"This year’s recipients are making a significant and positive impact in our communities and are very deserving of our support," said Dave Hawke, chief operating officer of the Brady Corporation Foundation.  "As they work to develop future leaders, we look forward to partnering with them by offering not only cash grants, but also the involvement and expertise of Brady employees."

Established in 2006, the Brady Corporation Foundation supports leadership development in the community with larger, multi-year grants for formative, skills and leadership development programs.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee

In the area of formative development, the Brady Corporation Foundation has granted $130,000 over three years to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee to fund the SPARK early literacy program (page 11-13) at the Daniels/Mardak branch. "Research clearly shows that early readers become better learners and subsequently better leaders," said Jim Clark, CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. "The SPARK program works to expand learning beyond schools to the community and family levels. This approach has had great success in raising reading proficiency. We are very grateful for the support of The Brady Corporation Foundation, which will allow us to further grow the program at the Daniels/Mardak branch in Milwaukee."

Center for Teaching Entrepreneurship

For skills development, the Foundation has granted the Center for Teaching Entrepreneurship (CTE) $75,000 over three years for two of its programs. "Your Life is Your Business" provides training in self-development and awareness; entrepreneurship; career, community and cultures exploration; and financial literacy to students ages 9 to 18. "We Are Girl Entrepreneurs" offers basic financial concepts, business development principles and teamwork development for 7th to 10th grades girls.

"The gift from Brady will go a long way in providing us resources to equip young people with a broad range of skills from financial knowledge to professional business etiquette," said ReDonna Rodgers, CTE executive director. "When they [young people] can experience and practice leadership, and begin to see themselves in successful roles, they truly become an avenue for hope for our future." 

Cardinal Stritch University Integrated Leadership Program

In support of leadership development, the Foundation has granted $85,000 over three years to Cardinal Stritch University’s Integrated Leadership Program.  Funding will be used for on-going program evaluation and practicum outreach to establish and maintain relationships with community organizations that will provide students with work experiences where they can apply classroom learning.  The grant will also provide partial scholarships for students taking the Organizational Leadership Course and Leadership Practicum as part of earning a minor in Leadership. 

"Cardinal Stritch University’s Integrated Leadership Program is designed to complement a student’s major and to enhance his or her understanding of leadership in the context of their chosen field," said Angela McCullough, managing director, Cardinal Stritch University Leadership Center. "The support of the Brady Corporation Foundation will allow us to engage more students in the active pursuit of effective leadership knowledge, skills and dispositions."

Calling All Volunteers

The Brady Corporation Foundation encourages employees and their families to get involved with these or other organizations within the community. Employees interested in volunteering with one of the following organizations can contact a member of the Foundation’s Grants Advisory Committee (at right).

• Boy’s and Girl’s Club needs tutors as well as volunteers for a "Wrap" party where volunteers wrap Christmas gifts for children in need.
• Center for Teaching Entrepreneurship needs volunteers with marketing, communications and Web site development skills. They also need individuals who can speak to young people about career opportunities and people who can help arrange tours of area businesses to expose students to the world of business and industry in Milwaukee.
• Next Door Foundation needs help with book drives for distribution to children, library and classroom assistants, mentors, tutors and volunteers for special events such as holiday activities.
• United Community Center needs regular volunteer helpers for education, athletics and health programs as well as volunteers for special events.
• While Cardinal Stritch University and UW—Milwaukee don’t need as many volunteers as other grant recipients, however, they sometimes need people to mentor students and support academics.

In addition to multi-year major grants, Brady Corporation and the Brady Corporation Foundation contributed $150,000 in cash donations and gifts-in-kind to support community organizations including Mount Mary College, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra ACE Program, the Milwaukee Ballet School, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the Wisconsin Academic Decathlon Program, Agape Community Center, Children’s Outing Association, Neighborhood House,  Esperanza Unida, the Zoological Society of Milwaukee, Destiny Youth Plaza and other schools and programs related to education and leadership development. The company also awards $60,000 per year in college scholarships through its Academic Excellence and All-Stars programs for outstanding high school students in the Milwaukee, Wis., and Buffalo, N.Y., area.