Wisconsin Gives! December Education Lunch and Annual Meeting

The Wisconsin Philanthropy Network (WPN) is a professional membership association for Grantmakers from across the state.  Wisconsin’s premier resource in philanthropy committed to promoting effective philanthropy by providing networking opportunities, professional development, and customized research opportunities. Serving over 650 philanthropic professions representing 120 organizations the WPN mission is to support and promote effective philanthropy in Wisconsin through education, best practices, enhanced partnerships, and leadership.

Tony Shields, President & CEO will be presenting a 1-hour overview and key findings of the Wisconsin Gives Report at the AFP Annual meeting on Thursday, December 15th 11:30.  The WI Gives report is published biennially and offers an in-depth look at the culture of philanthropy in Wisconsin and the United States.  The report highlights trends, the impact of grantmaking, and the scope, diversity, and depth of philanthropy in Wisconsin.  In addition, the report provides the Wisconsin Grantmaker survey, sector specific data and a diversity, equity, and inclusion index.

On behalf of the WPN team our thanks to AFP SE Wisconsin and were looking forward to providing you with an informative and interactive presentation that will equip you with additional tools and resources to continue doing great work in the field of philanthropy.

Meet Tony Shields: 

In his role as President and CEO, Tony serves the Wisconsin Philanthropy Network (WPN), by leading all aspects of strategy and operations for membership, staff, programs, fundraising, expansion and execution of its mission. The Wisconsin Philanthropy Network is the state's only organization devoted exclusively to the profession and practice of philanthropy. As WPN’s leader, Tony serves a growing network of 130 member organizations contributing over $600 million annually to non-profits locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. WPN’s mission is to support and promote effective philanthropy through education and research, best practices, enhanced partnerships and thought leadership.   

Prior to joining WPN, Tony served as Executive Director of United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee (UNCOM), a collaborative of Milwaukee Settlement House Neighborhood Centers and as publisher of the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. Before UNCOM, he led Community Relations efforts for Harley-Davidson, Inc. In that role, Tony developed strategic plans and implemented outreach and programs for a number of factory-based and national efforts and directed community outreach to support major company sponsored initiatives and philanthropic efforts.   

Before joining Harley-Davidson, Tony held community and public relations leadership/executive positions for organizations including Milwaukee Bucks Professional Basketball Inc., the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, and public relations and marketing firms.  

Tony has been honored for his leadership by the Cardinal Stritch University Alumni Association, Milwaukee Community Journal and Madison 365 publication. He has served on various community boards and volunteered for several initiatives and is currently serving as a Consortium member for Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment, on the Board of Advisors for the Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Milwaukee County Parks Foundation board and as an appointee of Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers serving on both the Milwaukee Child Welfare Partnership Council and Census 2020 Statewide Complete Count Committee. Previously he has served on the boards of the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin and as a Trustee for Cardinal Stritch University.  
 
Tony holds both a Master of Science in Management and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interpersonal Communications from Cardinal Stritch University where he also serves as Adjunct Faculty in the University’s College of Business and Management.