To create stronger, safer communities, research indicates residents must feel invested in their neighborhoods and work together to implement change from the ground up. To support the community-led initiatives in its hometown of Milwaukee, Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation, today announced nearly $1 million in grants to nonprofits through the company’s neighborhood grants program.

The foundation grants will benefit the 70,000 residents living in Amani, Metcalfe Park and Muskego Way neighborhoods, areas that have demonstrated significant opportunity for enhancement. Northwestern Mutual has been investing in these neighborhoods since 2013 by providing funding to nonprofits focused on the following four outcomes: safe neighborhoods; healthy and thriving youth; strong families and quality education.

“The residents in these three areas are serving as change-makers in their communities by advocating for safer and stronger neighborhoods, an initiative we have supported for many years,” said Eric Christophersen, president, Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “By working together we can see the positive change in our communities that has a ripple effect on our whole city.”

ACTS Housing Spotlight

One of the foundation grants will support ACTS Housing, a nonprofit full-service real estate brokerage that helps families in Milwaukee reclaim vandalized and foreclosed properties. The grant funds will support the new office at St. Ann’s in Metcalfe Park, which opened in January.

“ACTS believes that a safe, sanitary and affordable home is a crucial component of strengthening individuals, families and ultimately Milwaukee communities. We are honored to have Northwestern Mutual as a partner to help us achieve this goal,” said Michael Gosman, executive director, ACTS. “The opening of a new ACTS office at St. Ann’s will help families access affordable homeownership in Metcalfe Park and throughout Milwaukee’s north side.”

The nonprofit operates five offices throughout the greater Milwaukee region and currently has 7,000 individuals living in homes purchased through the ACTS program.

2016 Neighborhood Grant Recipients:

• ACTS Community Development Corporation
• Artists Working In Education Inc.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee
• COA Youth & Family Centers
• Dominican Center for Women
• Feeding America
• Harry And Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, Inc.
• Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee
• Journey House
• Junior Achievement of Wisconsin
• Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee
• Milwaukee Christian Center, Inc.
• Milwaukee Repertory Theater
• Pathfinders
• Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation
• Safe & Sound
• Sixteenth Street Community Health Center
• The Parenting Network
• United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee, Inc.

Community Collaborations (in partnership with Zilber Family Foundation and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation)

• Community Connections Small Grants
• Neighborhood Leadership Institute

Northwestern Mutual is also working with partners to improve education, make Milwaukee a great place to live, work and play through its destination grant program, and accelerate the search for childhood cancer cures nationally.All grant recipients are required to show measureable impact and results of their programs.