NWMF Annual Report 2012

Fiscal Year

2012

aNNUal rePOrT

FALL / Winter 2013 | number 58

ii

PAge 6

PAge 13

PAge 18

PAge 20

Fiscal Year 2012 Overview

New Funds

McKnight Foundation Tour

Sustaining Community Success

Table of contents

In this Issue Fiscal Year 2012 Annual Report mission, Vision, Accomplishments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 message from the Chair and President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 board and Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 FY 12 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Financial Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 FY 12 grants and Loans Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 FY 12 new Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Quarterly Resource transitions in training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 message from the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 mcKnight Foundation tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Sustaining Community Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 entrepreneur Program at Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

FY12 ANNUAL REPORT

1

Our Mission

Our Accomplishments

the northwest minnesota Foundation invests resources, creates opportunities, and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work .

Since inception in 1986

Our Values

Z Creation or retention of almost 2,625 jobs

excellence We strive for the highest standards in all our programs and services .

integrity We are a trusted resource demonstrating honesty and fairness in our relationships with partners, clients and colleagues .

Passion We are committed to the region and mission-driven in all our endeavors .

innovation We are forward thinking and proactive in seeking out opportunities .

Wisdom We apply knowledge of the region and historical perspective to make sound decisions .

Partnerships We are most effective when working in cooperation with others .

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Z business loan programs with over $5 million in assets have made 486 loans for a total of more than $22 .1 million

Z Lending has leveraged more than $87 million in additional funds Z made over 4,800 grants totaling $28 .4 million Z Adult and youth leadership programs have provided training for nearly 5,000 leaders Z Specifically designed non-profit management and diversity training programs have addressed the special needs of 646 organizations and 95 communities Z $48 million in total assets Z more than 313 component funds and subfunds, with assets totaling $17 .5 million

Message from the chair and President

Hello Friends! the northwest minnesota Foundation is on the move! Literally, figuratively— you name it—it has been a year of monumental change at the foundation . reading through our annual report section will give you a snapshot of the work we are doing to ensure that our region is a great place to live, work and play . the joy in looking back is seeing that we made great strides in meeting our mission . to stay on track for the next five years, we have completed a new strategic plan . We will soon enter the next phase in the mcKnight Foundation’s funding cycle and we are gearing up to continue our work in the region . the planning process is important and comprised a great deal of our activity this year . board and staff worked hand in hand to evaluate where we’ve been, with the tracking process guiding our future direction .

We had the fresh perspective of newly named board members and staff, hired in the past year . it also just happened to be a good way for them to learn about our past strategies, values and vision, and provided an opportunity to help shape how the new plan will be put into action .

At the same time, five of our board members either finished or were in the final months of their terms . their experience and institutional history served us well in the process . gArY PurAtH

Board Chair

it is our intent to serve northwest minnesota far into the future . the new nmF headquarters helps to make us even more permanently anchored in the region . this huge change allows us to have adequate space for current needs and for potential growth . We will be highly visible and accessible . We now have a facility available for hosting meetings, conferences, training, and for some special public purposes . Please stop by when you’re in the area and we’ll be delighted to give you a tour . the northwest minnesota Foundation would not exist if it weren’t for the vision of the mcKnight Foundation . most importantly, nmF would not be able to do its work without those who generously give of their time and resources to the dozens of initiatives supported by the foundation . thank you!

nAnCY VYSKOCiL

President

Continue to keep an eye on us through our adaptation to change—it’s a great time to be in northwest minnesota .

gArY PurAtH

nAnCY VYSKOCiL

Board Chair

President

FY12 ANNUAL REPORT

3

Gary Purath

Bob Hager

laurie Wilson

CHAir

ViCe-CHAir

SeCretArY

Judy roy

Fay auchenpaugh

eric Bergeson

treASurer

DireCtOr

DireCtOr

Pete Haddeland

Jody Horntvedt

Jon linnell

DireCtOr

DireCtOr

DireCtOr

Red Lake Falls

Red Lake

Roseau

Thief River Falls

Crookston

Fertile

Our gratitude to board members whose terms ended in 2011.

Mark Hewitt

Mahnomen

roger Malm

Kim Wilson

leah Pigatti

Jon Quistgaard

DireCtOr

DireCtOr

Park Rapids

4

Baudette

Bemidji

Warren

Board and staff

Northwest Minnesota Foundation Staff Members connie aguillo

samantha Hedin

Diane Morey

caryl Turnow

Administrative Assistant

Accounting Associate

Senior Program Officer – Business Development

Development Officer

Peggy crandall

ashley Hull

Grants Services Associate

Communications Specialist

Nate Dorr

Barb lien

Program Officer – Grants

Administrative Assistant

Dawn Ganje

linde linde

Program Officer – Training

Administrative Assistant

Vicky Grove

la rae Maddox

Program Manager– Early Childhood

Office/Systems Manager

Nancy Vyskocil

lisa Peterson

President

Development Officer

Tim Wang

Marty sieve Vice President for Programs

amy Tobkin Business Development Specialist

Finance Director

Dave West Senior Program Officer – Business Finance

FY12 ANNUAL REPORT

5

A Year of Change the information in this Annual report represents activities for the fourth year of nmF’s current five-year funding cycle, covering the period from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 .

A strategic plan for the next five years is now in preparation and we are anticipating the next phase . the biggest lesson to be gleaned from the past year is the continued validity of nmF’s focus on Quality of Place and the four elements that comprise it . before these concepts became the basis of our mission ten years ago, the foundation had concentrated all of its resources on just two areas—building the capacity of individuals and organizations and strengthening the local economy . research showed, however, that the prosperity of the region ultimately depended on attracting knowledge and talent, and that these resources needed Quality of Place to thrive .

While Quality of Place in rural areas did indeed rely on strong organizations and a strong economy, it also required what we termed natural and structural amenities . Our plan thus marked the start of our investment in four things deemed essential to Quality of Place: natural Assets, Structural Assets, Social Assets (organizations and individuals) and economic Assets . the following performance report demonstrates that nmF’s decision to invest in natural and Structural Assets was well founded .

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Overview of 2012 Our expansion into the area of natural Assets had initially seemed the most risky and least likely to yield significant returns on investment . time has proven otherwise . the foundation’s natural resource grant Program is now among our most effective efforts . Similarly, grants from component funds for natural resource preservation have exceeded expectations, as has the Healthy Lakes and rivers Program . the latter, in fact, succeeded in getting conservation plans adopted by most of the eligible lake associations in Hubbard and beltrami Counties . in a good example of synergy between our programs and our philanthropic services, six lake associations have now established component funds with nmF to assist in ongoing implementation of their plans . the foundation also went out on a limb ten years ago with the addition of Structural Assets to its core priorities, but there too the rewards have surpassed our hopes . Community Planning grants are now among our most active discretionary grant programs . Community Vitality Loans were made this year for the renovation of historic buildings in both the far northern and far southern reaches of our service area . grants from component funds to schools and scholarship awards have seen dramatic increases over the course of the existing plan, as has the number and size of contributions to education funds . none of which should diminish all the good work still being done by nmF to improve the region’s Social and economic Assets . Our leadership training for youth has begun to gain a national, even international, reputation . the early Childhood initiative has sunk roots in twelve area communities, achieving a degree of local control and autonomy that has been further enhanced by the establishment of eleven component funds and one independent foundation . the growth in size and number of our community funds might be the single most impressive accomplishment of the past four years, a feat made possible by the introduction of an innovative training and technical assistance program called Sustaining Community Success . the iDeA Competition has set a new standard for promoting rural business innovation and for perpetuating the entrepreneurial culture that’s come to define northwest minnesota . And imPACt 20/20 might well be one of the most significant approaches to regional economic development currently underway in rural minnesota .

Finally, it must not go unnoted that nmF’s relocation to an historic building in downtown bemidji will soon give the foundation a physical presence in northwest minnesota it has sorely lacked for more than 25 years . And it will provide further evidence of our commitment to investing in the region’s Quality of Place . As always, thanks are due in no small part to the support and far-sighted example shown to us by the mcKnight Foundation, whose own headquarters represents an important contribution to the vitality of the twin Cities community .

FY12 ANNUAL REPORT

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Financial Summary Revenue and Support Other

Program Contributions . . . . . . . . . . . $2,076,074 investment income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,543,254 endowment Contributions . . . . . . . . . $1,163,411

10% Endowment Contributions

Program Contributions

22%

39%

Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $504,053 Total Revenue and Support . . . . . . $5,286,792

Investment Income

29%

Expenses Fund Raising

Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,431,967 Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $755,880 Fund raising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $148,920

3.4%

Administration

17.4%

Expenses Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,336,767

Programs

79.1%

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Fiscal Year 2012 Financial Position

Total Assets as of June 30, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $48,212,000 Endowment Total

2012

$50M

$40M

$30M

$20M

$10M

0 1991

1993

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Public Disclosure 990 the northwest minnesota Foundation will make available for public inspection the last three years of its tax documents, including internal revenue Service Forms 990, 990-t (if applicable), and the Community Foundation’s application for tax exemption, irS Form 1023, and its most recent audit . if the request for any of these documents is made in person, the requested

documents will be provided on the day of the request, if possible . if the request is in writing (including e-mail), copies will be provided within 30 days . the requestor will be charged a reasonable fee for the cost of copying, plus postage . Additionally, the irS 990 documents will be available on the website at www .nwmf .org through a link to guideStar .

FY12 ANNUAL REPORT

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Assets

2012

2011

$764,33

$404,006

grants/Contracts receivable

$100,077

$146,938

Pledges receivable

$223,421

$395,499

Accrued interest receivable

$169,511

$188,960

Other receivables

$3,458

$3,473

Prepaid expenses

$6,374

$4,482

$3,590,455

$3,960,872

$40,946,317

$40,637,934

Other equity investments

$1,171,225

$672,023

Fixed Assets - net of Accumulated Depreciation

$1,237,048

$641,368

Total Assets

$48,212,224

$47,055,555

$29,387

$292,057

Program grants/Scholarships Payable

$273,723

$352,321

Other Liabilities

$282,271

$222,526

—

$15,140

$1,051,923

$963,393

granite equity Partners Subscription Payable

$500,000

$50,000

Annuity Payable

$474,260

$525,475

$1,754,364

$1,738,372

$4,365,928

$4,159,284

$385,115

$472,980

temporarily restricted

$15,079,947

$15,288,253

Permanently restricted

$28,381,234

$27,135,038

total net Assets

$43,846,296

$42,896,271

$48,212,224

$47,055,555

Cash and Cash equivalents

notes receivable – revolving Loan Fund investments

Liabilities Deferred revenue

mortgage Payable Loans Payable

Agency endowment Liability Total Liabilities

Net Assets unrestricted

Total Liabilities and Net Assets

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Grants and loans summary Program Activity Summary Grants Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$941,967 Caring Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $49,540 Community Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . $24,000 Community Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $87,000 iDeA Competition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $52,000 natural resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $68,918 nonprofit training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,800 Component Funds and Scholarships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $791,210

Business Development Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,916,360 business Financing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $762,624 entrepreneur Development . . . . . . . . $311,926 to apply for grants or loans please contact nmF staff . the business Development Programs of the northwest minnesota Foundation receive funding and support from the minnesota Department of employment and economic Development and united States Department of Agriculture rural Development as well as the Small business Administration and Fannie mae .

FY12 ANNUAL REPORT

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Our Sincere Thanks to Our Donors!

Fiscal Year 2012 Donors: July 1, 2011–June 30, 2012 We are grateful and appreciative to every one of you for your contributions, large and small . this past fiscal year alone, nmF received charitable gifts from over 5,100 individuals, organizations, agencies and others totaling more than $1 .6 million .

Please know that your donations to the foundation or any of its component funds are making a difference in the quality of the places in northwest minnesota— making the region a better place to live and work .

For a full list of our donors, please visit www .nwmf .org/about/annual-report .html .

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New Funds North country Park Fund

eugene Dalzotto Fund for the arts

Supports programs, projects, activities, and access to outdoor recreational opportunities for a community park in north bemidji, and for its promotion and maintenance

Support for programs, projects, or activities supporting the arts in the bemidji area with preference given to art history lectures, local artists’ printmaking, or preparation of work for public display or exhibition; or for arts related activities that fit the purpose of the bemidji Area Arts endowment

Francine Kuznia Memorial scholarship Fund Supports scholarships to qualified female high school students from the Stephen-Argyle area who are pursuing postsecondary education

Paul and Pat Bisek scholarship Fund Supports scholarships for students from mahnomen High School for tuition and books or direct educational material expenses for college, university, trade school, tech school or other qualified institutions or programs

sand Hill settlement Historical society Fund Supports programs, projects, activities or services that benefit the mission of the Society

Fertile-Beltrami school sign Fund Supports planning, designing, and construction of a sign for the Fertile-beltrami School

Fertile area assisted living Housing Fund Supports planning, designing, land acquisition, construction and other costs for an assisted living housing facility in Fertile

sinclair scholastic achievement award Fund Supports annual awards honoring the two graduating students with the highest scholastic achievement from Stephen-Argyle Central High School

Karlsson Family scholarship Fund Supports scholarships for graduates of iSD #682 who are majoring in math or science or majoring in fine, visual or graphic arts at a college or university

Delta Kappa Gamma - Mu chapter Myrtie Hunt scholarship Supports scholarships for qualified women in their junior or senior year at a college or university with a preference for careers in education

larsen Family achievement award Fund Supports recognition of Crookston High School graduates whose academic achievement, high character, service to others, and promise for future service and accomplishment exemplify the meaning and purpose of education

Hubbard cOla ais Prevention Project Fund Supports programs, projects and activities that protect, preserve and enhance the quality of lakes and streams served by the COLA

argyle area community Foundation Fund Supports charitable, educational and public purpose activities, projects, or services that enhance the quality of life enjoyed by residents and/or visitors of the Argyle area

Friends of lake Bemidji Fund Supports programs, projects and activities that protect, preserve, restore and enhance the quality of Lake bemidji and its environs

richard anderson Memorial scholarship Fund Supports annual scholarships for Clearbrookgonvick high school graduates pursuing postsecondary education for careers in agriculture and the building trades FY12 ANNUAL REPORT

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Fall / Winter 2013 number 58

Transitions in Training

by Dawn Ganje, Program Officer—Training

“

the northwest minnesota Foundation has seen many changes over the past year, with retirements, reassignments and the hiring of new staff to positions that work with people and organizations throughout our region . nmF is not the only nonprofit organization that has and is undergoing these types of changes . many of the nonprofit organizations that have served our 12-county region for years are seeing transitions in staff and board leadership . it is for this reason the individual and organizational excellence training nmF is offering will focus on transition and meeting the needs of nonprofit organizations and individuals that work or serve with them .

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world.

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

—margaret mead

”

many of the trainings offered in the end of our fiscal year (January –June) will focus on the basics of being on a governing board, and learning about their roles and responsibilities . We will be offering education for new and renewing executive directors on such topics as the fundamentals of nonprofit financial management and grant writing basics . technical assistance is also a key offering . Already four newly hired nonprofit executive directors are taking advantage of transitions technical Assistance, where they are matched with a coach or mentor that will assist them during this time as they transition into their leadership roles .

As nmF and the organizations we serve transform this year, i am reminded of one of my favorite quotes by margaret mead: “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world . indeed, it is the only thing that ever has .” As we complete this year, join us for training and/or technical assistance, as we jointly meet the emerging challenges of our region .

DAWn gAnJe

Program Officer— Training FALL/WINTER QUARTERLY 2013

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Greetings! to continue with our theme of change at the northwest minnesota Foundation, i’d like to introduce some changes within our board of Directors .

Cathy Forgit of Fertile is a new addition to the nmF board of directors . Cathy is a retired Fertile beltrami Community education Director . Currently, she is co-coordinator of the Fertile-beltrami early Childhood initiative . She served on the Polk County Fair board and has been active in support of the arts on local and county levels . Cathy is doing independent study at the university of north Dakota in textile arts and has been a visiting artist . She has studied and taken textile classes in norway . She is actively involved in the red river Valley Fiber guild, women’s groups and her church . With Cathy’s passion for her community and the region she will be a great addition to the nmF board . bob Hager will now serve as Chair of the board and Faye Auchenpaugh will serve as Vice Chair .

Judy roy will continue to serve as treasurer and Laurie Wilson as Secretary .

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Quarterly Message from the President We’re saying goodbye to two long time board members whose terms have expired . eric bergeson and gary Purath have gone above and beyond the call of duty . gary Purath is the longest serving board member to date . gary finished a term for a member who left before his four years had ended, then served two full terms—a grand total of ten and a half years! He isn’t leaving us completely, but will continue service on the business finance loan committee . gary brought a quiet form of steady leadership and guidance on economic issues, including an understanding of the needs of educators and agriculture .

Anyone familiar with eric bergeson of Fertile knows that he is a rare combination of wit, charm, intelligence and loyalty, topped by a love of history and dedication to small town life . We relied on eric for his skill as a writer and public speaker, and his leadership on all things rural, particularly regarding the western half of our service area . both of these men will be greatly missed by their colleagues and by the staff who worked with them . We are very grateful for their years of dedication and service .

We are in the process of adding one more board member who will represent the northern tier of our region . each board member has a diverse background and contributes to the foundation in various ways . each board member serves on specific committees which dive deeper on certain issues and then advise back to the full board . the specific committees includes the investments Committee, which monitors compliance and advises staff when questions arise . the governance Committee seeks new candidates for the nmF board, while also recommending committee assignments . the Philanthropic initiatives Committee reviews policy to develop strategies in fundraising . An Audit Committee selects auditors . And finally, the executive Committee is comprised of the board officers; they work on the process of evaluation for the foundation’s president . in order to represent all counties, we approach potential board members from each sector within our northwest territory and seek balance in gender, race, background, occupation, age and interests . Our priority is finding people who are passionate about our mission and who are aware of the region’s challenges and opportunities .

nAnCY VYSKOCiL

President

FALL/WINTER QUARTERLY 2013

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McKnight Foundation Visit Highlights NMF Partners and Programs the mcKnight Foundation sent representatives from their board of directors, along with staff members, to hear from people in northwest minnesota how nmF is making a difference . they were joined by several nmF board and staff in October for a tour of a few places in the northwest region . Our visitors were able to see first-hand some examples of the phenomenal work being done throughout the region . the toughest part of planning for a site visit by our major funder is deciding how to best represent our work within such a large geographic territory, in the space of two short days . getting right on a tour bus after deplaning in bemidji at 9:00 am, we headed west for Clearwater County .

Our first stop took us to itasca State Park to visit the Headwaters of the mississippi . Jim Steenerson (retired nmF grants Officer) showcased the Healthy Lakes and rivers Program, accompanied by the former president of Hubbard County Coalition of Lake Associations, Ken grob, and its current president, Dan Kittilson . the coalition recently received nmF’s Quality of Place Award for their work in the Healthy Lakes and rivers program, involving lake associations throughout Hubbard County . together, they accessed almost $36,000 in funding for lake management plans, and another $8,300 was awarded through nmF’s natural resources grant program .

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McKnight Foundation Tour From itasca State Park, the tour continued in Fertile . eric bergeson, a lifelong Fertile resident, business owner, and nmF board member conducted the tour, with an emphasis on how the foundation interacts with a typical prairie town in the west half of its region . the tour took a frank look at the victories and struggles of a small farm community as it works to reverse ninety years of decline . the Fertile area provides a broad sampling of nmF’s programs, including a planning grant, three component funds, one of which is taking part in our Sustaining Community Success program, an early Childhood initiative, a high-tunnel project and the glacial ridge prairie restoration project . many community members along with business owners took the time from their busy schedule to familiarize mcKnight board and staff about the happenings in Fertile . the two-day tour resumed with an early breakfast at bemidji’s minnesota nice Café with the smell of fresh coffee and sound of eggs sizzling on the griddle . Owner Jeannette Proulx talked about how the foundation ’�s entrepreneur Development Program helped her to begin and grow her restaurant, a venture that marked a new start in her life .

After a visit to the must-see tourist attraction of Paul and babe, the bus moved on to LaValley industries, newly relocated for expansion in bemidji’s industrial Park . LaValley was an iDeA competition winner for two consecutive years (2010 and 2011) . they were awarded $10,000 and technical assistance both years to further the commercialization of the Deckhand ® and their new product, the Pipemate ® .

Following lunch at Sanford events Center, a tour of the Sanford Center boasted plans for an agreement with the City of bemidji and Headwaters regional Development

Commission (HrDC) to lead the city through a redevelopment process for the Southeast Lake bemidji area . next came a presentation of StAr (Students teaching Attitudes of respect), which was created 15 years ago by nmF and Peacemaker resources as a youth leadership program that “promotes self-awareness and self-responsibility and inspires positive choices .” using skills they have learned, students return to their schools and share their experiences with others . Over 1,900 sixth and seventh grade youth from 24 schools in the region have participated in the program . the final stop was a visit to Hope House—a comprehensive, community-based support program designed to help people with serious and persistent mental illness, to go from surviving to thriving in the community . robin Wold, executive director, explained the services offered at Hope House which is primarily a provider for the Adult rehabilitation mental Health Services (ArmHS) Community Support Program . Hope House has utilized nmF’s nonprofit assistance by participating in an Organizational effectiveness Assessment . the majority of their senior staff has participated in Leaderimpact, and they have utilized nmF staff in teaching their clients the COre 4 Curriculum for business start-up . Various grants have been awarded to Hope House to further their mission within the community . the tour and site visit is the most effective way to showcase what our communities are doing to make our region a better place to live, work and play . the mcKnight board and staff were impressed with the partnerships that developed through the work of the foundation and those we serve . We thank the mcKnight Foundation for their generous, continued support of nmF and its programs .

FALL/WINTER QUARTERLY 2013

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Sustaining Community Success Celebrated at Bergeson’s Nursery in the fall of 2010, the Otto bremer Foundation awarded a grant to nmF for its Sustaining Community Success program . this partnership augments the culture of philanthropy in five communities served by bremer banks in northwest minnesota: Crookston, Fertile-beltrami, Fisher, Stephen and Warren .

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community Funds the main objective of the grant is to kick-start the endowment of each community fund with a one-to-one match for contributions, ensuring the funds will continue to grow and be available into the future .

A second portion has been used in the short term to fund community projects that were recommended to our board of directors by the advisory committees of each of the five funds . these sub-grants funded some immediate community projects, which also serve to demonstrate the unique value of the community fund to other residents who were not involved in the process . the five communities have so far awarded grants in two rounds, with another round to be selected in the spring .

“

the third part of the program is establishing viable and effective community fund programs that help meet the needs of both donors and the communities .

By planting the apple tree and helping it to grow, fruit can be harvested and used and enjoyed in a variety of ways for years to come.

If you cut down the tree and use the wood to build something, the tree no longer bears fruit.

”

this summer, the nmF board and staff held a celebration of community in Fertile . the bergeson family & bergeson’s nursery generously served as hosts for nmF guests invited from the various community funds, brought together to celebrate the work done for Sustaining Community Success .

Advisory committee members from Stephen, Crookston, Fertilebeltrami, and Warren and also from a new foundation fund in Argyle were invited to share their triumphs and tribulations; each community had representatives on hand to network with each other, sharing ideas to help their own endowment continually grow for years to come! nmF President nancy Vyskocil congratulated the committees on their success . they have held events, attended fairs, held donor recognition, and followed up on their community visions . She encouraged communities to take advantage of the assistance available from staff assigned to their funds and to not the let opportunity of matching gift dollars be missed .

Former nmF board member and current Stephen Area endowment Fund Chair bruce Hamnes spoke about the success nmF has had in each part of our 12-county region and explained the extraordinary power of philanthropy to make a difference in the region’s quality of life . nmF Development Officer Caryl turnow used the apple tree as an example of how endowment works . by planting the apple tree and helping it to grow, fruit can be harvested and used and enjoyed in a variety of ways for years to come . if you cut down the tree and use the wood to build something, the tree no longer bears fruit . it was a wonderful event—touring the gardens, celebrating success and planning for the future .

FALL/WINTER QUARTERLY 2013

21

$

Grants totaling

5 406,rded53 from

were awa August–October 2012

Caring Communities Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$61,000 children, Family & elderly Adult Day Services, inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25,00

Polk County DAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000

For Health and Quality Assurance Implementation

For Multi Sensory Environment

minnesota Fathers & Families network . . $1,000

university of minnesota - Crookston . . . $25,000

For Fall Seminar Series/Reentry Aftercare

For College and Career Preparation 101

Community Planning Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$68,639 community Development

economic & community Development

bridges medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000

bemidji State university . . . . . . . . . . . . $24,639

For Twin Valley Community Wellness Center Planning Project

For Direct Digital Manufacturing Planning Project

City of blackduck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000

City of Oslo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,500

For Blackduck Beautiful

For Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance

greater bemidji . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $16,500 For Greater Bemidji Area Branding Strategy

Natural Resources Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$44,000 New Technologies

Promotion & Preservation

Auri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $19,000

northwest regional Sustainable Development . . . . . . . . . . . $25,000

For Biomass Gasification to Synthetic Diesel Fuel

the nature Conservancy, minnesota Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25,000 For Northwest Minnesota Renewable Energy Project

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For a Social Science Assessment of Conservation Practices in the Red River Valley

Grants

Component Fund Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$217,341 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.

Fertile-beltrami Area Community Fund . . $2,195 Fertile-beltrami early Childhood initiative Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $850 HrDC Leadership Fund (2 grants) . . . . . $8,000

Argyle beautification and improvement Project Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,875 badger Area Community Fund (5 grants) $1,000 baer Fund (5 grants) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $27,000 bagley early Childhood initiative Fund . . $1,000 beltrami Humane Society (2 grants) . . . . $5,540 bemidji Area Arts endowment & Project Fund Bemidji Symphony Orchestra . . . . . . . . $200 bemidji Lumberjack Foundation Fund Rick Lee Memorial Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . $489

Kittson memorial Healthcare Center Foundation endowment and Project Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,400 Lake of the Woods County Historical Society endowment and Project Fund . . . . . . . . . . . $690 LifeCare Health Care Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . $185 matthew Spangler Hockey Fund . . . . . . . . . $750 norman County east early Childhood initiative Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $500

Tom Gardner Memorial Fund . . . . . . . . $489

Park rapids Area Community Fund (2 grants) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,973

Clearwater Health Care Fund (2 grants) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $67,201

roseau Area Community Fund (2 grants) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,100

Crookston Area Community Fund (3 grants) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,000

Warren Area Community Fund (10 grants) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17,400

Fertile Area Armed Forces Veterans Fund (4 grants) . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,003

Warroad Swim Program Fund . . . . . . . $45,000

Scholarship Fund Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1, 850 bagley education endowment and Project Fund (2 grants) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $350

Warren-Alvarado-Oslo education Foundation endowment and Project Fund . . . . . . . . . $1,000

roseau Area Community Fund . . . . . . . . . . $500

FALL/WINTER QUARTERLY 2013

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Business Development Activity Business Loans One loan was made from the business Finance Program .

Z mattracks inc ., Karlstad Finance expansion for production of worldwide track technology.

Microloans business counseling and loans are available to help entrepreneurs develop small business and self-employment opportunities . Four loans were recently made totaling $59,435 .

Z Dean’s Hardware, baudette

Z ice Hogger, inc ., bagley

Z Ardell Larson, Lake bronson

Z D & D thomforde garden Center, Crookston

Technical Assistance two businesses from bemidji and thief river Falls received a total of $2,900 in outside consulting for management and technical assistance .

entrepreneur Program at Work

Adding A Little Art and Soul Downtown Bemidji beltrami Avenue gained a new store front this summer when Shannon Lucas Westrum decided to bring a little more fun to downtown bemidji . Shannon’s Art & Soul is a hybrid business combining a traditional gift shop, an art gallery and an art studio space . “it has been my plan since i was kid that i was going to open some fun boutique-type store . i’ve always had an interest in gift shops and i’ve been studying them for years,” said Westrum .

After doing several art shows, Westrum has gained the knowledge to blend the things she loves into a full time job . She is not just selling local art and things that are “up cycled .” She plans to teach classes and workshops . if she cannot teach the class, she’ll find someone who can . “i want people to have a place to wander for hours and gather new ideas, and then apply those new ideas into art,” she said . “All classes held at the studio will be stress free .” the idea is to make people feel good about themselves and encourage their creativity . the public is welcome to visit Westrum’s website at www .shannonsbemidji .com for a calendar of workshops and classes being offered . the topics will vary on a weekly basis to encourage beginners and advanced artists . the business will operate outside of downtown hours by being open late and services will be offered on the weekends .

FALL/WINTER QUARTERLY 2013

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nOnPrOFit Org . u .S . POStAge

PAID

201 3rD St . nW bemiDJi, mn 56601-3111

New Location Our new headquarters is located downtown bemidji .

We have repurposed an historic, vacant structure two blocks from Lake bemidji and the famous statues of Paul bunyan and babe the blue Ox .

Our new conference and meeting space will add value for nonprofits and other partners in the area who are in need of a versatile, convenient location . And most importantly, the new downtown office will make nmF more visible and accessible to the entire region .

Please plan to visit our new facility or go online www .nwmf .org to learn more about us .

Northwest Minnesota Foundation 201 3rd St . nW bemidji, mn 56601-3111 (218) 759-2057 (800) 659-7859 (toll-free in minnesota) info@nwmf .org

bemidji, mn 56601 Permit no . 36