African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc
The African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin is a public charity based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Formed in 1993, it supports African American-owned businesses through access to capital, education, advocacy, capacity building, and strategic partnerships.
African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc at a glance
In short: African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc gave $524K across 40 grants in 2024 (avg $13K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $523,896
- +9425.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 40
- +3900.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $13,097
- +138.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $2,810,194
- +3.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc
- How to Apply
-
Complete the RISE Opportunity Fund application and provide required supporting documentation upon request. The fund’s availability is subject to available funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1920 N Martin Luther King Jr Driv, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Phone: (414) 462-9450
Website: https://aaccwi.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc
COVID-19 Recovery Fund
African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc
Amount
Up to $2,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
LEAD Program
African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
RISE Program (14-week Entrepreneurial Training)
African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Buffalo Boss ($50K). Together the top 10 received $226K.
Grant Size Distribution
44 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 42 grants of 44 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Chamber is based in Milwaukee and describes its work as serving businesses in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin. Its 2024 reported grants all went to Wisconsin recipients. The RISE Opportunity Fund requires an eligible business to have its primary physical location in Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 40 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc gives
- Giving grew 1646% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $6K (2023) to $524K (2024). In 2024 it made 40 grants totaling $524K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Boss Milwaukee, WI | Small Business Assistance Grant | $50,000 |
| Fly Nails Milwaukee, WI | Small Business Assistance Grant | $20,000 |
| Next Generation Day Camp Milwaukee, WI | Small Business Assistance Grant | $20,000 |
| Delicious Bites Wauwatosa, WI | Small Business Assistance Grant | $20,000 |
| J & Sons Transport LLC Glendale, WI | Small Business Assistance Grant | $20,000 |
| Oh Snap by Shell Photography LLC Glendale, WI | Small Business Assistance Grant | $19,940 |
| Allahmode Milwaukee, WI | Small Business Assistance Grant | $19,651 |
| Ebony Esthetics Wauwatosa, WI | Small Business Assistance Grant | $19,375 |
| Vibez Creative Arts Space Milwaukee, WI | Small Business Assistance Grant | $18,877 |
| The Classic Shoppe Milwaukee, WI | Small Business Assistance Grant | $17,746 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,810,194 | $1,041,039 | $1,395,493 | $523,896 | 40 | $895 |
| 2023 | $2,718,446 | $726,551 | $797,865 | $5,500 | 1 | — |
| 2022 | $1,282,855 | $585,843 | $784,681 | $40,898 | 1 | $7,907 |
| 2021 | $1,374,812 | $731,634 | $904,193 | $30,000 | 1 | — |
| 2020 | $1,482,707 | $1,593,552 | $819,823 | $80,000 | 1 | $6,787 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Chamber’s mission is to champion the growth and sustainability of African American-owned businesses by providing access to capital, education, and advocacy through capacity building and strategic partnerships. Its stated vision is for strong African American-owned businesses and entrepreneurs to promote community economic vibrancy and create opportunities in the workplace.
The Chamber reports providing grants to small businesses through partnerships and funding from public and philanthropic sources. Its 2024 grants were designated for “small business assistance.” It also offers business training and capacity-building programs, member promotion and referrals, networking, and a revolving loan fund. The loan fund is not a grant program, and its current funding cycle is closed.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Chamber reported 40 grants totaling $523,896. Grant amounts ranged from $6,568 to $50,000, with a median of $10,000. The filing identifies the grants’ purpose as small business assistance and reports that all grant dollars went to Wisconsin recipients. For comparison, the filing reports one grant totaling $40,898 in 2022 and no grants in 2023.
Among the largest reported grants in 2024 were $50,000 to Buffalo Boss in Milwaukee; $20,000 each to Fly Nails in Milwaukee, Next Generation Day Camp, Delicious Bites in Wauwatosa, and J & Sons Transport LLC in Glendale; and $19,940 to Oh Snap by Shell Photography LLC in Glendale. The filing lists each of these grants as a small business assistance grant.
The RISE Opportunity Fund overview describes an application process for grants of up to $10,000 per applicant. Applicants must complete the application and provide requested supporting documentation. The initial review may take up to 90 days, and additional information may be requested. Eligibility includes being a current Chamber member with an established, formalized for-profit business with an EIN and a primary physical location in Wisconsin; the business must have been organized in 2022 or earlier and demonstrate revenue. Applicants must provide a profit and loss statement and balance sheet, have a business checking account, and be in good standing with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Only one application per owner is allowed. The overview also identifies restrictions related to federal guidelines and states that owners, partners, or shareholders must not have specified tax delinquencies or liens, be debarred from doing business with Wisconsin, or have pending criminal matters.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Chamber’s 2024 filing lists Warren E Buliox as chair, Marjorie Rucker as vice-chair, and Julian Berry as secretary. The directors listed are Mikal Wesley, Tiffany Means, Dr Lia Knox, Nicholas Treder, Matt Pazaras, William Deck, and Laquondra Shaw. The Chamber’s president and CEO is Nikki Purvis.
African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc is led by Nikki Purvis, CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 12 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nikki Purvis
CEO
Vice Chair → Chairperson, 2021
Chairperson → CEO, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$33K (2022) → $131K (2024)
Warren E. Buliox
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laquondra Shaw
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lia Knox
Director
Vice Chair → Chairperson, 2022
Chairperson → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Pazaras
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas Treder
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tiffany Means
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Deck
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keesha Jones-Sutton
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mikal Wesley
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julian Berry
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marjorie Rucker
Vice Chair
Director → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Deborah Allen (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Nicosia King (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Damira Grady (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Ossie C. Kendrik Jr. (2020–2022) — CEO
- Former: Courtney Johnson-Kennedy (2022) — Director
- Former: Courtney Johnson Kennedy (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Ranell Washington (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $131K, to Nikki Purvis (CEO).
Frequently asked questions about African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc
How much does African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc give each year?
African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc gave $524K across 40 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $6K across 1 grant.
What is African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc's typical grant size?
African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $13,097, across 40 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc give grants?
African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc gives mostly in Wisconsin: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (28 grants), West Allis, WI (3 grants), Glendale, WI (2 grants) and Wauwatosa, WI (2 grants).
Does African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 40 grants with a stated purpose on African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Small Business Assistance Grant" (40 grants).
Who are African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc's largest grantees?
African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Buffalo Boss ($50,000), Fly Nails ($20,000) and Next Generation Day Camp ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc?
African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc reported $2.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.0M.
What does African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc fund?
The Chamber’s mission is to champion the growth and sustainability of African American-owned businesses by providing access to capital, education, and advocacy through capacity building and strategic partnerships. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc?
Complete the RISE Opportunity Fund application and provide required supporting documentation upon request. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc's EIN?
African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1768969. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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