NONPROFIT

REXNORD CORP. GIVES $1 MILLION TO EXPAND MARQUETTE’S BRIDGE TO BUSINESS PROGRAM

Rexnord Corp. is giving another $1 million to support Marquette University’s Bridge to Business program.

The program, which launched in 2016 with an initial $1 million gift from the Milwaukee-based manufacturer, is designed to help early-career engineers develop business acumen and support their career advancement.

The Bridge to Business program includes a six-day experience through the College of Business Administration and Opus College of Engineering, with curriculum influenced by local corporate partners and emerging employment needs.

The new gift will allow Marquette’s College of Business Administration to expand the program to include professionals from other industries outside of engineering. The university is also exploring similar career development programming for a variety of sectors.

A portion of Rexnord’s gift will also support a student work space in Marquette’s new planned $70 million home for the College of Business Administration and innovation leadership programs at 16th Street and Wisconsin Avenue. The space will serve as a break-out for small group activities and as a meeting area for all students to interact with industry, recruiters, study groups and mentors. — Lauren Anderson

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Junior Achievement of Wisconsin will host its JA Young Entrepreneur Live Competition on Jan. 28 virtually, from 3:30-5 p.m. The event will feature four young student entrepreneurs from across the state who will compete in front of a virtual audience and a panel of celebrity judges. Viewing is free and open to the public. More information is available at juniorachievement.org/ web/ja-wisconsin/young-entrepreneur-competition. Historic Milwaukee, Inc. will host Remarkable Milwaukee, a virtual fundraising event on Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. The program will be held in honor of ThriveOn collaboration partners: the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and Royal Capital Group. The event will be held on Zoom and include presentations from ThriveOn and Historic Milwaukee. More information is available at historicmilwaukee.org.

DONATION ROUNDUP Charter Communications, Inc. donated $2,500 to the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight of Wisconsin as part of a special campaign to honor and support veterans across the Midwest. | Mequon-based remodeling firm Design Tech Remodeling donated $1,250 to the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee. | The Milwaukee Building-Construction Trades Council gave $5,100 to Meta House in Milwaukee to cover heating costs for the month of January. | United Way of Racine County awarded nine local nonprofits with a total of $62,466 in pandemic relief through the United Way’s COVID Relief Fund. They include the National Alliance on Mental Illness Racine County,

Health Care Network, Racine County, the Racine Zoo, Racine Friendship Clubhouse, SAFE Haven, the ARC of Racine County, Women’s Resource

Center and Racine Vocational Ministry. | Penfield Children’s Center received a $35,000 grant from A Community Thrives, a grant-making and crowd-funding program from the USA TODAY NETWORK and a part of the Gannett Foundation, for its Behavior Clinic.

nonprofit SPOTLIGHT

WALNUT WAY CONSERVATION CORP. 2240 N. 17th St., Milwaukee (414) 264-2326 | walnutway.org Facebook: Walnut Way or @walnut.way | Instagram: @walnutway Twitter: @walnut_way

Year founded: 2000

Mission statement: Our mission is to sustain transformation of economically diverse and abundant communities through civic engagement, environmental stewardship and creating venues for prosperity.

Primary focus of your nonprofit organization: Since its purposeful beginnings, Walnut Way has reclaimed its neighborhood, driven out crime, and created a close-knit neighborhood of compassionate and involved residents. Chartered by residents in 2000, Walnut Way is located in the heart of the Lindsay Heights neighborhood, a 110-block area on Milwaukee’s near north side and home to 8,000 residents, where 96% are African American. Walnut Way challenges historic disinvestment by engaging, educating, and employing community members to take leadership roles in comprehensive revitalization strategies emphasizing wellness, work and wealth.

Other focuses of your nonprofit organization: Current programs include the highly successful workforce development program Blue Skies Landscaping, which works to make Lindsay Heights an environmentally just community. Walnut Way runs an urban agriculture internship program, Growing Youth Leadership, and a variety of health and wellness programs including cooking classes, canning, and healing peer support groups. Walnut Way also owns and operates the commercial development enterprise The Innovations and Wellness Commons.

Number of employees at this location: 25

Key donors: Zilber Famly Foundation, Fund for Lake Michigan, The Brico Fund, LLC, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Bradley Foundation and Bader Philanthropies, Inc.

Executive leadership: Antonio Butts, executive director; Jerrilynn Freelon, associate director of operations

Board of Directors: President LaVonda L. Graham (retired); vice president Annie Robinson of North Division High School; secretary Monique Graham of Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, treasurer X’Zayvion McCoy, and board members Heidi Moore of Froedtert & MCW and Pastor Gregory Lewis of Souls to the Polls.

What roles are you looking to fill on your board: Walnut Way is always looking for individuals who can bring their skills and knowledge to help support the strategy and mission of our organization. Areas of focus can include but not limited to human resources, leadership development and fundraising.

Ways the business community can help your nonprofit: Sponsorship contribution, volunteering in the gardens, buy your next bulk clothing order through our apparel printing social enterprise business, Designaway.

Key fundraising events: Harvest Day 2021 in September, Blue Skies Landscaping capital campaign.