Foundation

ZONTA FOUNDATION, INC.

In the 1950’s the Club was concerned about affordable housing for seniors and worked to build Zonta Manor, a $1.3 million passive solar apartment building on East Cambridge Ave. designed by a female engineer, one of our own members!  Due to a need experienced by the Club while raising funds for Zonta Manor, the Zonta Foundation, Inc. was established – On January 25, 1957.  This is the charitable arm of the club. All members of the Club are members of Zonta Foundation, Inc.

The Foundation of the Zonta Club of Milwaukee, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, exists to raise and disburse funds.  One third of funds raised are used to support Zonta International Service Projects in several parts of the world.  Two thirds of funds raised remain in the greater Milwaukee area and have been used to help other 501 (c) 3 non-profit agencies such as women’s shelters and transitional housing.  It has also supported programs to mentor young girls and to prevent violence against women.  Grants given range from $1,000—$3,000 and can be applied to programs for one to three years.  Grantees are asked to provide an annual mid-year review of the program or project being funded.

Thus, funding decisions are based on an agency’s non-profit status and its focus on improving the lives of women and girls, especially as it relates to violence prevention and education in the greater Milwaukee area.

The Board is soliciting requests from agencies starting April 2025, with a due date of July 31, 2025. The Board will review and make decisions by August/September timeframe. Awards will be given at the Zonta Fashion Show Fundraiser scheduled for November 15, 2025. 

The 2025 Application for funding is now available. 

Credentials

  • Tax Exempt Status:

The Foundation is classified as a 501(c) 3 organization under the US Internal Revenue Service rules which allows donations to be tax deductible.

  • Financial:

The Foundation’s budget is kept separate from the club’s operating budget.  The Foundation accepts donations and bequests and considers suggestions from members for charitable donations and financial support. It is guided in its activities by documents currently in place with regard to its mission and investment policy.  Members can be assured that Board members are credible and that all monies raised will go to support that mission.

Agencies receiving funding from Zonta Foundation in 2024

2024 GRANT RECIPIENTS: Total Local Grants: $32,000

La Causa   $2000

La Causa’s Crisis Nursery & Respite Center provides a safe and nurturing environment for children during family crises, preventing child abuse and neglect. The center offers 24/7 care, including meals, clothing, and activities, for children up to 12 years old. This allows mothers facing challenges like homelessness, domestic violence, or medical emergencies to address their situations while ensuring their children’s well-being. The center’s comprehensive services empower mothers and promote family stability, ultimately strengthening the community.

Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition    $4000   

Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition (MMWC) is continuing their “Girls Hoops Club” as part of their Youth Leadership Program. The program aims to empower young Muslim women in Milwaukee’s immigrant and refugee communities by using basketball as a tool to improve self-esteem, confidence, leadership skills, and strategic thinking. The program creates a safe and culturally affirming space for these girls to develop physically and emotionally, fostering achievement-oriented behaviors and teamwork.

Sojourner Family Peace Center   $4000

Sojourner Family Peace Center aims to empower women and children affected by domestic violence through their Healing Services program. The program offers support groups, healing programs, and specialized children’s programming to help survivors regain their dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency. The support groups provide a safe space for survivors to learn about the dynamics of abuse and connect with others who understand their experiences. The healing programs focus on empowerment, goal setting, leadership development, and wellness education, equipping survivors with the tools they need to rebuild their lives. The children’s programming addresses the unique needs of children and teens who have witnessed family violence, teaching them healthy conflict resolution skills and providing them with therapeutic support. By providing these comprehensive services, Sojourner’s Healing Services program helps women and children heal from the trauma of domestic violence and create a path towards a brighter future.

The Franciscan Peacemakers    $3000

The Franciscan Peacemakers has a Social Enterprise program, which provides employment training and living wages to women survivors of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. The program empowers these women by equipping them with marketable skills and enabling them to achieve financial independence through safe and dignified employment. The Social Enterprise manufactures bath and body products, offering participants hands-on experience in production, packaging, marketing, and sales. By participating in the program, women gain valuable skills, build self-esteem, and create a pathway towards a sustainable and healthy life, free from exploitation.

Milwaukee Diaper Mission   $3000

The Milwaukee Diaper Mission (MDM) is dedicated to empowering families in need by providing them with essential baby supplies and feminine hygiene products. The organization recognizes that diapers and period supplies are necessities, not luxuries, and works to ensure that all people in Milwaukee have access to these basic needs. By providing these essential items, MDM helps to alleviate some of the financial burden on families, allowing them to allocate their resources to other critical needs such as food and housing. The organization also promotes the use of reusable hygiene products, offering families a choice and promoting sustainability. In essence, MDM’s project helps women and children by addressing their basic needs, reducing stress, and promoting overall health and well-being.

The Women’s Center   $4000

The Women’s Center of Waukesha has comprehensive programs and services that empower women and girls impacted by domestic abuse, sexual violence, child abuse, and trafficking. The center provides a safe haven and critical services such as emergency shelter, transitional living, a 24-hour hotline, advocacy, support groups, and onsite childcare. These services help women and girls heal from trauma, gain independence, and build a future free from violence. The center also focuses on prevention through community education and violence prevention programs, addressing the root causes of violence and promoting healthy relationships.

The Cathedral Center   $4000

The Cathedral Center program provides job training, placement support, and retention services, addressing barriers like lack of resources and skills. The goal is to increase participants’ income and self-sufficiency, serving 125 individuals in 2024. The program’s success is evident in its 2023 outcomes, with 74% of participants securing employment. The grant will fund essential resources like workshop supplies and transportation, furthering the Center’s mission to combat homelessness through sustainable employment.

Core El Centro    $4000

The CORE El Centro program offers holistic natural therapies like massage and acupuncture, which help women and children cope with trauma, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, bilingual health navigation assists clients in understanding and accessing these services, breaking down language and cultural barriers. The program also provides health and wellness education and fitness classes, empowering women and children to take control of their health and well-being. By addressing the physical and emotional effects of trauma, CORE El Centro’s program fosters healing and resilience in women and children, promoting healthier and safer lives.

Milwaukee Women’s Center    $4000

The Milwaukee Women’s Center has a Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter, which provides a safe haven and comprehensive support services to women and children affected by domestic violence. The shelter offers emergency housing, food, clothing, and 24-hour crisis support. Additionally, it provides critical services such as case management, counseling, support groups, and legal advocacy to empower women and help them rebuild their lives. The program also offers specialized services for children, recognizing the unique trauma they experience in abusive households. By providing these essential services, the shelter helps women and children break free from the cycle of violence and create a path towards a safe and independent future.

Many of the agencies that received funding in the past:

  • All Saints Catholic Church B.A.G.S. Program
  • Alverno College
  • Awesome Young Authors
  • Baird Day Care Center
  • Benedict Center for Criminal Justice, Inc.
  • Bottomless Closet
  • Broadscope Disability Services
  • Cathedral Center
  • Casa Maria
  • Center for Deaf Blind Persons
  • CORE/El Centro
  • Daystar, Inc.
  • Family House, Inc.
  • Exploit No More
  • HeartLove Place
  • Hope House
  • House of Peace
  • Intercession, Inc.
  • Journey House
  • Joy House
  • Know Thyself
  • La Farge Lifelong Training Institute of Milwaukee
  • Laubach Literacy Center
  • Literacy Services of Wisconsin, Inc.
  • Mental Health Association in Milwaukee County
  • Meta House
  • Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition
  • Milwaukee Women’s Center
  • My Home/Your Home
  • Neu-Life Community Resource Center
  • Our Next Generation
  • Penfield Children’s Center
  • Pearls for Teen Girls
  • Salvation Army
  • Scott Christian Center
  • Second Harvest
  • Shade Tree Resource Center
  • Sojourner Family Peace Center
  • Spanish Speaking Council
  • St. Anthony Hospital (Substance Abuse Program)
  • St. Catherine Residence
  • St. Gall Adult Learning Center
  • St. Mark AME Church, Quality of Life Center, ABE Program
  • Struggles of Survival Center
  • Task Force on Domestic Violence
  • The Mary Bethune Reading Academy
  • The Women’s Center – Waukesha
  • Volunteer Services for the Visually Handicapped
  • War Memorial Center
  • Women’s Resource Center – Racine
  • You Can Say Yes, You Can Say No

Contact the Foundation at zfoundation@zontamilwaukee.org