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How Kohl’s and other local companies support the RNC without being sponsors

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2 weeks ago

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As the MKE Host Committee 2024 raises money for the Republican National Convention in July, questions have arisen about which local companies are offering financial support and sponsorships for the event.

CNBC recently reported that Kohl’s had no plans to sponsor events for the convention, a story which stirred a lot of attention nationally.  Former President Donald Trump is expected to become the Republican nominee at the convention.

More: Downtown businesses fear disruption from RNC protests. They want the demonstration zone moved

The Host Committee is trying to raise $70 million for the convention and, as of early May, it says it is “ahead of schedule.” No further update has been provided.

Kohl’s Corp., like many other local businesses, has supported the convention by donating to the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC), which, in turn, has financially supported the RNC. 

In a statement, the Menomonee Falls-based retailer said it is not a political organization and “does not make monetary contributions to political candidates or campaigns, does not support political organizations, and does not have a company-sponsored Political Action Committee (PAC).” 

Kohl’s said it used the same approach when Milwaukee was chosen for the 2020 Democratic National Convention. 

“In alignment with our political activity policy, Kohl’s is not sponsoring or engaging in any political events,” the statement said. “To support Milwaukee as the host city, we took the same approach for both the DNC and RNC by financially supporting the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.” 

Alison Prange, COO of the MKE 2024 Host Committee, encouraged companies to donate to the host committee saying it is “a great way for local businesses to contribute to the nonprofit organization that is putting the pieces together for a successful event to showcase Milwaukee on the national stage.”

“We’re thrilled by the great local support we have received so far and look forward to using it to welcome tens of thousands of Republican delegates, members of the media, and other guests to Wisconsin in July,” Prange said in a statement.

Previous confusion over direct and indirect financial support of the RNC

This isn’t the first time reports have confused donations to the MMAC and the Host Committee.

It was previously reported that Northwestern Mutual donated to the Host Committee, however, like Kohl’s, it send cash to the MMAC.

“Northwestern Mutual’s involvement is through the MKE 2024 Host Committee, the nonpartisan and nonprofit civic organization part of the convention responsible for organizing and hosting visitors to the convention. The company’s contribution was made through the MMAC,” said Northwestern Mutual spokeswoman Julia Fennelly.

“We view the RNC, as we did the (Democratic National Convention) planned for Milwaukee in 2020, as an event that provides the opportunity to showcase all that Milwaukee has to offer, as a talent magnet, a center of tourism, a convention destination, and an all-around great place to work, live and play. We actively supported efforts around the DNC being held in Milwaukee in 2020 and are applying those same efforts here to showcase the city.”

‘Dozens’ of companies donate to MMAC for RNC

Ryan Amundson, senior director of communications for MMAC, said “dozens of companies” from Wisconsin have taken a similar path with putting funding toward the convention. 

“Just like the Democratic National Convention in 2020, in which the MMAC made similar fundraising efforts, the 2024 Republican National Convention is a chance for this community and the surrounding region to tell its story and shine on a global stage,” Amundson said in a statement.

“With 50,000 people expected to descend on Milwaukee during the convention and millions more tuning in over the course of those four nights, many area companies have given to the MMAC to fund the non-profit, non-political RNC Host Committee to bolster these efforts. They know this is an unprecedented chance for southeastern Wisconsin to show why it’s a great place to visit; choose to learn; set down roots and raise a family; or start or expand a business.” 

ManpowerGroup is another high-profile company that donated to the MMAC instead of directly to the Host Committee.  

“We have not directly provided funds to the RNC but rather MMAC has provided funds on ours and others’ behalf, just like they did for the DNC,” a ManpowerGroup spokesperson said in an email.  

More: These Milwaukee restaurants and bars will be closed to the public during the RNC

Some local companies have donated directly to the Host Committee.  

“As we did for the DNC, we are providing financial support to the host committee. We are also providing in-kind support through the use of our facilities near the convention. At this time we are not disclosing specific funding amounts,” said Brendan Conway, spokesman for WEC Energy Group.

“We support events like the RNC and DNC because they give decision makers across the country a chance to see what our city and region have to offer. We’re optimistic that Milwaukee will shine during this summer’s events.” 

Fiserv, which owns the naming rights of Fiserv Forum, the main arena for the convention, has said it made equal donations to the host committees for both the RNC in Milwaukee and the Democratic National Convention being held in Chicago.

It’s unclear whether Uline Inc. provided RNC support

One company that is absent is packaging company Uline, Inc.  

After multiple days of trying to get comments from the company, on Monday, “Uline was not able to provide a statement at this time.” 

In 2019, then-Vice President Mike Pence spoke at the Uline facility in Pleasant Prairie about the administration’s support of the U.S., Mexico and Canada Agreement.  

Uline’s founders, Elizabeth Uihlein and Richard Uihlein are major donors to Republican candidates and Donald Trump.  

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