Eight Milwaukee-area restaurants will participate in the U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s nationwide UNICEF Tap Project during World Water Week, March 21 to March 27. The UNICEF Tap Project is a campaign to provide clean water to children around the world, and invites restaurant patrons to donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free.
“The UNICEF Tap Project brings to Milwaukee an incredibly simple concept to encourage local citizens to help bring clean and safe water to the children of the world,” said Jeff McClellan, Tap Project volunteer and partner at Marx McClellan Thrun, a local advertising agency located in the Third Ward.  “With Milwaukee’s initiative to establish the city as a national water hub, it makes sense for Milwaukee-area restaurants and citizens to participate in the UNICEF Tap Project. I am glad that so many restaurants and volunteers agree it is our duty to use tap water—our single most bountiful natural resource—to reduce child mortality.”
Local participating restaurants include Café Hollander in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, Café Centraal, The Wicked Hop, County Clare, Lucky Liu’s, Sala de Pranzo and Miss Katie’s Diner.  All proceeds from this year’s Tap Project will go to the countries and areas UNICEF has identified as among the most in need including: Togo, Central African Republic, Vietnam, Guatemala and Haiti.
This is the third year for the Tap Project and Milwaukee’s first year participating in the effort.

Milwaukee-based Unity in Motion Inc recently received $10,000 from the Helen Bader Foundation to continue its mentoring, literacy, and educational outreach to under served city youth. 
“This generous grant provides more opportunity for donors, volunteers and other agencies to contribute to our work while helping to build alliances with other local non-profit agencies and schools to maximize expertise, knowledge and creativity,” said Allen Ruppel, executive director and founder of Unity in Motion. “This grant will aid us in our goal to provide youth with the skills needed to succeed while ultimately instilling the core value of providing service to others.”
The Unity in Motion Inc. program is a partnership between UIM and participating youth and families in the Milwaukee Central City. The program aids the youth in the development of their social, emotional and intellectual skills, and helps them acquire the financial resources to reach their post secondary educational goals. 
UIM originally conceived the curriculum in 2000 as a series of no-cost martial arts classes for neighborhood children. As UIM evolved the program began requiring students to complete a literacy component both inside and outside of the classroom, and perform a set number of community service hours before teaching more advanced physical exercises and awarding youth with evidence of accomplishment based on a martial arts belt system. 
“At a young age, the role of just one caring adult can be pivotal,” said Maria Lopez Vento, program officer at the Helen Bader Foundation. “We want UIM to build on its success, and to continue making a difference in our city’s youth.”

Cynthia Dohmen LaConte, chief executive officer of the Dohmen company has announced that the Dohmen Company Foundation has given $500,000 toMap International, an organization dedicated to fighting neglected tropical diseases.
A portion of the donation has been earmarked for sponsorship of MAP’s online “Community Hero” contest, purposed to help fight neglected tropical diseases and honor village leaders in Kenya, Bolivia and Cote d’Ivoire.
“We are pleased to have the Dohmen Company Foundation join us in our fight against neglected tropical diseases,” said Michael Nyenhuis, president and CEO of MAP International.  “These community heroes are ordinary people with a vision and commitment to improve the health of their families and neighbors.”
The stories of how these community heroes have served their local communities can be found online at www.map.org/hero. The public is encouraged to vote online via the MAP website, Facebook or Twitter; the funding will increase along with the number of votes.
 “MAP International, with its long history of providing critical medical supplies and training in developing countries, is the perfect partner for Dohmen,” said LaConte.  “The mission of our Foundation is to connect people in need with life saving products and services.  We believe that access to affordable, effective healthcare is a basic human right and we share a passionate commitment to making quality healthcare efficient, affordable and accessible for everyone.”
The three community heroes nominated for the Community Hero contest include:
Joseph K. Kitsao, a village chief in Kenya. He has been leading the fight against lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthes as well as providing clean water through an improved filter system.
Asunta Escobar has been fighting Chagas disease in her remote Bolivian village.
Kouadio Fodjo Ignace is a nurse in Cote d’Ivoire where he heads the Guinea worm eradication program in his health district.
Voting is open until tomorrow.  For every vote, the Dohmen Company Foundation will donate $1 to MAP’s neglected tropical disease projects. Votes can be cast to help Joseph's village win irrigation foot pumps for more crops, Asunta's village win water filters for clean water, or provide Kouadio's village with Health Center renovations and updates.  The community hero with the most votes will be honored as the winner. Votes are captured three ways: clicks on the poll at www.map.org/hero; by following a hero on Twitter; and, by becoming a hero’s fan on Facebook.  Voting is open to everyone and there is no limit to the number of times a person many vote.  The winning community hero will be announced on Saturday, March 20, 2010. 

The Elizabeth A. Brinn Foundation of Brookfield, has announced it will match any new or increased donation to the Wisconsin Foundation for Independent Colleges, up to $50,000.  The Brinn Challenge will benefit the College Readiness 21 program, which serves close to 500 Wisconsin middle school and high school students throughout the state.
“We are pleased to leverage our support for the College Readiness 21 Program,” said Rick Wiederhold, president of the Brinn Foundation. “As a charter donor, the trustees of the Brinn Foundation hope to see a broadening of support for this effective program.”
CR21 currently serves students living in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, and Northeastern Wisconsin. The main goal of the program is to prepare low-income, academically average students for success. There are several ways to support this grant challenge campaign and College Readiness 21. To support the grant challenge campaign contact David Wolfson, vice president of development, at 414-273-5980 x 15, dwolfson@wficweb.org or visit www.wficweb.org.

The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design recently received a $1.4 million donation of materials from the Harley-Davidson Motor Company to help students transform their learning community.
“MIAD is deeply appreciative of this unprecedented donation of materials by Harley-Davidson,” said MIAD president Neil Hoffman. “The donation benefits the college not only by enhancing our ability to create lively social spaces for all students to gather and interact near their work spaces. It also provides a deep learning experience for students in Interior Architecture + Design – who have garnered national awards and whose work has benefited local organizations throughout the community, such as the Urban Ecology Center and the Salvation Army.”
The Interior Architecture and Design students are seeking input from throughout the college community as they re-design spaces in the college’s Jane Pettit Bradley academic building using the fixtures, tables, flooring, lighting and wall components received through the gift. They have already transformed the MIAD Café using the donated materials.
“Harley-Davidson is energized by our growing partnership with MIAD and ability to assist in the development of the college’s campus and its students, said Harley-Davidson president and COO Matt Levatich who was recently elected to MIAD’s board of trustees. “Harley Stylists play an integral role in the college’s ground-breaking Industrial Design PowerSports course, which they helped to found in 2008, and, last fall, students from across five majors participated in The Helmet Project, Harley-Davidson Museum’s first feature exhibition. It is especially gratifying now to see how the Interior Architecture + Design students are using the donated materials to transform MIAD’s campus for all students.”
The materials donated to MIAD were designed for the Harley-owned Buell Motorcycle Company by DCI Marketing, where MIAD alumnus Jim Wiemer is vice president and creative director.

Milwaukee-based YP Impact has partnered with Hunger Task Force to 'Connect Communities Against Hunger.’ The organization will host a food drive that will go through Friday, April 30.
“The time has passed where young professionals care only about themselves,” said Shelly Bertholf, YP Impact Volunteer Committee Chair.  “Today, many young professionals genuinely care about creating a positive impact in their community.  We are pleased and excited to partner with Hunger Task Force to help fight hunger in the Milwaukee area.”
Donations of nonperishable food items will be accepted at four local drop points:

• BizTimes Media, LLC, 126 N. Jefferson St., Milwaukee
• Cornerstone Financial Group, 731 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee
• Kolb+Co. / NAI MLG Commercial, 13400 Bishop’s Lane, Brookfield
• West Allis/West Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce, 7447 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis.  

BizTimes Media will also be accepting non-perishable food items during the annual BizTech Conference & Expo that will be held Wednesday, April 28, and Thursday, April 29, at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave.
Cereal, canned vegetables and starches (noodles and rice) are most needed, but all non-perishable items are welcome.  Monetary donations to benefit Hunger Task Force will also be accepted at drop points.

The Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., will host a two part course entitled “So you want to start a Business,” on Tuesday, April 13 and Tuesday, April 20.
The classes will be available to the public from either 10 to 11:30 a.m. or from 7 to 8:30 p.m. They will be taught by local entrepreneur Jane Chernof, owner of Jane’s Take-Away Foods and co-owner of Milwaukee Street Gallery. The class will focus on issues like developing a business and marketing plan, learning how to handle finances in today’s economic climate and identifying the vision for your business.
To register visit www.jccmilwaukee.org or call 414-964-4444

United Way in Waukesha County has hired Lori Hayes as manager of volunteer engagement. She comes to United Way from Outward Focus where she helped companies assess, re-align, and tap the potential of their employees’ talent base.

Women’s Fund names Lynde B. Uihlein Award winners
Heidi Retzlaff, senior counsel for labor and employment at GE Healthcare, and Patricia Wilmeth will be honored with the Lynde B. Uihlein Award for women’s outstanding contributions to the Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee Inc. The two will be honored at the organization’s annual celebration on Wednesday, April 14.
 “Heidi has been a dedicated Women’s Fund volunteer for over 12 years and was particularly instrumental in transitioning the Women’s Fund to an independent entity,” said executive director Elaine Maly. “Her passion for our organization and mission benefits us in many different ways.”
Retzlaff served on the Women’s Fund board for six years, including one year as chair, and currently serves on the Grants Advisory Committee.
“Pat Wilmeth has been a long-time supporter of the Her Scholarship Program,“ said Maly. “We wanted to recognize her commitment to addressing the challenges facing women over 35 who are pursuing higher education goals.”
As recipients of the Lynde B Uihlein Awards, a $1,000 grant will be made to The White House Project in each of their names.  The annual celebration will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel, 139 E. Kilbourn Ave. from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Prior to the celebration the Women’s Fund will host the Social Change Exchange beginning at 4 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public, to RSVP call 414-290-7350

Name: Mark Shapiro
Title: Executive Director
Company name: Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center
Company address: 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay, WI  53217
Web site:  www.jccmilwaukee.org
Industry: Non- Profit
Number of employees: 225+
Family: “Reside in Bayside with my wife, Sharon, and our daughters, Carli and Sophie.”

What was the smartest thing your organization did in the past year?
"We created a Family Movie Night that continues to be a big hit this year, too.  One Saturday evening each month, we invite all of our family of members and the greater community to enjoy a first-run, family-themed movie that we show on the JCC’s big screen in the Daniel M. Soref Community Hall.  We give out free popcorn and people can also purchase inexpensive treats like a slice of pizza, a salad, cookies, candy and soda.  More than 200 people attended each movie night, some even in their pajamas – the little kids.  Not only did we build community but we made each one of our members feel that there was even more value with their JCC membership than working out and having their children in our Early Childhood programs.  Sometimes the smartest things a business can do are the simplest and easiest ones."

What’s new at your organization?
"New at the JCC this year was just the expansion of great ideas.  One in particular was through our partnership with the Cybex Corporation, Inc., where we purchased two new pink treadmills to recognize and support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.  With the help of our members and guests who logged miles at a rate of twenty cents per mile, the JCC raised over $2,000 for Breast Cancer Research.  Our Health, Recreation and Fitness staff came up with the idea and carried it out.  Last December was dedicated to the community-wide outreach done through the Jewish Community Pantry and we’ll be helping various causes throughout 2010.   It is the experience and dedication of the entire staff that helps create these great endeavors." 

Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
"Yes.  We are currently seeking a new Associate Executive Director for the JCC and we will be hiring a Volunteer Coordinator.  The second opportunity is truly unique because we recently partnered with the Disney Corporation in being the “Give a Day, Get a Day” site for the Milwaukee community.  This partnership allows members of our community to volunteer through the JCC and receive a free ticket to Disney World or Disneyland.   As far as capital improvements, we are still enjoying the newness of our $25 million expansion and our beautiful, new surroundings." 

What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
"I would have to say that having our members continue to see the JCC as the center of their lives and in being of value to what they do.  Being there to support families during these challenging economic times ranges from offering scholarships to maintaining competitive pricing.  Plus, we want to be sure that our members always feel that they are getting a tremendous deal with their membership. Whether it is working out in our state-of-the-art fitness center, swim classes through our award-winning Aquatics program or enjoying our seven-acre Hy & Richard Smith JCC Water Park in Mequon, it is important that every one of our members has a great JCC experience."

What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
"In our Health, Recreation and Fitness Department, the trend is the shift from fitness to wellness.  Our programs focus on nutrition, fitness, recreation, and happiness altogether and are available for every age and ability.  You can see this throughout our fitness center and in our private Pilates Studios with individualized training and attention.  Another one of the JCC’s businesses is simply building community and here the most interesting and hottest trend is on informal conversations between staff and our members.  We call it the “Norm” factor from Cheers.  It is the feeling that when you’re walking anywhere in the JCC that everybody knows your name." 

Do you have a business mantra?
"If you would ask my staff, they would all be able to say, “Absolutely.”  Define our goals; set expectations; measure results; and be accountable.  Four steps to take an idea and turn it into a success." 

From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
"It would be Rich Melman, the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc., a Chicago-based restaurant corporation.  He taught me about the inverted pyramid of leadership where your frontline staff is your single most important resource."    

What was the best advice you ever received?
"The best advice I ever received was from my father.  Just after college I casually shared with him that I wanted a little time off from the world so I could “go find myself.”   He immediately walked over and put his arms around me.  Then, he grabbed me by my ear, walked me down the hallway to the bathroom, flipped the lights on and pointed in the mirror saying, “Ha!!! I found you. Now go get a job.”  

What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?
Prior to coming onboard with the JCC in Milwaukee, I spent 13 years of my life as the director of an overnight summer camp.  To be honest, the list of funny things that happened to me in my career is way too long for any publication! 

What do you like to do in your free time?
When you’re the Executive Director of a non-profit community organization in Milwaukee, the real question is “What free time?”   When it does present itself, quite simply I love spending time with my wife and our daughters, playing cards. 

BizTimes Milwaukee has launched its 2010 Nonprofit Directory. Submissions for the directory were collected since the beginning of 2010, and the list is now 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.

• Monday, April 12, Repairers of the Breach, Milwaukee’s only daytime homeless shelter will host “Rebuilding Dreams,” a cocktail event at the Harley Davidson Museum’s Rumble Room from 6-8 p.m. Cost to attend is $125 per person and includes a free ticket to the Harley-Davidson Museum, music, food and drinks. For more information contact Jo Ann Kuenn, director of development at 414-934-8446.
• Friday, June 11 The Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens will host is annual fundraising event at the gardens, 9400 Boerner Dr., Hales Corners, from 6-9 p.m. Guests can enjoy the gardens in full bloom, music from Cream City Jazz, food and drink from Bartolotta Catering, a silent auction and raffle, and live green demonstrations. Cost to attend is $75   For Information & reservations, contact Kristine at 414-525-5661 or kpetersen@fbbg.org

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

  The Management Association

• UWM Helen Bader Institute for Non Profit Management

• UWM School of Continuing Education nonprofit workshops

• Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee