@nwmnfoundation
• How our funds bring community together while raising support
• Meet our second cohort in the Initiators Fellowship
• Championing policy change for Native American entrepreneurs
• A glimpse into how NMF responds to the needs of the region
Dear Neighbor,
Deb Zak, Chair
Jason Carlson, Vice Chair
Cheri Gunvalson, Secretary
Todd Beckel, Treasurer
Kaitlyn Grenier
Jill Johnson
Mike LaRoque
Connie Lindstrom
Michelle Paquin
Bruce Reeves
Jack Swanson
Kristi Thorfinnson
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation invests resources, facilitates collaboration and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work. Kittson
In the spirit of renewal that comes with the arrival of spring, I am delighted to connect with you and extend to you my warmest greetings. For me, spring is always a time of fresh energy and growth, and I see that energy and growth reflected in the strength of the region’s people and community -- namely YOU, our neighbor.
In this issue of our Resource we are happy to share with you highlights from the past few months. Strong people, like you, make this work possible and we could not do it without your amazing partnership, donations, time and energy, and vision for a vibrant future.
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to supporting the people, businesses, and communities that make up our region. By providing best-in-class support, we aim to create a ripple effect of success across our region, because when you succeed we can all thrive. Whether you are a budding entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or an individual with a vision, we are here to help you accomplish your goals. We know that building a stronger community starts with you. From assisting new businesses to creating legacies, we’ll guide you every step of the way. Please give us a call. We’re here to help.
Thank you for being a vital part of our community, and we look forward to embarking on this journey toward vibrant futures together.
In respecting the resources entrusted to us, the Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) has embraced e-communications to stay connected with our supporters. We now send monthly e-news to those donors and partners for whom we have valid email addresses.
If you have not been receiving these communications and would like to be included, please email your name, community of residence, and email address to info@nwmf.org or scan the QR code here.
Rest assured that we have not ceased printed publications! NMF will continue printing and distributing our annual Impact Report as well as sharing this spring issue of the Resource newsletter each year. We may also release a specialty report on occasion. If you have any questions or concerns, please email bethanyw@nwmf.org
In January, the Northwest Minnesota Foundation launched a new campaign to spark excitement and support for our work by celebrating the unique attributes of our region.
What makes this place unique? The fresh air, the open spaces, the pace of life — and most of all, the people. We have something special here, and we want it to last.
Being from Northwest Minnesota is a badge of honor — it is a place of beauty, grit, and kindness. No matter how far you go, this will always be home.
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation believes in this place, believes in its people, and believes in its future. We’re here to keep this region strong and our communities vibrant.
Your gift will make all the difference. You can make a meaningful and lasting difference in Northwest Minnesota by supporting your community.
• You can choose to honor someone special.
• You can live your values and lead by example.
• You can support your community and provide opportunities for others.
• You can leave a legacy for generations to come.
• You can benefit from a charitable gift tax reduction.
• The NMF Endowment Fund helps us build up resources to support our region for generations to come.
• The NMF Impact Fund provides on-the-ground support to our programs and the immediate needs of today.
• Consider supporting one of our 430+ funds in the NMF family of funds, which represent locally invested contributions maintained by NMF.
All of these options are valuable and will help us build better lives for those who call the region home.
If you’re ready to make a lasting impact by setting up a new fund, our team is here to guide you!
We’ll help you determine the right type of fund to meet your unique goals. With a minimum contribution of $10,000 (or $25,000 for a scholarship fund), a new fund can be established and added to the NMF family of funds for easy, ongoing maintenance and administration.
Are you interested in learning more? Let’s talk! Email giving@nwmf.org to connect with a Philanthropy Officer.
If you would like to make a donation to the NMF Endowment, please scan the QR code or visit https://nwmf.org/ give-now/
Many of the funds in our family of funds hold fundraising events to raise support for their missions. Each fund not only has its own purpose, but each also has its own personality and approach to how they support community. This diversity is reflective in the types of fundraisers they hold. We’ve asked six of our funds to share details about the types of events they hold to generate support.
hosted by Katie “Brommenschenkel” Vilmo Scholarship Fund
“We’re so excited to celebrate Katie and have some fun in her name.”
And, with that, the second annual Corn Hole Tournament in memory of Katie “Brommenschenkel” Vilmo kicked off at the Halstad Community Center.
Held on February 10th, 32 two-person teams competed in the friendly bags tournament, while older kids sprinted around the action. A pulled pork dinner, donated by a local resident, invited free-will donations, all to raise funds for the scholarship established in memory of a deeply loved local mom, wife, farmer, daughter, and friend.
hosted by Bemidji Lumberjack Foundation
Two annual events are hosted by the Bemidji Lumberjack Foundation to raise support for the activities programs at Bemidji Middle School and Bemidji High School.
The Lumberjack Bonspiel will mark its 27th year this month as dozens of teams gather at the Bemidji Curling Club for fun competition. The event has raised more than $194,000 since it began and continues to grow each year.
“The bonspiel was an awesome winter event to add for the Lumberjack Foundation,” the fund reported. “We wanted to host more than one event and it made sense to do so in the wintertime because the Lumberjack Scramble is in the summer.”
Indeed, the Lumberjack Scramble will mark its 30th year this August as golfers gather at Bemidji Town & Country Club for the annual tournament. The event originated with Jim Mergens, a former golf coach and athletic director at the high school, and has raised nearly $980,000 since its inception, including more than $64,000 from 2023’s event alone.
“The community loves this event,” the fund reported. “(Our supporters) look forward to this every year. There are many people who plan vacations around this event, with many alumni returning home to participate. There is a lot of camaraderie between the participants and volunteers.”
hosted by Kelliher Area Community Fund
After a meeting was held to discuss how the North Beltrami Community Center could continue to be maintained as a space for public use, the Kelliher Area Community Fund began hosting a monthly Sunday Breakfast Buffet to raise money to support its continued operation.
The first buffet was held in November, with higher attendance than anticipated.
The event is a collaboration of the community fund, Friends Up North, the Kelliher Library & Information Center, the Kelliher Health & Resource Advisory Group, and other individuals and organizations who wish to keep the Community Center available as a space for all to use.
hosted by LifeCare Health Care Funds
This April, the greater Roseau County community will once again gather to support and celebrate the excellence of its regional health care provider. The Partners for Health LifeCare Gala, presented by Marvin, raises money for the LifeCare Health Care Funds to benefit the operations of the health care provider.
Each year, the gala highlights a specific project as the fundraising focus. At the 17th annual gala, held in 2023, the focus was support for the LifeCare Birthing Center to support its staff in providing exceptional care to women in an ever-growing radius. Funds raised through the last gala supported the purchase of RealMom 2.0, an astonishingly lifelike birthing simulator that will allow staff to practice birthing scenarios and train on realistic crises that can occur in childbirth.
This year, fundraising will raise support for Roseau County area senior living facilities. Senior Services in Roseau County includes; Warroad Senior Living, LifeCare Greenbush Manor & Assisted Living, LifeCare Roseau Manor, and LifeCare Senior Living in Roseau. All locations will be able to request grants for projects to enhance Roseau County area seniors’ overall quality of life.
To read the full article on the Partners for Health LifeCare Gala, please visit www.nwmf.org/news
hosted by Thief River Falls Area Community Fund
For a first-time event, the “I Love the 80s … to Death” Murder Mystery Dinner show was a smashing success. The event sold out as more than 200 guests enjoyed a night filled with fun prizes, raffles and great 80s music – all while raising money for the local community.
Thanks to the overwhelming support of the community and generous donations from more than 60 businesses and 13 sponsors, the event raised more than $22,475.
The Thief River Falls Area Community Fund was looking for a fun and unique event that would provide community involvement and interaction during the show. Professional actors from the Murder Mystery Co. interacted with guests through a thrilling experience of twists and turns, with an opportunity to solve the crime. Guests were encouraged to “dress the part” for photo opportunities and prizes.
“It was a team effort to get sponsors and businesses to donate prizes,” the fund reported. “We gained a lot of exposure and community awareness by holding an event that was well-attended and promoted. We believe it will be easier in the future if we decide to hold the event again.”
hosted by Stephen Area Endowment Fund
For 13 years, the Stephen Area Endowment Fund Shrimp and Steak Fry has not only offered great food but also provided an opportunity to learn about the fund’s work in the community. The fund frequently has grant recipients volunteering at the event to share about its impact.
“The community likes to see which projects have been completed, and the food (and) fellowship is always popular,” the fund reported.
Many event supporters donate beyond the costs requested, and the food is all purchased from local businesses in Stephen.
NINE INDIVIDUALS FROM RURAL MINNESOTA HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO MAKE UP THE 2024-2025 COHORT OF THE INITIATORS FELLOWSHIP, A TWO-YEAR PROGRAM THAT DEVELOPS SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURISM THROUGH MENTORSHIP, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND BUSINESS COACHING.
THIS ARTICLE INTRODUCES ONE OF THE TWO INITIATORS FROM NORTHWEST MINNESOTA: SHANNON MURRAY.
Shannon Murray’s goal is to blend youth development with increasing access and opportunities for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs).
Starting with a focus on Bemidji, Shannon aims to build off the successes that have been cultivated in the local school system to bridge the transition into adulthood while expanding opportunities for leadership, employment, and community-building.
“I think our youth are doing really well at including each other,” Shannon said, noting the incredible success of the Bemidji Unified programs. “The programs are amazing, the students are amazing.
“But there’s a gap (post-graduation) and that’s such a hard thing when you see what inclusion can look like and feel like … I just feel like there is a lack of opportunity after high school, and that is probably the biggest driving force behind this.”
Shannon, who uses they/them pronouns, was drawn to the Initiators Fellowship for its mentorship and training opportunities. They also appreciated the program’s focus on developing rural leaders.
“I need support and guidance through this because it’s a big leap for me,” said Shannon, who is from Blackduck and has always lived in rural communities.
They also expressed appreciation for the fellowship’s stipend, $30,000 a year for each of its two years, allowing the initiators to focus on the development of their enterprises.
“That, to me, signaled an understanding that people have different economic backgrounds,” they said. “Just having that stated right at the forefront gave me information about the fellowship, that it’s accessible, that people from all different economic backgrounds can do this and be successful.”
Making plans to establish and run a social enterprise isn’t exactly where Shannon would have envisioned themself years ago.
Having earned a full-ride scholarship to Bemidji State out of high school, they were working toward their master’s degree in clarinet performance at Wichita State when a teacher posted the question, “What is it that you actually want to do be doing?” Shannon left school, moving away from classical music to pursue a career in songwriting and folk music – an endeavor they continue today –but eventually returned to Bemidji to pursue community work. They started
a roller derby team, became a parent, and started working in nonprofits. Shannon became increasingly aware of the challenges facing young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They developed a close friendship with a man who was focused on securing employment that both suited his skillset and provided appropriate challenges for further growth. But job options were extremely limited.
“Learning his story and how much he had struggled to find meaningful employment, and then supporting and cheerleading him throughout that process … that was the first time I’d thought about wanting to do systems-level work on a local level, to increase that access,” Shannon said.
Shannon also worked in youth development, mentoring two young men who were national youth leaders. They were driven young men who were excited about their roles and the chance to be heard.
“The two of them are just phenomenal and have such good ideas,” Shannon said. “It really helped solidify that this is the direction I want to go. I got really excited. There are just so many brilliant, talented young people out there and I don’t think that they get the chance to raise their voices.”
One step at a time
Shannon envisions an enterprise that expands pathways for employment and volunteerism, offers jobcoaching for both job-seekers and employers, and cultivates community connectiveness and inclusivity. A key component of this work is establishing a youth leadership board with young people of all abilities, aged 14 to 24. This board will guide the mission and vision of the enterprise. But, to get there, Shannon knows the
foundation must be solid.
Today, as the fellowship ramps up, Shannon is focused on first getting all the legal needs addressed and identifying what is needed to successfully sustain the enterprise well into the future.
“I want to be sure that what I’m creating doesn’t rely on me specifically,” Shannon said. “I’m putting a lot of myself into this but I want to make sure that it’s sustainable.”
Lead for Inclusion co-creates accessible and welcoming communities through inclusive youth development. By elevating and supporting young leaders of diverse abilities, we remove barriers to belonging and increase opportunities for inclusive work and social activities for everyone.
leadforinclusion@gmail.com or call 218-209-2345
NINE INDIVIDUALS FROM RURAL MINNESOTA HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO MAKE UP THE 2024-2025 COHORT OF THE INITIATORS FELLOWSHIP, A TWO-YEAR PROGRAM THAT DEVELOPS SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURISM THROUGH MENTORSHIP, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND BUSINESS COACHING. THIS ARTICLE INTRODUCES ONE OF THE TWO INITIATORS FROM NORTHWEST MINNESOTA: BEN CAHILL.
To empower and connect LGBTQIA2S+ people with culturally relevant and affirming resources, programs, and support groups, and create a better connected community.
Ben Cahill knows how isolating a life without community can be.
Ben, who was adopted, was the only person of color in his family. He grew up in Washington state, raised and homeschooled in a conservative, white Christian family that socialized in like-minded circles.
“My only friends were from church, the only people I knew were church people,” he said, “and so, once I realized that I was different – I didn’t even know what gay was – but once I realized I was different, that’s when things started to get weird.”
His entry into adulthood changed everything.
“As I went to community college, that’s when everything opened up for me and I started to learn what it really meant to be a Black person, what it really meant to be in the LGBTQIA2S+ community,” he said. “What I realized was how isolated I was, because of those things, not realizing that there was a community out there for me to belong to. I spent a lot of time in my childhood, very isolated and alone, feeling like I couldn’t open up to family and friends, feeling like I was the only person out there who was like me.”
Today, Ben is committed to ensuring there is a community of support and resources for LBGTQIA2S+ people in and around Beltrami County.
The Pride Support Network was borne in the wake of the first Bemidji Pride event held in 2021. From the beginning, Bemidji Pride has been a smashing success with hundreds of attendees taking part the first year and growing every year since. But following that first festival, the Pride planning team began to get a steady stream of questions and inquiries asking for resources, supports, and referrals: Who were the LGBTQ-friendly physicians, where could they go to access support groups, when would the next gathering event be held, etc.
“My friend and colleague Dr. Sarah Cronin and I kind of put our
heads together and said, ‘OK, let’s create something to field these calls,’ but then also open the Pride event up to be able to get grant funding,” Ben said.
The Pride Support Network was founded, operating as a grassroots organization with a fiscal agent. From sharing information about support groups to hosting events, the goal has been to ensure that Pride is more than just a once-a-year festival.
But Ben, who works as a Community Health Worker, envisions a more robust organization in the future. He applied for the Initiators Fellowship
to seek support and guidance on how to grow the organization to more fully meet the needs of the community.
“What I want to do with the fellowship is to take what I have now … to a place where we have community health workers working with community members … helping people navigate health care and social services systems, and advocating for youth throughout the school system,” he said. He also envisions an event planner or coordinator to create more consistent events, to cultivate a more
consistent feeling of community. An even longer-term dream would be to have a dedicated location and space for the LGBTQ community to gather.
Creating community by being in community
While the two-year Initiators Fellowship just recently began in January, Ben can already picture how the Pride Support Network might be able to best meet the needs of the community. With three community health workers dedicated to supporting LGBTQ people, each would be stationed at a different entry point, perhaps for example at the Rail River Folk School, in the school systems, and the Northwest Indian Community Development Center.
“You would have a rolling schedule so that they’re really embedded in the community,” he said.
But, for now, the first step is reinvigorating key supporters and volunteers to reinvest in the organization’s mission and goals.
“I’m still weighing the options, hoping to figure out what will work best for me,” Ben said. “That’s the beauty of the fellowship. They’re really holding your hand through all of these decisions that you have to make as somebody starting a social enterprise.”
“ What I want to do is to … have community health workers working with community members … helping people navigate health care and social services systems, and advocating for youth.”
— Ben Cahill, Bemidji
A key component of the fellowship is a free consultation with a legal team, which will help Ben center on the ideal business structure for the Pride Support Network, whether it be a nonprofit structure or a hybrid approach.
“I am still learning,” he said. “But, before, it felt like an insurmountable task; now it feels like it’s a rocky road that I’m going to have my hand held to get through. I’m feeling very supported, which is a huge relief.”
Since 1986, the Northwest Minnesota Foundation has worked to transform our region into a better place to live and work. To best meet the needs of the region, we set out to be inventive, collaborative, and nimble. Our strategic frameworks have shifted over the years but our vision has not: Northwest Minnesota will be a place where communities and people work together to foster opportunity, promote philanthropy, and enrich the lives of all residents.
As we continue addressing today’s challenges to build tomorrow’s best future, we find ourselves stepping into new areas of work to respond to the changing needs of the region.
We are more intentional about supporting mental health initiatives in the region and within our own staff culture. We now track the projects that we fund that have mental health components and well-being supports. Internally, we broadened our sick time definition
to include mental health needs and expanded our benefits to provide well-being resources.
This work is also receiving support from external funders. Last year, we were awarded funding from a private foundation to support mental health initiatives for our diverse communities and our rural agricultural populations and, more recently, we received funding to support mental health and well-being efforts for youth in the region.
This new focus area started with our Board of Directors as they were sharing with one another their own local struggles related to nursing home closures and decreasing supports for the senior population.
We are now stepping into a role of advocacy on this topic, noting the workforce shortage of health care professionals in aging and elder care fields and the problematic delay in reimbursements for nursing homes
that contribute to their financial instability. We are joining coalitions to amplify our voices in speaking to the need to address these issues.
Increasingly, our work is being done in partnership with Red Lake Nation, White Earth Nation, and, in select situations, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. In response to this trend, our staff and board members have requested additional education and training on indigenous culture to deepen our understanding and strengthen our ability to forge strong partnerships.
In February, we held the first of three in-person trainings with Dr. Anton Treuer focused on the Indigenous World View. Not only were staff members in attendance, but we also had participation from board members, key partners, and fund advisors.
We look forward to building on this first session in the weeks ahead.
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation has actively engaged in public policy with intent the last few years. Although it is not a major part of the Foundation’s overall activity, those advocacy efforts recently paid off in a big way.
During an open comment period for the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund last summer, NMF staff became aware of an extra hurdle facing Native American entrepreneurs seeking loan financing from a certified CDFI.
Proposed language from the CDFI Fund included a methodology for certified CDFIs to confirm Indigenous heritage; namely, the requirement of written proof by way of Tribal
identification or other registration documents. This was in contrast to other ethnicities who do not need to prove their identity, but instead can self-report their ethnicity.
This discrepancy led to our team engaging with our U.S. Senators’ staff members and other CDFI partners across the country. Not only did partner agencies provide critical comments during the comment period process, but they organized other CDFIs to submit their own comments and contact their elected representatives. Sarah Linda, in particular, Community Revitalization Program Manager at NMF, led the advocacy work as she brought the issue to the attention of others, led coordination of the Minnesota CDFI
We’re not afraid to ask the hard questions, involve the right players, and work as a team to make a positive impact.
Coalition and advocated to our elected officials to change this unfair practice by the U.S. Treasury.
In December, we received word that the policy change was adopted, and Native American entrepreneurs will be treated as any other individual seeking loan and technical assistance from the CDFI Fund. This change takes effect across the country, not just in our region. This is one example of how NMF is a force for good.
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation will soon be accepting grant applications from small businesses and nonprofits to invest in existing operations or planned growth.
Through the PROMISE Act (Providing Resources and Opportunity and Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs), approved and funded by the Minnesota Legislature, the Northwest Minnesota Foundation has been awarded $1.1 million to disperse one-time grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to businesses and nonprofits. Businesses can use funds for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, equipment, and other similar expenses that occur in the regular course of business.
The PROMISE Act program is intended to drive fair economic recovery by boosting small, rural, and minority-owned businesses, which face the largest barriers to accessing capital and resources.
The grant application will open no later than April 1st, 2024, and remain open through April 30th, 2024.
NMF expects more applications than funding available. This grant opportunity will not be first-come, first-served: The application period will be open for at least 30 days, and applicants will be able to access free technical support in preparing for and
applying to this program.
This is the first of two rounds of the PROMISE Act grant program. Eligible applicants will for-profit businesses and 501c3 nonprofits that earn 30 percent or more of their revenue through business-like activities. Businesses and nonprofits must be located in Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s service area, which includes Red Lake Nation, White Earth Nation, and 12 counties (Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau).
We’ve launched a new website!
Earlier this year, we launched our new website, designed to be more userfriendly and much easier to navigate. Here are a few of our favorite features of the new site:
TOOLBAR Recite Me lets visitors view and use our website in a way that works best for them. It helps those who have conditions like sight loss and dyslexia access our website in the way that best suits their needs. It also translates our web content into more than 100 different languages.
FIND A FUND With more than 430 funds in our family of funds, you can now find your favorite fund with ease! You can search our funds by keyword and/or filter funds by county, community, and fund type so you can support the funds most in line with your passions and intentions.