Northwest Minnesota Foundation ~ Developing Community Assets ~ Serving 12 Counties
NMF Looks Forward to Positive Change
(left to right): Dawn Ganje, Program Officer- Training, Vicky Grove, Program Specialist Early Childhood, Nate Door, Program Officer- Grants, Ashley Hull, Communications Specialist
Along with breathing new life into the heart of downtown Bemidji with its new building, NMF is also getting a breath of fresh air with new staff additions. As of June, Nate Dorr, program officer for grants, Ashley Hull, communications specialist, and Vicky Grove, program specialist for early childhood have been transitioning into their assigned roles at NMF. Collectively, they bring a diverse background to NMF. “We will certainly miss those who have served NMF for a number of years, but we welcome new staff with open arms. This time of change is one that will bring renewed energy to the foundation,” said NMF President, Nancy Vyskocil. Nate Dorr is now responsible for the grant programs, including on-site visits, research, analysis, and action recommendations to the board. He also coordinates special NMF partnership projects and works closely with Vice President for Programs Marty Sieve in expanding and developing new regional initiatives. Dorr was born and raised in Bemidji and during his school years, traveled throughout Minnesota playing hockey, baseball, and soccer. He attended Bemidji State University, Oregon
State University, and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in sociology and social-psychology. He followed up with a Master’s degree in public policy from the University Of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs in 2002. There he focused on regional economics and non-profit management. As a graduate researcher, Dorr worked on NMF’s “Quality of Place” study in 2001. Results of the study formed the basis for the foundation’s strategies, which still remain in place today.
“We will certainly miss those who have served NMF for a number of years, but we welcome new staff with open arms.” Dorr most recently worked for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development as a regional economist and statistician for 26 counties in Northwest Minnesota. Prior to that, he wrote grants for the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig school in Bena, MN, was a survey analyst at the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service in Montana, and was a research specialist at the Minnesota Community Action Association in St Paul, MN. “I am excited about the new challenge of overseeing the grant programs (Continued on page 2)
Summer 2012 ~ Number 57 This is a quarterly publication of Northwest Minnesota Foundation
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation invests resources, creates opportunities and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Gary Purath Chair Red Lake Falls Bob Hager Vice-Chair Roseau Laurie Wilson Secretary Crookston Judy Roy Treasurer Redby Tom Anderson Director Clearbrook Faye Auchenpaugh Director Thief River Falls Eric Bergeson Director Fertile Pete Haddeland Director Mahnomen Jody Horntvedt Director Baudette Jon Linnell Director Warren Leah Pigatti Director Park Rapids Jon Quistgaard Director Bemidji