By Carole Caine Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Sep 26, 2016 at 11:01 AM Photography: Andy Tarnoff

The Cream City Foundation was established in 1982 by a small group of individuals working to help serve and support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Since its origin, the foundation has not only helped support the LGBT community, but also has worked with the area to improve and help the entire southeastern Wisconsin area. It is the Foundation’s goal to help the LGBT community work, play and stay in the state of Wisconsin.

The foundation has been very active in identifying the needs of the LGBT community, but also working to end discrimination against it.

Foundation president Peter Holbrook is committed to advocate, educate and build positive relationships with the area to foster a world of access and opportunity, and I sat down with him to hear his story.

It’s a fascinating one: the foundation has also worked to raise thousands of dollars in scholarship money for LGBT individuals. In less than one year the scholarship program raised more than $71,000 and awarded $45,000 to 31 deserving students.

In the years since the founding of Cream City Foundation in 1982, it’s led the way among LGBTQ+ grant makers in Southeastern Wisconsin proving close to 400 grants of over $1.3 million.

Holbrook attributes the foundation's granting success in part to the generous support of its donors and sponsors.

Carole Caine Special to OnMilwaukee.com

Carole Caine comes from Beloit, but is a 30-year media veteran in Milwaukee. Prior to joining OnMilwaukee as a features contributor, she served as half of the popular “Dave and Carole” morning show.

Now, Carole serves a number of roles in Milwaukee media. She’s a host at WVTV-18 and fills in on “The Morning Blend.” She is also doing voice work for several regional clients.

Carole, her husband and her dog live in Mequon.