BizTimes Media presented the ninth annual awards program to salute southeastern Wisconsin’s best corporate citizens and most effective nonprofit organizations on November 4th, 2022. The awards shine a light on excellence in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership.

Join as we celebrate the region’s top nonprofits and corporate citizens at the 2022 Nonprofit Excellence Awards, including the Marcus family, this year’s lifetime achievement award recipients. Before the awards, Jim Kacmarcik and Gretchen Jameson of Kacmarcik Enterprises will also share best practices for corporations looking to give back and discuss the vision for the Kacmarcik Center for Human Performance, a new organization aimed at helping everyone pursue their best life at home, at work and in their community.

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Lifetime Achievement Award: This award is given to a philanthropic member of the southeastern Wisconsin business community who for many years has provided significant support (financial or otherwise) for area nonprofit organizations.

• The Marcus Family
  

Corporate Citizen of the Year: This award is given to a for-profit organization in recognition of its impact to a single or multiple nonprofit organizations through financial contributions collective efforts to promote, encourage and organize fundraising efforts and company-sponsored programs and/or events engaging employees to participate in volunteerism.

• WINNER: Catalyst Construction
• Ellenbecker Investment Group
• Husco
• Northwestern Mutual

Corporate Volunteer of the Year: This award is given to a for-profit non-executive volunteer who demonstrates outstanding dedication to a nonprofit or multiple nonprofit organizations. Active volunteerism can be ongoing or linked to a specific single project or cause.

• WINNER: Mary Burgoon, Rockwell Automation
• Brian O’Neill, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin

In-Kind Supporter: This award is given to a professional or company that provides in-kind support to single or multiple nonprofit organizations through any type of non-financial contributions.

• Oldenburg Group
• SMART- Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation, Local 18
• WINNER: Tarantino & Company

Next Generation Leadership: This award is given to for-profit, (under 40 year-old) executive who demonstrates leadership and significant contributions to single or multiple nonprofit organizations through active leadership on a board and/or strategic management/guidance.

• Maggie Pinnt, Pepper Construction of Wisconsin
• WINNER: Danielle White, Rockwell Automation
• Matthew Wuest, Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.

Nonprofit Collaboration of the Year: This award recognizes a collaborative project that encompasses developed collaborative relationships with other nonprofit organizations engagement of multiple stakeholders within the community being served and innovation in approaching a community problem or issue and have leveraged these relationships to make and even more meaningful impact in the community. Note: since this award recognizes a project that may involve multiple organizations or individuals, it may be “awarded” to more than one part of the project in recognition of their contributions.

• FOR-M: MKE Tech Hub Coalition, We Pivot, The Commons, Bader Philanthropies, WEDC
• Journey House Construction & Design Academy: Journey House Inc., All Hands Boatworks, Teens Grow Greens, Habitat for Humanity, Adams Garden Park
• Milwaukee Youth Arts Center: The Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, First Stage, Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra
• WINNER: United for Waukesha Community Fund: United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County and the Waukesha County Community Foundation

Nonprofit Executive of the Year: This award is given to a nonprofit leader who demonstrates vision and innovation in advancing the mission of the nonprofit extensive involvement in a nonprofit and/or creativity in bringing new resources and opportunities to the nonprofit.

• Stephanie Reisner, GPS Education Partners
• WINNER: Marci Boucher, Independence First
• Mara Duckens, St. Francis Children’s Center
• Lynnea Katz-Petted, Revitalize Milwaukee

Nonprofit Organization of the Year: This award is given to a nonprofit organization (not an individual) in recognition for creativity and innovation in building a sustainable organization excellence in teamwork and an outstanding dedication to the organization’s mission in the community organizational excellence in management and operations. Large (operating budget $3M and above)

• Centers for Independence
• Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin Inc.
• Junior Achievement of Wisconsin
• WINNER: Seeds of Health, Inc.

Small (operating budget under $3M)

• The Ability Center
• ALIVE Inc. Milwaukee
• Center for Urban Teaching
• WINNER: Kathy’s House

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• 2021 Nonprofit Excellence Awards
• 2020 Nonprofit Excellence Awards
• 2019 Nonprofit Excellence Awards
• 2018 Nonprofit Excellence Awards
• 2017 Nonprofit Excellence Awards
• 2016 Nonprofit Excellence Awards
• 2015 Nonprofit Excellence Awards
• 2014 Nonprofit Excellence Awards