MPS Foundation aims to help kids
We can’t think of a better way to support Milwaukee than to help its kids get a good education, and once again there is a way to do that charitably.
Milwaukee Public Schools announced earlier this week that it was reviving its moribund foundation and aiming to raise $850,000 annually over EDITORIAL the next three years. The foundation, a 501(c)3, intends to funnel 95% of the money is raises money to the district. It had about $500,000 in its accounts prior to the effort to revive fundraising.
Among the causes it might help fund: grants to teachers who want to experiment; more Advanced Placement courses through video conferencing; and the Turnaround Arts Program, an initiative of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities that seeks to help low-performing schools through arts education.
“We think the foundation is a wonderful opportunity,” Ann Terrell told us during a recent meeting with the Editorial Board. Previously a director of innovation, Terrell is now running the foundation. The foundation has a new board, too, including community heavyweights such as Peter Feigin, president of the Milwaukee Bucks, Daniel Bader, president of Bader Philanthropies, and Jacqueline Herd-Barber, who has long been involved in educational initiatives.
“This is all about making sure MPS children get the same opportunities as the most successful choice and charter schools,” Tina Chang told the Journal Sentinel’s Erin Richards. Chang is chief executive of SysLogic Inc. and a new member of the foundation board.
The foundation plans to reach out to MPS alumni, who are spread all over the country, to let them know how they can support the district that gave them a start in life.
With tax dollars in shorter supply, many districts are trying to raise funds through charitable giving. We’re glad MPS has given its foundation a restart. And we encourage anyone with an interest in helping Milwaukee’s kids to consider giving to it.