Fuller Collegiate Academy Raised Over $1.6 Million
The Milwaukee charter network secured significant funding at its third annual gala to support student growth.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy (HFCA) raised over $1.6 million during its gala on September 23, 2026. The funds will support the charter school network's K4-12 programs across its three Milwaukee campuses.
Why it matters
The investment aims to bolster academic performance and provide specialized facilities, addressing citywide gaps in literacy for students in Milwaukee.
The gala drew 300 attendees to support a student population of 1,100 across three Milwaukee campuses. HFCA reports that 90% of its seniors graduate and 100% of graduates gain college acceptance.
The players
Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy
This Milwaukee charter school network serves approximately 1,100 students across its K4-12 grade levels.
Christy Walton
A philanthropist who contributed $350,000 during the 2026 gala period to support the academy.
Keith Mardak and Mary Vandenberg
These donors pledged $525,000 to assist the academy in building its recording studios.
The details
The event featured a $350,000 contribution from Christy Walton, while Keith Mardak and Mary Vandenberg pledged $525,000 to develop on-site recording studios. HFCA utilizes a 'Loved, Literate, and Liberated' framework to improve test scores, currently outperforming 68% of Wisconsin schools in growth.
Timeline
The academy was founded as a single high school in 2004.
The third annual gala took place on September 23, 2026.
The article was published on September 30, 2026.
Market Landscape
The academy's expansion into a K4-12 model mirrors a broader shift among charter networks to provide continuous educational pathways in response to MPS fourth-grade literacy proficiency rates. This capital campaign strengthens the institution's position in the local education market against competing public and private providers.
Families can expect new resources, such as upgraded recording studios, to be integrated into the existing K4-12 curriculum. The funding also helps maintain the school's growth trajectory and academic outcomes for the 1,100 students currently enrolled in the network.
The takeaway
Private donations continue to play a critical role in supplementing the growth of Milwaukee charter schools. Sustained investment allows these networks to offer specialized extracurricular facilities that might otherwise be unavailable to students.
Further reading
For more on how local schools engage donors, visit the Philanthropy section.
More information
View school programs and mission details on the Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Urban Milwaukee.
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