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GRANT MAKING REACHES NEW HEIGHTS The Cream City Foundation, the nation's second oldest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community foundation, distributed over $80,000 in 2007 to LGBT programming during its fiscal 2007 year in southeastern Wisconsin. The distribution marks a significant increase over a three year period of grant allocation by the Cream City Foundation. A key factor in the increase was the creation of Donor Advised Funds. Because the funds do not charge any administrative fees, a unique stand among foundations, donors enjoy the full benefits the Foundation's staff, knowledge, and investment policies, while continuing or growing their current level of commitment to LGBT needs. In December alone, Donor Advised Funds accounted for over $12,000 in grants, including $9,000 from the Birch Lodge Fund. "We are committed to funding LGBT needs through Cream City Foundation because we believe strongly in the benefit of combined economic power to make a difference," said Ross Draegert, co-founder of the Cream City Foundation's Birch Lodge Fund, which to date has distributed over $210,000. "It is a win-win situation for us," said Robert Starshak, Vice-President of the Cream City Foundation and co-founder of the Cream City Foundation's Birch Lodge Fund. "Our giving has not only impacted the programs we care about, but because it is within the Cream City Foundation, we are helping build a strong philanthropic institution that will impact LGBT communities for generations to come, at no additional cost." "The impact of truly leveraging our resources, including our philanthropic investment, is immense," said Tim Clark, President of the Cream City Foundation. "Partnerships and contributions like this go a long way toward achieving quality programs and to ensure the success for sustainable LGBT funding." Recent recipients from the Cream City Foundation include: AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin Foundation, Children's Service Society of Wisconsin, Fair Wisconsin Education Fund, Milwaukee Art Museum, and the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center. Cream City Foundation launched its Donor Advised Fund Program in early 2006 with the creation of the Joseph R Pabst LGBT Infrastructure Fund. The Cream City Foundation was established in 1982 to provide charitable grants to programs and projects that improve the quality of life for LGBT communities in Southeastern Wisconsin. The Foundation funds grants and initiatives that would work to establish real social change in the treatment and quality of life for LGBT individuals.
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