The Green Bay Packers on Tuesday announced that the organization is donating five social justice grants of $50,000 each to nonprofit organizations in Kenosha, Madison and Milwaukee, as part of the team's ongoing pledge to support social justice and racial equality in Wisconsin communities.
The organizations include Building Our Future and The Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone Fund, both in Kenosha; 100 Black Men of Madison Inc., and Urban League of Greater Madison Inc., both in Madison; and Leaders Igniting Transformation in Milwaukee.
"Our players and the Packers organization remain committed to doing our part to address the pervasive issues of racial inequality and social injustice in our communities," said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. "We are proud to contribute to these nonprofit organizations who are working every day to create and enhance access to education and economic opportunities and develop communities where children, adults and families can grow and thrive."
The donations, which total $250,000, add to the two $150,000 social justice grants the team awarded earlier this year to Milwaukee organizations Sherman Phoenix and Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, as well as the personal $250,000 donations from Mark and Laurie Murphy to several Green Bay, Madison and Milwaukee groups.
This is the third year the Packers have financially supported the ongoing effort to improve their communities through programs that work to effect change in the areas of racism, oppression, injustice and inequality. In recent years, the team and players have directed funds toward initiatives that reduce barriers to opportunity through education and economic advancement, criminal justice reform and programs to improve police-community relations.
Building Our Future is a countywide collaborative, composed of public, business, community, higher education, K-12, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders who have a shared commitment to an ambitious vision: ensuring that all Kenosha County children and youth has the opportunity and supports to succeed in school and in life, regardless of race, ethnicity, zip code or income. They seek to catalyze and align efforts and resources from across our community to make this vision a reality. Building Our Future is a part of StriveTogether, a national, non-profit network of community organizations that reaches more than 12.4 million students across the country. Nearly 70 StriveTogether communities are using a cradle-to-career collective impact model to break down structural and racial inequities, close disparity gaps and ensure better outcomes for as many families as possible. https://www.buildingourfuturekc.org/
The Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone Fund is a component of the Kenosha Community Foundation with a mission to provide educational opportunities for economically and academically deserving youth and to support healthy lifestyle initiatives in communities of color. In addition to honoring local humanitarians the fund's Career Exploration Organization (CEO) business mentoring program offers college scholarships, and various educational and cultural initiatives for children and families. https://www.mahonefund.org/index.php
00 Black Men of Madison Inc., the Madison chapter of the national organization 100 Black Men of America Inc., was established to make positive differences in the lives of area youth, especially African American males, through mentoring, education, health and wellness and economic development programs. The group seeks to serve as a beacon of leadership by utilizing their diverse talents to create environments where children are motivated to achieve, and to empower people to become self-sufficient shareholders in the economic and social fabric of the communities they serve. They aim to improve the quality of life within their communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all. https://www.100blackmenmadison.org/
Urban League of Greater Madison Inc.'s mission is to ensure that African Americans and other community members are educated, employed and empowered to live well, advance professionally and contribute to the common good in the 21st century. The organization provides education and enrichment programs for youth; demand-driven career development programs for adults; and economic development programs that include home ownership, entrepreneurship development, financial empowerment, and other community building initiatives. https://ulgm.org/
Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT) is a Black and Brown-led independent nonprofit in Milwaukee. Founded in 2017, LIT organizes young people to build independent political power for social, racial, and economic justice. The organization engages in values-based issues and electoral organizing, direct action, public policy advocacy, and leadership development. They work to build homegrown leadership, expand access and opportunity and promote an equitable society by engaging and organizing the leadership of young people. https://www.litwi.org
