Double-Up Declared Done: Donation Drive Doubles Dollars During Milwaukee Film Festival

 

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Contact: 
Karina Henderson, Marketing Director // karina@mkefilm.org, or 
Emily Foster, Public Relations Manager // emily@mkefilm.org, 414-755-1965 x216 

 

Double-Up Declared Done: Donation Drive Doubles Dollars During Milwaukee Film Festival

Werner Family Foundation helps put Milwaukee Film’s $150K match challenge from Donna and Donald Baumgartner over the top

 

MILWAUKEE – Friday, Nov. 1, 2019 – With the help of a major gift from a new supporter, Milwaukee Film has met a substantial match challenge issued by two longtime donors for the 2019 Milwaukee Film Festival.

On Thursday, the nonprofit announced a $25,000 donation from the Werner Family Foundation, which helped to surpass a 15-day, $150,000 match challenge from local philanthropists Donald and Donna Baumgartner. Thursday was the final day both of Donald and Donna’s Double-Up challenge and of the 11th annual Milwaukee Film Festival.

During the Festival, the nonprofit raised $216,141 from donations and membership alone. About two-thirds of the funds raised during the Festival came from new, upgrading, or renewing Milwaukee Film Members.

“Donald and Donna Baumgartner have been pushing this organization forward since day one, and I’m so humbled by their confidence that we could meet this generous match challenge,” said Jonathan Jackson, CEO and artistic director for Milwaukee Film. “This challenge has brought in scores of new donors and new Members to the Milwaukee Film family, including the incredible Werner Family Foundation.

“To me, this shows that all of Milwaukee is tremendously engaged in our annual Film Festival and supportive of everything we do to strengthen our community. I’m absolutely thrilled and deeply grateful for this kind of support,” he added.

With the match from the Baumgartners, Milwaukee Film will benefit from a $366,141 impact to support its year-round programs and expand its community engagement.

 

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About Milwaukee Film 

Milwaukee Film is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to entertaining, educating, and engaging our community through cinematic experiences, with a vision to make Milwaukee a center for film culture. Milwaukee Film operates the magnificent Oriental Theatre, a historic cinema palace committed to high-quality and accessible film and education programming. The 11th annual Milwaukee Film Festival was held Oct. 17-31, 2019. For more information or to become a member, visit mkefilm.org.

 

Facebook: facebook.com/MilwaukeeFilm | Twitter: @mkefilm | Instagram: @mkefilm

 

About the Milwaukee Film Board of Directors

Milwaukee Film’s independent board is made up of the following members: Chris Abele (Past Board Chair); John P. Bania; Donna Baumgartner; Elizabeth Brenner; Héctor Colón; Karen Ellenbecker; Jeff Fitzsimmons; Alexander P. Fraser (Immediate Past Board Chair); Carmen Haberman; Susan Haise; Katie Heil; Patti Keating Kahn (Board Chair); Tracey L. Klein (Past Board Chair); Michael G. Klein; Michael J. Koss Jr.; Alexander Lasry; Steve Laughlin (Past Board Chair); Emilia Layden; Michael R. Lovell; Joan Lubar; Marianne Lubar; Steve Mech; Mark Mone; Susan Mikulay; Kenneth W. Muth; Bob Pothier; John Ridley; Joseph A. Rock; Ramona Rogers-Windsor; Lacey Sadoff; Dave Stamm; Julia Taylor; John Utz; Kimberly Walker; Emeritus members: Tom Barrett; Jacqueline Strayer

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