The Gathering Named BizTimes Small Nonprofit of the Year

The Gathering of Southeast Wisconsin is honored to be named the 2026 BizTimes Small Nonprofit of the Year! 

While our organization is receiving this award, we know it truly belongs to every volunteer, donor, partner, staff member, church, foundation, and community supporter who has made this mission possible.

For four decades, The Gathering has remained steadfast in a simple but powerful belief: everyone deserves a place at the table. Over the past several years, the need across our community has continued to grow—and together, we have grown to meet it. In 2025 alone, The Gathering served more than 130,000 meals, a remarkable increase from the previous year, while expanding our reach through meal sites, community partnerships, and collaborative initiatives throughout Milwaukee.

Today, we provide meals seven days a week, 51 weeks a year at four meal sites, while partnering with five local organizations to extend our impact even further. Through strong relationships with Hunger Task Force, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, local farmers markets, faith communities, businesses, and countless community partners, we are able to serve nourishing meals with dignity, reduce food waste, and maximize every donated resource.

Perhaps the greatest strength of The Gathering is the community of people who make this work possible. More than 2,000 volunteers generously contribute over 13,000 hours each year—preparing meals, welcoming guests, washing dishes, delivering food, and creating spaces where every person is treated with kindness, dignity, and respect.

The BizTimes selection recognizes not only organizational excellence and innovation but also measurable community impact. We are deeply honored that our collaborative approach, operational excellence, and unwavering commitment to hospitality have been recognized through this award.

As meaningful as this recognition is, we know our work is far from finished. Food insecurity continues to affect thousands of our neighbors every day. Together, we remain committed to expanding our reach, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that every person who comes through our doors is welcomed with compassion, dignity, and a nourishing meal.

As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we also look ahead with hope. The need continues to grow, and so does our determination to meet it. We invite you to continue this journey with us as a volunteer, donor, advocate, or community partner. Together, we can ensure that everyone who comes to our table finds not only a nourishing meal, but also hope, dignity, and a caring community.