In 2025, a Shorewood Foundation Shark Tank grant of $3,950 helped launch Catch the Wave – Reduce Single-Use Plastic—a community-wide effort led by the Shorewood Waters Project to reduce plastic use and protect local waterways. The Shorewood Waters Project is a program of the village’s Department of Public Works, launched in 2011 to promote stormwater and freshwater education.

Turning Awareness into Action

With Foundation support, the Catch the Wave team:

• Built a recognizable brand, educational booth, and project website
• Created workshops, videos, and easy-to-use resources for residents
• Distributed reusable items to encourage everyday behavior change
• Shared monthly tips and updates with 3,100+ residents through the Village Manager’s Memo

Engaging the Community

Catch the Wave reached residents of all ages through hands-on events, including:

• Art workshops using microplastics
• Film screenings on plastic pollution
• DIY tote bag and green cleaning workshops
• Summer camp presentations and community festivals
• A Lake Friendly Business Celebration

Strengthening Local Partnerships

The initiative brought together organizations across Shorewood, including Plastic-Free MKE, Bring Your Bag Shorewood, the Shorewood Library, and Surfrider MKE—expanding its reach and impact.

A Ripple Effect

What began as a single grant has grown into a visible, community-driven movement.

"The Shark Tank sponsorship from the Shorewood Foundation enabled the Shorewood Waters Project to launch an important single-use plastic reduction initiative in April 2025,” said Kae DonLevy, Manager of the Shorewood Waters Project. “Since then, a fully branded collaborative project has taken shape—engaging residents, families, and children who are eager to learn about the issue and make positive changes in their daily lives to protect our waterways, our ecosystems, and their own health."

Foundation Impact

This project reflects the Shorewood Foundation’s commitment to celebrate ideas, connect people, and sustain our community.

“The Shorewood Waters Project continues to lead our village forward on meaningful measures we can each take to improve our environment,” said Jamie Reeve, 2024-2026 president of the Foundation’s board of directors. “In sponsoring another project, it affords the Foundation the opportunity to act locally while thinking globally.”

To learn more about Catch the Wave Shorewood, visit villageofshorewood.org/1295/Catch-the-Wave.

In honor of its 60th anniversary in 2024, the Shorewood Foundation invested $60,000 in special grants to support programs and organizations serving Shorewood residents.

These anniversary gifts, presented in December, went beyond the Foundation’s traditional grantmaking, targeting critical services and community-building initiatives that support residents of all ages.

“Different from our typical grant-making process, the board identified programs providing essential support across our community,” said Jamie Reeve. “Our goal was to share the holiday spirit while amplifying the important work already being done.”

Programs and groups that received support include:

• The Shorewood Community Network, a grass-roots organization created in recent years by residents to serve Shorewood families in need. The grant will be used to support Shorewood residents this holiday season and into the new year.
• The Shorewood Recreation Department’s programming, including the Summer Sounds concert series at Hubbard Park, Youth T-Ball and the Bike Rodeo & First Ride event.
• East Side Senior Services and their direct, hands-on support of Shorewood seniors living independently in the village.
• Community Projects for Seniors’ holiday meals program for residents at the River Park Apartments.
• The Shorewood Senior Resource Center’s support of seniors over the holidays.
• Technology and education needs at Shorewood’s Atwater and Lake Bluff Elementary Schools.
• Travel funds for Shorewood High School and Intermediate School students whose families have a demonstrated need. The funds will be used to help students afford trips for music, mock trial, debate and other educational and life-enriching experiences.

The Shorewood Foundation was created in 1964 as the Shorewood Civic Improvement Foundation. Through gifts from donors, the Foundation invested more than $1 million in its first 60 years to a wide variety of initiatives from the Farmers Market to the annual Fourth of July Fireworks and Celebrations, high school scholarships, public art installations and myriad other initiatives too numerous to mention.

Be part of our next 60 years.

We invite you to support the Shorewood Foundation and help fund the programs and organizations that make Shorewood stronger. Donate Today.

In the fall of 2025, as a federal government shutdown disrupted SNAP benefits (FoodShare in Wisconsin), many Shorewood residents were left facing unexpected food insecurity.

The Shorewood Foundation board of directors responded quickly—deploying a $20,000 emergency grant to support students, families, and seniors during a time of uncertainty.

Immediate, Local Impact

Food assistance was distributed in the form of Kroger grocery gift cards, helping residents access essentials without delay. Support reached the community through trusted local partners:

• Shorewood Community Network 
• Shorewood Senior Resource Center 
• Shorewood School District 

Meeting the Moment

This effort reflects the Foundation’s ability to respond to emerging needs in real time.

“We’ve been able to be responsive to emerging needs and adjust our giving to meet the moment,” said Melissa Marschka, 2026-2028 president of the Foundation.

While the Foundation is well known for supporting beloved community events, initiatives like this play a critical role in strengthening the health and stability of Shorewood.

Similarly, when the pandemic hit, the Foundation used its funds to shore up struggling businesses by providing $50,000 for small business relief. It helped in other ways as well. $7,500 was granted to the Shorewood Swim Club to cover its pool rental costs after it lost 50% of its revenue due to swim meet cancellations.

Powered by Community Generosity

This rapid response was made possible by the generosity of Shorewood Foundation donors. 

“None of this happens without the generosity of our donors… They have entrusted us with their funds and we take their faith in us seriously,” Marschka adds.