The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin has received a $25,000 grant from the UPS Foundation, which will allow the organization to create the UPS Global Economic Literacy Center, a fully equipped training lab that will strengthen the organization’s commitment to the growth of Hispanic-owned and other small business ventures.

“The UPS Foundation is committed to funding impactful programs that make a meaningful difference in our communities,” Ken Sternad, president of the UPS Foundation said. “We are proud to support the HCCW’s efforts in meeting the needs of a rapidly growing group of Hispanic and other small business entrepreneurs.”

The UPS Global Economic Literacy Center will be designed with state-of-the-art computer and business software that will provide emerging and existing business owners with hands-on training in multiple areas of developing successful businesses. The Center will be located in the lower level of The Hispaic Chamber of Commerce building located at1021 W. National Ave.

 “The HCCW plays a critical role in the success of Hispanic and other small businesses through the implementation of business development and technical assistance services designed to improve the managerial, marketing and other business skills of Hispanic and other small business entrepreneurs,” said Maria Monreal-Cameron chamber president and chief executive officer. “On behalf of the HCCW Board, staff and most importantly the clients who will directly benefit from this meaningful investment, we thank UPS for their generous support which strengthens our on-going and significant impact in the business world.”

The Crisis Resource Center, a short-term treatment center for individuals experiencing a psychiatric crisis, has been named the recipient of the Good Grant Award from the Donors Forum of Wisconsin. The award is given annually to honor innovative grants and exemplary partnerships between grant makers and nonprofit organizations.

The center’s purpose is to stabilize clients and connect, or reconnect, them to a network of supportive services to aid recovery. It is operated by Transitional Living Services.

“The Crisis Resource Center is not only an effective collaboration among mental health providers,” said Arlene Happach, president of Transitional Living Services, “It also became a collaboration among funding organizations to develop a solution to an urgent need in our community.” The Crisis Resource Center opened in 2007 as the result of a wide collaboration among local nonprofits that provide mental health services, the Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee County. The center, located on Milwaukee’s south side, is designed to reduce the number of people who, during a mental health crisis, end up in jail, hospital emergency rooms or are subject to involuntary detention.

The Crisis Resource Center was launched with a $500,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which required a local match. Additional grantors for the project include: Helen Bader Foundation, Ceres Foundation of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Erica P. John Fund, Charles Kubly Foundation, Faye McBeath Foundation, Medical College of Wisconsin Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program, Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation and the Ziemann Foundation Youth Board.

The award, and a $5,000 grant sponsored by Rockwell Automation, will be presented to the Crisis Resource Center at the Donors Forum National Day of Service and Remembrance Luncheon on Friday, Sept. 11 at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee.

Froedtert Hospital and The Medical College of Wisconsin, in conjunction with national not-for-profit group Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD), will host the National Diabetes conference on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Midwest Airlines Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More than 1,500 people living with diabetes are expected to attend.

“When the TCOYD program was first held here in 2007, it inspired so many of my patients to stay on top of the daily challenges of diabetes, to ask questions and stay active in their health care,” said Dr. Paul Knudson, conference co-director and director of the Froedtert & The Medical College Diabetes Care Center. “Education and empowerment are critical to overcoming this disease, and this conference arms the diabetes patient with the tools to fight back, and maintain the momentum of good care.”

The conference includes lunch, a health fair and motivational programs led by national and local experts in diabetes care, including Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin physicians.

Phil Southerland, a professional cyclist and founder of Team Type 1, the recent winning team of the 2009 Race Across America, will share his personal story of living and competing with type 1 diabetes.

The cost for the conference is $25 per person before September 16. The registration fee includes lunch, healthy snacks, and all conference activities and materials. On-site registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and costs $30. To register or request information about financial assistance, call 800-998-2693 or visit www.tcoyd.org.

Eight Milwaukee area nonprofit organizations will be featured on 88Nine RadioMilwaukee’s new “Make a Difference” series throughout September and October.

 “Many of Milwaukee’s non-profits are able to make a difference in residents’ lives only because of the time generously given by volunteers,” said RadioMilwaukee executive director Mary Louise Mussoline. “Through personal accounts of volunteers and staff, we hear how their work affects the community, and how their volunteering experiences have enriched their own lives.”

“Make A Difference,” consists of two to four minute audio pieces focusing on volunteers and mentors, organizations that they work with and residents who benefit from their services. The series promotes reasons to volunteer and actively participate in Milwaukee’s civic life, Mussoline said.

Each week, new pieces will take listeners on audio tours of a different area non-profit utilizing volunteers.

The “Make A Difference” audio pieces, as well as links to the featured non-profit organizations, will be posted on the “Unified Milwaukee” section of RadioMilwaukee’s website. Information on how to find volunteer opportunities will also be posted on the site and discussed on air.

The schedule of featured non-profits includes:

88Nine RadioMilwaukee (WYMS-FM and www.radiomilwaukee.org) is a non-commercial station offering a mix of rock, urban and local music with elements of public radio-style first-person storytelling.

Wauwatosa-based Clifton Gunderson LLP recently announced its formation of a free webinar entitled “Accounting for Change”- Implementing FAS117-1 for endowment fund management and addressing the reporting and auditing challenges facing 403(b) plans.

Clifton Gunderson nonprofit and employee benefit experts Marie Caputo, John Quinn and Ann Joda will help organizations understand the new reporting and disclosure requirements resulting from the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act and the reporting and auditing challenges connected to 403(b) plans.

The session will be presented on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. Topics addressed during this free online webinar include:

Milwaukee-based Eppstein Uhen Architects will host its 5th annual Beyond Design Bike Tour and fundraiser for the Eppstein Uhen Foundation.

Approximately 250 business leaders and community supporters will participate in the event to be held Wednesday, Sept. 16, beginning at 9 a.m. Cyclists will ride in a 30, 67 or 100-mile ride that will start and finish at the Country Springs Hotel and Conference Center in Pewaukee.

The Eppstein Uhen Foundation was established two years ago in honor of EUA’s 100th anniversary, and is focused on improving the quality of life in the communities in which EUA employees work and live. The Eppstein Uhen Foundation has selected the Backpack Buddies programs in Milwaukee and Madison as the grant recipients for this year’s ride. The ride is expected to raise more than $30,000 through the sponsorships of EUA’s business partners and the contributions and pledges raised by individual riders.

The postride party will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Country Springs Grand Pavilion.

Name: Sherrie Tussler
Title: executive director

Nonprofit organization: Hunger Task Force

Nonprofit Address: 201 S. Hawley Ct. ,Milwaukee, WI  53214

Website: Hungertaskforce.org

Mission of the organization: "Hunger Task Force is a private, non-profit community organization that exists to prevent and alleviate hunger."

Annual volunteer/fundraising event: "We are involved in fundraising and volunteer opportunities all year, but this fall we emphasize Food For Families."

What makes your organization unique? "We are locally established. We provide food absolutely free of charge and we are completely donor supported."

What is one key thing needed for leadership in the non profit sector? "A commitment to the cause."

Is your organization in search of board members? "Not at this time, because our board members are amazing and dedicated!"

How can business people/the community help your organization? "Run a food drive or contribute to an existing drive."

Why do you think people should volunteer or become a board member? "Because at the end of the day it feels good to know you made a difference."

Dusold named to Waukesha Civic Theatre’s board

Public accounting and business advisory firm Vrakas/Blum, S.C. in Brookfield announced that tax manager Janice Dusold, CPA, MPAcc, has recently been named to the board of directors for the Waukesha Civic Theatre.

“The Waukesha Civic Theatre is a wonderful organization that has played an important role in the community’s history,” said Dusold. “I am excited for my term on the board of directors and look forward to helping enhance the programs and contributions the Theatre provides.”

The Waukesha Civic Theater is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to provide quality live theatre performances and educational programs that will enrich, challenge and entertain participants and audience members. The organization maintains operations through the service of nine staff members, more than 25 members of the board of directors and advisory council, and numerous volunteers. The Waukesha Civic Theater was founded in 1957.

Brinkman elected president in LSS restructure

Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan recently completed a two-year reorganization process to better protect the assets of the LSS Foundation. The reorganization will also ensure that the gifts from LSS donors will be available for the future.

As part of the restructuring, Paul Brinkman, executive vice president and chief advancement officer was elected to serve as president of the LSS Foundation.

“I could not be more pleased with the election of Paul Brinkman as president of the LSS Foundation,” LSS president and CEO, David Larson said. “Paul’s incredible expertise and passion for the LSS mission, along with board chair, Bob Seidell and founder, Bela Maroti, will enable the foundation, and its membership, to provide even stronger support for this critical mission in serving communities and congregations throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.”

“I am honored to serve the foundation in this capacity and look forward to working with the board of directors to take fundraising for the ministry of LSS to a new level,” said Brinkman.