The Zilber Family Foundation awarded five grants totaling $1 million to nonprofit organizations at its August board meeting.  Consistent with the Foundation’s mission, the grants support the work of organizations to address basic needs and help ensure personal safety; increase access to social and economic opportunity; and improve the quality of life in neighborhoods.

A grant of $200,000 will support ACTS Housing to provide affordable homeownership opportunities to low-income families in central city neighborhoods, thereby reducing blight, deterioration, and families’ expenses.  The typical ACTS family averages just $386 in monthly housing payments, hundreds less than the average cost of renting.  ACTS works with families throughout the entire purchasing process, and for many transactions, identifies essential repairs and creates and manages rehab plans.

A grant of $150,000 will enable Community Warehouse, Inc. to continue its efforts to improve conditions in low-income neighborhoods and provide employment for chronically unemployed individuals.  Founded in 2005, Community Warehouse is a nonprofit organization providing people in the Milwaukee community with affordable home and facility improvement materials sold at 75% off retail prices, to improve the housing and building stock in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods.

The Foundation pledged $250,000, pending committed financing, to Heartland Housing to develop St. Anthony’s, a $12.6 million permanent supportive housing project that would transform a vacant five-story building at 10^th and State Streets into 59 one-bedroom and efficiency units.  Rents would be affordable for low- and very low-income individuals.  The property would provide onsite management, supportive services, a community room and kitchen, and computer lab for residents.

A grant of $150,000 will support the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service (www.milwaukeenns.org) to continue its multi-media reporting of urban issues.  NNS produces objective, professional reporting on issues that are important to the people who live and work in central city neighborhoods such as education, public safety, economic development, health and wellness, arts and recreation, employment, youth development, and housing.  It is published by United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee in partnership with Marquette University’s Diederich College of Communications.

A grant of $250,000 to the Aurora Zilber Family Hospice will provide education and training for professional and volunteer hospice providers so that patients and their loved ones receive the most compassionate and informed care possible at the Aurora Zilber Family Hospice and throughout the Aurora Health Care system.  Hospice and palliative care seek to create an environment where the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of patients and their families are met.  Care is provided by teams of physicians, nurses, social workers, home health aides, therapists, chaplains, counselors, and volunteers.  Many caregivers, especially volunteers, require special training in the complexities of end-of-life care.  2015 marks the 10^th anniversary of Aurora Zilber Family Hospice.  When the Hospice opened in March 2005 it was the first facility in the Greater Milwaukee area to provide hospice care to individuals of all ages, from infants to older adults.

Formed in 1961, the Zilber Family Foundation is a private independent grantmaking institution dedicated to enhancing the well-being of individuals, families, and neighborhoods, with a primary emphasis on the City of Milwaukee.  Since 2008, the Zilber Family Foundation has awarded more than $28 million to support residents and nonprofit organizations working to improve the quality of life in Milwaukee neighborhoods through the Zilber Neighborhood Initiative.  For more information, visit: www.zilberfamilyfoundation.org.