All-In Milwaukee has secured an $11 million philanthropic commitment from longtime supporters Keith Mardak and Mary Vandenberg, marking the largest gift in the organization’s history.

The funding will support 500 additional students over the next decade, with 50 new scholars entering the program annually beginning with the high school class of 2027. Participants will be recruited through partner institutions, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Carmen Schools of Science and Technology, Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy and the Milwaukee Academy of Science.

All-In Milwaukee, founded in 2018, provides scholarships alongside advising and career development support aimed at helping limited-income, first-generation college students complete degrees and transition into the workforce. The organization currently serves about 600 scholars and has graduated 160 students. All-In Milwaukee aims to support 1,000 scholars by 2029.

The nonprofit’s model emphasizes four pillars: financial aid and literacy, academic advising, socioemotional support and career readiness. Students receive guidance from their senior year of high school through college graduation, including help navigating financial aid, selecting majors and securing internships.

“The differentiator for All-In Milwaukee is it’s not just a scholarship,” executive director Allison Wagner said. “Money alone does not help limited-income students who are first-generation through college. There are many barriers that our students overcome, and whether it be academic preparation, not feeling a sense of belonging or not understanding all of the different requirements to enroll.”

While roughly 18.5% of Milwaukee Public Schools and charter graduates earn a degree within six years, All-In Milwaukee reports a 90% college persistence rate among its scholars. Additionally, 84% are on track to graduate without student debt, and 91% remain in Wisconsin for work or graduate school.

Supporters, including some local business leaders and educators, say the program plays a critical role in addressing workforce needs. A large share of participants pursue degrees in high-demand fields such as health care, business and STEM, according to Wagner.

“All-In Milwaukee is one of the most powerful tools our community has for keeping top talent here in Wisconsin,” said Mary Ellen Stanek, chief investment officer emeritus of Baird and an All-In Milwaukee board member. “When you support a scholar through this program, you are going beyond funding their education.”

Mardak and Vandenberg, who have supported education and arts initiatives across Milwaukee for years, said the organization’s “wraparound” model drove their continued investment.

“Students are guided, encouraged and equipped to navigate a completely new environment,” they said in a joint statement. “That gives us confidence our support is truly changing the trajectory of their lives.”

Mardak retired in 2020 as chairman and CEO of Hal Leonard, a Milwaukee-based sheet music publishing company, and Vandenberg is former vice president of business affairs for Hal Leonard.

Despite the new funding, demand continues to outpace capacity. According to Wagner, more than 2,000 qualified students have been turned away since the program’s founding. All-In Milwaukee is fully reliant on philanthropy, though financial aid packages their students receive might include public dollars through programs like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).