Care-a-lotta is beginning the process of choosing its next non-profit partner for a fully-funded and staffed fundraising gala. Interested organizations are encouraged to apply online before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27.

In 2019, Care-a-lotta will be celebrating its fifth annual non-profit partnership, which will culminate in a hosted gala in 2019. During the course of the year, the partnership is intended to leverage The Bartolotta Restaurants’ resources and brand to raise awareness and funds for a local nonprofit.

Organizations who apply must be recognized as a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) and meet the minimum requirements outlined in the application, which can be found at the Bartolotta website.

The 2017 gala recipient was Safe & Sound who had a highly successful event. Executive Director Katie Sanders explained, "Gal-a-lotta was an absolute game-changer for Safe & Sound. The opportunity to have a fantastic gala gave Safe & Sound incredible visibility, introduced us to new sponsors and donors and set us up for future fundraising event success. And, working with the Care-a-lotta board was a fun, amazing and inspiring experience."

This year’s Care-a-lotta partner, The Women’s Center, will host the gala on Thursday, August 23, 2018 at the newly renovated Italian Community Center and will again be completely staffed by Bartolotta employees, family members and friends.

The Bartolotta Restaurants have made charitable giving a large priority for almost 25 years. Past partners in addition to Safe & Sound include The Susan G. Komen Foundation, Urban Ecology Center, and Milwaukee Public Schools, among others.

Jennifer Bartolotta, director of Care-a-lotta, strongly believes in supporting the Milwaukee community and says, "The 2017 Gal-a-lotta for Safe & Sound was our first gala at the newly renovated Italian Community Center, and it was one of the most successful events we have ever hosted as a charitable organization. While I am so proud of the partnership, and the $230,000 we raised, I’m most excited about the awareness and attention highlighting the crucial and urgently needed work of Safe & Sound. This year, we are excited to work with the Women’s Center, hoping to move an equally large needle for them."