Danae Davis' Insights | Milwaukee, the Virus & Fundraising

Recently, my partner Marybeth Budisch and I asked ourselves a question: If we were raising funds for or leading a nonprofit and were faced with our current crisis, who would we turn to and ask for advice?

So we put together a list of individuals who have been there and overcame the odds. This is another in the series and highlights Danae Davis, currently the leader of the Milwaukee Succeeds education reform organization.

Here’s what Danae shared:

“As a nonprofit leader I can honestly say we are in unprecedented times as a nation, State and Milwaukee Community! We likely have not seen or experienced anything like what’s happening from the COVID-19 virus!

“What is awesome to experience is how locally, knowing how challenged the nonprofit community is in providing resources needed for front line crisis-food, shelter, mental health and health services and the lists go on, philanthropy is stepping up to help nonprofits stay in business! Yesterday’s announcement by the GMF, GMC, United Way and many other corporate and family foundations and donors is unprecedented unity!

“As a nonprofit leader I can empathize with the dramatic cutoff of funds represented by the halt to “normal “ fundraising activities. Employees being laid off, childcare centers closing, schools closing exacerbating the digital  divide, all cause immediate strain and stress. Yet, our community leaders are collaborating and rising to the challenge. I remain hopeful that we will continue to find ways to garner and distribute resources as needed.”

Bio

Danae Davis is Executive Director of Milwaukee Succeeds, a collective impact initiative of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, with a mission of ensuring success for every child in every school in Milwaukee, cradle-to-career.  Previously, Davis was CEO of PEARLS for Teen Girls, Diversity Affairs Director at MillerCoors, Director of Diversity Management and Work/Life Program at Kraft Foods, Director of the Department of Employee Relations for the City of Milwaukee, and legal counsel for the Governor of the State of Wisconsin.