The newsletter from Charities Review Council
FALL 2020
www.SmartGivers.org
THE SMART GIVER
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Q&A Column for Smart Giving
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Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash
I gave in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and/or the nationwide uprisings. How can I continue to support these causes now and in the future? Minnesotans are generous with their time and money, especially in times of crisis. According to the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, it is estimated that Minnesotans give over $4 billion a year in charitable giving. We applaud your decision to give and encourage you to continue your commitment beyond this moment. Some of us might also be wondering: What if I haven’t donated recently? Have I missed the right opportunity to donate? We also emphasize that your support—in the form of donated time, money or resources—is always welcome and valued. Support doesn’t have to look like a onetime donation in a time of immediate crisis, though. Long-term action steps you could take now include:
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Donate your time.
FALL 2020
If an organization you’ve donated to is looking for volunteers, consider giving some of your time to support their work. This might look like phone-banking during a fundraiser or working a shift at a food shelf or shelter. Alternatively, consider serving on a nonprofit committee or board of directors. Many meetings are being held virtually right now, making it a safe, accessible way to engage. You’ll support the work of the organization, and you’ll get a glimpse of how your donation benefits a community.
• Q&A Column for Smart Giving • Status Update with Kris Kewitsch • Giving Guide 2020
Three Easy Ways to Check Out Nonprofits Before Giving
Be an advocate. Sharing on social media is a great way to expand the reach of a nonprofit organization, especially now, when so much is taking place in virtual spaces. If a nonprofit you’ve supported has shared a great resource—a blog post, social media post, or even written communication— consider sharing it with your family and friends, especially those who might also be drawn to their mission.
Trust during a crisis. Right now, you might be looking for follow-up from an organization to understand how your support is being used. Nonprofits always welcome calls and emails from donors, but now is the time to use your resources as a Smart Giver to help organizations best focus on their work. You can conduct your own research by looking over an organization’s IRS Form 990 or subscribing to updates from a nonprofit. Our Meets Standards® nonprofit profiles on our website are also a great place to start. [continued on page 8]
2020 Check out the
Giving Guide on page 3 for a list of reviewed nonprofits.
Call (651) 224-7030
Click SmartGivers.org
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The Smart Giver | www.SmartGivers.org | Charities Review Council
STATUS UPDATE WITH KRIS KEWITSCH Happy Fall, Council Friends! While our strategic goals for this year have remained steady, our work has shifted to better support our donor and nonprofit partners during these uncertain times. We’re finding new, adaptive ways to build donor and nonprofit relationships for strong, vibrant and just communities. Expanding Thought Leadership Although we can’t be together in person due to COVID-19, we started a short conversation series where I connect with donors and nonprofits on Facebook Live. We discuss sector news, trends and ideas for the future — anything you want to learn more about as a donor? Let us know, and like us on Facebook to get updates for the next installment! We recently shared 8 ways that our Accountability Standards can be used to assess equity and power in an organization on the Council's blog. In response to the murder of George Floyd and the nationwide uprisings, we know many of you are asking big questions, having tough conversations and thinking about what comes next — this blog is a great place to start. ®
Increasing Brand Value In response to increased interest in our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Toolkit, we developed a webinar series that includes both an ongoing Overview session for those looking to learn more and a User Group for current subscribers, providing guidance on turning data into goals and actions. Delivering on our Brand Promise Exciting news: we added a new staff member in June! Madeline Folstein has joined the Council as a Communications & Administrative Associate, helping us expand our communications, nonprofit services, and administrative capabilities as an organization. We’re thrilled to have Madeline on the team. As we round out 2020 and look ahead to 2021, we’re excited to start planning for our 75th anniversary. Charities Review Council has a long history of building engaged donor-nonprofit relationships and we look forward to celebrating that history with all of you. Stay tuned for a save the date and event updates! In partnership,
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Malissa Adams, The Diversity Institute Jessica Birken, Birken Law Office Melvin Clark, Allianz Investment Management Carolyn Deters, Treasurer, Indelible | Gifts for Seniors Megan Genest Tarnow, Chair, The Mobius Group Gregg Larson, Past Chair, University of Minnesota School of Public Health (Semi-retired) Garnetta Lowman, Program Committee Chair, Neka Creative, ASDIC Metamorphosis Stacey Nelson-Kumar, Vice Chair, Comcast Courtney Poja, Governance Committee Chair, Cornerstone Stephen Thompson, Secretary, Audit Committee Chair, Securian Asset Management, Inc. (Retired) Lisa Zellmer, Women Venture
STAFF Kris Kewitsch Executive Director, Charities Review Council P.S. This year’s Give to the Max Day is just around the corner on November 19. Can we count on your support to help us meet our goal this year?
Ian Cook, Nonprofit Services & Technology Manager Madeline Folstein, Communications & Administrative Associate Kris Kewitsch, Executive Director Abby Wellan, Operations Manager
GIVING GUIDE | Fall 2020
MEETS STANDARDS® NONPROFITS This go-to list features nonprofits that have voluntarily completed our nonprofit review process and have earned Charities Review Council’s Meets Standards® Seal, a visual marker of nonprofit strength. Our review process is good for three years and requires a small administrative payment (.02% of an organization’s operating expenses). The green checkmark indicates that the nonprofit Meets Standards®. For an up-to-date listing, go to SmartGivers.org/organizations.
Accountability Standards® Our 25 Accountability Standards® are co-created benchmarks measuring nonprofit performance in four critical areas: governance, finance, fundraising and public disclosure. They represent a balance of nonprofit sector promising practices, public expectations and legal/regulatory requirements. The Standards have evolved over the Council’s 74 years, with broad participation from Minnesota’s nonprofit and philanthropic communities, to reflect reasonable public expectations for nonprofits. Learn more at SmartGivers.org.
Giving Guide Fall 2020 ✔ 180 Degrees ✔ A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation ✔ A Child's Hope International ✔ Accord ✔ AchieveMpls
✔ Association for Nonsmokers Minnesota
✔ CAIR-Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh)
✔ Banyan Community
✔ Camp Fire Minnesota
✔ Basic Needs, Inc of South Washington County dba Stone Soup Thrift Shop
✔ Camp Odayin ✔ Can Do Canines ✔ Cancer Legal Care
✔ Age Well Arrowhead Inc.
✔ BATC Foundation dba Housing First Minnesota Foundation
✔ Alexandra House, Inc.
✔ Be The Match Foundation
✔ Carmen Pampa Fund
✔ Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative
✔ Cars for Neighbors
✔ BestPrep
✔ Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis
✔ Alliance for Metropolitan Stability ✔ Alliance Housing Inc. ✔ The ALS Association MN/ND/SD Chapter ✔ American Indian Family Center ✔ Amery Hospital & Clinic Foundation ✔ Amherst H. Wilder Foundation ✔ Ampersand Families ✔ Angel Foundation
✔ Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities ✔ Bloom Early Learning
✔ CAPI USA
✔ Casa de Esperanza
✔ Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud
✔ Bolder Options
✔ The Center for Victims of Torture
✔ Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities
✔ Center School, Inc.
✔ Breanna's Gift
✔ Centro Tyrone Guzman
✔ Animal Folks
✔ Bridges to Learning, Inc.
✔ Charities Review Council (SelfReview)
✔ Anu Family Services, Inc.
✔ Bridging
✔ ChildFund International
✔ ArtReach St. Croix
✔ C.A.R.E. Clinic
✔ Assistance League of Minneapolis/St. Paul
✔ CAIR-California (LA, Sacramento, San Diego, SFBA)
✔ Children's Cancer Research Fund ✔ Children's HeartLink
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The Smart Giver | www.SmartGivers.org | Charities Review Council
Giving Guide Fall 2020 – continued ✔ Children's Home Society of Minnesota ✔ Children's Law Center of Minnesota
✔ Faith Community Nurse Network of the Greater Twin Cities ✔ Faith's Lodge
✔ Circle of Hope
✔ The Family Partnership
✔ City of Lakes Community Land Trust
✔ Family Pathways
✔ Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy
✔ Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley, Inc. ✔ Family Tree Clinic
✔ Greater Minneapolis Community Connections ✔ Greater Twin Cities United Way ✔ Guild ✔ Haiti Teen Challenge ✔ Hamm Memorial Psychiatric Clinic, Inc. ✔ Hammer Residences, Inc.
✔ CommonBond Communities
✔ FamilyMeans
✔ Hands of Hope Resource Center
✔ Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County
✔ FamilyWise Services
✔ HandsOn Twin Cities
✔ Feeding Our Communities Partners
✔ Haven Housing of Ascension Place, Inc.
✔ Feline Rescue, Inc.
✔ Hennepin Health Foundation/ Hennepin Healthcare Foundation
✔ Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties ✔ Community Dental Care
✔ The Firefly Sisterhood
✔ Community Thread
✔ The Food Group
✔ Como Friends
✔ Foundation for Essential Needs
✔ Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa
✔ Franconia Sculpture Park
✔ Hope Centers for Children of Africa
✔ Fraser
✔ HOPE Coalition
✔ Cookie Cart
✔ Fresh Energy
✔ Hope Community
✔ Cornerstone Advocacy Service
✔ Freshwater Society
✔ HopeKids, Inc.
✔ Cystic Fibrosis Relief Fund
✔ Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
✔ House of Charity, Inc
✔ DARTS ✔ DinoMights ✔ Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota Foundation ✔ Diversity Council ✔ Dodge Nature Center ✔ East Side Learning Center
✔ Friends of the Hennepin County Library ✔ Friends of the Minnesota Sinfonia ✔ Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries
✔ Edina Community Foundation
✔ Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys
✔ Emma Norton Services
✔ Give Us Wings
✔ Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota
✔ Global Minnesota
✔ EVOLVE Adoption & Family Services
✔ Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota ✔ Great River Greening
✔ Hmong Cultural Center
✔ HousingLink ✔ ICA – Intercongregation Communities Association ✔ Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota ✔ Initiative Foundation ✔ Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners ✔ International Institute of Minnesota ✔ Iringa Hope ✔ Jewish Community Center of the Greater St. Paul Area
✔ Exodus Lending
✔ Great River Homes, Inc.
✔ Jewish Family Service of St. Paul
✔ Fairview Foundation
✔ Great River Rescue
✔ Joyce Preschool
GIVING GUIDE | Fall 2020
Giving Guide Fall 2020 – continued
Can’t find a charity? Call us at (651) 224-7030.
✔ Karen Organization of Minnesota
✔ Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance
✔ Northeast Youth & Family Services
✔ Keystone Community Services
✔ Minneapolis Community and Technical College Foundation
✔ Northern Dental Access Center
✔ La Oportunidad, Inc. ✔ Lakes & Prairies CAP
✔ Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge
✔ Lakes Area Music Festival
✔ Minnesota Alliance With Youth
✔ Lakes Area United Way
✔ Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration
✔ Lakes Center for Youth and Families ✔ Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers
✔ Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA)
✔ Learning Disabilities Association, Inc. (LDA Minnesota)
✔ Minnesota Children's Museum
✔ Lee Carlson Center for Mental Health & Well-Being
✔ Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
✔ LifeSource
✔ Minnesota Council on Economic Education
✔ Lifeworks Services, Inc. ✔ The Lift Garage ✔ Lighthouse Ministries International of Africa
✔ Minnesota Computers for Schools
✔ Minnesota Humanities Center ✔ Minnesota Independence College and Community
✔ The Link
✔ Minnesota International NGO Network (MINN)
✔ Literacy Minnesota (previously Minnesota Literacy Council)
✔ Minnesota Justice Foundation
✔ Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly
✔ Missions Inc. Programs
✔ Minnesota Land Trust
✔ NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, Inc. ✔ Northwoods Partners ✔ Novation Education Opportunities ✔ One Heartland ✔ Open Access Connections ✔ The Open Door ✔ Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless ✔ Opportunity Neighborhood ✔ Opportunity Partners ✔ PACER Center, Inc. ✔ Paralyzed Veterans of America North Central Chapter ✔ Park Nicollet Foundation ✔ Pawsitive Perspectives Assistance Dogs (PawPADs) ✔ PeaceMaker Minnesota ✔ People Serving People ✔ Perspectives, Inc. ✔ The Phoenix Residence Inc. ✔ Pinky Swear Foundation
✔ Loaves and Fishes
✔ Mississippi Park Connection
✔ The Loppet Foundation
✔ MORE
✔ Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry
✔ Move Minnesota
✔ Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota
✔ MoveFwd (formerly Teens Alone)
✔ Plymouth Christian Youth Center
✔ Make-A-Wish Foundation of Minnesota
✔ MSS
✔ PRG, Inc.
✔ My Very Own Bed
✔ ProAct, Inc.
✔ Mano a Mano International Partners
✔ NAMI Minnesota
✔ Progress Valley, Inc.
✔ Neighborhood House
✔ Project For Pride In Living Inc.
✔ Neighbors, Inc.
✔ Project Zawadi
✔ Nokomis East Neighborhood Association
✔ PROP (People Reaching Out to People)
✔ Lutheran Social Service of MN
✔ MATTER ✔ McLeod Emergency Food Shelf ✔ Merrick Community Services
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The Smart Giver | www.SmartGivers.org | Charities Review Council
Giving Guide Fall 2020 – continued ✔ Reach for Resources
✔ St. Louis Park Emergency Program
✔ The Village Family Service Center
✔ St. Paul Youth Services
✔ Vision Loss Resources
✔ Rein in Sarcoma
✔ St. Stephen's Human Services
✔ VocalEssence
✔ Relate Counseling Center
✔ Standpoint
✔ Volunteer Lawyers Network
✔ Retrieve a Golden of the Midwest (RAGOM)
✔ Stepping Stone Emergency Housing
✔ WACOSA
✔ Reve Academy
✔ Susan G. Komen Minnesota
✔ Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment (RISE)
✔ Tanzania Life Project
✔ The Reading Center / Dyslexia Institute of Minnesota
✔ Rice Health Foundation ✔ Rise ✔ Ruff Start Rescue ✔ Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL) ✔ Saint Anthony Park Area Seniors ✔ SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education) ✔ Second Harvest Heartland ✔ Second Harvest North Central Food Bank ✔ Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank ✔ Semcac ✔ ServeMinnesota ✔ Sherburne County Area United Way ✔ The Sheridan Story ✔ Simpson Housing Services, Inc. ✔ Sing Out Loud ✔ Sojourner Project, Inc. ✔ Solid Ground ✔ Southside Services I, Inc. ✔ St. Cloud Municipal Band ✔ St. Croix Valley Foundation ✔ St. David's Center for Child & Family Development
✔ Tasks Unlimited
✔ Walk-In Counseling Center ✔ Washburn Center for Children ✔ Wayside House
✔ Think Small
✔ West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust
✔ Three Rivers Park District Foundation
✔ Western Communities Action Network, Inc. (WeCAN)
✔ Touchstone Mental Health
✔ Westfields Hospital & Clinic Foundation
✔ Tree Trust ✔ Tubman ✔ Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, Inc. ✔ Twin Cities Public Television ✔ United Way of Central Minnesota
✔ White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf ✔ White Bear Center for the Arts ✔ White Bear Lake Area Historical Society ✔ Wilderness Inquiry
✔ United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties
✔ Wings for Widows
✔ United Way of Hastings
✔ Women's Advocates, Inc.
✔ United Way of Olmsted County, Inc.
✔ Women's Foundation of Minnesota
✔ United Way of Southwest Minnesota
✔ WomenVenture
✔ United Way of the Brown County Area, Inc. ✔ United Way of West Central Minnesota
✔ Wishes & More
✔ Woodbury Life Resource Center ✔ World Without Genocide ✔ Youth Farm
✔ Upstream Arts, Inc.
✔ YouthLink
✔ Urban Arts Academy
✔ Youthprise
✔ Urban Boatbuilders
✔ YWCA of Minneapolis
✔ Urban Roots ✔ Vail Place ✔ Valley Outreach
GIVING GUIDE | Fall 2020
Can’t find a charity? Call us at (651) 224-7030.
Giving Guide Fall 2020 – continued
Reviews in Progress: On September 10, 2020, the nonprofits listed as “Review in Progress” were working with Charities Review Council to attain or renew their Meet Standards® status. View an up-to-date list at SmartGivers.org/organizations. 360 Communities
Heart of America Foundation
Northern Clay Center
Accessible Space, Inc. (ASI)
Heart of Dance
Northside Achievement Zone
Aeon
Highpoint Center for Printmaking
OneVillage Partners
Alight
History Theatre
Operation HELP
The Aliveness Project
Hudson Hospital Foundation
The Partnership Plan
Animal Humane Society
Hunger Solutions Minnesota
Pawsitivity Service Dogs
Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation
Hutchinson Health Foundation
People Incorporated
Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund
Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest
Prepare + Prosper
Avenues for Youth Avivo (formerly RESOURCE) Beltrami Neighborhood Council BFW Institute of Education & Research (Pain Free Patriots)
Lakeview Health Foundation Light the Legacy
The Bridge for Youth
Lionsgate Academy
CAIR-Massachusetts
Listening House of St. Paul, Inc
Camp Sweet Life Adventures Inc.
Listening Point Foundation Inc.
Channel One Regional Food Bank
Living Well Disability Services
Children's Dental Services
MDI
Collaborative Community Law Initiative
Mental Health Minnesota
Common Hope Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio Cuyuna Range Youth Center, Inc. Daily Work Dream of Wild Health East Side Neighborhood Services, Inc.
Minnesota Boychoir Minnesota Museum of American Art
Project Success Regions Hospital Foundation The Reporters, Inc. The Sanneh Foundation Senior Community Services ThinkSelf, Inc. Twin Cities Pride United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha & Pierce Counties University of Minnesota Foundation
Minnesota Public Radio, American Public Media
VEAP
Minnesota State Academy for the Blind Foundation
Youth Service Bureau, Inc.
Minnesota State Fair Foundation myHealth for Teens & Young Adults
Face to Face Health and Counseling Service, Inc.
National Loon Center
Hastings Family Service
Project FINE
Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance
Eden Prairie Community Foundation
H2O For Life
PRISM
New Pathways Normandale Community College Foundation
WellShare International Zumbro Valley Health Center
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THE SMART GIVER
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Set up a recurring donation. Right now, we’re seeing many organizations confront tightening budgets—and some nonprofits manage a welcome but overwhelming influx of first-time donations. Consider making a recurring donation to extend beyond this moment. An ongoing donation within your budget is a way to sustainably support an organization whose mission you care about.
Give to the Max Day Keeping track of a nonprofit's major events is a great way to stay involved. For nonprofits here in Minnesota, Give to the Max Day (November 19) is our biggest giving holiday. Save the date to support the organizations that mean the most to you! Finally, we’d like to encourage you to keep reaching out to us with any questions. We want to be a resource for you as you navigate giving decisions now. Send us a note at info@ smartgivers.org, a letter to the address above or give us a call at 651-224-7030. Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash
