Northwest Blog

Beyond the Classroom: Creating a Culture of Learning in Communities

2012-02-15T15:26:00.000-06:00

2012 NMF Regional Summit - Thursday May 17th

8:30 am — 4:30 pm (six hours of CEUs available)

University of Minnesota, Crookston ~

Bede Ballroom

Anyone involved in education, in a school, in a business, or a community: Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the future of education and how to prepare for it. Learn of national best practices in school/parent/community partnerships that are enhancing education, student achievement and development. Find out about IMPACT 20/20 pilot projects going on in four of the region’s schools and creating a culture of learning in communities.

KEYNOTES:

As the Future Catches You

Dr. Linda Baer

Then and Now: New Directions for Programs of Family and Community Involvement for Student Success

Dr. Joyce Epstein

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask

Dr. Anton Treuer

$75 Registration -- $100 after May 3 -- 6 hours CEUs
Learn more online and PRE-REGISTER (required):
www.beyondtheclassroom.net

2012-02-06T10:37:00.000-06:00

Request for Proposals: Women’s Fund Grants and Scholarships

The Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund is calling for funding proposals for programs and services that benefit women and girls within the twelve county Northwest Minnesota Foundation service area.

Counties served by NMF are Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau.

Grant Program

The Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund develops resources and serves as a catalyst for improving the quality of life for women and girls. They envision a region where women and girls reach their full potential and work toward that end through grants, scholarships, education, and recognition programs.

The Women’s Fund will consider grant applications for up to $2,500. To qualify for consideration, applications must support the mission and vision of the Women’s Fund. Priority will be given to applications that support the Women’s Fund goals:

Developing entrepreneurial and economic opportunities for women
Supporting programs that lead to a safer environment for women and girls
Building networks of women in leadership positions throughout the region
Encouraging and equipping women and girls to achieve their full potential

Grant funds can be used for speakers, educational materials, program delivery expenses, research projects, and for professional development. Grant funds are not available for scholarships (higher education).

Criteria for selection:

Relationship of the project to Women’s fund mission and goals (as stated above)
Evidence of grassroots support involving women
Identified purpose and need for project
Clear goals and action steps for completing the project
Description of working relationship(s) with other partner(s) and/or funding sources
Potential long-term impact of the project
Evidence of an evaluation plan

Scholarships for Women

Contingent upon fundraising, the Women’s Fund will offer scholarships to women from the 12 counties in the Women’s Fund service area who are pursuing post-secondary education at a public higher education institution in the area (Bemidji State University, Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, Northland Community and Technical College at Thief River Falls and East Grand Forks, the University of Minnesota Crookston, and the White Earth Tribal College).

Preference will be given to women who intend to remain in the region upon graduation. Scholarship funds are to be used for tuition and books or direct educational material expenses.

As advised by a donor, one scholarship is designated for a woman attending the University of Minnesota, Crookston, with preference given to an older than average woman student.

The deadline for submission of proposals and scholarship applications is March 1, 2012. The grants will be awarded by July 30. The grant and scholarship applications and guidelines are available on the NMF web site www.nwmf.org (Designated Component Funds/NW MN Women’s Fund), or contact Peggy at 218-759-2057 or 800-659-7859, e-mail peggyc@nwmf.org.

Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Report Now Available

2012-01-24T10:02:00.000-06:00

What a year it has been, celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Northwest Minnesota Foundation. What made this milestone more meaningful is recalling all of the partners who have been instrumental in the progress of improving the quality of places in the region.

Read all about it here, and you will also find our list of donors who generously contributed to NMF or one of our component funds (from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011).

Spring Ahead! Save-the-Dates

2012-01-09T11:08:00.000-06:00

It's time to mark your calendar and

save-the-dates for two exciting opportunities

· Franklin Covey's FOCUS: Achieving Your Highest Priorities

· Where: University of Minnesota, Crookston

· When: March 20, 2012 -- 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

· Cost: $25 ($299 value)

· Contact: Jane McKelvy janem@nwmf.org

· NMF Regional Summit: Beyond the Classroom - Creating a Culture of Learning in Communities

· Where: University of Minnesota, Crookston - Bede Ballroom

· When: May 17, 2012

· Cost: $100 ($75 Early Bird until May 1 - CEU's available)

· Contact: Lisa Peterson lisap@nwmf.org

For more information, phone 218-759-2057

Looking forward to seeing you!
The NMF Events Team

Betty Arvidson, Barbara Muesing are 'Outstanding Community Builders'

2011-11-03T14:59:00.000-05:00

The Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund has announced the recipients of the 2011 regional Outstanding Community Builder Awards, and they are Betty Arvidson of Crookston and Barbara Muesing of Crookston, Lengby and Fosston. The third recipient this year is Becky Dorman of Clearbrook, Minnesota.

Outstanding Community Builder Awards are presented to women who have demonstrated leadership in improving their communities in their chosen professions, as volunteers, mentors, and in raising or supporting families.

Read more about the awards and women Betty Arvidson, Barb Muesing are 'Outstanding Community Builders'

IQ Mighty Mississippi Issue

2011-10-17T13:43:00.000-05:00

People around the world can identify the Mississippi River on a map. Many of us drive past or over it every day. School children can actually spell it. So, if the Mighty Mississippi starts right here in Minnesota, why doesn't it float on our minds more often?

Partnering with foundations across the state, this special statewide issue of IQ Magazine examines the past, present and future of the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

Fall-IQ-Magazine--CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Jobs, population discussed during northwest Minnesota summit

2011-10-11T15:01:00.000-05:00

In the midst of a struggling statewide economy, the community of Thief River Falls has a problem other Minnesota cities might wish they had.

Read more here from the Grand Forks Herald

Grant Kicks Off "Active Hubbard County" Campaign

2011-10-05T15:07:00.001-05:00

NMF recently awarded a grant for $15,000 for the “Active Hubbard County” Project. The Headwaters Regional Development Commission (HRDC) will be leading a new “Active Living Campaign” that will include all of Hubbard County.

The HRDC envisions its entire region, including Hubbard County, as a place where all modes of transportation are respected, the area is recognized as being safe and healthy, physical activity is common and accessible, travel corridors have strong connection points, and home to school routes are safe for all children.

To help this vision become a reality, the HRDC will lead a planning process that will include a wide variety of partners from throughout Hubbard County, building upon the successes already achieved through the Healthy Park Rapids Area 2020 project.

Specific work program items will include: developing a strong partnership from all communities in the County; maintaining and sustaining the partnership; developing and prioritizing strategies; beginning implementation of top priorities; planning for sustainability beyond the HRDC’s involvement and leadership.

Besides the NMF grant, the project has funding support from the Healthy Park Rapids Area 2020, Itascatur Club, and the HRDC’s Successful Communities Fund.

According to Jim Steenerson, NMF senior program officer - grants, the project is well-positioned for success. “Recent parks and trails planning in Park Rapids laid the groundwork for future expansion of walkable/bikeable infrastructure within that community,” he said. “Also, Hubbard County’s Board of Commissioners and the City of Park Rapids have both passed resolutions supporting an Active Living Campaign in the County.”

Left to right: Leah Pigatti, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Director; Dr. Maurice Spangler, treasurer, Itascatur Club (donor to the project); Matthew Dyrdahl, AICP, Headwaters Regional Development Commission Physical Planner; Raeann Mayer, St. Joseph’s Area Health Services Community Health Manager; Deb Haagenson, St. Joseph’s Area Health Services Patient Care Vice President

Digi-Key company: Keyed for growth

2011-09-19T15:44:00.000-05:00

Thief River Falls, Minn.-based Digi-Key Corp. was hit with a wave of new orders shortly after the deadly tsunami hit the Japanese coast in March. Anticipated shortages of the electronic components that Digi-Key distributes worldwide led to a big spike in orders for the local company as international customers, worried about the availability of electronic components manufactured in Japan, stockpiled supplies.
Read more http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/215911/

Crookston visioning effort needs 'civic stewards'

2011-09-16T08:46:00.000-05:00

Check out this link - Crookston Times Editor Mike Christopherson covered the NMF meeting to kick off the Sustaining Community Success program.

Community Resource Connections Receives Grant

2011-09-14T14:44:00.000-05:00

“Beyond the Senior Annual Check-Up” Program

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation Board of Directors recently awarded a grant for $24,000 to support Community Resource Connections (CRC) in developing and piloting a screening and follow-up tool with senior citizens struggling to navigate the services and complications of Medicare systems.

CRC is planning to conduct a limited pilot project in the Blackduck area during the next year. Following development of the various screening assessments, the Blackduck Service Center will work with about 30 seniors/couples to screen for services, provide case management services, make referrals, and conduct follow up with both clients and service providers.

CRC believes that having this type of screening available will reduce the demands upon local service providers to determine eligibility for services, and free up more time to actually provide and organize the services, thus saving time and money.

CRC Executive Director Ruth Sherman said, “This is a new and innovative effort that addresses the needs of elderly; enabling them to remain in the living arrangement of their choice for as long as reasonably possible.”

CRC will conduct a continuous evaluation process to find out what works, make adjustments to assessments, and eventually settle on a working model that can be expanded throughout the rest of Beltrami County, contingent upon future funding.

Jim Steenerson, NMF senior program officer – grants, stated that CRC is well-respected in Beltrami County, and has a solid reputation for good management and careful stewardship of resources. “The issue addressed through this proposal is very real and the opportunity to do something constructive is compelling,” he said. “If the project is successful, it could really help to bridge the coming gap in providing services for seniors.”

The Northwest Area Agency on Aging is providing support for this project, as they see it serving as a model for providing services more efficiently in their greater service area. Similarly, the project is being watched by representatives from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, in the hope that it might be expanded statewide.

Steenerson added, “Support from the Area Agency on Aging is important, as their involvement could open doors for possible expansion of this model.”

Your input wanted as Crookston visioning effort launches

2011-09-09T15:13:00.001-05:00

It's been several years since members of the Crookston community were invited to sit down together and try to hash out a path for the town's future that most people think is a wise one, so the timing would seem to be especially appropriate for the "Community Stewardship Initiative" to launch.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

2011-08-29T08:30:00.000-05:00

Dynasties are easy to discuss but a lot harder to achieve.

Take a look around Minnesota’s high school football scene since Stephen-Argyle won a state-record 77 consecutive games with five straight state championships from 2003 to 2008.

The streak is one of the state’s greatest dynasties in any sport. No other Minnesota school has come close to replicating it.

With the Minnesota high school football season opening this week, The Forum looks back on Stephen-Argyle’s run by posing this question: Can dynasties like Stephen-Argyle’s continue to exist today?

Read on here:
http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/332036/group/Sports/

IDEA Competition Accepting Applications September 1

2011-08-16T10:11:00.001-05:00

Beginning September 1, the IDEA Competition will begin accepting applications for what will be its fourth year. Since the competition began, over $200,000 in funding has been awarded and ten of the winners have already brought their product to market.

Participants receive access to valuable tools and resources, the opportunity to refine their investor pitch, attention in the media, a chance to pitch their idea to qualified potential investors and leaders in the business community, and a chance to receive substantial funding for their venture, including individual cash awards of $10,000 each, for up to five winners.

2011 IDEA winners had this to say about the competition:

“No matter how well you might know your idea or your business plan, the IDEA competition process really helps you flush out all the little details that you may have overlooked. We really understood the value of the process from last year and that was one of the major reasons that we entered this year’s competition. It feels great to be a two time IDEA winner but it’s even better knowing that we have given our newest product the highest possible chance for success.”
Jason LaValley, LaValley Industries (Bemidji)

“Working through the stages of the IDEA competition was a great boost to the development of Craft Night Out. With each round of the competition we were able to focus our plans and gain valuable feedback from the judges. If we had not started this process our business plan would not be as complete and market ready as we are now. We are so excited to have won the cash award, but we are even more anxious to work with the experienced business professionals and to access the business development resources throughout the next year."
Kristine Goddard-Anderson, Craft Night Out (Thief River Falls)

“The IDEA competition has given us additional exposure to the market. Regardless of if we won or not, the experience of doing the business plan and thinking through the details got us on the right track. When we find ourselves getting too close to the product, it is helpful to get an outside perspective to question what we may be missing. The technical assistance is invaluable.”
Fred Hartmann, Turn@bout (Thief River Falls)

"Every business that starts should have to go through the business planning process that is required in the IDEA competition. The professional advice from the judging panel and additional technical assistance forces you to sharpen your skills to see the big picture and look at every detail. Not to mention, winning the $10,000 was a big help! The whole process is awesome!”
Jeff Sullivan, EquipAll GrappleHoe (Bemidji)

The deadline for entering is November 15. For more on IDEA, visit the website.

Agassiz Audubon Society nature center begins a new chapter

2011-08-15T08:03:00.000-05:00

Formerly known as the Wetlands, Pines and Prairie Audubon Sanctuary, the 640-acre site donated over several years by centenarian Eldor Omdahl is in the midst of a rebranding that better reflects the region, the habitat and what the center offers. New manager Heidi Hughes has been on the job since June 1.

This sanctuary has been supported through a component fund with Northwest Minnesota Foundation since 1997.

Read the article here:

http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/212641/

Early Childhood Initiative Coodinators Attend Regional Meeting

2011-07-28T09:59:00.000-05:00

The annual meeting of the ECI community coordinators was held on Tuesday, July 26th at the home of Lin Backstrom, the ECI program manager.

The group gets together each summer to network and share projects from their community coalitions. It also provides an opportunity for Backstrom to personally thank the coordinators and show NMF's appreciation for all that they do on behalf of the region's youngest citizens.

NMF Program Officer Jim Steenerson presented grant opportunities for capacity-building in ECI coalitions.

Each ECI coordinator talked about current and future projects from her community coalition's work for young children and their families.

Resource sharing, networking among coordinators and planning for future regional meetings followed. New coordinators from Crookston, Naytahwaush, Park Rapids, and Thief River Falls were also introduced.

Pictured, left to right: Lia Larson, Naytahwaush; Jenn Thompson, Marshall County; Theresa Brown, Lake of the Woods County; Tanya Loe, Thief River Falls; Julie Sather, Norman County East; Carol Osmondson, Fertile-Beltrami; Cathy Forgit, Fertile-Beltrami; Gina Gunderson, Crookston; Vicki Wangberg, Bemidji; Dawn Leeseberg, Park Rapids; Lin Backstrom, NMF; Sarah Hoagberg, Clearbrook-Gonvick; Gracie, Lin's dog.

Unable to attend: Kathy Scheving, Warroad; Pam Hockstedler, Marshall County; Ginny Kurtzweg, Bemidji; Rachael Dunbar, Norman County East; and Andrea Olson, Bagley.

THANK YOU to all supporters of the Early Childhood Initiative in Northwest Minnesota!

Donor Appreciation Reception Held July 20th

2011-07-22T11:31:00.000-05:00

The NMF Board of Directors and staff hosted a donor appreciation reception at the Inn at Maple Crossing in Mentor on Thursday, July 20th. Among the guests were original board members Tom Jorgens and Barbara Muesing, Circle of Vision recipients Mary and Robert Johnson and former board member Mary Beth Sargeant. Jay and Lin Backstrom were welcomed as new Circle of Vision recipients along with four other families. Eric and Joe Bergeson entertained at the gathering.

Former NMF Board Members Barbara Muesing, Tom Jorgens

Musical entertainers Eric and Joe Bergeson

(l-r) NMF Pres. Nancy Vyskocil, Jay and Lin Backstrom, NMF Board Chair Eric Bergeson

(l-r) NMF Staff Amy Tobkin, Barb Lien, LaRae Maddox

(l-r) NMF President Nancy Vyskocil, NMF Board Members Laurie Wilson and Kim Wilson

(l-r) Jay and lin Backstrom, Ritch Houge, Jon Quistgaard, Mary and Robert Johnson

(l-r) Trish Quistgaard, NMF Board Member Jon Quistgaard, UMC Chancellor Chuck Casey

NMF Staff Participate in Women Build Habitat for Humanity project

2011-07-11T10:39:00.000-05:00

NMF staff spent a day working on the Women Build project in Bemidji.

L-R Amy Tobkin, Diane Morey, Nancy Vyskocil, LaRae Maddox, Caryl Turnow

Women Build is a Habitat for Humanity International program that encourages women to make a difference by building homes and communities. Women Build provides an environment in which women can feel comfortable learning construction skills they might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn. Habitat affiliates nurture, recruit and train women to build and maintain decent, healthy and affordable homes. Women Build is about more than women building homes. It is about women making a commitment to their communities by making affordable housing a matter of conscience and action. Women not only provide the labor to build the home, they raise the funds necessary to purchase material that is not donated.

MN EARLY CHILDHOOD FUNDERS NETWORK: FIFTH ANNUAL "NANCY" AWARD PRESENTED TO MIFs

2011-06-28T14:00:00.002-05:00

Award Honors the Legacy of Nancy Latimer by Recognizing

Extraordinary Leadership in Improving the Well-Being of Young Children

The Minnesota Early Childhood Funders Network, a network of the Minnesota Council on Foundations, announced that its Fifth Annual “Nancy” Awards to recognize extraordinary leadership in improving the well-being of young children will go to the Minnesota Initiative Foundations (MIFs), serving geographic regions throughout Greater Minnesota. The awards will be presented to the Initiative Foundation, Northland Foundation, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Southwest Initiative Foundation, and West Central Initiative during a presentation at the Nancy Latimer Convening for Children and Youth on June 29 in St. Paul.

The awards recognize the foundations’ leadership, vision and commitment to enhancing the social and emotional development of infants and young children through the Minnesota Thrive Initiative. The initiative, a statewide effort created and implemented by the MIFs, works to strengthen local support networks to ensure the social and emotional well-being of children from birth through five, with an emphasis on the first three years. The awards honor the MIFs for:

· Recognizing the importance of early social and emotional development to educational success and lifelong well-being

· Creating innovative grassroots systems – from promotion and prevention to intensive intervention – to foster the healthy development of infants and children

· Working across sectors and fostering local leadership and action

· Sharing lessons among communities and professionals to implement new approaches and practices

· Raising public awareness and deepening understanding of infant and early childhood mental health

· Modeling collaboration, commitment, and creativity

· Inspiring others to work to make life better for young children – and the adults who care about them

“This year’s awards recognize the extraordinary leadership and commitment of the Minnesota Initiative Foundations in creating this innovative, grassroots system to ensure the social and emotional well-being of our youngest children,” said Denise Mayotte, executive director of the Sheltering Arms Foundation and chair of the Minnesota Early Childhood Funders Network steering committee. “Their work is a vivid reminder that communities, professionals, and families can collaborate to make a profound difference for children.”

About the “Nancy” Award and Nancy Latimer

The Minnesota Early Childhood Funders Network created the “Nancy” Award to honor the legacy of Nancy Latimer, longtime senior program officer at The McKnight Foundation and a lifelong advocate for children and families. Prior “Nancy” Award recipients include Arthur J. Rolnick, senior vice president and director of research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis; Jane Kretzmann, senior program officer of the Minnesota Community Foundation and The Saint Paul Foundation; Glenace Edwall, director of the Children’s Mental Health Division at the Minnesota Department of Human Services; Zoe Nicholie, director of public policy work at Ready 4 K, the statewide early childhood advocacy organization; Marti Erickson, founding director of the Children, Youth, and Family Consortium at the University of Minnesota and co-chair of the University’s President’s Initiative on Children, Youth, and Families; and the Minnesota State Legislature’s Early Childhood Caucus, accepted by Rep. Nora Slawik and Sen. Claire A. Robling.

About Minnesota Early Childhood Funders Network, a Minnesota Council on Foundations Network

The Minnesota Early Childhood Funders Network works to strengthen the individual and collective efforts of funders to enhance the well-being of Minnesota children and their families. Membership in the network is open to staff and trustees of members of the Minnesota Council on Foundations. Over 30 grantmaking organizations participate actively in the network. In addition to the annual Nancy Latimer Convening for Children and Youth, the network co-sponsors an annual briefing on children’s issues and presents quarterly briefings on early childhood topics.

Business Center Spurs Innovation

2011-06-16T14:58:00.000-05:00

What is a "business incubator" and how could it benefit your work and community?

Join Northwest Clean Energy Resource Team (NW CERT) Thursday, June 23rd at 10 a.m. for a "Meet ‘n Greet" tour of the Kennedy GO GREEN Business Incubator & Renewable Energy Training Center facility, led by Mayor Todd Truedson, to find out!
http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/files/NW_MediaAdvisory_KennedyBiz_061311.pdf

Hallock as Oil-Boom Town?

2011-05-23T15:03:00.000-05:00

Hallock is faced with growth dilemma.

Big rigs. Big money. Jobs aplenty. Scarce housing. A woeful region revitalized by oil.

In many ways, the northwestern corner of Minnesota has the feel of western North Dakota. However, the oil driving this revival is not crude. It’s canola.

Read about it here:
http://www.parkrapidsenterprise.com/event/article/id/28436/group/Region/

IDEA Competition Winners Announced & Two Added to IDEA Hall of Fame

2011-05-19T09:45:00.000-05:00

The IDEA Competition announced its four 2011 winners on Tuesday, May 17 in Crookston at an awards banquet held on the University of Minnesota, Crookston campus. Two of the winners – Craft Night Out and Grand Steer – are located in Thief River Falls. The other two winners – EquipAll GrappleHoe and LaValley Industries LLC – are located in Bemidji. Each winner will receive $10,000 in cash to advance their business idea, plus additional specialized technical assistance. Read the full news release here

2011 IDEA Winners (left to right): Jorge Prince, Jason LaValley, Fred Hartmann, Al Aaseby, Chuck Odegaard, Arnold Kleinsasser, Jeff Sullivan, Kenneth Kleinsasser, Kristine Goddard-Anderson, Elizabeth Petersen.

IDEA Hall of Fame: Dennis Brazier (left) of Central Boiler with NMF President Nancy Vyskocil and Glen Brazier of MATTRACKS.

Exhibit focuses on 'Living Latino' in northwest Minnesota

2011-05-16T11:03:00.000-05:00

Exhibit focuses on 'Living Latino' in northwest Minnesota
Check out the display early this week before it moves on!

IDEA Competition Winners to be Announced May 17th!

2011-05-09T10:57:00.001-05:00

2011 Competition and Awards

IDEA Competition winners will be announced at the Awards Banquet to be held May 17, from 5:00-8:30 p.m.at the Bede Ballroom on the University of Minnesota, Crookston campus. The event is open to the public and pre-registration is required by May 13 at http://www.ideacompetition.org/.

The IDEA Competition kicked off last fall with 23 applications. In the ensuing months, the field was narrowed to the following select group of finalists:

• Kristine Goddard-Anderson and Elizabeth Petersen, Craft Night Out, Thief River Falls

• Marilyn Graff, Banner Parking Poles, McIntosh

• John Green, EDGE Performance Products, Thief River Falls

• Allen Aaseby, Fred Hartmann, and Chuck Odegaard, Turn@bout, Thief River Falls

• Christopher G. Hoffman, ReNewConcepts, Bemidji

• David W. and Andrea L. Holmes, Light Weight Concrete Domes, Fosston

• Barrett Jesness, Hall Automation LLC, Blue Panel, Bagley

• Jason LaValley, Jorge Prince, and Roger LaValley, The PIPEMATE, Bemidji

• Jeff Sullivan and Arnold Kleinsasser, EquipAll GrappleHoe, Bemidji

Final awards will be determined by a judging panel comprised of members from three area equity funds, bankers, successful entrepreneurs and business development professionals. The panel will choose up to five winners who will each receive $10,000 to advance their business idea.

Along with the awards presentation, the IDEA Competition Awards Banquet will feature displays of some of innovative products from around the region. David Mortenson, co-founder of Anytime Fitness will deliver the keynote speech. Dennis Brazier of Central Boiler, Greenbush and Glen Brazier of MATTRACKS, Karlstad, will be inducted into the IDEA Hall of Fame. Go to http://www.ideacompetition.org/ or call 800-659-7859.

NMF Community Funds on the Grow!

2011-05-04T11:29:00.000-05:00

Check out the new funds established by our growing family of community funds:

Part of the Bemidji Area Community Fund:

Bemidji Community Food Shelf Fund

Supports programs, projects, or activities of the Bemidji Community Food Shelf

Joining the family of Crookston Area Community Funds:

Dragseth Family Charitable Fund

Supports qualifying charitable and educational programs, projects and activities with preference to charitable needs in the Crookston, MN area

Added to in the 11 Park Rapids Area Community Funds:

Park Rapids M State Fund

Supports higher education initiatives within the greater Park Rapids area that benefit regional Park Rapids residents; funding preference will support M state programs in the Park Rapids area and scholarships

All of these are supporting the mission to make the region a better place to live and work!

May Workshops & Events

2011-04-26T13:49:00.001-05:00

Mark your calendars or register today at http://www.nwmf.org/ for our May workshops and events:

Charitable Planned Gifting Options

A workshop for Professional Advisors featuring presentations and discussions on: The Latest Developments in Charitable Gift Planning Ethical Issues in Gift Planning – The Sequel Charitable Planning Strategies with Tax-Heavy Assets Your Farm and Life Estate Options

Registration Cost: $35.00 per person

May 12 8:00 AM to 02:30 PM

Mount St. Benedict, Crookston

Getting the Most From Your Board: Leadership, Fundraising & Oversight, Oh My!

It is a rare day that we think the board is engaged enough in fundraising for the organization! We will examine strategies to assist your board in fundraising, clarify their oversight role and strategically lead your organization. Participants will have the opportunity to explore what options will best fit their organization and share their promising practices with each other. Handouts will be provided. Fee: $25.00

May 18 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Sanford Center, Bemidji

IDEA Competition Awards Banquet

The winners of the 3rd annual IDEA competition will be announced at this event! Up to five winners will each receive $10,000 to advance their breakthrough ideas. Secure online registration - Cost is $20. Advance registration is required by May 10th. Dave Mortenson , co-founder and president of Anytime Fitness will present a keynote speech.

May 17 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Bede Ballroom, University of Minnesota Crookston

Empowering Communication Part 2

This workshop, for individuals who have attended Part 1, offers more tools for communication and resolving differences at a personal and professional level. Fee: $25.00

May 26 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Sanford Center, Bemidji

Oslo has been turned into temporary island due to flooding

2011-04-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

As reported on MPR today, the town of Oslo is isolated by the water.

City officials say three consecutive years of major floods have not only been inconvenient, but tough on local businesses.

Even though Oslo is surrounded by floodwater, Main Street is quiet and dry, with no sandbags in sight. That's a stark contrast to 1950, when businesses and homes were underwater and residents needed motor boats to get through town.

Read the complete article here

IDEA competition in its final round

2011-04-13T12:53:00.002-05:00

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation invites you to attend the 3^rd annual IDEA competition banquet, honoring innovative entrepreneurs that are growing their businesses in Northwest Minnesota. After months of planning, workshops, development assistance and judging rounds, the field of competitors has been narrowed down from 23 to nine finalists. On the evening of the banquet, up to five winners will be awarded $10,000 each to advance their breakthrough idea.

Also on the agenda is a keynote address by Minnesota native, David Mortensen, co-founder and President of Anytime Fitness, recently named the “Fastest Growing Fitness Club in the World” by Club Business International.

Please join us on this special night, May 17^th from 5:00 – 8:30 pm at the Bede Ballroom, University of Minnesota, Crookston. Registration is $20.

To register, please visit www.ideacompetition.org.

The finalists are:

Kristine Goddard-Anderson (Thief River Falls)
Marilyn Graff (McIntosh)
John Green (Thief River Falls)
Fred Hartmann, Allen Aaseby, Chuck Odegaard (Thief River Falls)
Christopher G. Hoffman (Bemidji)
David and Andrea Holmes (Fosston)
Barret Jesness (Bagley)
Jason LaValley (Bemidji)
Jeff Sullivan (Bemidji)

Latest Flood News

2011-04-12T15:45:00.001-05:00

UPDATE: Flooded roads in area There are numerous roads closed in the Crookston area. This link to the Crookston Times article contains all the latest information.

Read here about what's going on in East Grand and Grand Forks with the Red River crest.

United For Children

2011-04-05T15:04:00.000-05:00

Our early care and education conference is this Saturday in Park Rapids! We have over 100 registered already. You can still register at the NMF website through Thursday. You'll enjoy two great keynotes and choose from among 12 breakout sessions - all to help you in your work with young children. Join us!

Spring Flooding - NMF Response

2011-04-05T09:36:00.000-05:00

Northwest Minnesota Foundation is part of the effort to help offset spring flooding by raising funds to help stricken communities.

Fargo-Moorhead has a 50% chance to meet 2009 record flood levels. There is a strange calm right now as so much work has been done in advance since January. The cities are currently prepared to meet the 2009 flood levels, but there is a 30% chance that the flood could exceed that level (43 to 45 feet high). There is really no way to prepare for that and it could be potentially devastating. Right now, the area is experiencing typical weather, freezing at night which allows the water to move north. The cooler temperatures at night are slowing the process down, but if there is a tremendous warm up, then it’s harder to predict what might happen.

Northwest Minnesota- Grand Forks is in flood stage and the flood walls are up.

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation, with four counties bordering the Red River, is poised to help with a flood disaster, as it has each year that rising waters have threatened or overwhelmed communities along our rivers. People living in towns affected by flood waters are organized and prepared for flood fight, but also look to their neighbors for a helping hand during and after the flood. In past floods,

The flood is featured on the GiveMN website. Several organizations have created a page on the site and organizations can still create pages. GiveMN is covering the transaction fees on all donations made to the flood (and to donations made to Japan relief).

GiveMN donation page - donations will go toward flood recovery efforts in our region.

NMF has been able to respond quickly with funding for family emergency assistance needs and community recovery planning, and will be there to help again, should the need arise.

Would you please consider a gift today?