Northwestern Mutual Enhances Milwaukee Cultural Destinations Through $1.4 Million Donation

Funding will support eight local attractions, including Milwaukee County Zoo's New Adventure Africa

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Jun 28, 2018, 10:01 ET

MILWAUKEE, June 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year, Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation, reinforces its commitment to fostering Milwaukee's vibrant community through funding to key local destinations. Today, the Foundation announced a total of $1.4 million in grants that will create and cultivate engaging opportunities for area residents and visitors.

"There are so many reasons Milwaukee is a great place to live and visit, and our city's attractions play a huge role in this," said Eric Christophersen, president, Northwestern Mutual Foundation. "Our partnerships with these organizations are driven by a desire for residents and visitors to connect with the community through Milwaukee's area attractions."

The eight organizations receiving funding will use the donations for facility renovations, outreach programing, exhibit refurbishment and more.

Spotlight: Milwaukee County Zoo & Zoological Society of Milwaukee
The Zoological Society of Milwaukee, in partnership with the Milwaukee County Zoo, recently announced a capital campaign to reimagine 25 percent of the Zoo's campus as Adventure Africa, a new and dynamic year-round multi-species exhibit. The Northwestern Mutual Foundation is contributing to this campaign through a four-year commitment totaling $1 million.

Funding will also support education in a unique classroom space within the elephant care center. Located within Adventure Africa, the Northwestern Mutual Learning Loft will provide a dedicated learning space for children involved in education programs at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Classes will emphasize the importance of conservation and take visitors a step closer into the experience. The space can also be used for intimate gatherings and small events to provide an experience like no other.

Adventure Africa will be the largest physical change to the Milwaukee County Zoo, home to more than 2,100 animals from over 348 species, since its opening in 1961. This exhibit's development will play an important role in maintaining the Zoo's status as an accredited home for elephants – the only elephants within a six-hour drive of its campus.

"We are excited to have fostered such a great relationship with Northwestern Mutual through the years," said Jodi Gibson, president and CEO, Zoological Society of Milwaukee. "We're thrilled with their support of Adventure Africa, which will include new homes for the elephants, African hoofstock, hippos and rhinos."

Additional grants will be provided to the following organizations:

2018 Destinations Grant Recipients

Organization

Betty Brinn Children's Museum

Discovery World

Marcus Center for the Performing Arts

Milwaukee Art Museum

Milwaukee County Zoo

Milwaukee Public Museum

Summerfest

United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF)

Northwestern Mutual's investment through the Zoological Society of Milwaukee is part of the company's longstanding commitment to enriching the community. The Northwestern Mutual Foundation also works with nonprofit partners locally to improve education and develop neighborhoods, and nationally to accelerate the search for a cure to childhood cancer.

About the Zoological Society of Milwaukee:
The mission of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee is to conserve wildlife and endangered species, educate people about the importance of wildlife and the environment, and support the Milwaukee County Zoo.

About Northwestern Mutual Foundation
The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $320 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company's employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination. Visit Northwestern Mutual Foundation to learn more.

About Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual has been helping families and businesses achieve financial security for more than 160 years. Through a distinctive, whole-picture planning approach, we empower our clients to make the most of every single day and plan for important moments in their future. We combine the expertise of our financial professionals with a personalized digital experience to help our clients navigate their financial lives every day. With $265.0 billion in assets, $28.1 billion in revenues, and $1.8 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to 4.5 million people who rely on us for life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, brokerage and advisory services, trust services, and discretionary portfolio management solutions. The company manages more than $125 billion of client assets through its wealth management and investment services. Northwestern Mutual ranks 104 on the 2018 FORTUNE 500 and is recognized by FORTUNE^® as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2018.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a comprehensive approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, annuities, life insurance with long-term care benefits, investment products, and advisory products and services. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (securities), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (fiduciary and fee-based financial planning services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance).

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual