Northwestern Mutual Demonstrates Continued Commitment to Education with $1.2 Million in Grants, New Technology Program

MILWAUKEE, Aug. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In its ongoing commitment to help Milwaukee students thrive, Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation, today announced $1.2 million in grants to support local educational programs.

The multiple grants fund programs that display measurable impact in the Milwaukee education system, including literacy programs that emphasize third-grade reading proficiency and best-in-class mentoring programs.

"Every young person deserves access to a quality education to help them succeed today and tomorrow," said John Schlifske, chairman and CEO, Northwestern Mutual, and co-chair of Milwaukee Succeeds. "We support educational programs that provide Milwaukee children with the tools and resources to recognize and achieve their true potential."

SPOTLIGHT GRANT: Milwaukee Succeeds – Reading Foundations

Milwaukee Succeeds is dedicated to building a new approach to education through collective impact. Core to its strategy is the guiding principle that every stakeholder – schools, community leaders, youth organizations, parents, political leaders, and the business community – has a critical role to play in the education of children.

This collaboration as well as a focus on data-driven continuous improvement are pillars for the organization's four objectives: kindergarten readiness, school success, college and career readiness and social and emotional health.

Northwestern Mutual is funding Milwaukee Succeeds' Reading Foundations, a program established to advance third-grade reading proficiency. Studies have shown that students who cannot read proficiently by the 3^rd grade are significantly less likely to graduate from high school.

Reading Foundations coaches K-2 teachers on reading and social-emotional skills aligned with tutoring, parental engagement and experiential learning opportunities to develop reading skills in students. The program is currently active in 16 Milwaukee schools representing each sector – Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), choice and charter and will expand in 2017.

The Northwestern Mutual Foundation also targets programmatic support toward five MPS partner schools: Auer Avenue Elementary School, Gwen T. Jackson Early Childhood and Elementary School, Ralph H. Metcalfe School, Carver Academy and Clarke Street Public School.

Technology Grants Announced

The Foundation is also awarding five local high schools with grants for technology programming for the first time in 2017. Ronald Wilson Reagan College Preparatory High School, Pathways High, Milwaukee Academy of Science, St. Joan Antida High School and Messmer High School each received a $20,000 grant to support innovative programming that provides ninth graders the opportunity to work in technology.

Providing meaningful STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) educational experiences to students can help to shape both their technology proficiency and passion for these industries, contributing to meeting our country's need for skilled professionals.

In addition to strengthening Milwaukee education, Northwestern Mutual works with its partners to provide support to children and families in local neighborhoods, make Milwaukee a premier destination and accelerate the search nationally for childhood cancer cures.

About Northwestern Mutual Foundation 
The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $300 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company's employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination.

About Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual has been helping families and businesses achieve financial security for 160 years. Through a distinctive, whole-picture planning approach including both insurance and investments, we empower people to be financially confident so they can live life differently. We combine the expertise of our financial professionals with a personalized digital experience to help our clients navigate their financial lives every day. With $250.4 billion in assets, $28.2 billion in revenues, and more than $1.6 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than 4.4 million people who rely on us for life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, brokerage and advisory services, trust services, and discretionary portfolio management solutions. The company holds more than $100 billion of client assets as a part of its wealth management company and investment services. Northwestern Mutual ranks 97 on the 2017 FORTUNE 500 and is recognized by FORTUNE® as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2017.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a comprehensive approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, annuities, life insurance with long-term care benefits, investment products, and advisory products and services. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (securities), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (fiduciary and fee-based financial planning services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance).

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual