Northwest Side Community Development Corporation
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC) is a public charity based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, formed in 1983. It works with businesses and neighbors to create economic opportunities, build partnerships, and strengthen communities on Milwaukee’s Northwest Side.
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation at a glance
In short: Northwest Side Community Development Corporation gave $878K across 31 grants in 2024 (avg $28K), mostly in Wisconsin. 93% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $878,000
- -21.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 31
- -26.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $28,323
- +6.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $12,500
- Total assets
- $21,992,480
- +15.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 93% first-time grantees (28 of 30, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Northwest Side Community Development Corporation
- Contact
Mailing address: 4201 North 27Th Street 7Th Floor, Milwaukee, WI 53216
Phone: (414) 447-8230
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Northwest Side Community Development Corporation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Care MGT Plus Health Services LLC ($150K). Together the top 10 received $647K.
Grant Size Distribution
95 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 79 grants of 95 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NWSCDC states that its work focuses on Milwaukee’s Northwest Side. Its 2024 reported grant dollars went entirely to recipients in Wisconsin, including businesses and other recipients in Milwaukee and other Wisconsin communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 31 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Northwest Side Community Development Corporation open to new grantees?
93%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 28 of 30 grantees (93%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $28K; repeat grants $38K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $38K repeat.
- 0% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2022–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $878K (2024) to $2.0M (2022). In 2024 it made 31 grants totaling $878K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Care MGT Plus Health Services LLC Wauwatosa, WI | Working Capital | $150,000 |
| One 5 Olive LLC Shorewood, WI | FHLB Fellows Program and Professional Dev | $109,500 |
| 1700 Pull up Milwaukee, WI | Operations Overhead/Tax Support | $65,000 |
| Favorites LLC Menomonee Falls, WI | Zilber Neighborhood Initiative/Business Support | $60,000 |
| Carl Wesley Ooltewah, WI | Working Capital | $55,000 |
| ACU Insurance Agency LLC Wauwatosa, WI | Employee Trainings, Marketing, Advertising | $50,000 |
| Lean Design Werks LLC Beloit, WI | Working Capital | $50,000 |
| North Avenue Market LLC Milwaukee, WI | Working Capital | $45,000 |
| US University Pathways Madison, WI | Hire New Staff | $35,000 |
| Les Delices De Awa LLC Madison, WI | Working Capital | $27,500 |
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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 | $21,992,480 | $5,769,192 | $3,957,841 | $878,000 | 31 | $67,604 |
| 2023 | $18,994,492 | $5,654,859 | $3,480,546 | $1,122,000 | 42 | $117,522 |
| 2022 | $15,350,170 | $4,800,252 | $3,905,070 | $2,027,554 | 22 | $23,762 |
| 2021 | $11,140,702 | $4,254,876 | $1,935,995 | — | — | $19,878 |
| 2020 | $7,296,393 | $1,484,885 | $1,089,542 | — | — | $25,547 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
NWSCDC’s mission is to create economic opportunities, build partnerships, and strengthen communities on the Northwest Side of Milwaukee. Its stated vision is for the Northwest Side to become a preferred destination for businesses and residents.
The organization’s filing describes an economic development program that supports business development, employment opportunities, and more environmentally sustainable neighborhoods. Its business and workforce development program provides access to capital and supports business growth, employment, neighborhood resources, and sustainability. Its community development program focuses on resource access for residents and neighborhood stability, including through community engagement and sharing community resources.
Grantmaking
In 2024, NWSCDC reported 31 grants totaling $878,000. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $150,000, with a median of $12,500. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Wisconsin. The largest awards included $150,000 to Care Mgt Plus Health Services LLC for working capital; $109,500 to One 5 Olive LLC for the FHLB Fellows Program and professional development; $65,000 to 1700 Pull Up for operations overhead and tax support; and $60,000 to Favorites LLC for Zilber Neighborhood Initiative/business support. Other notable awards included $50,000 to ACU Insurance Agency LLC for employee trainings, marketing, and advertising; $45,000 to North Avenue Market LLC for working capital; and $35,000 to US University Pathways to hire new staff.
The filing describes an application process for businesses seeking grant funding. Applicants submit an online application detailing business demographics and operations, the request, and proposed uses of funds. An NWSCDC team member evaluates completed applications against a grant rubric tied to the objectives in the grant agreement. If the application meets the threshold, the business receives an award letter and is asked for supporting documents, including a W-9 and photo ID, and must sign a grant certification.
Separately, NWSCDC’s website describes a business loan fund offering low-interest financing. This is a lending program, not a grant award; the website lists eligible uses including working capital, equipment purchases, leasehold improvements, commercial real estate, and startups.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Geoffrey Cooper as president, Lee Menefee as vice president, Hal Karas as treasurer, and Steve Hipp as secretary. Directors listed are Bryan Gill, Rebecca Gries, Ashanti Hamilton, Bernadette Karanja, Yvonne McCaskill, and Vincent Rice.
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation is led by Willie Smith, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 18 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Willie Smith
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$111K (2020) → $209K (2024)
Geoffrey Cooper
President
Director → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashanti Hamilton
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bernadette Karanja
Director
Vice President → President, 2022
President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bryan Gill
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kirsten Thompson
Director
President → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maria Watts
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Gries
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendell Willis
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yvonne McCaskill
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Evan Reed
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ronald Williamson
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vincent Rice
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Ward
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Noel Smith
Chief Financial Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$25K (2024)
Hal Karas
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Hipp
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lee Menefee
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Heather Baylor (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Breanne Plier (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Felita Daniels-Ashley (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Howard Snyder (2020) — Executive Director
- Former: Laci Coppins-Robbins (2020) — Director
- Former: Robin Van Harpen (2020) — Treasurer
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 $209K, to Willie Smith (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Northwest Side Community Development Corporation
How much does Northwest Side Community Development Corporation give each year?
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation gave $878K across 31 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 42 grants.
What is Northwest Side Community Development Corporation's typical grant size?
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation's median grant in 2024 was $12,500, and its average grant was $28,323, across 31 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Northwest Side Community Development Corporation that year got $28K on average.
Where does Northwest Side Community Development Corporation give grants?
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation 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 (18 grants), Wauwatosa, WI (3 grants), Shorewood, WI (2 grants) and Madison, WI (2 grants).
Does Northwest Side Community Development Corporation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 31 grants with a stated purpose on Northwest Side Community Development Corporation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Working Capital" (8 grants).
Who are Northwest Side Community Development Corporation's largest grantees?
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation's largest 2024 grantees include Care MGT Plus Health Services LLC ($150,000), One 5 Olive LLC ($109,500) and 1700 Pull up ($65,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Northwest Side Community Development Corporation?
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation reported $22.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.8M.
What does Northwest Side Community Development Corporation fund?
NWSCDC’s mission is to create economic opportunities, build partnerships, and strengthen communities on the Northwest Side of Milwaukee. Its stated vision is for the Northwest Side to become a preferred destination for businesses and residents. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Northwest Side Community Development Corporation?
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Northwest Side Community Development Corporation's EIN?
Northwest Side Community Development Corporation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-1478014. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 27, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 1, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Figures come from Northwest Side Community Development Corporation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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