30 CHILRDRENS CHARITIES WIN BIG DURING HEART OF CANAL STREET FINALE

December 11, 2025

Organizations throughout Southeast Wisconsin to share more than $700,000

MILWAUKEE, WI (December 10, 2025) – Big smiles and big checks for local children’s charities. Thirty organizations heard their names called today as part of the 31^st Heart of Canal Street finale celebration at Potawatomi Casino Hotel.

This year’s Heart of Canal Street campaign raised $722,380, meaning each charity selected during the event will receive $24,079 to support their vitally important children’s programming over the next year.

This year 26 of the organizations were selected randomly during the finale, four media outlets worked with a partner charity, and the remaining charity was selected by a Potawatomi team member through a “What Does Heart of Canal Street Mean to Me” essay contest.

Here are the 2026 winners (listed alphabetically):

All Hands Boatworks
Advocates of Ozaukee
Arts at Large
Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee – Presented by Clear Channel Outdoor
Blue Lotus Center
Centers for Independence – Presented by Milwaukee Media Group
Chosen Inc. of Wisconsin
Ex Fabula
Family Promise of Waukesha County
FRIENDS, Inc.
Future Urban Leaders
Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center
Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center
Healing Hearts of Southeast Wisconsin
Hope House of Milwaukee
I Have a Dream Foundation of Milwaukee
Junior Achievement of Wisconsin – Presented by FOX 6
La Causa, Inc.
Latino Arts, Inc.
Little Warrior Foundation – Potawatomi Casino Hotel Team Member Selection
Milwaukee Baseball Club
Milwaukee Diaper Mission – Presented by CBS 58
Old World Wisconsin Foundation
Outreach Community Health Centers
Pets Helping People
Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation
REDgen
Riveredge Nature Center
Wisconsin Community Services

Heart of Canal Street is Potawatomi Casino Hotel’s signature charity giving program. In 1994 donations totaled about $100,000 split between a handful of charities. In the 30 years since nearly 400 local organizations have benefitted from a fundraising total now topping $23 million.

To learn more about Heart of Canal Street go to potawatomi.com.heart.

About Potawatomi Casino Hotel – Milwaukee:

Set in the heart of Milwaukee, Potawatomi Casino Hotel is the Midwest’s premier entertainment destination, offering guests the best in gaming, dining and entertainment. The property features a 6,500 sq. ft. retail-betting Sportsbook that includes a 2,000 sq. ft. LED screen, professional-quality broadcast booth, and both kiosks and ticket writers. Guests of the casino can also enjoy a 14-table Poker Room, 12-restaurants, including Rock & Brews (partnership with KISS rock legends Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons), and four bars. The Potawatomi Hotel is the second largest in Milwaukee with 19 floors, 500 rooms, exquisite corner suites that oversee the city’s skyline. The hotel also showcases top-floor Presidential and Chairman suites. To discover more about Potawatomi Casino Hotel, call 800-paysbig (800-729-7244) or visit www.potawatomi.com