An anonymous donor’s $1 million gift to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s ThriveOn King building will help the project push forward in the Bronzeville neighborhood. 

The building in Milwaukee is being transformed from a former department store into offices for the foundation. But it will also include gathering spaces to serve as a community hub. 

The donor directed $500,000 of the gift to the ThriveOn Early Childhood Education Fund and $500,000 to the ThriveOn Collaboration Fund to respectively support capital costs and construction on the early childhood education space to be operated by Malaika Early Learning Center and first-floor development overall.

“Construction is now underway at ThriveOn King, and we are thrilled to see this catalytic project taking shape,” said Kristen Mekemson, Foundation vice president of development and philanthropic services. “Much work remains, however, and our donor’s extraordinary commitment is helping us sustain our momentum during these crucial and time-sensitive stages of development.”