After 32 years of working to build a strong nonprofit sector in Milwaukee, the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee (NPC) has closed as of the end of 2018.

NPC provided countless workshops, seminars, trainings, leadership circles, and volunteer opportunities to strengthen nonprofits in Milwaukee and the surrounding communities.

“We are proud of the work that has been done at NPC and the impact it has had on our community,” said former NPC Board of Directors President Raejean Canter. “If you ask the staff at your favorite nonprofit organization where they received training and support, chances are they will tell you about the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee. And that will be our legacy.”

​Two successful programs previously run by NPC — Volunteer Milwaukee, which connected volunteers to meaningful opportunities to serve their community, and the Giving Tree, which provided 13,000 holiday gifts a year to families in need — are now being administered by United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. The former NPC board plans to continue to communicate with partner organizations to try to find ways to continue some of the organization’s other important programs.

For more than 30 years, the Holiday Giving Tree program has been led by the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee and has ensured hundreds of thousands of community members feel loved during the holiday season.

We're pleased to announce that beginning in 2018, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County will manage the Holiday Giving Tree, matching nonprofit agency clients with groups and workplaces looking to purchase gifts and spread cheer.

To participate in the Holiday Giving Tree, please email Lori Hayes at United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County or call 414-837-3639.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Raejean Kanter, [email protected], 414-688-8346

Milwaukee, WI – The Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee sent the following message to its contacts via email on September 24, 2018: During the past few years, our organization has faced numerous challenges not uncommon for mature organizations undergoing leadership changes and striving to stay relevant in these changing times. Unfortunately for us, those challenges continued to weaken our organization; there are financial constraints and uncertainties beyond our control that have greatly impacted NPC, including delays in grant funding payments which challenged our ability to timely meet operational expenses; and past debts incurred, and ongoing uncertainty for member-based organizations on the whole.

Despite significant steps taken over the last few months to reduce spending and drive efficiencies throughout the organization, we are still under a significant level of financial pressure, which has required us to make some very difficult decisions. At the time of this email, we are in the process of:

• Downsizing a few staff and consultant positions at the organization
• Ceasing to use our building and terminating any remaining leases with tenants as we continue to seek a suitable buyer for the building
• Stopping the collection of membership dues effective September 1st, 2018, and freezing all current memberships, which we will re-examine at a future date
• Refraining from planning any NPC events and trainings

We are in the process of exploring a multitude of options to address these challenges and identify a sustainable path forward. During the next few months, we intend to:

• Continue to offer our Jobs That Serve website
• Continue our work with the Technical Assistance for the Community Development Block Grant
• Explore partnership opportunities for Volunteer Milwaukee
• Continue to offer our Executive Leader Circles
• Find a home for the Giving Tree
• Find a buyer for the NPC Offices on Highland Blvd.

Addressing the ongoing issues facing NPC and the nonprofit sector in Milwaukee is a top priority for the Board of Directors. We will continue to keep you informed as we work to make decisions about the future of the organization. We are firm in our commitment to do right by our members and the community and will remain transparent and keep you informed with updates as they are available.
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Thank you for your past and continuing support.

Just ask Katie Sanders, a Sherman Park native who recently received a 2018 Driven to Achieve Award from the Donald Driver Foundation in recognition of her community leadership. Since 2014, she has been executive director of Safe & Sound—a Milwaukee nonprofit organization that is spearheading efforts to build safe and empowered neighborhoods by uniting residents, youth, law enforcement, and community resources.

We interviewed Sanders on her work in the sector, and she provided some advice to women aspiring to be nonprofit leaders like her:

NPC: Tell us about your community leadership experience for which you were recognized.
Sanders: When I first took on this role, Safe & Sound was facing several challenges: programmatic, financial, strategic and more. I’ve had the opportunity to work with an amazing board of directors and staff to restructure the organization, shift our revenue model, build awareness of Safe & Sound and more. Now our strategy is evidence-informed and was validated by an independent evaluation.

NPC: What does receiving the Driven to Achieve Award mean to you?
Sanders: Personally, this award means a great deal. I’m raising three young boys, who I hope will be inspired and driven to see their mom be recognized by such an amazing leader like Donald Driver, who—with this award and the work of the foundation—is modeling a spirit of giving back. And, it’s the closest thing to a sports award I’ll ever receive! 

NPC: How will the Donald Driver Foundation’s $40,000 donation help Safe & Sound pursue its mission?
Sanders: The donation that comes with this award is amazing! It will support programs like Project 943, which addresses reckless driving; Face 2 Face, which breaks down stereotypes and brings people together to combat racism; and block parties, which bring together residents to build up the trust and cohesion that neighborhoods need to be successful.

NPC: Why did you choose to work in the nonprofit sector, and how has it inspired you?
Sanders: The nonprofit sector is an immense force—addressing society’s challenges and bringing out its best. From social service agencies addressing basic needs to educational and cultural institutions that help us define our human selves, nonprofits are such an important—and often overlooked and undervalued—part of our society. I’m inspired by the thousands of nonprofit professionals who dedicate their careers to the betterment of the community. And I’m proud to contribute to my community through an amazing, unique nonprofit here in Milwaukee.
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NPC: What advice would you give to young women aspiring to be nonprofit leaders in their community?Sanders: It sounds corny, but you can do anything you set your mind to. In this role, I have had to do so many things I never thought I could do. Surround yourself with friends, colleagues and family who can challenge and support you. Develop a thick skin. You will get knocked down, but you will get up and you will win the next round. Just believe in yourself! 

 NPC is pleased to announce that Jan Buchler has been appointed as our interim CEO.

Jan has been a leader in the Milwaukee-area nonprofit community for decades. As executive director of The Parenting Network from 1999 to 2013, she led the agency in its mission to strengthen parenting and prevent child abuse. Prior to that position, she served as director of family services at Meta House, and as director of early childhood and family services at Jewish Community Centers in both Milwaukee and Columbus, Ohio. Jan is currently a contract monitor for the Public Policy Institute, a division of Community Advocates. She has an MS in Education from the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee.

In addition to her agency executive experience, Jan is passionate and deeply knowledgeable about NPC’s work; she is a longtime member, and immediately prior to accepting the interim CEO position, she served on the NPC board of directors.

Jan will serve a minimum of three months as interim CEO in a part-time capacity.

Welcome, Jan!