Securing Future Generations
Northwestern Mutual appreciates the importance of leaving a legacy for future generations. The Foundation partners with best-in-class nonprofit organizations that share our commitment to securing the future of children via programs that focus on:
- Insuring academic achievement through literacy.
Improve reading proficiency through outcome-based reading programs for K-8 students and teach the basics of money management for students in 6-12th grade.
- Insuring healthy habits through prevention.
Deliver primary prevention programs that encourage children to make healthy diet choices, stress the importance of an active lifestyle, and emphasize the dangerous ramifications related to smoking and substance abuse.
- Insuring inspiration through arts education.
Provide effective and exemplary hands-on arts programming for K-12 students not receiving arts education in the classroom.
- Insuring opportunity through innovative therapies for special needs.
Increase the accessibility of individualized therapies and treatment plans for children with special needs so they can embrace their full potential.
To learn more, download Securing Future Generations.
Developing Our Local Economy
Strengthening the Economic Landscape
We partner with best-in-class nonprofits that support the underserved in the following ways:
- Provide food, shelter, and medical/dental care.
- Revitalize depressed neighborhoods.
- Prepare individuals for entry-level jobs.
- Provide higher education scholarships.
The Northwestern Mutual Foundation and its employees are Milwaukee's number one annual contributor to the United Way of Greater Milwaukee, providing more than $3.6 million in 2009.
Making Milwaukee a Destination
We support organizations that make Milwaukee not only distinct, but also a destination.
- Cultural and sports organizations that deliver unique experiences and foster Milwaukee's community spirit.
The Northwestern Mutual Foundation and its employees are the number one annual contributor to Milwaukee's United Performing Arts Fund, donating more than $1 million in 2009.
To learn more, download Developing Our Local Economy.
Supporting Our Employees and Field Force
Our employees and field force donate their time and talent to thousands of nonprofit organizations across the country. The Foundation recognizes and supports these volunteers for their exemplary community service.
- Community Impact Award
Recognizes the field force for group volunteerism. Four awards are presented each year with a total of $200,000 donated to nonprofits on behalf of the winners.
- Community Service Award
Recognizes 25 members of the field each year for their volunteer commitment. More than $3.5 million has been donated to nonprofits around the country since the award's inception in 1995.
- Volunteer Support Program
Recognizes employees who volunteer a minimum of 40 hours a year through a $500 donation to a local nonprofit.
- Mutual Friends
Brings together employees, retirees, family members and friends to lend a helping hand to community projects. More than 30,000 volunteer hours are donated each year, which has a monetary value in excess of $500,000.
- Matching Gifts
Supports quality educational institutions by matching dollar-for-dollar contributions made by our field force and employees. In the last five years alone, nearly 2,500 accredited schools have received more than $15 million.
- Disaster Relief Program
Supports rescue, recovery and rebuilding efforts following a natural disaster through a $500,000 grant to the American Red Cross. This fund is replenished each year.
Application Process
As of July 1, 2010, Northwestern Mutual Foundation will be accepting applications via our online application system. We fund 501(c)(3) nonprofits as designated by the Internal Revenue Service.
The application process includes an eligibility questionnaire to help determine if an organization fits our current areas of giving. Your organization needs to meet the criteria to be eligible for any funding. Prior to beginning the application process, we suggest you:
Submit an application for charitable contribution or grant.
Submit an application for table or event sponsorship.
For returning users, please access your account here.
To do our part to help the environment, we no longer accept application forms, letters of intent or other supporting materials in paper form.
The Foundation’s grant application deadlines align with our focus areas of giving. If a deadline is missed, an organization will need to wait until the next opportunity to submit an application for that focus area. Applications may be submitted up to three months before the focus area deadline, and grants are typically announced three months after the deadline closes.
| January 15 |
Financial Literacy |
| January 31 |
Food/Shelter |
| February 15 |
Neighborhood Revitalization |
| February 15 |
Job Training |
| March 15 |
Arts Education |
| March 31 |
Higher Education |
| March 31 |
Medical/Dental |
| March 31 |
Special Needs |
| August 15 |
Prevention |
| August 31 |
Neighborhood Revitalization |
| August 31 |
Job Training |
| September 30 |
Literacy |
| September 30 |
Higher Education |
| November 15 |
Destination |
Visit the Secure Our Future and Our Local Economy tabs to learn more about our priorities in each of these focus areas.
To learn more about Northwestern Mutual Foundation's online application, download FAQs.