UEDA Community News

September 2026 | View as Webpage

What We're Working On

Take Root Milwaukee Member Info Exchange - On September 10 we heard from TRM members about non-traditional pathways to homeownership and the programs and resources available to help more Milwaukee residents achieve their homeownership goals. A special thank you to our presenters for sharing their work, expertise, and resources with fellow members. View recap post.

UEDA Info Session on 9/10: Healthcare Benefits Without The Headaches- Thank you to Barbie Sprinkman with Diversified Benefit Services for sharing at our UEDA Membership Info Session about ICHRA as a healthcare benefits options. Attendees walked away with a better understanding of today’s healthcare landscape, and answers to questions they’ve had for years. View LinkedIn recap post.

UEDA Info Session on 9/24: Coffee & Coverage - Thank you to Mike Medcalf from the Brehmer Agency who shared insights on tools and approaches for nonprofits to manage risk and ensure they have needed coverage. Check out the recap on our website - more details and pictures will follow!

Bank On Greater Milwaukee Celebrates eight years! It’s been a season of growth, connection, and new opportunities! From recognition by the County Executive and continued grant support to expanding youth engagement. Check out our latest post with a few highlights from our recent work.

Bank On Greater Milwaukee Blogs - Check out our Printables for Practitioners blog! Includes pdf documents ready to download, print & distribute. And, are you wondering how the Trump Accounts compare to a 529 Savings Account? Check out BOGM's quick breakdown and key differences.

Annual Community Gathering 2026 - On September 22, we welcomed over 82 people for an evening of food, connection, celebration, and reflection on UEDA’s accomplishments over the past year and goals for the year ahead. View our full program slides, highlighted awardees and more here!

UEDA Member Highlights

JPMorgan Chase Announces American Dream Initiative - A ten-year, $750 billion commitment focused on expanding housing supply, increasing homeownership, and supporting broader economic opportunity across the U.S.

Learn more about the American Dream Initiative | Read more from CBS News

Revitalize Milwaukee Expands Building Hope Program - In partnership with WRTP|BIG STEP, RM received a YouthBuild grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to expand its Building Hope workforce development program. The funding will help 66 Milwaukee young adults ages 18–24 build construction skills, earn industry credentials, complete their education, and connect with career opportunities. Read more here.

Share Your Input on MCTS Forward

MCTS is in the first phase of community engagement for the MCTS Forward system redesign and wants to hear from you!

Review the concepts and share your feedback to help inform the future of the transit system.

The Bridge Project Expands Support for Milwaukee Mothers This project from the Zilber Family Foundation is expanding its direct cash assistance program in Milwaukee, providing 180 expectant mothers with unconditional financial support over three years. Eligible applicants must be 18 or older, 23 weeks pregnant or less, live in Milwaukee, and have an annual household income below $39,000. Applications open October 1. Read more here.

WEDC Invests $229 Million Across Wisconsin The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) invested $229 million across 67 Wisconsin counties in fiscal year 2026, supporting hundreds of businesses, nonprofits, organizations, and communities. Investments supported priorities including housing, child care, workforce development,

small businesses, entrepreneurship, and rural economies. Learn more.

Member & Partner Jobs

UEDA members Milwaukee Community Crossroads, Safe & Sound, SecureFutures, The Guest House, and Visit Milwaukee are currently hiring. Visit the Jobs That Help website for information and a calendar of events.

If you are a member and have an opportunity in community development or local government, contact sehiry@uedawi.org to promote in our next newsletter.

UEDA Community

Huntington Bank Announced $80 Billion Community Plan earlier this month in investments in affordable housing, small business, and community development investments.This builds on prior plans that delivered $37.8 billion in loans to low-and moderate-income borrowers, small businesses, and communities. Read more

New Milwaukee Housing StoryMap Highlights Neighborhood Inequities Citizen Action of Wisconsin and Data You Can Use have launched a new Milwaukee Housing StoryMap that brings together data on historic redlining, utility burdens, homeownership, housing conditions, economic hardship, and neighborhood disinvestment. The interactive map helps show where these challenges overlap and how past policy decisions continue to shape Milwaukee neighborhoods today. The project is designed to support community organizations, residents, and policymakers in better understanding local disparities and identifying where investment is most needed. View the StoryMap.

Proposed Changes to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA)

The OCC and FDIC have proposed changes including changes to bank asset categories, reporting requirements, and the products and services considered during CRA evaluations. CRA plays an important role in encouraging banks to meet community credit needs, including in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Learn more from our partners at NCRC and consider submitting a public comment by October 13th.

Proposed Changes to the U.S. Census

The U.S. Census Bureau is proposing new rules for the decennial census that would change residence criteria and establish restrictions on certain demographic questions. Concerns have been raised about how these changes could affect demographic data and the information communities and governments use to understand local needs and make decisions. Public comments are due October 13. View the proposal and submit a comment or find an explainer, comment guide, and additional resources from Hands Off Our Census.

Week Without Driving: OCTOBER 1–8

What would change in your life if driving wasn’t an option? Participants will experience some of the barriers nondrivers face by walking, rolling, biking, taking transit, or relying on others for rides. Participate in the challenge and reflect on how our communities can provide better transportation access for everyone. Get involved.

Small Business & Nonprofits

WEDC Ignite Wisconsin program now open

for applications. Applications are due October 1st. This program provides grants ranging from $200,000 to $2 million to regional consortia working to strengthen Wisconsin's startup ecosystem. Learn more here.

National Council of Nonprofits webinar: Preparing for the 2026 Election Season

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 | 1:00pm

This free session will provide a roadmap on activities nonprofits can pursue to support civic engagmeent while remaining nonpartisan. Register here.

Milwaukee Keeps Cooking: Support Local Restaurants - Road construction may have changed the route, but Milwaukee’s restaurants are still open for business! Visit Milwaukee’s Milwaukee Keeps Cooking campaign highlights restaurants along National and Lisbon avenues impacted by construction. Grab a meal, order takeout, or try somewhere new to support local businesses and keep Milwaukee cooking!

National Council of Nonprofits webinar:

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 | 1:00pm

This free expert-led webinar will discuss how to obtain student loan relief from the PSLF, a program designed to forgive student loan balances of those employed by nonprofits or government. NCN filed litigation to oppose proposed changes to the program and won in court. Learn more & register here.

2026 Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Conference

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

Brookfield Conference Center

Featuring specialized programming for veteran entrepreneurs and corporate HR leaders. Attendees can connect through keynote presentations, breakout sessions, networking, and professional development focused on business growth and supporting veterans in the workforce. Learn more.

Upcoming Member Events

Self-Help Federal Credit Union Job Fair & Open House

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8 | 10AM–1PM OR 3–7PM | 3340 S. 27th Street

Explore career opportunities including MSR/Teller, Universal Banker, supervisory and managerial positions. No appointment necessary—just bring your resume and connect with the recruiting team!

MobiliSE Fall Summit: Transit is All of Us

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8 | 4:30-7PM |

NO Studios, 1037 W. McKinley Ave.

Join MobiliSE and the Transit is Milwaukee coalition for a community conversation about the future of public transit in Southeast Wisconsin. Transit riders, advocates, elected officials, transportation professionals, and community leaders will discuss transportation choices and the challenges facing transit across our region. Click here to learn more and register.

Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce (HWCC) Business Awards

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 | 5–8PM | The Factory on Barclay - Join the HWCC for an evening celebrating business and community!

Tickets available now .

Cooperative Childcare Solutions Webinar

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 | 12PM | VIRTUAL

Join the UW Center for Cooperatives and Cooperative Development Services for a free webinar exploring how rural communities and employers are addressing childcare gaps through collaboration, advocacy, and the cooperative model. Ideal for employers, community and economic development professionals, policymakers, and cooperative developers.

Free to attend; registration is required.

Freeways and The Future of Milwaukee

Community Workshops, OCTOBER 3 and 10 | 10AM | Reimagining the space with Strong Towns Metro Milwaukee and Rethinkg794. RSVP here..

Member Spotlight

September 2026

Congratulations to

United Community Center!

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize UCC's commitment to ensuring Milwaukee has a thriving Hispanic community.

Through investments in high-quality education, social services, cultural

arts, and homeownership, UCC has become an intergenerational safe haven that serves more than 18,000 people each year.

UCC is a UEDA Member, has won the Bill Johnson Bridge Builder Award, and been a Take Root Milwaukee Member for over a decade.

To learn more, visit https://www.unitedcc.org/

Welcome to these New &

Returning Members!

Acts Housing

Community First

Data You Can Use

Joyce Boyland

Pay It Forward Wisconsin

Rooted & Rising-Washington Park

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)

Current Members

*Check your email for renewal notices

to remain current!

Nonprofit &

Governmental

AARP Wisconsin*

Brehmer Agency

Burleigh Street CDC

Cinnaire

City of Milwaukee DCD*

CLIMB USA*

Community Advocates

Community Development Alliance*

Consumer Credit Counseling Services

Cream City South Community Development Corporation

Employ Milwaukee

Ezekiel Community Dev. Corp.

Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS

Guest House of Milwaukee*

Historic King Drive BID

Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce

Independence First

Lad Lake

Landmark Credit Union

Latino Chamber of Commerce

LISC Milwaukee

Menomonee Valley Partners

Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council

Milwaukee Community Crossroads*

Milwaukee Community Land Trust*

Milwaukee County Economic Development*

Milwaukee County Transit System

Milwaukee Development Corp.

Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity

Milwaukee Public Library

Near West Side Partners

Northwest Side CDC

Prime Financial Credit Union

Revitalize Milwaukee

Riverworks Development Corporation

Safe & Sound

SecureFutures*

Self-Help Credit Union

Sherman Park Community Association

Sojourner Family Peace Center

Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission

Southside Organizing Center

The Business Council (TBC)

The Gateway to Milwaukee

The Gathering of Southeast WI

TMG Wisconsin

United Community Center

UMOS

United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County*

UW Credit Union

VIA CDC

Visit Milwaukee

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCP)

Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA)

Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)

Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development (WPHD)

Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce

WWBIC

YWCA Southeast Wisconsin

Small Businesses

Andrew's Realty

Community Insurance Information Center (CIIC)*

Contexture

Diversified Benefit Services, Inc. (DBS)

Dolomite Marketing*

G Consulting, LLC

Good Flow Enterprises

Goyke & Associates

Homeworks Bronzeville LLC

Impact53

Jobs That Help*

LEAD180 Consulting, LLC

LIFE Wellness and Counseling Services

Lloyd Consulting, Inc

Loving Venti Consulting Practice

Mueller Communications

Narvarte Development

One Grove Strategies

Yes…AND LLC

Corporations & Funders

Associated Bank

Bank Five Nine

Bell Bank Mortgage

BMO

CIBC Bank USA

Erie Insurance - WI

First Federal Bank

Johnson Financial Group

JPMorganChase

Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation (MGIC)

Old National Bank

Outpost Co-op

Spring Bank

The Equitable Bank

U.S. Bank

We Energies

Wells Fargo

Zilber Family Foundation

Individuals & Students

Aaron Foley

Adam Bridges

Amy Turim

Barbara Markoff

Casey O'Brien

Christine Davies

Cindy Richardson*

Cole Reckamp

Daniel Adams

Dan Brophey*

Frank Martinelli

George Calaway

Irma Yepez Klassen

Julia O'Connor

Kathryn Berger*

Kurt Paulsen

Leo Ries

Matthew Melendes

Megan Foley

Neal Kueny

Peter Richardson

Sam Leichtling

Tamara Castle

See our latest posts on LinkedIn!