Our mission is to help people and honor the legacy of our founders

What We Do

The Foundation strives to bring its mission to life through grants and program related investments, convening partners, engaging with community and developing leaders.

Explore What We Do

Grantmaking

Leadership

Convening

Engagement

Program Related Investments

Impact at a Glance

Learn about the organizations we support.

Total number of years Bader Philanthropies has served

Total grants awarded to community programs

Total Grants awards since 1992

Total number of years Bader Philanthropies has provided PRIs

Total number of Program Related Investments (PRIs) committed since 1995

Total Program Related Investments (PRIs) committed since 1995

Interest Areas

Bader Philanthropies supports organizations of all sizes across our four funding areas—Healthy Aging, Revitalizing Milwaukee, International, and Founders Interests—partnering with those that serve people in Milwaukee, rural Wisconsin, Central Europe, Israel, and Canada with dignity.

Healthy Aging

Revitalizing Milwaukee

International

Founders Interests

Senior woman with gray hair gently brushes a white and brown pony with a red brush, highlighting active aging and animal bonding.

Alzheimer's & Healthy Aging

Trinity Equestrian Center

Trinity Equestrian Center enriches lives through the healing power of horses. The Reminiscing on the Ranch program helps ease dementia-related stress by sparking familiar memories, while the Equine Assisted Learning and Horsemanship program builds coping skills, confidence, and self-esteem through hands-on partnership with horses.

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Alzheimer's-Israel

Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center

The Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv offers high-level simulated professional training through its Douek Medical Technology and Simulation Center. Since 2022, Dr. Orly Barak has helped train Sourasky physicians to take a holistic approach to dementia awareness, to better understand and recognize early signs of dementia.

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Community Matters

My Way Out

My Way Out, Inc. empowers justice impacted individuals by connecting them with community resources, supportive services, and employers to reduce recidivism and strengthen families. My Way Out provides pre release planning, housing, job access, skills training, and peer support to help individuals successfully reintegrate into a world of new possibilities.

Founders Legacy

Milwaukee Public Museum

The Milwaukee Public Museum honors the life and legacy of Isabel Bader through the annual Isabel Bader Community Free Day. This past year, the Isabel Bader Community Free Day aligned closely with Isabel’s allyship and advocacy for Native American tribes, as the event kicked off Native American Heritage Month.

Founders Legacy

Rembrandt House

The Rembrandt House Museum shares the extraordinary significance of Rembrandt with the widest possible audience in the home where he lived and worked. Through exhibitions, education, and inclusive programming, the museum brings 17th century history to life while reaching diverse communities.

Founders Legacy

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln prioritizes developing communication skills through the Speech and Debate team. Placing second at last year’s national competition, the program continues to grow, now serving over 50 undergraduate students.

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Young Jewish boys wearing kippot happily read a colorful book in a Milwaukee Jewish school library.

Jewish Education

Yeshiva Elementary School

Since 1988, Yeshiva Elementary School has provided students K-8 a strong Judaic and secular education. Instilled with Torah values and Jewish pride, students are prepared for success in high school, yeshivas, and the broader community.

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Family Legacy

Interchange Food Pantry

Interchange Food Pantry, a Milwaukee city wide pantry, combats food insecurity and subpar nutrition for the socially disadvantaged; the majority are Black (68 percent) and living in Milwaukee’s food deserts (82 percent). 47 percent of the guests are children. 79,012 guests were served in 2023.

Family Legacy

The Phoenix

The Phoenix is a local chapter of a national nonprofit using social connection—through climbing, yoga, and events—to support people in recovery. Free and peer-led, its programs help individuals build strength and hope, reaching over 700,000 people across 50 states.

Family Legacy

Gigi’s Playhouse

GiGi’s Playhouse provides free, research based programs for individuals with Down syndrome and families in Greater Milwaukee, fostering inclusion, skill-building, and community engagement. Funding will expand GiGi’s-Milwaukee leadership and support over 550 families through 30 free programs.

Family Legacy

The Friendship Circle

The Friendship Circle provides assistance and support to over 3,000 individuals with disabilities and families by providing recreational, social, educational, and vocational programming. Through creating accessible spaces such as cafes, bakeries, and art studios, Friendship Circle promotes an inclusive community that values all individuals regardless of the challenges they may face.

Neighborhood Engagement

City of Milwaukee: Milwaukee Police Department

The Milwaukee Police Department’s (MPD) Community Partnership Unit in District 5 organized three events to foster community engagement and safety. These events aim to strengthen relationships between police and residents, particularly focusing on youth in the Harambee Neighborhood.

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Program Related Investment

The Comfort House

The Comfort House offers a safe, welcoming home for families traveling for mental health care, easing financial strain with free lodging in a supportive, faith-based environment.

Czechia

CEDU: Center for Democracy in Education

The Centre for Democracy in Education (CEDU) empowers children to become active citizens by promoting democratic school culture, safe classrooms, and civic engagement through school councils.

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The Arts

Black Arts MKE

Black Arts MKE received funding to expand its performing arts, education, and outreach programs that elevate African American representation in Milwaukee.

Youth Development

Malaika Early Learning Center

Malaika Early Learning Center works with families to build strong academic, social, and emotional foundations for Milwaukee’s economically disadvantaged children. Through its Professional Development Center, Malaika provides free, high-quality training and mentoring for educators, equipping them with skills to create nurturing classrooms that improve outcomes for children, families, and communities.

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Young people learning practical skills, measuring ceiling with mentor during youth development program.

Urban Education

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Kingdom Workers

Workers Kingdom Workers spreads the gospel by mobilizing Christians in sustainable mission work that meets both physical and spiritual needs. Its Build Up program trains teens at Kingdom Prep Lutheran High School in valuable trade skills, including construction, plumbing, electrical repair, and roofing.

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Latest News

Sam’s Place Announces Closure

Mar 18, 2026 | Media

Sam's Place Jazz Cafe to close this week, ending five-year run in Harambee Like many other restaurants, Sam's cites ongoing economic challenges and shifts in the local business landscape as reasons for the closure. By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor...

The promise of King Drive: Equity-focused projects reinvigorate the historic district

Mar 2, 2026 | Media

By Everett Eaton and La Risa R. Lynch, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel North King Drive is in a state of transition, and that is why Angela Mallett, owner of HoneyBee Sage Wellness and Apothecary, chose to open her store along the stretch in 2018. "King Drive, for me,...

Community leader Lamarr Franklin dies at 80; legacy lives on in $16 million housing development

Mar 2, 2026 | Media

By Andrea Williams, Photojournalist Justin Tiedemann - TMJ4 MILWAUKEE — At the corner of King Drive and Dr. William Finlayson Street stands a $16 million affordable housing complex named in honor of Lamarr Franklin — a lasting tribute to a man many say dedicated his...

New Large-Scale Community Mural Planned on Corner of Kilbourn and N. Vel R. Phillips at Tenor Journal Square High School

Mar 2, 2026 | Media

Seeds of Health is developing a large-scale, 40-foot x 70-foot mural on the Tenor Journal Square High School building at the corner of Kilbourn Avenue and N. Vel R. Phillips Avenue in downtown Milwaukee, in partnership with acclaimed community artist, Tia...

View all of our news & resources

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Our mission is to help people and honor the legacy of our founders

What We Do

Grantmaking

Leadership

Convening

Engagement

Program Related Investments

Impact at a Glance

Total number of years Bader Philanthropies has served

Total grants awarded to community programs

Total Grants awards since 1992

Total number of years Bader Philanthropies has provided PRIs

Total number of Program Related Investments (PRIs) committed since 1995

Total Program Related Investments (PRIs) committed since 1995

Interest Areas

Trinity Equestrian Center

Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center

My Way Out

Milwaukee Public Museum

Rembrandt House

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Yeshiva Elementary School

Interchange Food Pantry

The Phoenix

Gigi’s Playhouse

The Friendship Circle

City of Milwaukee: Milwaukee Police Department

The Comfort House

CEDU: Center for Democracy in Education

Black Arts MKE

Malaika Early Learning Center

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Kingdom Workers

Latest News

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