 6-month tour throughout the USA and Canada.  Milwaukee Catholic Home is located at 2462 N. Prospect Avenue in Milwaukee.
• Tuesday, Feb. 21 Gilda’s Club of Southeastern Wisconsin, in partnership with the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center will host a wellness event entitled: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives. Dr. Richard Swenson, best-selling author and award-winning educator will present. The event will be held at the JCC starting at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Swenson will speak on his best-selling book, Margin. At this lecture, people will learn how to have more time and energy for family, friends and faith.  The event is free to attend.
• Friday, Feb. 24 The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will hold the Milwaukee Wine Opener at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 509 W. Wisconsin Ave. from 6 to 10 p.m. The event will feature an unlimited sampling of approximately 100 wines, small plate tastings from 20 of Milwaukee’s top restaurants, and live music by Ryan McIntyre. The event benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and will celebrate the CF Foundation’s most recent medical advances. The CF Foundation is proud to have played an important role in the research and development of Kalydeco, a breakthrough drug that is the first to address the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis. The foundation hopes to raise $52,000 through the Milwaukee Wine Opener. Individual ticket prices are $60 in advance, and $75 at the door. Sponsorship packages are available. Additional information can be found here. http://wisconsin.cff.org/wine
• Wednesday, Feb. 29 St. Aemilian-Lakeside president and chief executive officer, Teri Zywicki and Integrated Family Services project manager and long-time child welfare advocate Darlene Pawluk bartend at the BluTender Friend Raiser event from 6 to 7 p.m., at Blu, top of the Pfister Hotel, 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. Music by guitarist Joe Wray. Cash bar, raffles. Tips will support services to children and families throughout Southeast Wisconsin who are served by these human services agencies. Free parking for 2.5 hours will be included.
• Wednesday, March 7 The Milwaukee Kickers will host a fundraising event at the new Splash Studio painting bar in the Historic Third Ward from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. Guests will learn to create their masterpieces while enjoying a glass of beer, wine or soda. Splash founder and president Marla Hahn is generously hosting the  pre-grand opening event especially for the Milwaukee Kickers. Tickets are $35 and include three hours of studio time, paint supplies including smock, paint instruction, cleanup, one complimentary drink and your masterpiece to take home with you at the end of the night. All of the evening's ticket proceeds will be donated to the Milwaukee Kickers.  To register, contact Tammy today at tammygr@mksc.org.

For additional nonprofit events visit the BizTimes.com calendar by clicking here.  

BizTimes Media has released the 2012 edition of its Giving Guide Regional Philanthropic Opportunities. The print and digital publication showcases nonprofit organizations seeking support from the business community. was released in conjunction with the Nov. 11 issue of BizTimes Milwaukee and is also available in a digital page turn format online. 
“The guide is designed to be a reference book that helps connect the region’s nonprofit organizations to philanthropists eager to be of service throughout the year,” said Dan Meyer, publisher of BizTimes Milwaukee. “BizTimes Media is committed to serving the nonprofit community of southeastern Wisconsin. We recognize the industry’s importance to our community’s social and economic well-being and we encourage our readers to reach out and get involved with these organizations and others in our community.”
The Giving Guide features a collection of sponsored nonprofit profiles but also features a list of organizations from the BizTimes Nonprofit Directory and profiles on local philanthropists who have given their time talent and treasure to the Milwaukee nonprofit community.

The BizTimes Milwaukee 2011 Nonprofit Directory is available for viewing and for purchase in a print format. The directory includes vital information about 501(c)3 organizations based in or serving Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, Racine, Kenosha, Washington, Ozaukee or Sheboygan counties. The directory is intended to connect the region's nonprofit organizations with the business community. Submissions can still be made online and an electronic version of the directory is available for viewing online at www.biztimes.com/nonprofit.

• Alinea, LLC
• Anick & Associates
• Association of Fundraising Professionals
• Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Milwaukee Chapter
• BizTimes Media Nonprofit Directory
• BizTimes Media Nonprofit Giving Guide
• BoardStar
• Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee
• Donors Forum of Wisconsin
• Greater Milwaukee Foundation
• IFF
• Leave a Legacy Wisconsin
• Marquette Funding Information Center
• MRA-The Management Association
• Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee
• Nonprofit Center Workshop Calendar
• Non Profit Jobs
• Partnership for Philanthropic Planning
• Spectrum Nonprofit Services, LLC
• UWM Helen Bader Institute for Non Profit Management
• UWM School of Continuing Education nonprofit workshops
• Wisconsin Nonprofits Association