Ways to Give

Julie Xiong ‘12 (Communication Design) was the first of six children to attend and graduate from a four-year college. In addition to receiving scholarships to pay for college, she worked five jobs to reach her goal of getting a degree and a career in communication design. She is a UX Engineer II at Zywave.

Help students from myriad backgrounds access a nationally ranked undergraduate education and robust career opportunities through college scholarships.

MIAD awards more than $13 million in scholarships annually to deserving students, including the 43% who are Pell Grant eligible (low-income). Scholarships are awarded based on financial need and merit.

• First In My Family Scholarship – Supports the 28% of  students who are the first in their family to attend college, with preference to students of diversity and high need. The annual scholarship need for all first-year, first-generation students alone is more than $1.2 million.
• General Scholarship – Helps a promising student realize his or her potential.
• Named Scholarship – $10,000 supports a scholarship in the name of your choosing.

Close the opportunity gap for area low-income and minority high schools students through our Future Designers and Pre-College programs – bringing them design and technology experiences and preparing them for college readiness.

Nearly half of high school students attending MIAD’s Pre-College program are economically challenges, first-generation or diverse students. The annual scholarship/program need for summer Pre-College students alone is $150,000, and student demand for the program exceeds available scholarships.

MIAD’s Future Designers program aims to address a nationwide and Milwaukee challenge – underrepresentation of people of color in the design industries. It brings design experiences, real-world technologies, career pathways and curricular projects to area high schools lacking the needed expertise and resources. Naming opportunities for programs and mentors are available.

Bring the arts and emerging technologies to curious minds of all ages by supporting gallery exhibitions and programming, public talks by renowned creative professionals, and continuing education programs for adults and K-12 art educators.

Support areas of greatest need through an unrestricted gift that allows MIAD to remain at the forefront of emerging technology, introduce new programs and improve facilities that accommodate our growing student body and more.

Individual, community, corporate and foundation partners enable MIAD to enhance students’ advancement in their education and lives, and expand the college’s impact on the broader Milwaukee community through a variety of program and sponsorship opportunities. Please contact Vivian Rothschild, Vice President of Development and Communications, at 414‑847‑3239 to discuss the following opportunities in more detail.

Future Designers Program | $2,500 and beyond

MIAD’s Future Designers Program aims to address a nationwide and Milwaukee challenge – underrepresentation of people of color in the design industries. It brings design experiences, real-world technologies, career pathways and curricular projects to area high schools lacking the needed expertise and resources. Beginning with nine schools in 2016-17, it seeks to expand to 12 schools. Naming opportunities for programs and mentors are available.

MIAD’s Emerging Technology Center | $5,000 and beyond

MIAD’s Emerging Technology Center is a college-wide hub of activity and a leader in many technologies. It includes beta testing software for immersive technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, as well as physical computing technologies encompassing circuit design, microcontroller programming and soldering. The Emerging Technology Center also has e-textile equipment for the creation of smart garments. Naming opportunities are available.

Sponsored Curricular Project | Amount subject to project specifics

MIAD collaborates with corporate and nonprofit partners on a variety of curricular projects to enhance students’ real-world experiences while providing invaluable intellectual property and products to our partners. Projects span all majors. Recent partners have included Boelter, Colectivo Coffee, Delta Faucet, Kimberly Clark, Master Lock, Milwaukee Public Library, Mortara Instrument and the Pettit National Ice Center.

Creative Fusion Sponsorships | $3,000 – $20,000

Support MIAD scholarships and celebrate creativity while gaining exposure through one of the most anticipated and sold-out FUNdraisers of the season – a rare experience that supports the future of both the arts and the business communities in the heart of MIAD’s creative studios. Sponsorship packages and benefits vary by level. Learn more about Creative Fusion.

Senior Exhibition Sponsorships | $5,000 – $25,000

Support the largest Bachelor of Fine Arts exhibition in the state with exposure to the more than 10,000 visitors annually from the Midwest’s business and arts communities. Sponsorship packages and benefits vary by level. The Senior Exhibition runs April 16 – May 8, 2021.

MIAD Creativity Series Sponsorships | $2,500 – $15,000

The MIAD Creativity Series, founded by Madeleine Kelly Lubar and her husband, David Lubar, “brings internationally renowned creatives to Milwaukee from a broad spectrum of the visual arts to enrich the experiences of MIAD students while engaging the community in new ways of thinking about, and appreciating the arts and the world of design.” Each MIAD Creativity Series event brings nearly 1,000 students, alumni and community members to campus for a public presentation, and provides students and donors the opportunity to engage in unique workshop and critique experiences. Sponsorship packages and benefits vary by level. Learn more about upcoming MIAD Creativity Series events.

MIAD Holiday Sale Sponsorships | $2,500 – $15,000

This popular annual event held during the first weekend of December showcases student and alumni art and design work at all price points while fostering camaraderie and mentoring among the artists and designers, and the community. Sponsorship packages and benefits vary by level. Learn more about the MIAD Holiday Sale.

MIAD Gallery Exhibition Sponsorships | $5,000 – $10,000

Show your commitment as a patron of contemporary art and design in Wisconsin through exhibitions that provide engaging educational and visual opportunities to both MIAD students and the broader Milwaukee community throughout the year, and during quarterly Gallery Nights in partnership with the Third Ward Association. Learn more about this year’s exhibitions and gallery hours. Admission is free to MIAD’s galleries. For sponsorship information on specific exhibitions, contact Tracy Milkowski.

When you make a donation to our endowment, you give a gift with both immediate and long-term benefits. Endowed gifts provide perpetual scholarship support and ensure the continuance of academic programs. Endowment donations are invested. A portion of the annual income from the investment is used to address your designated gift. The remaining funds are reinvested to ensure indefinite support.

Endowed Scholarships

Endowed scholarships are established with a minimum gift of $25,000 and are awarded to students who show high academic achievement and character, and creative potential as future leaders.

Endowed Named Chair and Faculty Positions

An Endowed Named Chair or Faculty Position is created when an endowment gift (or gifts) total at least $1 million. These positions are awarded to faculty who have distinguished themselves at the national level with their teaching, scholarship and service in the field designated by the endowed position. Please contact Tracy Milkowski, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, at 414‑847‑3239 to discuss MIAD endowment opportunities.

Planned giving is designed to thoughtfully meet the philanthropic and tax needs of individuals and families who wish to support MIAD and leave a lasting legacy for our future creative leaders. Planned giving also provides a thoughtful way for donors who are unable to make a gift currently, but would like to support the college. Planned giving opportunities include bequests, beneficiary designations and memorials and tributes. Learn more about planned giving.

Become part of the President’s Circle ($1,000 minimum gift) or Innovation Circle ($10,000 minimum gift) to gain unique opportunities to engage with President Jeff Morin and the college community. The Sustainers Circle recognizes donors who choose to make a recurring, monthly gift, which, regardless of level, adds up to an impactful gift over time. Learn more about giving circle benefits.