THE SMART GIVER
Giving Guide IN
SM
SIDE
The newsletter from Charities Review Council w ww.SmartGivers.org
IN THIS ISSUE Spring 2015 • Status Update with Kris Kewitsch
STATUS UPDATE WITH KRIS KEWITSCH
• Giving Guide 2015 • Defining the Meets Standards® Seal • Save the Date, Annual Forum 2015: Philanthropy 2.0
Dear Friends, Springtime – the time we wait with anticipation for buds and blooms to burst forth in Technicolor. Charities Review Council has planted seeds for a new direction and the fruits of this labor are coming to life. We are thrilled to bring you our list of nonprofit partners committed to building their strength with the Accountability Wizard®. The list of organizations working to Meet Standards continues to grow, especially when donors ask nonprofits they support to be included on this list. Nonprofits continue their commitment to building their strength by achieving the Meets Standards® seal. You may have noticed this is an abbreviated version of our Giving Guide, deliberately focused on our partners in Minnesota and beyond. This spring we’re focused on advancing our commitment to creating spaces, places and tools that support an engaged, authentic relationship between donors and nonprofits. In March we hosted #DisruptMN Town Hall, bringing community members together to learn about the ideas created during Annual Forum 2014: Disruptive Philanthropy and begin a conversation on how to move some of those ideas forward. Our goal is to create the space CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 >>
Three Easy Ways to Check Out Charity Reviews Before Giving
Giving Guide 2015
Check out the Giving Guide on page 3 of this newsletter for a list of reviewed charities.
Call (651) 224-7030
Click SmartGivers.org
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The Smart Giver www.SmartGivers.org Charities Review Council
#DisruptMN Town Hall
unities
Photo credit: Bruce Silcox Photography
to explore how we can partner differently to create different outcomes. You can be part of the exploration by attending future events, conversations and signing up for our E-Newsletter. For the first time in Charities Review Council’s history, we’re hosting a fundraiser to ‘Grow the Good,’ a short and lively breakfast featuring speakers sharing how they grow greater good in partnership with the Council. Join us at Aria in downtown Minneapolis on Tuesday, May 12. To register go to growthegood.eventbrite.com or call us at 651.224.7030. Save the date for Annual Forum 2015: Philanthropy 2.0 on September 22, 2015. This year builds upon the themes of our past events, taking little bets - live giving - and imagining new ways to partner, supporting our mission of building strong, productive relationships between donors and nonprofits. Watch for the Fall Giving Guide when we’ll learn together about some of the successful fundraising practices happening in our backyard, great examples of mobilizing donors and nonprofits for the greater good. We’ll be talking with Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, CAIR Minnesota and St. Paul Jewish Community Center. Our work is possible because of generous donors. I ask you to support our vision by making a gift to the Council using the enclosed envelope. In partnership,
Kris Kewitsch Executive Director
The Smart Giver www.SmartGivers.org Charities Review Council
Givindge Gui 5 2 01
MOST TRUSTWORTHY NONPROFITS
How to Use This Guide How does a nonprofit get listed as “Most Trustworthy”?
Accountability Standards
This go-to list features nonprofits that have voluntarily participated in our review and met all of our Accountability Standards®, thus earning our Meets Standards seal. The review is valid for three years and requires a small administrative payment.
Our Accountability Standards consist of 25 standards, which address a nonprofit’s performance in four critical areas: public disclosure, governance, financial activity, and fundraising. The standards have evolved over the Council’s 69 years, with broad participation from Minnesota’s nonprofit and philanthropic communities, to reflect reasonable public expectations of nonprofits. Find out more about the Standards at SmartGivers.org.
Are you looking for a nonprofit that isn’t listed?
This list reflects the latest review results as of April 21, 2015. If a nonprofit is not listed, it is either unreviewed or has not completed its review. If a nonprofit has not been reviewed, encourage the organization to sign up for a review.
Charities Review Council determined that the organization meets all Accountability Standards®. Real-time up-to-date nonprofit listings available online at SmartGivers.org
Giving Guide Spring 2015 This list reflects the latest review results as of April 21, 2015 360 Communities
Arc Greater Twin Cities, The
Cars for Neighbors
A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation
Ascension Place, Inc.
Casa de Esperanza
AccessAbility, Inc.
Asian Media Access
Accessible Space, Inc.
Assistance League of Minneapolis/St. Paul
Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis
CES (Athletes Committed to A Educating Students) AchieveMpls
Association for Nonsmokers – Minnesota
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud Center for Victims of Torture
Avenues for Homeless Youth
Central Minnesota Arts Board
Bancroft Neighborhood Association
Centro, Inc.
Banyan Community
Channel One, Inc.
African Families Development Network
Basic Needs Inc. of South Washington County / Stone Soup Thrift Shop
Child Care Aware of Minnesota
Aitkin County CARE, Inc.
Bolder Options
Alexandra House, Inc.
Books For Africa, Inc.
Alliance for Metropolitan Stability
oy Scouts of America, Northern B Star Council
Aeon African Development Center of Minnesota
Alliance Housing Inc. LS Association, MN/ND/SD A Chapter, The Alzheimer’s Association, Minnesota– North Dakota Chapter American Refugee Committee Amherst H. Wilder Foundation Ampersand Families Ananya Dance Theatre Angel Foundation Animal Humane Society Anna Marie’s Alliance Annex Teen Clinic ARAHA (American Relief Agency for the Horn of Africa)
Breanna’s Gift Bridge for Youth, The Bridges of Hope Bridges to Learning Bridging Camp Fire Minnesota Camp Odayin Can Do Canines Cancer Legal Line Canvas Health CAPI USA CaringBridge Carmen Pampa Fund
Child Care Choices ChildFund International Children’s Cancer Research Fund Children’s Dental Services Children’s HeartLink Children’s Home Society of Minnesota Children’s Theatre Company Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester College Possible Common Hope CommonBond Communities Community Action Duluth, Inc. Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties Community Health Charities Minnesota Community Involvement Programs
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The Smart Giver www.SmartGivers.org Charities Review Council
Giving Guide – continued
Can’t find a charity?
See page 3 for information or call us at (651) 224-7030.
Spring 2015 Community Mediation & Restorative Services, Inc. Community Thread Como Friends COMPAS (Community Programs in the Arts) Conflict Resolution Center Conservation Corps
Franconia Sculpture Park
Jeremiah Program
Fraser
Jewish Community Action
Free Arts Minnesota
Jewish Community Center of the Greater St. Paul Area
Fresh Energy Freshwater Society Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis Jewish Family Service of St. Paul Joseph’s Coat, Inc.
Cookie Cart
Friends of the Hennepin County Library
CornerHouse
Friends of the Mississippi River
Jungle Theater
Cornerstone Advocacy Service
riends of the Ramsey F County Libraries
Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest, Inc.
Gay-Lesbian-Bisexual Transgender Pride Twin Cities
Kaleidoscope Place
Council on American-Islamic Relations, Minnesota (CAIR-MN) Courage Center Crisis Line and Referral Service CROSS CrossingBarriers Cuyuna Range Youth Center, Inc.
irl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin G River Valleys Goodwill / Easter Seals Minnesota Greater Mankato Area United Way
Dakota Woodlands
reater Metropolitan Housing G Corporation
DARTS
Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery
DinoMights
Greater Twin Cities United Way
Diversity Council
Guild Incorporated
Dodge Nature Center
Habitat for Humanity of Morrison County
Douglas County Car Care Program Eagan Resource Center East Side Learning Center East Side Neighborhood Services, Inc. Eastside Meals on Wheels, Inc. ECHO Minnesota Ecolibrium3 (new organization) Educate Tanzania (new organization) ElderCircle EMERGE Community Development
Hamm Clinic Hands of Hope Resource Center HandsOn Twin Cities Hastings Family Service HealthEast Foundation Helping Hands Outreach Helping Paws, Inc. FH of Douglas County, H Minnesota, Inc.
Environmental Initiative
onors Choirs of Southeast H Minnesota
Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota
Hope Centers for Children of Africa
EVOLVE Adoption & Family Services
HOPE Coalition
ye-Link Foundation E (new organization)
Hope Community, Inc.
Face to Face Health & Counseling Service, Inc. Fairview Foundation Faith In Action In Red Wing Faith’s Lodge Family Pathways FamilyMeans FamilyWise Feed My Starving Children ergus Falls Senior Citizens F Program, Inc. Food for Hungry Minds
Joyce Preschool
Karen Organization of Minnesota Karen Wyckoff Rein in Sarcoma Foundation Keystone Community Services Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership, Inc. Lakes Area Restorative Justice Project Lakeshore Players Theatre Latino Economic Development Center Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Learning Disabilities Association (LDA Minnesota) Lee Carlson Center for Mental Health and Well-Being LifeSource Lifetrack Life-Work Planning Center Board, Inc. Lifeworks Services, Inc. Listening House of St. Paul, Inc. Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly Living Well Disability Services Loaves and Fishes Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
HopeKids, Inc.
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Minnesota
House of Charity, Inc.
MAP for Nonprofits
HousingLink
MCEA
Hunger Solutions Minnesota
Mediation Services for Anoka County
In Progress
Memorial Blood Centers, a division of Innovative Blood Resources
Initiative Foundation Intercongregation Communities Association (ICA Food Shelf) I nterfaith Outreach & Community Partners
Mental Health Association of Minnesota Merrick, Inc. Metro Meals on Wheels, Inc.
International Institute of Minnesota
Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
Iringa Hope (new organization)
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
Jabbok Family Services
Midwest Special Services, Inc.
The Smart Giver www.SmartGivers.org Charities Review Council
Giving Guide – continued
Can’t find a charity?
See page 3 for information or call us at (651) 224-7030.
Spring 2015 MIGIZI Communications
Northwoods Partners
Scholarship America, Inc.
Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation
One Heartland
Second Harvest Heartland
Minneapolis Jewish Federation innesota Adoption Resource M Network Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge Minnesota AIDS Project innesota Assistance Council M for Veterans Minnesota Children’s Museum innesota Communities Caring M for Children, MN Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America
Open Access Connections Open Arms of Minnesota Open Door Health Center pen Your Heart to the Hungry O and Homeless Opportunity Neighborhood Opportunity Partners Ordway Center for the Performing Arts Parents United for Public Schools Park Nicollet Foundation
Minnesota Computers for Schools
Pathways Minneapolis
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
Pawsitive Perspectives Assistance Dogs (new organization)
innesota Council on Economic M Education Minnesota Diversified Industries Minnesota Fathers & Families Network Minnesota International Center Minnesota Land Trust Minnesota Life College Minnesota Literacy Council Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Pawsitivity Service Dogs People Incorporated Mental Health Services eople Reaching Out To People P (PROP)
Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank Semcac Senior Community Services ServeMinnesota Simpson Housing Services, Inc. Sing Out Loud/Bella Voce Young Women’s Choir Sojourner Project, Inc. Solid Ground Somali Community Resettlement Services Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women Southside Family Nurturing Center Southside Services I. Inc.
People Serving People, Inc.
Springboard for the Arts
Perspectives, Inc.
St. Anthony Park Area Seniors
Pet Haven, Inc. of Minnesota
St. Croix Valley Foundation
Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
St. David’s Center for Child & Family Development
Pillager Family Council
Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance
Pine River-Backus Family Center
Minnesota Project, The
Planned Parenthood, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota
innesota Public Radio / American M Public Media
Second Harvest North Central Food Bank
St. Paul Neighborhood Network St. Stephen’s Human Services Stepping Stone Emergency Housing
Plymouth Christian Youth Center
Store To Door
Minnesota Sinfonia
Portico Healthnet
Students Today Leaders Forever
innesota State Academy for the M Blind Foundation
owderhorn Park Neighborhood P Association
Susan G. Komen Minnesota
Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency
Prepare + Prosper
innesota Youth Intervention M Programs Association
roject FINE (Focus on Integrating P Newcomers through Education)
Miracles of Mitch Foundation
Project for Pride in Living (PPL)
MyHealth for Teens & Young Adults
Range Respite Project, Inc.
NAMI Minnesota
Reading Center, The
NAMI Southeast Minnesota
Redeemer Center for Life
National Youth Leadership Council
RELATE Counseling Center
Neighborhood Development Center
RESOURCE, Inc.
Neighborhood House
etrieve a Golden of Minnesota R (RAGOM), Inc.
Neighbors, Inc. New Pathways, Inc. North Metro Pediatrics Northeast Youth & Family Services Northern Clay Center Northern Dental Access Center Northside Achievement Zone Northwest Resources for Families
Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest
Sustainable Resources Center, Inc. Tanzania Life Project Tasks Unlimited, Inc. Teens Alone The Family Partnership The Food Group, formerly Emergency Foodshelf Network The Loppet Foundation The Phoenix Residence Inc. The Sanneh Foundation Think Small Three Rivers Park District Foundation Touchstone Mental Health Tree Trust
RS EDEN
TreeHouse
Rural Renewable Energy Alliance
Tri-County Humane Society
Salvation Army- Twin Cities
True Friends
SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education)
Tubman
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The Smart Giver www.SmartGivers.org Charities Review Council
Giving Guide – continued
Can’t find a charity?
See page 3 for information or call us at (651) 224-7030.
Spring 2015 Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus
VEAP Inc.
Will Steger Foundation
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, Inc.
Vision Loss Resources
Wingspan Life Resources
nion Gospel Mission Association U of St. Paul
VocalEssence
Wishes & More
Volunteer Lawyers Network, Ltd.
Women’s Advocates, Inc.
Volunteers of America of Minnesota
Women’s Foundation of Minnesota
WACOSA
WomenVenture
nited Cerebral Palsy of Central U Minnesota nited Way of Crow Wing & U Southern Cass Counties
Washburn Center for Children
Woodbury Life Resource Center
United Way of Olmsted County, Inc.
WaterLegacy
World Without Genocide
United Way of the Brown County Area, Inc.
Way to Grow, Inc.
YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities
Wayside House, Inc., The
Youth Farm
WellShare International
Youth Frontiers
est Hennepin Affordable W Housing Land Trust
Youth Service Bureau, Inc.
nited Way of West Central U Minnesota University of Minnesota Foundation Upstream Arts, Inc. Urban Arts Academy Urban Homeworks, Inc. Urban Roots MN Vail Place
est Side Community W Health Services hite Bear Area Emergency W Food Shelf
YouthCARE YouthLink Youthprise Y WCA Mankato
White Bear Center for the Arts
Y WCA of Minneapolis
Wilderness Inquiry
Y WCA St. Paul
Reviews in Progress On April 21, 2015 the nonprofits listed as “Review in Progress” were working with Charities Review Council to Meet Standards®. View an up-to-date list at SmartGivers.org/Charity. African American Registry
Donations for Education
Mississippi River Fund
African Women’s Alliance
Erik’s Ranch Inc.
Morton Cure Paralysis Fund
Arc United
Faith Community Nurse Network of the Greater Twin Cities
Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI)
Feline Rescue, Inc.
Native Americans in Philanthropy
Genesys Works-Twin Cities
North Star Museum of Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting
Be The Match Foundation Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities
Great River Homes, Inc.
NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, Inc.
Bright Water Montessori
Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches
C.A.R.E. Clinic
Haiti Outreach, Inc.
Carver-Scott Humane Society
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Northside Economic Opportunity Network
Cass County Economic Development Corporation
Headwaters Relief Organization
Oasis Central Minnesota
Hennepin Health Foundation
PACER Center, Inc.
Hmong Cultural Center
Patchwork Quilt
La Oportunidad, Inc.
People For Parks
Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau, Inc.
Planned Parenthood, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota
Center for Value Inquiry Center School, Inc. Children’s Day Montessori Inc. Christian Appalachian Project Churches United in Ministry (CHUM) CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio) Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin
Light the Legacy Love INC – Heartland McLeod Emergency Food Shelf Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota Mentoring Young Adults
Community Dental Care
Minneapolis American Indian Center
Community Shares of Minnesota
Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless
Como Park Living at Home Block Nurse Program
Minnesota Homeownership Center
DIFFERbilities Experience
Minnesota Humanities Center Minnesota Justice Foundation
ProAct, Inc. Progress Valley, Inc. Pueblo a Pueblo Ruff Start Rescue Saint Paul Area Council of Churches Sherburne County Area United Way Somali American Parent Association South East Asian Refugee Community Home
CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 >>
The Smart Giver www.SmartGivers.org Charities Review Council
DEFINING THE MEETS STANDARDS® SEAL What is the Meets Standards® Seal? Charities Review Council’s Meets Standards® Seal is a visual marker of nonprofit strength, and a great way for nonprofits to differentiate themselves, communicating their internal strength and impact to supporters.
How can my nonprofit organization earn the Meets Standards® seal? Partner with the Charities Review Council to begin the Accountability Wizard® (The Wizard) online review process. The Wizard is a risk-free learning tool and assessment for organizations to measure and build their internal policies and practices. Organizations earn the Meets Standards® Seal upon successfully completing the Wizard and meeting the 25 Accountability Standards®. To learn more about the Accountability Standards® go to http://www.smartgivers.org/standards.
Where can we use the Meets Standards Seal? Once you have earned the Meets Standards® Seal, your organization can use it on organizational print, web, and social media platforms. You can place it on your annual report, spring appeal letter, as a footer on your website, or even on your Facebook page!
What if we are a Review in Progress? Can we use the Meets Standards® seal? Only organizations who currently Meet Standards® should be using the Seal. If you do not currently Meet Standards,® contact Charities Review Council’s Nonprofit Services Team at 651-224-7030 to learn how to Meet Standards® and gain access to the Meets Standards® Seal.
Photo credits: Bruce Silcox Photography
Reviews in Progress Continued Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc. Spare Key St. Cloud Municipal Band St. Croix River Association St. Louis Park Emergency Program Sugarloaf: The North Shore Stewardship Association Summit Academy OIC
Ten Thousand Things Theater
United Way of Southwest Minnesota
The Link
Urban Boatbuilders
The Rock ‘n’ Read Project
Walk-In Counseling Center
Tree Top Kids
Wellstone Action Fund
Tri County Action Program, Inc..
Women’s Initiative for Self Empowerment (WISE), Inc.
Twin Cities RISE! United Way of Central Minnesota United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties
World Savvy
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Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage
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2334 University Ave. W. Suite 150 St. Paul, MN 55114 – 1859 651-224-7030
Permit #1743 St. Paul, MN
SmartGivers.org United Way Funded Agency
Board of Directors Sarah Bjelland Wells Fargo Armando Camacho Opportunity Partners Daniel Cheng Yang Stephen Devereux Devereux Development Consulting Tony Helmer Crowley, White & Helmer, Inc. Anita Patel, Past Chair Bush Foundation Robert Pickering, Treasurer Lifetrack Resources Courtney Poja University of Minnesota Law School Emily Robertson, Secretary Robertson Law Office, LLC Mary Jo Schifsky Store to Door Brenda Starr, Chair Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Keith Tanski Deluxe Corporation Patty Wilder Leadership Tactics Michael Wirth-Davis, Vice Chair Goodwill/ Easter Seals Minnesota
Staff Kris Kewitsch Executive Director Amy Sinykin Associate Director Kate Khaled Director of Engagement & Donor Services Abby Wright Nonprofit Services & Communications Specialist Ian Cook Nonprofit Services Specialist Brita Midness Program & Administrative Assistant
The Smart GiverSM is published twice a year. It is available free of charge and distributed to households, businesses, and nonprofits. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to receive this helpful guide – or if a family member, friend or co-worker might like to receive it – please contact the Council. Editor: Kate Khaled, kate@smartgivers.org www.SmartGivers.org