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Longtime Milwaukee donor extends commitment to giving and increases annual funding by 40 percent
Milwaukee – (January 20, 2015) – After 24 years and $250 million invested in addressing major social needs throughout Milwaukee, the state of Wisconsin, and the world, the Helen Bader Foundation (HBF) is changing its name to Bader Philanthropies, Inc. to reflect additional funding that will allow the organization to continue funding charitable projects in perpetuity. The change is in light of a new philanthropic commitment from Isabel and Alfred Bader that will help maintain the organization’s existing staff and grant programs, and will enable its annual level of giving to increase immediately.
Bader Philanthropies will continue the work begun by the Helen Bader Foundation, and Isabel and Alfred Bader’s commitment will allow the organization to increase the amount of giving annually to more than $14 million, a 40 percent increase from HBF’s annual average grants per year, resulting in more than $4 million in additional annual funding.
Bader Philanthropies will continue to be led by Helen and Alfred’s two sons, Daniel and David. In addition, Margaret Foster of Halifax, Nova Scotia, will join the organization’s board of directors. She is a health care administrator and Isabel Bader’s niece.
Since 1992, HBF has been a legacy of Helen Bader’s compassionate spirit, and it has created partnerships to lift individuals and their communities in Milwaukee and beyond. Bader Philanthropies will continue to address the same issues begun by HBF, including Alzheimer’s & Aging, Arts, Workforce Development, Community Partnerships for Youth, and Jewish Education. However, as Bader Philanthropies, the organization will encompass two distinct philanthropic funds to reflect the values and interests of their respective namesakes: the Helen Daniels Bader Fund (HDBF) and the Isabel and Alfred Bader Fund (IABF).
The Helen Daniels Bader Fund (HDBF) incorporates Helen Bader’s maiden name and continues her desire to support innovative programs that enhance the lives for older adults, as well her passion for keeping alive the arts and creativity in her community. HDBF will continue the organization’s longstanding commitment to healthier older adults in Wisconsin, with a particular focus on those that are impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. HDBF will continue funding efforts that bring the performing arts to underserved Milwaukee audiences. In addition, HDBF will also further efforts to address Alzheimer’s disease in Israel, as well as the Helen Bader Scholarship Fund for Jewish Education.
The Isabel and Alfred Bader Fund (IABF) will continue the many interests of Daniel and David’s father and his wife, Isabel, here in Milwaukee and across the world. IABF will support the organization’s existing Workforce Development and Community Partnerships for Youth program areas, both focused on strengthening low-income Milwaukeeans, as well as continuing its commitment to Jewish education in greater Milwaukee. IABF will also encompass strategies to address issues on a broader scale, both here in Milwaukee and beyond, to support a better, more equitable world.
Partner organizations that have existing HBF grants or in-progress proposals should not expect to see significant changes in the shift to Bader Philanthropies beyond the new identity. Grant applications will still be accepted under the Bader Philanthropies umbrella, and the staff will continue its approach of working with partners of all types and sizes on sharing ideas, building momentum, and identifying promising funding opportunities.
“We are incredibly eager to set this new structure on a strong path over the next few months,” said Daniel Bader, president and CEO for Bader Philanthropies. “We know that we have a great deal more to accomplish in enhancing people’s lives, and we have been blessed with the ability to bring dynamic, dedicated partners together for the greater good. I encourage potential partners to continue to bring us their innovative ideas for making a lasting difference for people of all backgrounds.”
About Bader Philanthropies, Inc.
Formerly the Helen Bader Foundation, Milwaukee-based Bader Philanthropies, Inc. is a philanthropic leader in improving the quality of life of the diverse communities in which it works. Through the Helen Daniels Bader Fund and the Isabel and Alfred Bader Fund, the organization supports innovative projects and programs through grants, convening partners, and sharing knowledge to affect emerging issues in key areas. Since its founding in 1992, the Helen Bader Foundation committed more than $250 million in grants and program-related investments, such as loans and equity investments that advance its charitable mission. For more information on Bader Philanthropies, visit http://www.hbf.org.
