New NWAF President

March 29, 2008

Kevin Walker, NWAF PresidentKevin F. Walker was named president and CEO of the Northwest Area Foundation. Walker was previously associate vice president of programs for the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

He replaces Karl Stauber, who resigned in June 2007 to become president and CEO of the Danville Regional Foundation in Virginia. Kari Schlachtenhaufen, who has served as interim president since June, will continue to serve in that position until Walker joins the foundation May 19.

In the news:

 

 

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Posted by MCF Webmaster

United Way Sets Fundraising Record

March 29, 2008

Greater Twin Cities United WayThe Greater Twin Cities United Way raised raised a record $89.5 million in 2007, surpassing the organization’s goal of $87.8 million. This reflects a 4% increase over 2006, the largest increase in the history of the Greater Twin Cities United Way. An additional $1.1 million was raised in grants and endowment gifts, helping the organization reach an all-time high of total dollars raised for our community. The generous time of volunteers amounted to an additional $5.2 million.

Workplace Giving
United Way’s workplace campaigns achieved stellar results. General Mills made history with its employer-matched donations that reached $7.3 million; Northwest Airlines employee giving increased by 16%; and Wells Fargo added over 1,000 new donors. Cargill also increased its giving by more than 10% for the third year in a row.

Individual Donors
From Tocqueville Society to Women’s Leadership Council to Century Legacy, all of these segments saw increases in their membership. Tocqueville Society members contribute annual gifts of $10,000 or more. United Way Women’s Leadership Council, which focuses on early childhood education and whose members donates $2,500 annually, added 35 new members for a total of nearly 100 women. Century Legacy donors — whose members contribute $1 million or more — added three new members for a total of 24 members.

In the news:

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Posted by MCF Webmaster

Embracing New Ideas

March 26, 2008

When I read David Brooks’ New York Times column about social entrepreneurs this week, I was reminded of a recent conversation among some MCF members. We had convened a small group of grantmakers to talk about the pros and cons of giving general operating support. To no one’s surprise, the issue of accountability and nonprofit effectiveness surfaced. All around the table, the participants seemed to agree: while nonprofits need to show results, philanthropists shouldn’t tell nonprofits how to run their own show. One person pointed a finger at social venture capitalists: Who are they to presume they know how to manage nonprofits better than nonprofits do?

But wait a minute. Can’t we all benefit from a little innovation? I’m not suggesting that the philanthropists should call the shots, but maybe we can set aside the labels we place on each other and learn from each other. Sure, the social venture capitalists are probably more than a little naive when it comes to understanding the nonprofit sector, but what new ideas can they offer? And how can the nonprofit sector harness some of the social venture capitalists’ creativity, energy and resources?

What do you think? As a philanthropist, what life experiences have put you more in touch with the nonprofit sector? As a nonprofit professional, what take-aways from the business world would help you meet your mission? As a human being, what can you learn from another person — no matter his or her station in life — that will make this world a better place?

- Wendy Wehr, MCF vice president of communications and information services

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Posted by Wendy Wehr

Funds to aid 35W bridge survivors go unclaimed

March 24, 2008

Minnesota Helps FundAn article in today’s Minneapolis Star Tribune says that only half of the $1.2 million raised to aid victims of the Aug. 1 35W bridge collapse has been distributed. The Minnesota Helps – Bridge Disaster Fund was created and funded by five local foundations, who were then joined by other foundations, corporations and individuals. From the article:

The situation facing the Minneapolis Foundation and its relief effort, known as Minnesota Helps, has defied simple explanation. When the drive to collect and distribute emergency money began, many groups moved to help. [...]

Now, [Salvation Army spokeswoman Annette Bauer] said, the issues facing victims are more complicated: Instead of someone needing a car fixed, relief workers may be dealing with victims who are having trouble sleeping more than a half year after the tragedy. Expecting things to move quickly, she added, is “not how, typically, disaster [aid] works.”

Resources:

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Do Professional Designations Convey Credibility?

March 24, 2008

A LinkedIn user recently posed a question:

What do you think about the professional designations in philanthropy?
There are a number of professional designations vying for attention in philanthropy (e.g. CAP, CFRE, CSPG), but are they any good? Do they teach the right things? Do they convey credibility? Is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy better than a Certified Fund Raising Executive or a Certified Specialist in Planned Giving? Why?

How would you answer this question? Read responses from others and post your own at LinkedIn.

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Posted by Crystal Colby

Charitable Tax Exemption Campaign Update

March 21, 2008

The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits reports that Bills (HF 3386 and SF 2841), which would bar changes to the existing property tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations until the end of the legislative session in 2009, have successfully passed through tax committees in both the House and Senate. The bills are in response to a December ruling narrowing the eligibility of charitable property tax exemptions, a ruling that could affect hundreds of nonprofits.

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Posted by MCF Webmaster

Anna Westin Foundation closes, transfers legacy to Emily Program Foundation

March 20, 2008

The Emily ProgramThe Anna Westin Foundation, established in 2000 following Chaska resident Anna Westin’s tragic death as the result of anorexia, has officially closed. But the foundation’s work, the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, will continue as a result of the transfer of assets to the newly-created Emily Program Foundation, which shares the Westin family’s mission. Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted by MCF Webmaster

Welcome, New MCF Member!

March 19, 2008

The Community Foundation for Carver CountyThe Community Foundation for Carver County serves as a catalyst for community investments that contribute to the health and vitality of its region by promoting the healthy development and educational needs of families and individuals of all ages, abilities and backgrounds; promoting livable communities and innovative approaches to community growth and development; and encouraging community connections and linkages through civic engagement, leadership development and community building activities.

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