United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County changes lives and improves our community by mobilizing people and resources to drive strategic impact in health, education, and financial stability.
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County Inc. concentrates on strategic local investment in health, education, financial stability, homelessness prevention, mental health, and digital equity across a four-county region. A defining feature of its grantmaking is the mix of donor-designated support and initiative-based funding, which shows up in large recurring awards to local agencies alongside targeted investments tied to specific community needs. Its recent records show substantial support for organizations serving children and families, including $2,342,090 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee for early literacy, Sponsor-a-Scholar, centralized services, and community schools. Legal advocacy is another visible line of work, with $2,122,971 to Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee for right to counsel. The foundation also backs housing stability and family support through awards such as $1,869,488 to Impact Inc for Impact 2-1-1, the Family Flex Fund, and family homelessness, along with repeated support for Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee Health Care Partnership, and Community Advocates Inc.
In education and youth development, the foundation supports early literacy, school achievement, and community schools through grants such as $2,342,090 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and $1,378,811 to St Augustine Preparatory Academy. Health funding includes behavioral health and coordinated care: Children’s Wisconsin received $1,272,615 for Milwaukee Health Care Partnership work, Milwaukee Start Right, and counseling for children and families, and Milwaukee Health Care Partnership received $815,500 for its partnership work. Housing stability is another core line of giving. Impact Inc received $1,869,488 for Impact 2-1-1, the Family Flex Fund, and family homelessness, while Pathfinders received $620,907 for Safe & Stable Homes, supported housing, prevention education, clinical services, and its youth shelter. The foundation also funds legal supports tied to basic stability, including right-to-counsel work.
Typical grants fall between $11,984 at the 25th percentile and $78,623 at the 75th percentile, with a median of $32,304. The recent record includes both very large donor-designated awards and smaller initiative grants, indicating a layered approach rather than one fixed grant type. The same organizations appear across multiple years, especially in donor-designated support, which points to recurring relationships rather than one-off awards. It operates as a mixed community foundation structure and accepts unsolicited applications for some programs, including Techquity Computer Distribution Program, Urgent Need Grants, and certain Impact Based Funding cycles.
$42.7M
$50.8M
$51.7M
$56.1M
Most grants fall between $12K and $79K, with a median of $32K.
25th Percentile
$12K
Median
$32K
75th Percentile
$79K
AMY LINDNER
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Giving is overwhelmingly local: 84% of grants go to recipients in Wisconsin, and the recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Milwaukee is the main city in the grant list, with awards to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, Impact Inc, Children’s Wisconsin, and Community Advocates Inc. Waukesha appears through Waukesha County Community Foundation and Journey21, while Wauwatosa appears through Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Wisconsin. The foundation also gives across the broader four-county footprint that includes Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington counties.
Its stated focus areas include health, education, financial stability, homelessness prevention, mental health, and digital equity. Active program areas also include early childhood education, family homelessness prevention, behavioral health, workforce development, legal advocacy, financial wellness, disaster response, and tech access.
Yes, for some programs. The Techquity Computer Distribution Program accepts unsolicited requests, Urgent Need Grants accept unsolicited requests, and certain Impact Based Funding cycles are open through an LOI process. Some other initiatives, including the Mental Health Improvement Fund and several program-investment lines, do not accept unsolicited requests.
The typical grant size is $11,984 at the 25th percentile, $32,304 at the median, and $78,623 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes much larger donor-designated awards, showing that the foundation funds both routine operating support and larger designated commitments.
Most grants go to Wisconsin recipients, and 84% of grants in the data are to organizations in the headquarters state. The recipient list is entirely U.S.-based, with repeated awards in Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Wauwatosa.
Yes. Several organizations appear in both 2023 and 2025 in the recent grants list, including Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Impact Inc, Children’s Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, and University of Wisconsin - Foundation. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: United Way Agency Program Partners with technology needs can complete the qualifying questions in e-CImpact and participate in the technology assessment.
Who can apply: Residents of United Way’s four-county footprint who demonstrate need; nonprofit agencies may participate as distribution partners.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $2,001,097 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,131,891 | 2026 | RIGHT TO COUNSEL PROGRAM |
| CHILDREN'S WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,090,143 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| MILWAUKEE HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP | MILWAUKEE, WI |
| $926,934 |
| 2026 |
| MILWAUKEE HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $791,824 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| IMPACT INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $703,220 | 2026 | IMPACT 2-1-1 |
| ST AUGUSTINE PREPARATORY ACADEMY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $686,854 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| HOPE HOUSE OF MILWAUKEE INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $585,165 | 2026 | FAMILY HOMELESSNESS |
| MILWAUKEE JEWISH FEDERATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $572,289 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER MILWAUKEE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $480,443 | 2026 | CENTRALIZED SERVICES |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS IN SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $463,337 | 2026 | DISASTER CYCLE SERVICES |
| CURATIVE CARE NETWORK INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $462,728 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S SERVICES |
| MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $454,480 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| COMMUNITY ADVOCATES INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $390,500 | 2026 | SCHOOL HOUSING CASE MANAGERS |
| DR HOWARD FULLER COLLEGIATE ACADEMY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $378,240 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| WISCONSIN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION | MADISON, WI | $350,000 | 2026 | MILWAUKEE HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP |
| CITY FORWARD COLLECTIVE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $349,591 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN | WAUWATOSA, WI | $339,571 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF WISCONSIN SOUTHEAST INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $337,792 | 2026 | LEADERSHIP & CRITICAL LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR GIRLS |
| MILWAUKEE LABOR COUNCIL | MILWAUKEE, WI | $300,000 | 2026 | PROGRAMS |
| PENFIELD CHILDREN'S CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $261,560 | 2026 | EARLY INTERVENTION/PARENT PROGRAM |
| AURORA AT HOME | WEST ALLIS, WI | $258,000 | 2026 | AURORA ZILBER FAMILY HOSPICE |
| UNITED PERFORMING ARTS FUND INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $244,070 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| UNITED WAY OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $239,780 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| SIXTEENTH STREET COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $232,541 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SCHOOLS |
| MACC FUND (MIDWEST ATHLETES AGAINST CHILDHOOD CANCER) | MILWAUKEE, WI | $212,044 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| AURORA FAMILY SERVICE INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $210,218 | 2026 | AFS FINANCIAL WELLNESS |
| SILVER SPRING NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $206,400 | 2026 | ELAINE SCHREIBER CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER |
| MATC FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $200,880 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| THREE HARBORS COUNCIL SCOUTING AMERICA | MILWAUKEE, WI | $200,580 | 2026 | SCOUTS BSA |
| SALVATION ARMY THE | WAUWATOSA, WI | $199,617 | 2026 | STATE SHELTER SUBSIDY GRANT |
| SILVER SPRING NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $199,067 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| SILVER SPRING NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $199,067 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| UNITED COMMUNITY CENTER INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $193,500 | 2026 | PRESCHOOL |
| MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $190,524 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| HOPE HOUSE OF MILWAUKEE INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $183,120 | 2026 | SAFE AND STABLE HOMES |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE INC | ST FRANCIS, WI | $180,814 | 2026 | COMMUNITY COUNSELING, OUTREACH, AND CASE MANAGEMENT |
| ACTS HOUSING | MILWAUKEE, WI | $178,684 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| PATHFINDERS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $177,435 | 2026 | PATHFINDERS YOUTH SHELTER |
| LEGAL ACTION OF WISCONSIN INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $175,000 | 2026 | SAFE AND STABLE HOMES |
| URBAN ECOLOGY CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $173,125 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $170,595 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| COA YOUTH & FAMILY CENTERS | MILWAUKEE, WI | $167,449 | 2026 | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA | PITTSBURGH, PA | $166,370 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| MILWAUKEE URBAN LEAGUE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $165,659 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| MILWAUKEE HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP | MILWAUKEE, WI | $165,000 | 2026 | MILWAUKEE HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP |
| CREATING HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES LOCAL | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $164,276 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| NEXT DOOR FOUNDATION INC | MILWAUKEE, WI | $160,718 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| UNITED WAY OF RACINE COUNTY | RACINE, WI | $157,964 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
| MILWAUKEE PARKS FOUNDATION | MILWAUKEE, WI | $153,337 | 2026 | DONOR DESIGNATIONS |
MILWAUKEE HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP
$926,934MILWAUKEE HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP
CURATIVE CARE NETWORK INC
$462,728CHILDREN'S SERVICES
WISCONSIN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION
$350,000MILWAUKEE HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP
LEADERSHIP & CRITICAL LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR GIRLS
MILWAUKEE LABOR COUNCIL
$300,000PROGRAMS
AURORA AT HOME
$258,000AURORA ZILBER FAMILY HOSPICE
AURORA FAMILY SERVICE INC
$210,218AFS FINANCIAL WELLNESS
ELAINE SCHREIBER CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
THREE HARBORS COUNCIL SCOUTING AMERICA
$200,580SCOUTS BSA
MILWAUKEE RESCUE MISSION
$190,524DONOR DESIGNATIONS
COMMUNITY COUNSELING, OUTREACH, AND CASE MANAGEMENT
MILWAUKEE HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP
$165,000MILWAUKEE HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP