Les Weil

Les Weil is a consultant, philanthropist, active community volunteer and former business owner/entrepreneur. Since 1994, he has collaborated with more than 100 nonprofit organizations in the greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin and greater Ft. Lauderdale, Florida areas.  Specifically assisting them with fundraising, board solicitation training, marketing and the business operations of nonprofits, he encourages board members, volunteers and senior staff to work together, hand-in-hand.  

He has worked with nonprofits in all sectors, including social service, health, education, arts and the environment. He currently serves as the development committee chair of the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center and co-chair of the $6 million capital campaign for Journey House, a central-city social service agency located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Previously, he co-chaired the 2002 Donor’s Forum of Wisconsin Statewide Conference on Philanthropy and the capital campaign for the Milwaukee Center for Independence, which raised $12 million. He is a regular guest lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Helen Bader Institute for Nonprofit Management.

Les has developed and implemented a number of community-wide initiatives to educate, engage, and involve individuals in volunteerism and philanthropy. Most recently, he designed and implemented an online tool, www.ProjectRippleEffect.com, to reach more people.  

Known for connecting individuals, corporations and foundations for the betterment of the community, Les hosts learning sessions to provide lesser-known nonprofit organizations with the opportunity to present their missions to a targeted group of philanthropists.

Additionally, Les is the founder of the Zink the Zebra Foundation.  Based on a short story his 11-year-old daughter Kelly wrote before her death from cancer in 1993, the Zink the Zebra Foundation helps educate children to better express tolerance, respect and acceptance of people who may be perceived as different.

Among the awards recognizing his service: the La Causa Vision Award (Hispanic Community), United Performing Arts Fund Award for leadership of a nearly $10 million campaign, Todd Wehr Volunteer Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the W.I.S.H. Award from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Friend of The Hispanic Community Award from the United Community Center, the St. Francis Children’s Center Community Service Award and the Human Relations Award from the National Conference on Community and Justice.