Ten Years Later, Siebert Recommits to Milwaukee's Near West Side

A new 10-year lease reflects Siebert Lutheran Foundation’s long-term commitment to the neighborhood it has called home since 2016.

Ten years ago, Siebert Lutheran Foundation made a significant move—not simply from Brookfield to Milwaukee, but into a neighborhood whose transformation was still taking shape.

In July 2026, Siebert renewed the lease on its approximately 4,000-square-foot office in Milwaukee’s SoHi building for another 10 years, reaffirming its commitment to the Near West Side and the community it has called home since 2016.

A leap of faith in 2016

When Siebert first moved to the Near West Side, many of the improvements residents, businesses and visitors experience today had yet to be realized. But the Foundation saw both an opportunity and a reason to be there: moving into Milwaukee would put Siebert closer to many of the churches, schools and nonprofit organizations it supports.

Inspired by John Hennessy and the Hennessy Group’s vision for the SoHi building, Siebert invested nearly $700,000 to build out its two-floor office suite. The move represented more than a change of address. It was an investment in becoming part of the neighborhood.

Over the decade that followed, Siebert watched—and participated in—a period of significant momentum across the Near West Side.

New developments such as Concordia 27 and Aurora Health Care’s Beacon have joined storefront and residential redevelopment and continued investment from neighborhood anchor institutions including Marquette University, Harley-Davidson, Molson Coors and Potawatomi Business Development Corporation.

Siebert is grateful for the leadership of John Hennessy, John Hennessy Jr. and Near West Side Partners, as well as the many residents, businesses and organizations whose commitment continues to move the neighborhood forward.

Choosing to stay

Today, Siebert manages approximately $146 million in assets and awards about $4 million in grants annually. With a staff of just seven, renewing a 4,000-square-foot lease was not simply a decision about how much office space the Foundation needs.

It was a decision about where Siebert wants to be.

Remaining in the Near West Side keeps the Foundation close to many of the organizations and communities it serves and allows staff to continue building relationships as a neighbor—not simply as a funder.

At a time when many organizations are reconsidering their physical office footprints, Siebert’s new 10-year lease represents something different: a deliberate decision to remain rooted.

A decade after taking a leap of faith on the Near West Side, Siebert is choosing the neighborhood again—and looking forward to being part of what comes next.