Menomonee Falls-based Kohl’s Corp. announced it will donate more than $7 million during a three-year partnership with the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Wisconsin.
The donation represents the largest donation ever given to any affiliate of the Susan G. Komen organization as well as the largest to the American Cancer Society’s Midwest division.
“At a time when many companies are cutting philanthropic giving, we are in a financial position that allows us to expand our community relations programs with a new focus on women’s causes,” said Kevin Mansell, Kohl’s president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board. “The incidence rate of invasive breast cancer in the state of Wisconsin is above the national average, and as a company, we are passionate about supporting this important cause and making a difference in the lives of women."
The donation will be used to support breast cancer research, education and patient-assistance programs.
“We are honored to have Kohl’s join the American Cancer Society to help create a world with less breast cancer,” said Jari Johnston-Allen, CEO, American Cancer Society, Midwest division. “Kohl’s donation will make a significant difference in our ability to educate women regarding prevention and early detection, and provide needed assistance to breast cancer patients.”
In 2009, almost 3,500 Wisconsin women were expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Kohl’s recognized the need to do more, to reach more women, to save more lives,” said Sally Sheperdson, executive director, Komen Milwaukee Affiliate. “This contribution will make a significant impact on the women of southeast Wisconsin. Most women are putting off needed preventative breast cancer screenings due to economic hardships and changing health insurance plans. With support from Kohl’s, Komen can expand its mission programs that provide breast health education, free mammograms and financial assistance. We are thankful and thrilled to call Kohl’s our partner.”

A new nationwide grant program will provide qualifying nonprofit organizations with thousands of dollars in cash allowances and services for the purpose of installing new energy efficient lighting systems before the end of 2010. The program was created by VistaBright Lighting, a national supplier of energy efficient lighting products.
The grant program is made possible through the on-going efforts of VistaBright Lighting in organizing the nationwide Energy ALERTSM (Advanced Lighting Equipment Replacement Technology Alliance), comprised of lighting industry manufacturers, distributors, and electrical contractors.
“ALERTSM grants provide qualifying nonprofits with products and services worth thousands of dollars and are scalable to the size of each project,” said Craig Pringle, president of the Alliance. “In addition to the cash allowances towards the purchase of fixtures and lamps, the program includes free professional design and consulting services, reduction of installation costs through the ALERTSM electrical contractor network, and possible additional grants directly from Energy ALERTSM Alliance member firms.”
The grants are designed to assist educational institutions, churches, charitable organizations, and community groups, in reducing the costs of buying and installing state-of-the-art light fixtures in their facilities before the end of 2010.
New, green technology could reduce the monthly average energy costs incurred by an organization.
Interested organizations can download grantee qualifications, application instructions, and an application form at the ALERTSM website: www.energyALERTalliance.com/grants.php Wednesday, March 31 is the application deadline.

The Wisconsin Women Business Initiative Corp. along with its social business venture Coffee with a Conscience will host a “Grounds for Relief Week: Hearts for Haiti” initiative Sunday, Feb. 14. through Saturday, Feb. 20.
Coffee with a Conscience location will sell La Hotte coffee by the cup as well as by the bag throughout the week.
La Hotte coffee is grown in the mountainous region of southern Haiti. All proceeds from the sale of the coffee will benefit FONKOZE, a micro-finance and economic support organization in Haiti, as well as Youthaiti, a Milwaukee-based charitable organization that encourages and supports Haitian young people in developing ecological projects in sanitation, water source protection, community gardening, and reforestation efforts in their own Haitian communities.
“It makes sense for Coffee with a Conscience to partner with FONKOZE, not only because of the devastation that the Haiti earthquake has had on children, adults and families in and throughout Haiti, but because FONKOZE has always dedicated its mission work to the poorest of the poor in Haiti with care and dignity,” said Wendy Baumann, president of WWBIC.
For each 12 ounce bag of coffee that is sold, $2 of the purchase will go to FONKOZE and the rest will go to Youthaiti.
La Hotte coffee will be sold at the Coffee with a Conscience shops located at the Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr., Milwaukee, and the Schlitz Park Business Center, 1555 River Center Drive. 

Milwaukee Wave players Ian Bennett and Tom Oatley have added their names to the list of contestants for the Milwaukee Urban League Young Professionals 5th annual ‘Dating Game’ Scholarship Fundraiser event that will take place tonight at the Bavarian Inn, 700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale, at 8 p.m. The dating game and bachelor auction will give lucky guests the opportunity to bid on a date with Bennett and other Milwaukee celebs including Andrew D.A. Wallach of the national recording band Chester French. Oatley will be a part of the event’s ‘Dating Game’ with three lucky bachelorettes. Nationally known author and public-speaker Dasha Kelly will also take plart in that event. All proceeds from the event will support the Dr. Wesley L. Scott Scholarship, benefitting graduating Milwaukee high school students. HBO’s Def Poetry Jam poet Dan Vaughn will host the event.  

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. The deadline for submission is Monday, Feb. 15.

RedLine Milwaukee has added Wendy Carlson, vice president business banker at Associated Bank, to its board of directors. She has more than 20 years of banking experience. She is also currently serving as race chair for the Susan G. Komen Milwaukee “Race for the Cure.” 

Tri-Adathon, a joint venture between Milwaukee-based Catral Doyle creative, the Welke Group and Elm Grove-based Clear Verve Marketing, selected 21 nonprofit organizations to receive 24 hours of free pro bono marketing support. The services provided include marketing communications, strategic planning, web site design, radio scripting, graphic design, and media relations planning. “Working together on these projects really opens up the things we can do for people,” said Christina Steder, owner of Clear Verve Marketing. “It allows me to take a project that maybe my firm could only do half of, and bring in these other people to finish it because that is their specialty.”
According to Steder, the event was well received, and is something the firms plan to do on an annual basis. Click here to view a video about the Tri-Adathon event and its efforts. Our Next Generation, Inc., in Milwaukee was one of the nonprofits selected for the event.

Nonprofit name: Our Next Generation, Inc.

Nonprofit Address: 3421 W. Lisbon Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53208

Website: www.ongkids.org

Leadership: Robert Dunn; president and CEO
Codi Johnson Alger, public relations and volunteer intake manager

Mission of organization:
“Our Next Generation Inc. serves the children of our neighborhoods with programs focused on improving educational outcomes and life skills. In addition, ONG endeavors to build an effective, collaborative team of parents, families, teachers, volunteers and staff through one-on-one relationships. Our programs serve all races and creeds and are rooted in spiritual and moral beliefs.”

Annual volunteer/fundraising event:
“Our Next Generation does not have one major event, rather two to three smaller, program focused events throughout the year. Every November Our Next Generation hosts an appreciation dinner where students and their families, community members, volunteers and donors are invited to our neighborhood center to share a meal and enjoy a student run program. In addition, through Our Next Generations community partnerships, each family is given a Thanksgiving basket full of all the ingredients needed to make and provide a family meal of their own over the holidays. At the end of the school year Our Next Generation hosts a celebration dinner to commemorate our students who graduated and are going on to college, secondary education or entering the work force.”

What makes your organization so unique?
“Our Next Generation is a non-profit, community-based organization serving urban youth in Milwaukee’s central city. Specifically, Our Next Generation engages children from low-performing schools in economically disadvantaged areas. Our youth are provided with year-round programs focused on academic enhancement, as well as cultural, social and recreational activities, throughout their elementary, middle and high school years.
Our Next Generation is unique because we are able to offer our students a wide range of programming by partnering with various Milwaukee area businesses and nonprofits. We send students to Saint John’s on the Lake for intergenerational programming, we bus students to the University School of Milwaukee for student-to-student academic tutoring, we bring students to the Urban Ecology Center for environmental and outdoor experiences, and we work with Express Yourself Milwaukee to offer art therapy to our students and so many more.”

Why did you want to get involved with the Tri-Adathon effort?
“As a small and relatively young nonprofit in Milwaukee, Our Next Generation is always in search of opportunities that are mutually beneficial. We don’t have a large advertising/marketing budget nor do we have an in-house department focused on marketing so the idea of outsourcing projects sounded like a win-win!”

What help did you receive from Tri-Adathon?
“We are located in Milwaukee’s central city on the corner of North 35th Street and Lisbon Avenue. The community we serve is one of the highest need areas in Milwaukee with roughly 75 percent of children living in households with annual income below $18,000.  For the past 16 years we have rented St. Andrews Episcopal Church, a church that no longer hosts service or a congregation. However, Our Next Generation was recently given the opportunity to purchase the building. In doing so, Our Next Generation would like to take the once active church and turn the space into a fully-functioning neighborhood center. We worked closely with Susan Catral with Catral Doyle Creative in creating an interior design plan that addressed many of our concerns, bad acoustics, little privacy and storage for books and supplies. Susan creatively addressed our concerns and designed a cohesive plan that incorporated more storage, efficient work space and kid-friendly study nooks.” 

What are your immediate organizational goals as a result of the Tri-Adathon effort?
“After working with Susan Catral we now have a complete and comprehensive design plan that we can implement with the help of volunteers, staff and student artists at a later date.”

Is your organization in search of board members?
“Our Next Generation is always in search of interested parties for board positions, committee seats and academic mentors. Individuals who are interested in playing an active role in Our Next Generation’s future successes should contact executive director Robert Dunn.”

How can business people/the community help?
“Like stated above, Our Next Generation is always in need of board members, committee seats and academic mentors. Outside of a small core staff, Our Next Generation relies primarily on an active volunteer base. We have volunteers who have been working with the same students for over 11 years; community involvement is imperative to Our Next Generation’s mission. Statistically, in the community we serve less than 40 percent of students will graduate from high school. Comparison studies show that students with a mentor are twice as likely to graduate as students without. Currently, we have 12 students who are without an academic mentor. Academic mentors visit the same student week after week for one hour and work together at our community center on homework, reading activities and educational games, all while building a meaningful relationship. If you would like to make a difference in the life of a child by becoming an academic mentor please contact Codi Johnson Alger.”

• 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 for 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.
• Saturday, Feb. 27, YPImpact, a Milwaukee-based young professionals organization, will host a volunteer event at SHARE, 13111 W. Silver Spring Dr., Butler, from 6 to 11 a.m. This unique event is designed to allow attendees the chance to network while assisting SHARE. Volunteers will lend a hand by counting food, assembling grocery loads, organizing items, cleaning, packing food into vehicles and other projects. The community service activity will be followed by a networking reception at Charro Restaurante, 17800 W. Bluemound Road, Brookfield.
• Saturday, March 6, The Milwaukee Community Sailing Center will hold its 16th annual Sailors Ball at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee from 6:30 p.m. to 12 midnight. All proceeds from the event support the Sailing Center’s efforts to engage Milwaukee’s at-risk, urban youth, as well as children and adults with disabilities, in innovative sailing experiences.This year’s ball will feature the sights, sounds and tastes of Puerto Rico as island fare, attire, entertainment and a silent auction. More than 200 nautical, dining and leisure packages will be auctioned off, including a one-week charter on a 40-foot sailboat. General admission tickets, which include dinner and entertainment, are $90 per person. General admission tickets plus passes to the Admirals Club pre-reception are $135 per person, and VIP Gold Packages, which include general admission, passes to the Admirals Club pre-reception and wine with dinner, are $175 per person. To purchase raffle or ball tickets, contact the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center at (414) 277-9094.
• Friday, March 26, the Samudra Fashion Show at Whitefish Bay High School Auditorium, 1200 E. Fairmount Ave. beginning at 7:30 p.m. The show will benefit H2O which provides clean water wells in third world countries. It will feature local and student fashion. The high school is over a third of the way to reaching its goal of completing the water project in their partner school in India for clean, safe water. Admission to the Samudra Fashion Show is $5 for Whitefish Bay students, and $8 for the general public.
• Thursday, March 11, United Cerebral Palsy of Southeastern Wisconsin will host the 28th Annual Taste of Milwaukee event in the grand ballroom of The Pfister beginning at 5:30 p.m. Taste of Milwaukee features signature dishes from Milwaukee’s finest restaurants and exciting silent auction items. Tickets are $75 per individual or $1,000 for a corporate table of ten. To register or for more information visit: http://ucpsew.org/newEvents.html

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

• 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