"The annual charity event will raise funds to help fight poverty"

Appleton, WI — April 5, 2017 — U.S. Venture, Inc. announces current Chicago Bulls player and three- time NBA Champion Dwyane Wade as the keynote speaker at this year’s U.S. Venture Open. The 2017U.S. Venture Open will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 and funds raised from the annual event help fight poverty in Northeast Wisconsin.

One of the most decorated players in Marquette University history, Wade is an Olympic gold medalist, 12- time NBA All-Star, NBA Finals MVP and is a proud husband and father. Most notably, Wade overcame a challenging childhood in south Chicago to reach the top of the basketball world.

Wade established the Wade’s World Foundation, a nonprofit charity organization dedicated to giving back to at-risk communities of Chicago, Milwaukee, and the South Florida region through a variety of community outreach programs. His foundation provides opportunities that enable children to overcome challenges, excel academically, and reach their maximum potential.

“I believe in the importance of giving back to communities in need,” Wade said. “I’m proud to participate in the U.S. Venture Open benefitting at-risk kids who have huge potential in spite of their challenges.”

Wade’s charitable work is one reason why organizers of the U.S. Venture Open are excited to have him associated with the annual event. “There is no better example of the potential all children have than Dwyane Wade,” said Greg Vandenberg, director of giving and community engagement for U.S. Venture. “His personal example and the activities of his foundation are directly in line with the U.S. Venture Open’s mission of eliminating the root causes of poverty and creating a brighter future for all residents of northeast Wisconsin.”

U.S. Venture Open

The U.S. Venture Open is Northeast Wisconsin’s single largest one-day charitable event dedicated to fighting poverty. It’s held at several regional golf courses: Oneida Golf and Country Club, Green Bay; North Shore Golf Club, Menasha; Mid Vallee Golf Course, DePere; Fox Valley Golf Club, Kaukauna; Butte des Morts Country Club, Appleton; Wander Springs Golf Course, Greenleaf. Dwyane Wade is scheduled to appear and speak at one large dinner reception for all registered guests, held at Van Abel’s of Hollandtown.

U.S. Venture underwrites all costs of the event and has done so since the inception. “U.S. Venture is so humbled by the generosity and trust of our partners to join us in the fight to end poverty. We also recognize all the team members within U.S. Venture whose hard work every day allows us to pay all expenses of this important event,” said John Schmidt, President of U.S. Venture, Inc.

Funds from the event are held within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, with grants made to collaborating non-profit organizations in Northeast Wisconsin.

Over 1,100 participants representing more than 500 partners golf at regional golf courses to raise money for programs that help to fight the root causes of poverty. The event started in 1986 with 100 golfers and has grown to more than 1,100 attendees representing more than 500 donor partners from across the nation. To become a partner, visit www.USVentureOpen.com. Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter.

Basic Needs Giving Partnership

$2.8 million in new Basic Needs Giving Partnership grants were given in calendar year 2016 involving more than 100 charitable organizations, impacting more than 50,000 people in need. Proceeds from the U.S. Venture Open pave the way for collaboration between funders and non-profit organizations who are passionate about addressing the root causes of poverty in Northeast Wisconsin. The Basic Needs Giving Partnership was launched in 2007 when the J. J. Keller Foundation offered to match the grantmaking budget of the U.S. Venture Fund for Basic Needs. The J. J. Keller Foundation will again match up to $800,000 for grants distributed and will be joined for the 2017 granting cycle by lead partners ThedaCare and Oshkosh Corporation. In the 31-year history of the event more than $33 million has been raised and $18.3 million granted.