Bader Philanthropies Inc.: Announces new global headquarters

Relocation demonstrates full-circle commitment to promoting positive change in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE – (Aug. 3, 2016) – Bader Philanthropies, Inc., one of southeastern Wisconsin’s top five foundations, announced today that it plans to relocate and build a global headquarters on Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. in Milwaukee’s Harambee neighborhood. The new office location is in response to the organization’s overall strategic growth plan and allows the Foundation to truly “live its mission” by putting down roots and embedding itself in one of the many communities it supports. The new location is tentatively scheduled to open in summer 2018, when the organization’s current lease expires in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. All of the staff will be relocating to the new office at that time.

While Bader Philanthropies funds programs throughout greater Milwaukee, and will continue to do so, this will make it the first foundation in Wisconsin that funds programs in the central city to move its offices there. Since 1992, Bader Philanthropies has granted more than $265 million and has given more than 6,000 grants to nonprofits in 10 different countries. Although the majority of these dollars have gone to organizations throughout the greater Milwaukee area and Wisconsin, a portion is also given annually in central Europe, Israel and globally.

“The decision to relocate to the Harambee neighborhood, which translates to ‘all pull together’ in Swahili, is literally and figuratively a commitment to the City of Milwaukee,” said Daniel J. Bader, president and CEO of Bader Philanthropies. “The Helen Bader Foundation and now Bader Philanthropies exist as a result of my mother and father’s business success. Our family business, Aldrich Chemical Company, was located in the City of Milwaukee for 24 years. Personally, I remember the times when my mother, Helen Daniels Bader, volunteered at the Legal Aid Society. She was deeply passionate about helping men, women and children living in the central city reach their full potential. By making the decision to move to Harambee, we are coming full circle by having a physical presence back in the central city.”

“Bader Philanthropies is deeply invested in our community, said Mayor Tom Barrett. “They are making a difference in many neighborhoods. With this action, they are using more than their traditional tools of money and leadership to make a difference, they are choosing to be part of the Harambee neighborhood and that’s good news for Milwaukee.”

“A great deal of Bader Philanthropies’ work is focused on the future in projects such as workforce development and community partnerships for youth,” said Milwaukee Department of City Development Commissioner Rocky Marcoux. “It is that forward-thinking approach that has led the organization to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive where it will be a big part of this neighborhood’s growth.”

Bader Philanthropies’ vision and hope is that the physical building provides a welcoming environment and becomes a living example of what is possible when people and organizations work together with the common goal of transforming lives.

“While we considered other locations in the city, the decision to relocate to Harambee builds on our existing commitment in the neighborhood and its environs which totals almost $20 million in grants and program related investments in support of community partners such as Above the Clouds, HeartLove Place and Unity in Motion located or working in the area,” said Bader. “To date, the Foundation has invested nearly $185 million in grants and program related investments to support the capacity of organizations which enrich the well-being of people living in the city of Milwaukee.”

The new space will include more than 22,000 square feet to accommodate offices for program and operations staff, conference rooms and a business center for program partners. Within the new building, 3,700 square feet will be dedicated to meeting space which will increase and improve convening capabilities for both internal needs and community partners accommodating up to 120 people, which doubles its current capacity. In addition to the building itself, there are plans for nearly 50 guest parking spaces. The building is conveniently located near I-43 to allow guests easy on and off access to the Foundation.

To accommodate its new global headquarters, Bader Philanthropies purchased three private properties and four sites owned by the City of Milwaukee. One of the private properties, a multi-use building that has been a part of the neighborhood since 1927, but has been vacant for the last several years, will be incorporated into the new office’s design to further showcase Harambee’s proud traditions and rich history. Construction on the new building is scheduled to begin in June 2017, following the pre-development and design phases.

“Beginning with the workforce, we are committed to working with as many minority-owned businesses as possible, committed to hiring skilled and unskilled workers, to build our new headquarters,” said Bader.

Bader Philanthropies plans to engage Harambee residents and its neighbors regarding its new location. Residents will have the opportunity to see renderings of the new global headquarters, learn more about Bader Philanthropies and ask questions. The listening session will be coordinated with 6th District Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs.

· Listening Session:

· Time: 6 p.m.

· Date: Monday, August 15

· Location: HeartLove Place, 3229 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Milwaukee

“I am looking forward to having Bader Philanthropies, Inc. move their headquarters to the Martin Luther King Drive Corridor,” said Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs. “Their investment on King Drive is a demonstration of their commitment to those they serve and to the growth of the area. To have an organization the caliber of Bader Philanthropies choose to redevelop in the area will truly be catalytic.”

Bader Philanthropies will be providing updates to the project, including photos of the development as they happen on its website at www.bader.org and via social media.

About Bader Philanthropies, Inc.

Formerly the Helen Bader Foundation, Milwaukee-based Bader Philanthropies, Inc. is a top five philanthropic leader in southeastern Wisconsin committed to 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 $265 million to people and communities throughout the city of Milwaukee, state of Wisconsin and in 10 countries. Annually, the Foundation partners with organizations, offering programs and services that enrich the well-being of children from birth to older adults through programs on aging and Alzheimer’s, education, workforce development, the arts and youth development. For more information on Bader Philanthropies, visit www.bader.org.