Green Bay Reporter

The Green Bay Packers Foundation has announced the distribution of $1.5 million in grants to 398 civic and charitable organizations across Wisconsin. The announcement was made by Wilson Jones, chairperson of the Foundation, highlighting the dedication and service provided by these groups.

A total of 54 grants, amounting to $210,550, were given to organizations within Brown County. The remaining $1,289,450 was distributed among 344 other groups statewide.

Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy expressed pride in the grant awards: "We are incredibly grateful for the work the recipient organizations carry out each and every day. The Packers are honored to recognize and support their dedication to positively impacting their communities."

This year's funding emphasized areas such as arts and culture, athletics, and education. Grants were allocated across 55 counties in Wisconsin: 143 focused on arts and culture, 66 on athletics, and 189 on education.

The awarded grants are non-recurring and designated for specific programs or initiatives as outlined in applications submitted by each organization.

Further details about grant allocations can be found at packers.com/foundation under Project/Program Focus Area.

Since its inception in 1986 by Judge Robert J. Parins, then-president of the Packers Corporation, the Foundation has contributed over $25 million to various charitable causes. This year also saw $53,000 distributed through the Packers Scholarship Program to Scholarships Inc., benefiting students attending four-year colleges and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) for two-year associate degree or apprenticeship trades programs.

Scholarship funds partly derive from National Football League Properties royalties paid for using the Packers logo on Wisconsin license plates. The Green Bay Packers cover any shortfall not met by royalties since 2006.

The Green Bay Packers Foundation Trustees include Wilson Jones along with Dexter McNabb, Jan Allman, Michael Barber, LeRoy Butler, Eddie Garcia, Mike Haddad, Bill Jartz, Laurie Radke, and Mike Simmer. Former trustees Marcia Anderson, Nancy Armbrust, Tom Cardella, Susan Finco and DJ Long Jr., also assisted this year.

The annual grants are part of "Green Bay Packers Give Back," an initiative that includes player appearances at community events alongside financial contributions like Make-A-Wish visits.

In total this year including annual grants plus impact grants and miscellaneous contributions more than $3.5 million was awarded through Packers Foundation efforts.