Cream City Foundation was originally spun-off from the Cream City Business Association, a Milwaukee based association of LGBTQ+ business owners formed to promote LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship and business support for LGBTQ+ communities. Initially begun with $500 in seed money, Cream City Foundation has grown to provide over $1.5 million in grant dollars to many organizations and projects that are working to improve the quality of life for LGBTQ+ people.
Cream City Foundation
Mobilizing philanthropic resources by harnessing the pride, passion, and commitment of LGBTQ+
since 1982.
Cream City Foundation mobilizes philanthropic resources by harnessing the pride, passion, and commitment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their allies to advance the human rights and respond to the human needs of LGBTQ+ people in Southeastern Wisconsin.
About Cream City Foundation
The Foundation began in 1982 with only $500 in seed money and has granted more than $1.5 million to life-affirming, life-sustaining and life-celebrating programs for the LGBTQ+ communities of southeastern Wisconsin.
The Foundation’s work addresses the economic, health, safety and equity needs that prevent our LGBTQ+ communities from achieving full inclusion and acceptance.
Our work is not single-issue driven. It focuses on creating whole lives where the economic, health, safety and equity needs of our LGBTQ+ communities are met and individuals can flourish.
Cream City Foundation has developed three elevated priorities that will guide our fundraising and grant-making efforts. These priorities guide our proactive convening work to shine a light on the most critical issues that need to be addressed in our communities. The three elevated priorities are Equity, Health and Prosperity.
Our Mission
Cream City Foundation mobilizes philanthropic resources by harnessing the pride, passion, and commitment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their allies to advance the human rights and respond to the human needs of LGBTQ+ people in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Cream City Foundation mobilizes philanthropic resources to:
- raise money from individuals, corporations, and organizations who provide the Foundation with a diverse investment portfolio of general funds, donor and corporate advised funds, and the building blocks of an endowment;
- fund direct service and advocacy organizations to ensure meaningful change for the LGBT community, as well as encouraging vibrant arts, culture and athletic programs, and
- convene strategic collaborations and partnerships to identify effective solutions for the LGBT community.
Our Vision
Cream City Foundation serves as the leader in mobilizing philanthropic resources, fostering strategic collaboration, effecting positive change and the advancement of the quality, dignity, and health of LGBTQ+ people in Southeastern Wisconsin.
We are a 501(c)3 Tax Exempt Organization
Board of Directors
Patrinia Galgan
Chair
Baird
Stewart Morrisey
Vice Chair
SC Johnson
Christopher Tsukichi
Treasurer
Community Leader
Robin Mallon
Secretary
Harley-Davidson
Daniel Bergen, PhD
Member
Marquette University
Samuel Hall, J.D.
Member
Crivello Carlson, SC
Michelle Gran, JD
Member
Marquette University
Angela Harden, JD
Member
Husch Blackwell
Louis Williams
Member
Pritzlaff Events
Paul Thesing
Member
Thomson Reuters
DJ Quam
Member
GE Healthcare
Erika Baurecht, JD
Member
Foley & Lardner
Peter Burgelis
Member
BMO Harris Bank
Cream City Foundation Staff
Brett R. Blomme, JD
President & CEO
Brett Blomme is the President & CEO of Cream City Foundation. He has nearly 15 years of experience in philanthropy, community organizing, law and nonprofit management. Before joining CCF, Brett served as the Director of Major Gifts for the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW).
In addition to his work at ARCW, Brett practiced law as both a criminal defense attorney and prosecutor. He has also worked on several local political and non-profit campaigns. Brett is a member of the Wisconsin Bar Association and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He has a B.A. in Political Science from Marquette University and a J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Brett and his husband Chris have 2 young children and are active members of Miltown LGBT Families.
Jesse Walters
Executive Assistant
Jesse Walters is the executive assistant at Cream City Foundation. Born here in Milwaukee, he has served the local LGBTQ+ community as the current assistant commissioner of Milwaukee’s gay softball league (SSBL), Milwaukee’s delegate to the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance, and has volunteered at many events benefiting CCF, SSBL, and the Milwaukee Gay Sports Network (MGSN). He is also the chair of NAGAAA’s Communications Committee. Before joining CCF, he worked in employee benefits and earned a B.S. in mathematics at University of South Carolina – Upstate. Jesse and his boyfriends Matt and Zach are active members of the Milwaukee LGBTQ+ community.
The History