We Raise Awards $100,000 GrantsPlus Grant to St. Marcus Lutheran School

Itasca, IL—We Raise Foundation is excited to announce the awarding of a $100,000 GrantsPlus Grant to St. Marcus Lutheran School of Milwaukee, Wis. The grant will support the St. Marcus Family Empowerment and Early Childhood Literacy Initiative, a comprehensive effort designed to strengthen early literacy outcomes, equip parents as partners in learning, improve family financial stability, and build supportive community networks that help children and families thrive.

“We Raise is honored to continue our support of St. Marcus through its Family Empowerment and Early Childhood Literacy Initiative,” said Paul Miles, President and CEO of We Raise Foundation. “We value innovative programs, and St. Marcus continues to create thoughtful and impactful approaches to holistic education. In partnership with St. Marcus Lutheran Church, they are addressing barriers to successful learning, positive relationship-building, and community engagement. Our commitment to helping St. Marcus serve more people—and serve them more effectively—is stronger than ever.”

St. Marcus Lutheran School exists to disciple children for Christ and prepare them for their roles in family, church, community, workplace, and country. Serving more than 1,400 predominantly Black and low-income students across three Milwaukee campuses, St. Marcus has become a model for Christian urban education, demonstrating that a child’s zip code does not have to determine their future.

The need is significant. Milwaukee has the nation’s largest Black-White achievement gap, and among schools serving student populations that are at least 80 percent Black and low-income, reading proficiency averages just 14 percent. At St. Marcus, reading proficiency reaches 34 percent—more than double the peer average. School leaders recognize, however, that academic success depends on more than what happens in the classroom. Children spend only 18 percent of their waking hours in school, making family engagement and stability essential components of long-term achievement.

The Family Empowerment and Early Childhood Literacy Initiative addresses these realities through four interconnected strategies that support both students and their families.

The initiative’s academic foundation is an expanded early childhood literacy program serving children in K3 through K5. Literacy specialists provide targeted small-group instruction, monitor student progress using evidence-based assessments, and work directly with families to reinforce literacy skills at home through coaching, resources, and ongoing support.

To strengthen the partnership between school and home, St. Marcus also offers parent alignment and education programming. Families participate in onboarding sessions, educational workshops, and regular progress meetings focused on literacy development, healthy routines, technology use, nutrition, and other factors that influence student success.

Recognizing the connection between family stability and academic achievement, the initiative includes a robust financial empowerment component. Through one-on-one coaching and workshops offered in partnership with organizations such as ACTS Housing and Habitat for Humanity, families receive practical guidance in budgeting, debt reduction, credit improvement, savings, and pathways toward homeownership.

The initiative is further strengthened through two relationship-centered ministries: Men That Matter and Embrace Grace/Life. Men That Matter engages fathers and male mentors in the educational journey of their children, while Embrace Grace/Life provides spiritual, emotional, and practical support to women navigating unexpected pregnancies and other significant life challenges. Together, these ministries foster stronger families, deeper community connections, and greater opportunities for children to flourish.

Through this partnership, We Raise and St. Marcus Lutheran School are investing in a proven model that strengthens literacy, empowers families, builds financial resilience, and reflects Christ’s love in action. Together, they are helping children realize their God-given potential and equipping families with the tools and support needed to build brighter futures.

In addition to the grant award, We Raise will also provide St. Marcus with critical capacity-building services, including a resource development assessment, an incentivized crowdfunding campaign, and research to help strengthen and sustain their program.

About We Raise Foundation
Motivated by the belief that freedom is grace in action (Galatians 5:1a), We Raise Foundation funds innovative ideas and leaders that help individuals and communities thrive. We have a preference for funding solutions within the areas of education, workforce development, and reentry, and employ a unique approach to our investing by coupling program funding with a variety of robust value-added services that empower our grantees to grow their solutions. As a result of these value-added services, every $1 that donors invest through We Raise multiplies into more than double the benefit to the organizations we support. To learn more, please visit weraise.org. You can also find We Raise on Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram.