What's New
NEWS
2020 Nan Cheney March for Justice Awards Ceremony to be live-streamed on Zoom and Facebook Live
Like most events this year, our 2020 Nan Cheney March for Justice Awards Ceremony will be VIRTUAL! We will also be offering the ceremony on Zoom with Facebook Live!. To tune in, visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/forwardcommunityinvestments/
FCI receives $100,000 grant from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation for COVID-19 Nonprofit Emergency Capacity Building Grant Fund
Forward Community Investments (FCI) is excited to announce they have been awarded a grant from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation of $100,000 to replicate their COVID-19 Nonprofit Emergency Capacity Building Grants in Milwaukee County. These grants were created to address the glaring needs of small nonprofits for relief funds during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic that they were not able to access due to their size.
2020 Nan Cheney March for Justice Awards Ceremony - A Virtual Event Thursday, October 1 - 5p-7p
Like many events this year, we are going virtual! If you have ever attended our previous Nan Cheney March for Justice Award Ceremonies, you can attest to the energy, empowerment, and sense of community that is a staple of this event. I can assure you that this will most definitely be the case again this year, just with a little twist!
At this year's event, we have the incredible privilege of honoring the AMAZING work of none other than Jacquelyn Hunt who goes by "Auntie Jackie" to more than just her family! You can read more about her accomplishments here.
Silent is assent. Inaction is complicity.
Forward Community Investments (FCI) stands with those protesting for justice, liberty, and life. Black Lives Matter.
It is long past time to unwind the thread of racism and violence that binds the lives of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people to the sinful founding of this country. Theft and genocide claimed America. Violent abduction and enslavement built this country’s wealth. Our social contract, institutions, and systems weave a coercive tapestry for denying non-whites humanity to ensure the survival of white held privilege, power, and prosperity.
FCI Names Awardees for COVID-19 Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants
Thank you to every organization that applied for our COVID-19 Nonprofit Emergency Capacity Building Grant. We received 169 applications which speaks to the need of support for nonprofits across the state during this pandemic.
These grants were designed to support small nonprofits that have changed their operational model or services due to COVID-19. We also wanted to get these funds out the door as quickly as possible which is why we used a lottery system in selecting the awardees you see below.
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Forward Community Investments is pleased to announce the fourth annual Nan Cheney March for Justice Award to Jacquelyn Hunt!
It has been a long and winding road for Jacquelyn, but her journey has shaped her into a caring, compassionate and empathetic person who goes by “Aunt Jackie” to more than just her family.
Jackie is the Founder and Principle Counselor at F.O.S.T.E.R. of Dane County (Families Overcoming Struggles to Encourage Restoration) a nonprofit that provides culturally relevant, strength-based, and trauma-informed care. She made the decision to create this organization based on her vast experience in day-to-day counseling and family support services where she observed and analyzed the many barriers to providing resources and services to communities and families in need.
Paycheck Protection Program - The Struggle is Real
Applications for the second round of PPP funding begin today, Monday April 27. If you were unable to access the first round of funding in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), you were not alone. Due to incredibly high demand, the first round of funds was completely exhausted in 14 days. The second round of $310B is not expected to last long.
If you have already started the PPP application process with a bank or credit union, you should not have to restart the process but contact your lender to be safe. Do not submit a new PPP loan if you may have one pending. You may become ineligible for the program.
COVID-19 Resources for Nonprofits and Small Business
As the news changes on a seemingly minute by minute basis regarding the global pandemic of COVID-19. We have compiled resources for your nonprofit or small business during these unimaginably uncertain times.
Us 2 Behavioral Health Care is the Game Changer Grant for June
Us 2 Behavioral Health Care’s mission is to advance health equity by removing barriers and creating an inclusive community where people can reach their full potential. They accomplish this by providing a culturally sensitive, holistic approach to mental health counseling, psychiatry and consulting. Research shows there are profound disparities in those services for underserved and low-income populations in Wisconsin and Us 2 is there to address it.
Congratulations to
i.c.stars |* Milwaukee for receiving our Game Change Grant for May
i.c.stars | * Milwaukee was established to create economic opportunity for underserved communities by bridging disconnected young adults with the high growth tech sector. They accomplish this by working to activate a community of change agents to power social and economic freedom while providing young adults with employment opportunities and preparing them for community-based advocacy.
“We are really focusing on underrepresented demographics in Milwaukee where we've seen industry leave and have seen the devastation that that has caused.” States Sarah Dollhausen-Clark, General Manager for i.c.stars | * Milwaukee.
Welcome Evan! Evan Reed is FCI's new Regional Director of Southeast Wisconsin
Forward Community Investments is excited to welcome Evan Reed as our new Regional Director of Southeast Wisconsin beginning April 16, 2020. In this role Evan will continue to build on our strong foundation and assist organizations and initiatives in Milwaukee and surrounding counties that are working to reduce social, racial and economic disparities. Mr. Reed brings a wealth of experience in community banking, CDFI, and nonprofit industries, having previously worked for Legacy Redevelopment Corp and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.
B.A.B.E.S., Inc. Child Abuse Prevention Program is FCI's Game Changer Awardee for April
B.A.B.E.S., Inc. Child Abuse Prevention Program provides family strengthening services to young parents at NO COST in Appleton and the surrounding Fox Valley. This is accomplished by providing economic, educational and emotional wellness support.
“We believe that if we provide parenting skills, educational opportunities and emotional support we can help provide structure for their home and family that will help them reduce stressors that could lead to child abuse.” Says Pastor Mahnie Williams, Director of B.A.B.E.S.
Michele Mackey will serve as FCI's interim CEO through an innovative resource sharing arrangement with Kids Forwrad
During these unimaginable times of “Safer at Home” orders and physical distancing, Forward Community Investments (FCI) is reminded of why we do the work we do. FCI is an investor, connector, and advisor for organizations and initiatives that reduce social, racial, and economic disparities in Wisconsin Communities. We envision an equitable and inclusive Wisconsin built on cooperative social action.
FCI understands that our work depends upon a diverse board and staff team, contributing their skills, expertise, and perspectives. We are pleased to announce Michele Mackey has joined FCI as a loaned executive acting as Interim CEO through an innovative resource sharing arrangement with Kids Forward.
