CONTINUING THE LEGACY AWARD WINNER GMF is Continuing the Legacy DC honors the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and retiring President Ellen M. Gilligan, who has lead since 2010
Each year the Dominican Center honors one indi- vidual or organization for our “Continuing the Leg- acy Award,” which recognizes those helping us carry our Mission into the future. This year we are honoring The Greater Milwaukee Foundation and honoring its retiring president, Ellen M. Gilligan. As Wisconsin’s largest community foundation, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation is how Milwau- kee works together. Alongside generous donors, nonprofits and cross-sector partners throughout the region, the Foundation is reimagining philan- thropy, catalyzing systems change, convening and following community voice, and building inclusive culture to transform our region into a Milwaukee for all. Since being established in 1915, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants supporting a wide variety of nonprofits and initiatives that enhance the quality of life in greater Milwaukee and beyond. The Greater Milwaukee Foundation was part of the first wave of community foundations first introduced by Oliver C. Fuller in 1915, and part of a movement that transformed philanthropy. By local citizens pooling together their assets in a local foundation, they were able to maximize their ability to address pressing local needs and plan for the future.
GMF has been working with Dominican Center in the Amani neighborhood for many years. In- cluding the most recent award, which will help DC in creating a community peace garden and beautification of 26th Street, and community art that will likely be focused on 25th Street and 26th Street. It will also allow DC to purchase a plater to put in the traffic circle at 25th and Lo- cust to further help curb reckless driving in the intersection and prevent future damage to the traffic circle. As President and CEO since 2010, Ellen has amplified the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s role as a leader, convener and catalyst, bringing community together around a shared vision for a vibrant region. She has advanced a new era at the Foundation where racial equity and inclusion is the North Star that guides decision-making, investment and action across the organization. Her tenure has been marked by growth, collab- oration and a deep commitment to strategies that foster access to opportunity, strengthen the community and improve lives. The Founda- tion’s generational commitment to racial equity and inclusion reflects Ellen’s values, as do the innovative programs, practices and partnerships brought to life under her leadership.
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