Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee

06/19/2026

Today marks 55 years of Juneteenth Day in Milwaukee, one of the longest-running celebrations of its kind in the country.

We want to take a moment to recognize Margaret Henningsen, who helped bring that first celebration to life in 1971. Margaret's connection to our
community runs deep: she has served the Women's Fund as executive director, board director, and committee member, and has been an outstanding mentor to our grant partner leaders and HER Scholars along the way.

Thank you, Margaret, for everything you've given to our community.

06/17/2026

Gender equity advocacy doesn't require a stage. It requires community... people willing to show up, engage honestly, and leave thinking differently than when they arrived.

Join us for our next WF Laundry Night hosted by WF board director Amy Muehlbauer on June 29 at Il Bosco.

We hope to see you there >> https://womensfundmke.org/event/laundry-night-june-2026

06/15/2026

Women's economic security doesn't start and end with a paycheck. It's shaped by access to financial education, business ownership opportunities, equitable pay structures, and policies like comprehensive paid leave.

These aren't separate issues. They're connected, and they compound across generations. When women face wage gaps and carry a disproportionate share of unpaid domestic labor, the economic impact doesn't stay in one household. It shapes entire communities.

For 40 years, the Women's Fund has invested in the research, programming, and advocacy that address these barriers at every level: from individual financial planning to the policies that determine who gets ahead and who gets left behind.

Learn more about the Women's Fund >> https://womensfundmke.org

06/12/2026

Housing is the keystone. Without it, employment is precarious, children's schooling is disrupted, health suffers, and safety is out of reach.

That's why the Women's Fund awarded a special grant to Housing Resources, Inc. to expand homeownership services for women and families in greater Milwaukee.

For more than 30 years, HRI has helped Milwaukee-area residents build financial confidence and navigate the path to homeownership.

Closing gender equity gaps requires closing economic ones. This grant is part of that work.

Learn more: womensfundmke.org/housing-resources-grant

06/10/2026

June's Laundry Night has a venue that sets the tone before the conversation even starts.

Join us Monday, June 29, from 6-8 p.m. (note time) at Il Bosco, an eco boutique in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward featuring one-of-a-kind artist-made art, jewelry, and home furnishings. Il Bosco is typically closed on Mondays, and we're grateful they're opening their doors for us.

This month's gathering is hosted WF board director Amy Muehlbauer. It's free and open to all who care about gender equity.

Let's us know you're coming here >> https://womensfundmke.org/event/laundry-night-june-2026

06/09/2026

Our 2026 Grant Information Session replay is now available.

Executive Director Lisa Attonito and Grants Advisory Committee Chair Kosana Stojcevic walk through this year's grant focus, economic security and financial well-being, along with eligibility, the application process, and tips for a strong proposal.

Annual grants range from $5,000–$20,000. Applications are open to organizations serving women, girls, and gender-expansive people across greater Milwaukee.

Watch the replay and find the application at >> womensfundmke.org/apply

06/08/2026

There's still time to join us.

The Women’s Fund awards grants of $5,000–$25,000 to nonprofits advancing equity for women and girls in greater Milwaukee. Our grants support social change work, including advocacy, leadership development, economic empowerment, and education, not direct service delivery.

If your organization holds 501(c)(3) status (or has a fiscal sponsor) and is doing the work to shift attitudes, behavior, and culture, we want to hear from you.

Join us for our annual Grant Information Session to learn about eligibility, the application process, and important dates for the 2026 cycle >> https://womensfundmke.org/event/wf-grant-information-session-2026/

06/07/2026

Informed communities make stronger decisions. That's the idea behind WF Civic Breaks.

Every month we host a free, 30-minute virtual briefing designed to cut through the noise on timely civic topics with clear context, key takeaways, in enough time to fit into a busy lunch break.

Our next session is June 18 at 12:30 p.m. Topic and speaker details coming soon.

Browse past sessions and register for June >> https://womensfundmke.org/civic-breaks-overview

06/04/2026

We are proud to be promotional partners for the continuation of Milwaukee Film's Cinematic Sisterhood film series presented by WF community member Tracey B. Thomas.

Get tickets for the June 9th screening of Give Me the Ball >> mkefilm.org/givemetheball

Learn more about the creation of Cinematic Sisterhood >> https://womensfundmke.org/milwaukee-film-grant

Claim a permanent seat in the Lubar Cinema >> https://womensfundmke.org/seat

Liz Garbus and Elizabeth Wolff talk about making "Give Me the Ball" with Billie Jean King. "We need heroes."

06/03/2026

If you missed last week's Civic Break the full replay is now available.

Sarah Ornst Bloomquist of Moms Mental Health Initiative joined us for a grounded, informative look at perinatal mental health: what these conditions actually look like, why so many people go untreated, and what Wisconsin's newly passed 12-month postpartum Medicaid extension means for mothers and families.

This is a 30-minute session worth sharing with anyone who works with, cares for, or loves someone in the perinatal period >> womensfundmke.org/civic-break-perinatal-mental-health-replay