Powering Milwaukee Forward Collaborative Announces New Grantees for Year Two, Renews Commitment to Improve Milwaukee Health Outcomes and Broadens Mission to Care for Caregivers

Milwaukee, WI — November 5, 2025 -- GE HealthCare, the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation (CAFF) and the GE HealthCare Foundation are taking bold steps as their Powering Milwaukee Forward philanthropic initiative enters its second year. Building on its first year’s positive impact on nearly 12,000 families, Powering Milwaukee Forward expands to include the wellbeing and resilience of nonprofit caregivers while maintaining its focus on access to basic needs in vulnerable communities.

In 2025, through $1M in grants, ten Milwaukee nonprofits helped expand access to affordable housing, healthy food, safe places to play, education and maternal care for families across the city. Nearly 12,000 families benefited from their support while GE HealthCare colleagues contributed more than 2,000 volunteer hours.

In 2026, Powering Milwaukee Forward will continue addressing access to basic needs while expanding its impact among grantees with a focus on caregiver burnout, a critical challenge linked to delivering care in communities. Nonprofit workers — much like healthcare professionals nationwide — are facing unprecedented stress. Without strong, resilient caregivers, the communities they serve cannot thrive. For the organizations joining the Powering Milwaukee Forward collaborative, funding will uplift communities and strengthen the people who do this vital work every day.

“Mental wellness is essential to be at your peak performance,” said Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks power forward and founder of CAFF. “I’ve been open about my own struggles, and I know firsthand how vital it is to have support when you're carrying the weight of others. That’s why I’m proud Powering Milwaukee Forward is investing in the mental wellness and resilience of frontline nonprofit workers. These are the kind of people who showed up for me and my family when we needed it most, and now it’s my turn to show up for them. They deserve to receive the same strength and care they give to others.”

Nonprofit leaders agree the need is urgent. "The need is great,” said Dalvery Blackwell, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the African American Breastfeeding Network. “AABN receives about 500 referrals annually. Currently, we have the capacity to serve less than half of those.  No other nonprofit provides services similar to AABN. That has really put pressure on our staff. Burnout is no longer an exception—it’s becoming the norm.”

By funding initiatives that support resilience and mental health, Powering Milwaukee Forward is helping nonprofits ensure their workforce remains strong, focused, and able to serve Milwaukee families long-term.

“The emotional toll of working with communities in crisis and distress is real” said Vincent Noth, Executive Director of Kinship Community Food Center. “Our approach at Kinship is a holistic desire of encounter, to be ‘in community with,’ rather than just to provide a service. But even when this is present, practitioners still need resources tailored to support their wellbeing and renew their hearts to continue serving families with energy, compassion, and hope.”

"Strong communities are built by strong people. When we invest in the wellbeing of caregivers, we invest in the future of Milwaukee itself. Powering Milwaukee Forward’s commitment to resilience ensures that the people on the frontlines can keep showing up with hope, passion, and purpose," said Abigail Epane-Osuala, president of the GE HealthCare Foundation.

Powering Milwaukee Forward Welcomes New Grantees in Year Two

In its second year, Powering Milwaukee Forward is expanding its reach by welcoming a new group of nonprofit grantees, while continuing to build on the strong foundation set in year one. The coalition’s first-year partners will transition from grantees to alumni, remaining active members of the collaborative — sharing their expertise, lending their voices, and continuing to shape the conversation around health and equity in Milwaukee. By broadening the network, the initiative brings in fresh perspectives and new ideas, while honoring the existing relationships.

• In year one, Acts Housing and Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity joined Powering Milwaukee Forward to address the need for safe and affordable housing. In year two, Milwaukee Fair Housing Council and Revitalize Milwaukee will join their efforts.
• Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and Hunger Task Force joined Powering Milwaukee Forward to increase access to nutritious food. Kinship Community Food Center and The Victory Garden Initiative will join this mission in year two.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee joined the collaborative, providing STEM and enrichment education. In year two, Bernie’s Book Bank and Running Rebels will join to expand this work.
• Milwaukee Parks Foundation and Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers joined Powering Milwaukee Forward to provide safe places for sports, play and recreation. In year two, Reflo and The Ability Center will join this mission.
• In alignment with its funding priorities on maternal and infant healthcare, the GE HealthCare Foundation is providing grants to the African American Breastfeeding Network, and Children's Wisconsin Foundation’s Community Connectors program once again in year two.

To learn more about Powering Milwaukee Forward and its grantees, please visit https://info.gehealthcare.com/powering-milwaukee-forward.

About the GE HealthCare Foundation 

The GE HealthCare Foundation is a charitable entity incorporated separately from GE HealthCare, focused on advancing equitable access to precision healthcare. The foundation was launched in March 2024. It is focusing on the maternal health crisis around the world to address the disparities in care for mothers and babies in low- and middle-income countries and underserved communities.  The foundation is working with nonprofit organizations with proven track records of improving the lives of moms and babies in the US, Kenya, and Indonesia. 

Visit https://www.gehealthcare.com/foundation to learn more. 

About the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation 

The Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation (CAFF) is a social impact organization founded by NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and his family. Working across Nigeria, Greece, and Milwaukee, CAFF is committed to providing necessary resources for individuals to reach their fullest potential. The Antetokounmpo family is proof that where opportunity and determination meet, all things are possible – and CAFF was created to mobilize that impact on a global scale. The Foundation develops programming and creates partnerships with innovative organizations meeting some of the world’s most pressing needs. CAFF seeks to inspire others to team up and get involved, extending the impact far beyond what one family can do together. CAFF’s current priority focus areas are sport and basic needs.

 For more information about the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation (CAFF), visit https://caff.foundation.