Matthew Hilber, director of fleet management at Doering Leasing Co., in Milwaukee, has created a new focus for the company that will help nonprofit organizations save money on their fleet vehicle needs.
“The needs of a nonprofit organization are so much different than they are for a for-profit business or individual,” Hilber said. “This service will look at their fleet management needs from a very holistic view and focus on serving these organizations in the best, most cost-effective way that is of little drain to their resources.”
Hilber moved to Two Rivers in September from his home in Australia. His primary experience surrounds fleet management services for nonprofit organizations and he was hired by Doering to bring his knowledge and expertise in the area here. He works part time in the Milwaukee area, but also spends a lot of time in the Green Bay area. 
“Doering Leasing has all the tools we need to do this, but the business right now is more broadly based for businesses and other individuals,” he said. “We now can customize our offerings to specifically focus on nonprofits and their individual needs.”
Hilber plans to officially launch this division of Doering Leasing in the next two weeks, but has the capability to offer these services to nonprofits that need it now.
“I want to act as a resource for them. I want to get them the best deal possible,” Hilber said. “Ideally, as this sector grows, we will be able to secure collective bargaining agreements with major manufacturers like Ford, GM and Toyota that will offer better pricing and maintenance agreements.”
Hilber will focus his services primarily on organizations that have their headquarters in the state of Wisconsin, but will plan to expand the services to the Midwest and beyond in the future. According to Hilber, the process starts with a cost free evaluation of the organization’s current fleet services.
“I’ll come out and visit with them, look at what they have and basically write up a report on the things they are doing well, the areas where they could use improvement and the key areas that need immediate attention,” he said. “I’ll do a full report and then make recommendations on the best way to proceed.”
During the report, Hilber will analyze whether the organization leases or owns, the maintenance plan on the vehicles, road side assistance capabilities, causes for liabilities, and other comprehensive components.
“It’s an educational process for everyone. I do those evaluations at no obligation to them,” he said. “I just want organizations to realize that there may be a better way. As government funding decreases some organizations still need vehicles to do what they do best. This is a way they could potentially cut some costs.”
In Australia, Hilber helped some organizations save over $100,000 annually on their fleet expenses, which is a real possibility here as well, he said.
Interested organizations should contact Hilber through email at matthew.hilber@doeringleasing.com.

BizTimes Media, and other organizations, has agreed to provide support to Tri-Adathon – a joint venture between Catral Doyle creative, Clear Verve Marketing, and Welke Group. BizTimes will provide online and print advertising space to three of the winning nonprofits benefiting from the charitable event. Clear Channel Outdoor and Innovative Signs are also offering free advertising space and a discounted sign package to some of the organizations. The local organizations donating time and/or products and services to the Tri-Adathon creative team and the winning clients include:

• Alterra Coffee – 1 pound of coffee for each of the three participating agencies
• BizTimes Media – print and online ads for 3 of the agencies
• Clear Channel Outdoor – outdoor posters for 3 of the agencies
• Cousins Subs – dinner for all the creative staff
• 5th Floor Recording Co. – support for recording a radio ad
• Crescent – display paper for the finished projects
• Cynthia Qualich Strategic Media Services – donating time to plan media buys
• Heritage Printing – discounted printing for three of the agencies
• Innovative Signs – sign package
• Julie Kinunen Media Link Consulting – donating time to plan media buys 
• Mainly Editing Inc. – radio ad editing services
• Massage Awakenings – chair massages for the creative staff
• Morgandezine – donating time for design services
• Pro Graphics – discounted printing
• Unisource - paper
• Thomas Press – discounted printing
• Allo! Chocolat – chocolates and turtles for reception on Jan. 22
• WineStyles – discounted/donated sparkling wine for reception on Jan. 22

Winning charitable organizations will receive marketing support during a marathon pro bono work session beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21 and ending at 9 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 22. Final projects will be unveiled during a reception for the agencies and their board of directors at 2 p.m. on Jan. 22.
The organizations chosen to receive pro bono services are:

• Adoption Services
• Benedict Center
• Civic Music Association of Milwaukee
• Community Outreach Health Clinic
• Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin
• Fondy Food Center
• Gilda’s Club Southeastern Wisconsin
• Guitars For Vets
• Hebron House of Hospitality
• Hope House of Milwaukee
• MargaretAnn’s Place
• Milwaukee Community Service Corps
• One Heartland
• Our Next Generation
• Parenting Network
• RedLine Milwaukee
• St. Joan Antida High School
• Susan G. Komen for the Cure – Milwaukee Chapter
• Variety-the Children’s Charity of WI
• Wisconsin Early Childhood Association
• Wheelin’ Wizards

Science mentors are needed to work with 4-H youth on the topics of wind and water energy, robotics, digital photography and small engines to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for science, technology or engineering with third grade through high school students.
Potential volunteers are invited to attend one of two orientation sessions on Saturday, Feb.13. A morning session will be held from 9 a.m.-12 noon and an afternoon session from 1-4 p.m. at the Milwaukee County Cooperative Extension office, 9501 W. Watertown Plank Road, Building A, Wauwatosa.
Michelle Gonzalez, 4-H Program Coordinator, will explain the 4-H Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) focus and how sharing expertise and engaging youth in hands on science and technology projects will encourage them to not only improve their academic skills but also consider STEM careers. The workshops are free and open to the public. Please call Gonzalez at (414) 256-4626 or email her at michelle.gonzalez@ces.uwex.edu to reserve a space at either the morning or afternoon mentor orientation session.

The Salvation Army of Greater Milwaukee is at 73 percent of its $3 million Christmas Campaign goal. To date, donations total $2,265,808. Although Red Kettles will not be seen or heard again until next Christmas, Milwaukee residents still have an opportunity to give through Sunday, Jan. 31.
“The money donated during our annual Christmas Campaign will help to keep critical programs and services in place for those most in need. We’ve seen a 30 percent increase in basic needs in 2009. In order to continue to address emergency requests we must meet or surpass our $3 million goal,” said Major Jesse Collins, Salvation Army Milwaukee County Commander.
According to Debra Lewis, Salvation Army social service director, more than 1,400 people received assistance from the Salvation Army food pantry each month in 2009. That is up from the 1,200 a month average in 2008. The organization served nearly 8,000 people at its Christmas Family Feast and more than 15,000 children in the Milwaukee area received toys through the Toys for Tots program.
“These numbers speak volumes to the many individuals and families who are in need in Milwaukee County,” she said.
Donations can be made on line at www.SAmilwaukee.org or by mailing your donation to: The Salvation Army of Greater Milwaukee, P.O. Box 26019, Wauwatosa, WI  53226 or text a $10 donation to SALARMY at 52000.

The Milwaukee Center for Independence will offer online training courses to its clients and employees. The organization recently installed LearnCenter, an on-demand learning software system that allows them to provide online instruction courses via Learn.com
“We see this as an exciting and practical way to offer new career development opportunities on so many levels,” said Greg Bachrach, MCFI’s vice president of human resources.
According to Bachrach, the organization will use the new system to assist MCFI clients with disabilities and other barriers in developing the skills they need to keep a job; and improve the care and treatment of people with disabilities by offering classes for care management professionals in the disability treatment field.
The new system will also empower MCFI staff members and employees to organize, track and maintain their continuing education and professional development plans and complete required internal training classes at their work stations, at their convenience, he said.

BizTimes Media has re-launched its online Nonprofit Directory. This directory will include 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. All nonprofit organizations are encouraged to submit their listing. If your organization was listed in the directory for 2009, you must resubmit your listing for the new format. To receive your free listing in the 2010 BizTimes Nonprofit Directory visit www.biztimes.com/nonprofit

Cathi Mohan, founder of Brand on the Run, is a nonprofit consultant that specializes in providing an integrated approach to resource development and marketing communications strategies that deliver to brand goals. In her debut blog for BizTimes Nonprofit Weekly, Mohan discusses what it takes for local nonprofits to improve their website effectiveness.
Read More here.

Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, has added Gary Jorgensen, chairman of VJS Construction Services and Marie O'Brien president and CEO of Enterforce, a managed service provider, to its board of trustees. Jorgensen completed nine years of service as a Mount Mary trustee in 2008 including serving as chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee. O'Brien is a graduate of Mount Mary College with a bachelor’s degree in business and professional communications.

• Friday, Jan. 15 ArtWorks for Milwaukee, in partnership with the Harambee Great Neighborhoods Initiative (HGNI), LISC-Milwaukee, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation (MLKEDC), will host its second annual Gallery Night in the Harambee Great Neighborhood from 5-8 p.m. at the King Drive Commons Gallery and Studio, 2775 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., Milwaukee. At this event, ArtWorks for Milwaukee will unveil the art pieces created by its apprentices during the two fall 2009 workforce development programs. It will include live music, hors d'oeuvres from Harambee's own Heartlove Place, beer, wine and soft drinks, a silent auction and a raffle. The event is free and open to the public. 

• Saturday, Jan. 30 The National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin (NKFW) will host the “Spotlight On Life” gala from 5:30 p.m. to 12 midnight at the Mequon Country Club, 12400 N. Ville Du Parc Dr., Mequon. Ticket prices range from $40 per ticket to $80 per ticket. For corporate sponsorship or for more information contact Kim Mueller at events@kidneywi.org or (800) 543-6393 ext. 13.
• Tuesday, Feb. 16 The Alzheimer’s Association will hold its Annual Mardi Gras Benefit Dinner and Auction on “Fat Tuesday” at the Milwaukee County Zoo’s Peck Welcome Center. Proceeds from the dinner and auction will support the programs and services provided to individuals who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease, their families and caregivers, and health care professionals throughout the 11-county region, as well as national research initiatives. The event begins at 5 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction. Guests can enjoy music from the Mississippi Mudcats and a caricature artist, a handwriting analyst, and a palm reader. A formal Cajun-inspired dinner by Chef Jack Fischer will be served at 6:30 p.m. The event will be emceed by Thelma Sias, vice president of local affairs, We Energies. The evening will culminate with a voice auction conducted by guest auctioneer Jonathan Green, host of “The Green House” on AM 620 WTMJ. Individual tickets are $100. For event information contact Pat Miller, special events manager at (414) 479-8800 or patricia.miller@alz.org. For corporate sponsorship information, contact MaryAnn Vance, Development Director, at (414) 479-8800 or maryann.vance@alz.org. Details regarding the event are available at www.alz.org/sewi.

To view additional calendar items or to submit your own events please visit the BizTimes.com calendar

To view a directory of nonprofit organizations throughout southeastern Wisconsin and to learn about ways businesses can help local charities, visit the 2009 BizTimes Nonprofit Directory

• Association of Fundraising Professionals

• Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee

• Donors Forum of Wisconsin

• Greater Milwaukee Foundation

• Marquette Funding Information Center

• Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee

• Nonprofit Center Workshop Calendar

• Nonprofit portal of Greater Milwaukee

• Non Profit Jobs

• UWM Helen Bader Institute for Non Profit Management

• UWM School of Continuing Education nonprofit workshops

• Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee