Northwest Minnesota Foundation ~ Developing Community Assets ~ Serving 12 Counties
NMF Looks Forward to Positive Change
(left to right): Dawn Ganje, Program Officer- Training, Vicky Grove, Program Specialist Early Childhood, Nate Door, Program Officer- Grants, Ashley Hull, Communications Specialist
Along with breathing new life into the heart of downtown Bemidji with its new building, NMF is also getting a breath of fresh air with new staff additions. As of June, Nate Dorr, program officer for grants, Ashley Hull, communications specialist, and Vicky Grove, program specialist for early childhood have been transitioning into their assigned roles at NMF. Collectively, they bring a diverse background to NMF. “We will certainly miss those who have served NMF for a number of years, but we welcome new staff with open arms. This time of change is one that will bring renewed energy to the foundation,” said NMF President, Nancy Vyskocil. Nate Dorr is now responsible for the grant programs, including on-site visits, research, analysis, and action recommendations to the board. He also coordinates special NMF partnership projects and works closely with Vice President for Programs Marty Sieve in expanding and developing new regional initiatives. Dorr was born and raised in Bemidji and during his school years, traveled throughout Minnesota playing hockey, baseball, and soccer. He attended Bemidji State University, Oregon
State University, and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in sociology and social-psychology. He followed up with a Master’s degree in public policy from the University Of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs in 2002. There he focused on regional economics and non-profit management. As a graduate researcher, Dorr worked on NMF’s “Quality of Place” study in 2001. Results of the study formed the basis for the foundation’s strategies, which still remain in place today.
“We will certainly miss those who have served NMF for a number of years, but we welcome new staff with open arms.” Dorr most recently worked for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development as a regional economist and statistician for 26 counties in Northwest Minnesota. Prior to that, he wrote grants for the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig school in Bena, MN, was a survey analyst at the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service in Montana, and was a research specialist at the Minnesota Community Action Association in St Paul, MN. “I am excited about the new challenge of overseeing the grant programs (Continued on page 2)
Summer 2012 ~ Number 57 This is a quarterly publication of Northwest Minnesota Foundation
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation invests resources, creates opportunities and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Gary Purath Chair Red Lake Falls Bob Hager Vice-Chair Roseau Laurie Wilson Secretary Crookston Judy Roy Treasurer Redby Tom Anderson Director Clearbrook Faye Auchenpaugh Director Thief River Falls Eric Bergeson Director Fertile Pete Haddeland Director Mahnomen Jody Horntvedt Director Baudette Jon Linnell Director Warren Leah Pigatti Director Park Rapids Jon Quistgaard Director Bemidji
NMF Positive Change
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for the Northwest Minnesota Foundation,” Dorr said. “Having been on both sides of the grant application and review process, including time as a grants instructor, I have unique experiences to bring to the position. I believe I ‘get it.’ Partnerships and ventures with shared benefits are critical to the region. The amount and diversity of needs versus the limited resources of the region are clear to me,” he added. Ashley Hull is responsible for NMF communication, marketing and events. She will write and edit NMF publications, media releases, social media and web sites; provide support for marketing community and component funds; promote training and business development workshops; and plan and coordinate the foundation’s banquets, receptions and conferences.
hood mental health services for young children and families in the Bemidji, Blackduck and Kelliher communities. Grove is a 31- year veteran of special education, serving as a special education teacher and a regional facilitator for early childhood initiatives. She holds a Master of Education in special education, with an emphasis in early childhood, from the University of North Dakota. Grove continues to serve part-time as a Regional Professional Development Co-Facilitator for Regions 1 & 2, through the Minnesota Centers of Excellence for Young Children with Disabilities, a program affiliated with the Bemidji Regional Interdistrict Council and the Minnesota Department of Education.
“The Northwest Minnesota Foundation has a deep commitment to working with individuals, non-profit organizations and communities.”
Hull is originally from Ohio and attended Kent State University, where she graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in journalism and mass communications. Hull most recently worked for Lakeland Public Television as the Legacy Production Manager, hosting the local production, Common Ground. “I am thrilled to be working for the Northwest Minnesota Foundation,” Hull said. “NMF has a wonderful mission and an incredible impact on rural communities, so I am looking forward to being able to promote and inform the public of their work.” Vicky Grove is working to serve our region by providing support and direction to early childhood coalitions located in 12 communities around the region. As a part-time staff member, her biggest role is working with and supporting the goals of coalition coordinators and the Thrive Initiative. The Thrive Initiative’s focus is strengthening early child-
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“I am very excited to join the staff of NMF and I am looking forward to serving the region’s youngest citizens and their needs to help them prosper in their communities,” said Grove. Dawn Ganje, program officer for training, began working for NMF in March and she is overseeing Grove as they work hand in hand to advocate for our region’s youngest citizens. Ganje is responsible for coordinating and implementing all training programs, and the organizational effectiveness component for nonprofits.
Northwest Minnesota Foundation
Ganje has more than 29 years of demonstrated success supporting the strategy and board development, management, programming and fund development needs of clients in a variety of nonprofit sectors. In 1991, Ganje began consulting through her firm, Marketing Management. During this time she focused on areas of organizational assessment and development, fund development, collaborative relationship development, strategic planning, marketing and board development. She began working with NMF as a consultant about 15 years ago. In 2010, she was hired as a training specialist, serving through the federal Compassion Capital grant. Ganje then served as a training and philanthropic services specialist. In this position she helped to develop and implement the Sustaining Community Success Initiative, focusing on building the capacity of community volunteer advisors for NMF Community Funds. “The Northwest Minnesota Foundation has a deep commitment to working with individuals, non-profit organizations and communities. I am thoroughly looking forward to the work of assisting them build further capacity as they move toward their visioned future,” said Ganje. NMF is constantly evolving, working to create opportunities, invest resources and promote philanthropy within our 12 county region. By establishing new headquarters within the heart of downtown Bemidji and through the expertise of new and long time staff, we think we are well positioned to carry out our mission. We are excited and eager for the future.
Message from the President
Greetings! Exciting things are happening at the foundation! We are experiencing change in many aspects. As long time staff members retired, new staff joined in our mission to serve the 12 county region in Northwest Minnesota. Some positions have been restructured, others are maintaining success, and some have a new perspective from a new hire. We are building on what is important to our region. We are taking a proactive approach and really listening to the needs of those we partner with to make Northwest Minnesota a desirable place to live and work.
Nancy Vyskocil
So as the theme of change and growth carries forward, we have restructured our development department. We have found that our work in philanthropy is not a one person job. We need a team approach. To serve such a vast region, Caryl Turnow and Lisa Peterson will each be responsible for half of the geographic area, with Caryl covering the territory north of Highway 1 and Lisa covering the southern half. They will be able to offer more guidance to each individual fund and more frequently connect with communities.
Caryl will serve as the planned giving consultant for donors to NMF and the community funds. She is building relationships with professional advisors in the region and is continually adding to her knowledge about planned giving options.
In addition, Lisa will continue to serve as manager of overall NMF communications. She will help to raise NMF’s visibility and identity by communicating and promoting our mission with the expertise and support from our new Communications Specialist Ashley Hull.
They say the only constant is change and that’s very true at NMF, but with change comes new energy, excitement and clarity. We very much appreciate those who have served NMF and welcome new staff with much enthusiasm.
We believe this new approach will help our community funds meet their goals. We want to represent donor interests and ensure a strong relationship between NMF staff and board and our funds’ advisory committees.
During this time of change we asked ourselves, “What’s our place and how can we serve our region?” The foundation’s work is influenced by the community. Our priorities need to be in line with those we serve. After many conversations about the future of NMF, we have found that the real strength in the foundation is being able to bring together people who are doing good work. Our community funds serve as an example of a relevant and driving force in many of our region’s communities. We want to give focused attention to issues these partners identify.
(top left to right): Barb Lien, Administrative Assistant, Nancy Vyskocil, President, Dawn Ganje, Program Officer- Training) (Bottom left to rightCaryl Turnow, Development Officer- Planned Giving, Ashley Hull, Communications Specialist, Lisa Peterson, Development Officer-Communications
Developing Community Assets - Serving 12 Counties
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Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund Update The Northwest Women’s Fund began in 1997, and over time, 25 plus advisory committee members have grown the fund to nearly $400,000 in assets, primarily from individual women donors. During the first ten years the fund saw remarkable growth. Guided by the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, the advisory committee devoted many volunteer hours promoting the Women’s Fund and the power of philanthropy on behalf of women and girls in northwest Minnesota. A measurable result: the Women’s Fund is the top ten of 311 component funds administered by the foundation. This has happened thanks to you, our partners and donors, who have supported us through the years. The focus of the Women’s Fund is to improve the lives of women and girls. We believe the power of philanthropy is the way to make a difference. We plan for ways to put our donors’ investments to work and we act by keeping our vision in mind and delivering on our mission. Together we make it happen. Most recently the advisory committee has made decisions to suspend some programs while adding new programs and events. “We have a new operating structure that more fully aligns with the support we receive from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, and we are adding new members to the advisory committee,” said Jody Horntvedt, the current chair of the Women’s Fund. “I am excited to note that we are ready and excited to move forward.”
growth within the advisory committee, as we add two new members. Yet, we have to say goodbye to a long time member. Gloria Kaste, of Fertile, has been with the Women’s Fund since May of 2002. Gloria has served in a number of capacities, but has com(left - right): Jeannine Windels, Gloria Kaste, Jody Horntvedt pleted her term with “Gloria Kaste is honored for serving the Women’s Fund Advisory the Women’s Fund Committee since 2002.” advisory committee. “She will be missed. In her ten years on derful women. I plan to continue to conthe committee she was a mentor to new tribute both monetarily and with special committee members and someone you projects.” Kaste added, “My hope is that could count on to not only be present, we can continue to grow the endowment but to be fully engaged in the work of so that we will have a greater and greater the fund,” Horntvedt said. ”I admire impact in this region.” Gloria most for how she “walks the After a strategic planning meeting in talk” of giving as she shared generously June, many members are energized for and encouraged others to do the same.” the future including the two new memKaste said, “For me, this experience has bers, Jean Tate and Deanna Lasley. formed lasting friendships with won-
Goals for 2013 include collecting stories from the groups and individuals who have received grants and scholarships to identify the impact the Fund has made; we are defining new relationships with current and potential partners. Plus, many women throughout our region have taken notice of the impact the Women’s Fund has had on our communities and in turn we are experiencing
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Northwest Minnesota Foundation
The Women’s Fund Awarded $2000 in Scholarships to area women Ashlynn Netland –Northland Community and Technical College- $500 Amanda Sue Mattison – Bemidji State University - $500 Melody Hall –Northwest Technical College of Bemidji - $500 Janell Kappes – University of MN- Crookston - $500 We are thrilled to award scholarships each year and we look forward to serving the women and girls of our 12 county region. As always, we continue to seek out additional advisory committee members who can bring a variety of gifts to our new structure. We are ready for a new growing season full of new blooms and much potential! In addition, the women’s fund also awarded a $2,500 grant to Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota for their Legal Services for Low-income or Elderly Citizens Program. Current advisory committee members: Jody Horntvedt, Baudette • Louise Jackson, Bemidji Mary Beth Sargeant, Erskine • Melodee Monicken, Park Rapids Jean Tate, Crookston • Jeannine Windels, Crookston Colleen Greer, Bemidji • Deanna Lasley, Red Lake
Grants
Fertile Area Armed Forces Veterans Fund...................$728
Grants totaling $301,485.28 were awarded from May – July 2012 Caring Communities Total:........ $32,000
Fertile-Beltrami Area Community Fund (2 grants)...................................$9,500 Fertile-Beltrami School Sign Fund............................$28,929
Children, Family & Elderly Northwest Private Industry Council...................$7,000
Fertile-Beltrami Early Childhood Initiative Fund......$300 Fisher Area Community Fund (3 grants)................$5,000
For Northern Valley Career Expo
Greenbush Area Community Fund (2 grants).........$1,500
Northwest Service Cooperative.........................$25,000 For Secondary School Reform in northern Minnesota through reflective professional development.
Headwaters Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Fund.........................................................$500
Community Planning Total:........ $43,000
Hubbard County COLA Charitable Fund..............$2,127
Community Development City of Fosston....................................................$3,000
John and Eloise Ostrem Charitable Fund (3 grants)......................................$1,300
For Housing Study City of Roseau.....................................................$5,000 For Roseau County Housing Study Headwaters Regional
Development Commission................................$10,000
Lake of the Woods Early Childhood Initiative Fund............................................................$500 Laporte Education Endowment and Project Fund.....$500
For Housing Acquisition-Demolition Initiative
LifeCare Health Care Fund.....................................$3,191
Economic & Community Development Headwaters Regional
Marshall County Early Childhood Initiative Fund (2 grants) .......................................$5,500
For Northern Minnesota Water Institute Development Plan
Norman County East Early Childhood Initiative Fund............................................................$484
Development Commission................................$25,000 Component funds are established with the Northwest Minnesota Foundation for a specific purpose. A local fund advisory committee recommends distributions based on specific purposes and criteria. The NMF board, for purposes of IRS regulation, approves the advisory recommendations for grants, but the component funds are the source of the grant dollars.
Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund......................$2,500
Component Fund Total:........... $158,644
Roseau Area Community Fund (7 grants)...............$2900
Badger Area Community Fund................................. $709
Roseau Area Education Fund....................................$2,000
Bemidji Area Arts Endowment & Project Fund (9 grants).......................................$6,850 Ernie Rall Children’s Performing Arts Fund....................$500 Everett Wilimek Endowment for Orchestral String Studies (2 grants)..........................$500 Frederick Marshall Fund...........................................$1,300 H.B. and Ina T. Roholt Family Fund for the Arts ............$850 Lake Bemidji Summer Opera Festival Fund.................$1,000 North Star Arts Fund...............................................$1,500
Roseau County Historical Society Endowment Fund..................................................$10,000 Stephen Area Golf Fund...........................................$6,500
Richard and Pam Nelson Family Fund for the Visual Arts (2 grants)........................................$500
Gaylord A. Gunderson Education and Scholarship Fund (4 grants)..............................$11,000
Bemidji Area Parks and Trails Fund........................$3,000
Ole and Ruth Tweet Family Fund...........................$2,500 Park Rapids Early Childhood Initiative Fund (2 grants)......................................$1,110 Potato Lake Charitable Fund..................................$4,820
Stephen Area Endowment Fund (5 grants).............$5,409 Tonia Johannsen Memorial Fund...............................$328 Warren Area Community Fund (5 grants)..............$3,500 Warroad Area Community Fund (4 grants).........$12,000
Bemidji Lumberjack Foundation Fund...................$5,009
Warroad Education Endowment and Project Fund (2 grants).....................................$4,000
Crookston Early Childhood Initiative Fund...........$7,000
Warroad Heritage Center Fund.................................$1,800
Developing Community Assets - Serving 12 Counties
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Business Development Activity Business Loans Four loans were recently made from the Rural Energy Development Initiative totaling $357,000 Kelliher Forest Products, Kelliher To reach new level of production for specialized wood products.
Depot Preservation Alliance, Baudette Funds to furnish former train depot.
Dee, Inc., Crookston Funds provided for working capital and to purchase equipment for aluminum foundry.
Asphalt Preservation Company, Thief River Purchase of equipment for newly formed business to apply chip seal on roadways.
Microloans Business counseling and loans are available to help entrepreneurs develop small business and self-employment opportunities. Two loans were recently made totaling $12,597 Tanya Washburn, Bemidji Financing for business start up
Music Box Productions, Bemidji Refinance of an existing loan
Technical Assistance
Fourteen businesses from Thief River Falls, Leonard, Warroad, Roseau, Kelliher, Hallock, Waskish, and Bemidji and one regional business support agency received a total of $67,841 in outside consulting for management and technical assistance.
IDEA (Ingenuity Drives Entrepreneur Acceleration) Five $10,000 awards were given for the IDEA competition to: Eleven Hockey, Warroad.................. $10,000 Jay Fisher & James Marvin
The Sidekick, Shevlin.............. $10,000 Brady & Jodi Dyrdahl
Shield Snip, Bemidji......................... $10,000 Mark Landes & Jennifer DeBarr
Varimax Evaporator, Bemidji.... $10,000 Jeff Sullivan
Slot Rail Fence, Puposky.................. $10,000 William & Julia Stephani Two $1000 finalist awards were given for the Idea Competition to: America Log Maker, Park Rapids...... $1,000 Don & Sandra Buerkley
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Northwest Minnesota Foundation
Wagner Malting & Brewing, Fisher................... $1,000 Tim Wagner & Adam Wagner
Exciting Changes at the future site of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation!
The original red brick is being restored on the new NMF building.
A 40 foot long inefficient skylight was removed and encased to be more energy efficient.
West side of the building newly painted.
Office areas are being framed and new windows will be installed.
We will now have great space for NMF and the community to utilize for conferences and training sessions.
Developing Community Assets - Serving 12 Counties
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NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID Bemidji, MN 56601 Permit No. 36
4225 Technology Drive NW Bemidji, MN 56601
Upcoming Events Business Development MN - Get Your Business Online Sept. 20, 2012 • 8:30 – 4:30 pm Sanford Center - Bemidji Cost: $10 • Register at www.nwmf.org E-mail anygaard@cord.edu for more information
Training NMF LeaderImpact Session I: October 24-26, 2012 Session II: February 6-8, 2013 **Participants commit to both sessions Location: Hiawatha Beach Resort, Walker, MN Forms are available at www.nwmf.org - Events & Workshops Contact Dawn Ganje for more information: 218-759-2057 • E-mail dawng@nwmf.org Deadline is August 13, 2012
STAR Teams Dates for Training Leadership Training for 6th and 7th Grade Students. The program is designed to increase awareness for students in the areas of community building, media, specific skills needed to deal with conflict, and the utilization of personal power and strengths. The goal is to model and support a positive school culture. Contact Dawn Ganje for registration information: E-mail dawng@nwmf.org • 218-759-2057 September 17-18, October 15-16 and 29-30, 2012 Held at Concordia Language Villages IDEA Competition The IDEA website www.ideacompetition.org Ready for round one applicants. E-mail michelle@michellelandsverk.com for more information Deadline is November 30, 2012