The Green Bay Packers Foundation on Tuesday awarded $500,000 to 188 civic and charitable groups throughout the state of Wisconsin in its annual distribution of grants. Charlie Lieb, chairman of the Foundation committee, made the announcement. Overall, including a recent $250,000 major gift to the UW-Green Bay Scholarship Fund, $750,000 was awarded this year.
Both the total donation amount and the number of recipient organizations are records for the Foundation.
The groups were guests at a luncheon in the Lambeau Field Atrium, an event that welcomed all the recipients and honored the outstanding efforts and services performed by each of the organizations.
The Foundation now has distributed more than $3.7 million for charitable purposes since it was established in 1986 by Judge Robert J. Parins, then president of the Packers Corporation, "as a vehicle to assure continued contributions to charity."
Of the Foundation's contributions Tuesday, 53 grants – aggregating $142,050 – were awarded to Brown County organizations. Additional grants, totaling $357,950, were made to 135 other groups around the state.
Additionally, under the Packers Scholarship Program established in 2002, $15,000 was awarded – $7,500 to Scholarships Inc., for distribution to students in four-year colleges, and $7,500 to Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) for distribution to students in two-year associate degree or apprenticeship trades programs. A portion of the scholarship funds come from National Football League Properties which, at the Packers' request, returns to the Foundation royalty fees paid for using the Packers logo on Wisconsin automobile license plates. Because the royalties do not fully cover the scholarships, the Green Bay Packers fund the remainder of the amount, a figure which totals $89,000 since 2006.
In the past year, the Packers Foundation also has distributed an additional $57,375 on behalf of National Football League Foundation – $20,000 in "Community Quarterback" awards to civic leaders for contributions to the community, $12,375 in the NFL's "Coach of the Week" program, which honors successful Wisconsin high school coaches on a weekly basis throughout the season, $20,000 through the "Hometown Huddle/Youth Fitness Zone" program and $5,000 for the NFL National Partnership Grant focusing on efforts related to the military. In addition, a $250,000 Matching Youth Football Field Grant was received and was awarded to the Ashwaubenon School District for the redevelopment of the Ashwaubenon High School football stadium and practice fields.
"We're honored to congratulate and thank this year's recipients for their excellent work in our communities," Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy said at the event. "Their efforts inspire us and truly provide a positive impact."
The Green Bay Packers Foundation Trustees include, in addition to Lieb, Tom Arndt, Rick Chernick, Valerie Daniels-Carter, Ricardo Diaz, Terry Fulwiler, Jerry Ganoni, Mark McMullen, Tom Olson and Hon. John Zakowski. Bobbi Jo Eisenreich is the secretary of the Foundation.
The grants and other programs highlighted Tuesday are two components of the Packers' efforts in the community. The Packers' community outreach department responded to more than 10,000 requests from organizations and individuals in 2013 with donated autographed items for fund-raising efforts that raised more than $3 million. These efforts, combined with direct cash donations by the Packers to various charity endeavors, resulted in a comprehensive Packers charity impact in excess of $6 million in the past year.
A complete list of grant recipients:
Brown County Recipients:
- American Foundation of Counseling Services
- American Red Cross of Northeast Wisconsin
- Arthritis Foundation - Wisconsin Chapter - Northeastern District
- Ashwaubenon School District
- ASPIRO Inc.
- Bay Area Lutheran Homes
- Bellin Health Foundation Inc.
- Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay Inc.
- Breast Cancer Family Foundation Inc.
- Brown County Oral Health Partnership Inc.
- Calvary Lutheran Church
- CASA of Brown County Inc.
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay Inc.
- Children's Promise
- Clarity Care Inc.
- Denmark Wrestling Club Inc.
- Disabled American Veterans - Department of Wisconsin - Russell Leicht Chapter No. 3
- Educational Television Productions Of Northeast Wisconsin Inc. (ETP-NEW)
- Einstein Project
- Family and Childcare Resources of Northeast Wisconsin Inc.
- Golden House Inc.
- Greater Green Bay Community Foundation c/o Ben's Wish
- Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity
- Green Bay Area Catholic Education Inc.
- Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Inc.
- Green Bay Area Public School District
- Green Bay Crime Stoppers Inc.
- Heaven's Touch Ministries Inc.
- House of Hope
- Howe Community Resource Center
- Integrated Community Solutions
- Jackie Nitschke Center Inc.
- Lutheran Social Services Of Wisconsin And Upper Michigan - Wellspring Program
- Manna for Life Ministries Inc.
- My Brother's Keeper Inc.
- N.E.W. Curative Rehabilitation Inc.
- National Society To Prevent Blindness
- NeighborWorks Green Bay
- Neville Public Museum Foundation
- New Community Shelter Inc.
- Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Educational Foundation
- Notre Dame de la Baie Academy
- Salvation Army - Green Bay
- Service League of Green Bay (Back to School Store)
- St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center of Green Bay Inc. - Hospital Sisters
- St. Vincent Hospital
- Sullivan-Wallen Post No. 11 The American Legion
- Tri-County Firefighters Inc.
- University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Phuture Phoenix
- Wisconsin Academic Decathlon Foundation Inc.
- Wise Women Gathering Place Inc.
- Wrightstown Historical Society Inc.
- YWCA of Green Bay - De Pere * *
Statewide Recipients:
- Altrusa International Foundation Inc. (Door)
- Alzheimer's Support Center of Rock County (Rock)
- Arc Fox Cities Inc. (Winnebago)
- Badgerland Youth for Christ (Fond du Lac)
- Benedict Center (Milwaukee)
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dodge County & Watertown Community Inc. (Jefferson)
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Manitowoc County (Manitowoc)
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Fox Valley Region Inc. (Outagamie)
- Boys & Girls Club of Dane County (Dane)
- Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac Inc. (Fond du Lac)
- Boys & Girls Club of Janesville (Rock)
- Boys & Girls Club of the Tri-County Area Green Lake)
- Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area Inc. (Marathon)
- Boys & Girls Club of Washington County Inc. (Washington)
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley Inc. Outagamie)
- Camp Anokijig (Sheboygan)
- Catherine Marian Housing Inc. (Racine)
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Inc. (Milwaukee)
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse Inc. (La Crosse)
- Child Development Center of St. Joseph (Milwaukee)
- Children's Theatre Of Madison Inc. (Dane)
- Chippewa Valley Council - Boy Scouts of America (Eau Claire)
- Chippewa Valley Cultural Association Inc. (Chippewa)
- Chippewa Valley Free Clinic (Eau Claire)
- Church Health Services Inc. (Dodge)
- College Possible (Milwaukee)
- Community Clothes Closet Inc. Winnebago)
- Community Referral Agency (Polk)
- DAR Boys & Girls Club (Menominee)
- Day By Day Warming Shelter Inc. (Winnebago)
- Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (Dane)
- Dominican Center for Women (Milwaukee)
- Door County YMCA Inc. (Door)
- Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin Inc. (Milwaukee)
- Education Matters Inc. (Milwaukee)
- Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley Inc. (Outagamie)
- Family Resource Center of Fond du Lac County (Fond du Lac)
- Family Resource Center of Sheboygan County (Sheboygan)
- Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley Inc. St. Croix)
- First Stage Milwaukee Inc. Performing Arts Center (Milwaukee)
- Fond du Lac Humane Society (Fond du Lac)
- Fond du Lac Literacy Services (Fond du Lac)
- Food Pantry of Waukesha County Inc. (Waukesha)
- Foundation for Madison's Public Schools Inc. (Dane)
- Fox Cities Performing Arts Center Inc. (Outagamie)
- Genesis in Milwaukee Inc. (Milwaukee)
- Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes Inc. (Outagamie)
- Good Friend Inc. (Waukesha)
- Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin Inc. (Winnebago)
- Great Wisconsin Headwaters Trail System Foundation Inc. (Vilas)
- Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity (Winnebago)
- Habitat for Humanity of Fond du Lac (Fond du Lac)
- HALO Inc. (Racine)
- Healthy Youth Coalition of Marinette and Menominee Counties (Menominee)
- Heckrodt Wetland Reserve Inc. (Winnebago)
- Housing Partnership of the Fox Cities (Outagamie)
- Junior Achievement of Wisconsin Inc. (Sheboygan)
- Junior Achievement of Wisconsin Inc. (Racine)
- Junior Achievement of Wisconsin Inc. - Fox Cities District (Outagamie)
- Kingdom Come Inc.(Oconto)
- La Causa Inc. (Milwaukee)
- Langlade Hospital-Hotel Dieu Of St Joseph Of Antigo Wisconsin (Langlade)
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Wisconsin Chapter Milwaukee Main Office (Waukesha)
- Literacy Council of Wood County Inc. (Wood)
- Literacy Partners of Kewaunee County Inc. (Kewaunee)
- Loaves & Fishes of The Fox Valley Inc. (Outagamie)
- Lutheran Counseling & Family Services of Wisconsin Inc.(Milwaukee)
- Make A Difference Wisconsin Inc. (Milwaukee)
- Make-A-Wish Wisconsin (Waukesha)
- Manitowoc County Domestic Violence Center (Manitowoc)
- Marquette University (Milwaukee)
- Medical College of Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
- Michael's Place Inc. (Marathon)
- Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity Inc. (Milwaukee)
- Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative Inc. (Milwaukee)
- Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club Inc. (Milwaukee)
- Milwaukee Rescue Mission (Milwaukee)
- Moms and Dads Against Meth Inc. (Polk)
- Mosinee Community Athletic Association (Marathon)
- NAMI - Dane County (Dane)
- Neighbor-to-Neighbor Volunteer Caregivers of Door County Inc. (Door)
- Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust Inc. (Outagamie)
- Northland Youth Music Program (Douglas)
- Northwoods Homeless Shelters Inc. (Polk)
- Northwoods Women Inc. (Ashland)
- Oshkosh Area Community Pantry Inc. (Winnebago)
- Oshkosh Area United Way (Winnebago)
- Our Next Generation Inc. (Milwaukee)
- Painting Pathways Clubhouse (Manitowoc)
- Parenting Network Inc. (Milwaukee)
- Park View Health Center (Winnebago)
- Pastor Fred's Food Pantry (Marinette)
- PEARLS for Teen Girls Inc. (Milwaukee)
- Penfield Children's Center (Milwaukee)
- Reach Counseling Services Inc. (Winnebago)
- Rebuilding Together Ms
- Safe Babies Healthy Families (Waukesha)
- Safe Haven - Domestic Abuse Support Center of Shawano County (Shawano)
- Samaritan Counseling Center Of The Fox Valley Inc. (Winnebago)
- Samoset Council, Boy Scouts of America (Marathon)
- Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra Inc. (Sheboygan)
- St. Josaphat Basilica Foundation (Milwaukee)
- Summit Education Association Inc. (Milwaukee)
- The Salvation Army - Serenity Home (Polk)
- The Women's Community Inc. (Marathon)
- Theater for Young Audiences (Sheboygan)
- United Community Center Inc. (Milwaukee)
- Vision Forward Association Inc. (Milwaukee)
- Walnut Way Conservation Corp. (Milwaukee)
- Watertown Family Center Inc. (Jefferson)
- Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic Inc. (Waukesha)
- Winnebago County Literacy Council (Winnebago)
- Wisconsin Rapids Family Center Inc. (Wood)
- Wisconsin School for the Deaf (Walworth)
- Wisconsin Upper Michigan Kiwanis District Foundation Inc. (Winnebago)
- Sand Box Inc. (Taylor)
- Sharing Center Inc. (Kenosha)
- Silver Lake College (Manitowoc)
- St. Joseph's Grade School (Racine)
- St. Vincent de Paul (Wood)
- Step Industries Inc. (Winnebago)
- TCCES (Winnebago)
- The River Food Pantry (Dane)
- The Salvation Army (Manitowoc)
- United Way Fox Cities (Winnebago)
- USO of Wisconsin Inc. (Milwaukee)
- Wafer Food Pantry (La Crosse)
- Walkin' In My Shoes Inc. (Kenosha)
- Wisconsin Philharmonic (Waukesha)
- YMCA of Dane County Inc. (Dane)
- YMCA of Fox Cities (Outagamie) * *
Organization Speakers at Press Conference
- Tracey Sperko, Executive Director, Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative Inc., Milwaukee
- Steven McCarthy, President/CEO, N.E.W. Curative Rehabilitation Inc., Green Bay
- Sharon Pomaville, Executive Director, Sharing Center Inc., Trevor
- Kimberly Desotell, Director, University of Wisconsin Green Bay Phuture Phoenix, Green Bay
Green Bay Packers
- Mark Murphy, President/CEO, Green Bay Packers (speaker)
- Charlie Lieb, Chairman of Green Bay Packers Foundation Committee (speaker)
- Tom Arndt, Alternate Chairman of the Green Bay Packers Foundation Committee
- Rick Chernick, Green Bay Packers Foundation Trustee
- Valerie Daniels-Carter, Green Bay Packers Foundation Trustee
- Ricardo Diaz, Green Bay Packers Foundation Trustee
- Terry Fulwiler, Green Bay Packers Foundation Trustee
- Jerry Ganoni, Green Bay Packers Foundation Trustee
- Mark McMullen, Green Bay Packers Foundation Trustee
- Tom Olson, Green Bay Packers Foundation Trustee
- Hon. John Zakowski, Green Bay Packers Foundation Trustee
- Bobbi Jo Eisenreich, Secretary of Green Bay Packers Foundation
