Market on a Mission

As a downtown and neighborhood gathering place, the Market’s mission of giving back and community support is an integral part of our identity and a founding principle since our inception. Each year the Market works with local charities and other nonprofits to help further their missions for the betterment of EVERY child and resident in our city.  The Market on a Mission Grant is issued annually to a group or organization working to provide health, social and educational services to local youth and other under served individuals throughout Milwaukee. Past recipients have included Children's Outing Association, Milwaukee Public Library, United Community Center, Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative, Milwaukee Christian Center and the Walkers Point Youth & Family Center.

Milwaukee Downtown's 'Brighten The Passage' Project:

We've partnered with Milwaukee Downtown for the Brighten The Passage project, which seeks to color and enliven the pedestrian experience underneath the I-94 freeway. Four artists, each with a Milwaukee connection, have transformed the support piers near the Milwaukee Public Market into the city's newest outdoor art gallery. With distinct styles, this collection of murals adds to downtown's growing street art scene,and links communities on both sides of the overpass. The Market is thrilled to be a key partner and facilitator for this outstanding placemaking project.

Milwaukee Public Library Partnership:

Through our partnership with the Friends of the Milwaukee Public Library, the Market sells used books for $1 from self-service carts on the second level. The books are sourced from the Public Library,and all proceeds go back to the library. Used book sales at the Market have generated nearly $25,000 over the course of its existence at the Market.

Wisconsin Humane Society – “Cups for Pups”:

Beginning in 2016, the Public Market partnered with the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) to host three beverage areas at the Third Ward Art Festival, an annual outdoor street festival with artists from around the country. Each beverage area was staffed by volunteers from WHS, who supplied over 20 volunteers throughout the festival weekend.  The Historic Third Ward Association puts on the annual art festival in partnership with Amdur Productions.  The two day event featured over 140 artists along Broadway between St. Paul Avenue and Menomonee Street.  To date the event has collectively raised over $40,000 to benefit WHS.

Milwaukee Public Schools – “School to Work”:

 The Market partners with Milwaukee Public School’s “School to Work –Career Assessment Training Program”, in which the Market Management and a number of its vendors act as a work site to train about 20 MPS students with special needs in a variety of job skills throughout the school year.

Historic Third Ward Association:

Aside from our mission of reaching out to the surrounding communities in our city, the Market is also a regular supporter of the Historic Third Ward Association (HTWA). The association acts as a catalyst to develop the district as an innovative, livable and exciting mixed use neighborhood while preserving its historic and creative character. It’s programmed events,including the Third Ward Art Festival, Gallery Night and Christmas in the Ward(to name a few) are attended by people throughout the region on an annual basis, making it one of the top neighborhood destinations in the city.

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