Northwest Blog

Pulitzer Prize winning author and historian Taylor Branch will present “Civil Rights Then and Now: Reflections on the King Years” in the Kiehle Auditorium at the University of Minnesota Crookston on Monday, January 20, 2014, at 7 p.m. The event is free and all are welcome. A book signing will be held in Kiehle 124 following the presentation and books by Branch will be available for purchase on site. Branch also will speak on Tuesday, January 21 at 10 a.m. at the Lake Agassiz Regional Library in Crookston as part of his visit. Taylor Branch is an American author and public speaker best known for his landmark narrative history of the civil rights era, America in the King Years. The trilogy’s first book, Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-63, won the Pulitzer Prize and numerous other awards in 1989. Two successive volumes also gained critical and popular success: Pillar of Fire: America in the King Years, 1963-65, and At Canaan’s Edge: America in the King Years, 1965-1

At the Northwest Minnesota Foundation we know that nonprofit organizations within our 12-county region provide vital services to many of our region’s citizens.  It is fascinating to see how your ideas and service has strengthened our region. As we close out 2013 and prepare for 2014, we wanted to share a piece by the National Council of Nonprofits.  Trends: What’s Ahead for 2014 provides a look at some of the most interesting nonprofit trends to get ready for in 2014. Please share this piece with your nonprofit’s staff, board and volunteers so they can be prepared for what is ahead. 2014 NONPROFIT TRENDS TO WATCH WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR NONPROFIT STAFF, BOARD MEMBERS, DONORS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS? THE RESOURCE SQUEEZE: One prominent trend that began with the Great Recession will continue its drain in 2014: scarce financial resources. The vast majority of charitable nonprofits will continue to be squeezed for financial resources in 2014. In the current envir

The IDEA Competition announced that it is extending the deadline for the first round of its competition to December 31.  This will allow applicants to take advantage of the newly discounted registration fee of $100, thanks to a generous contribution from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation. IDEA Competition project coordinator, Michelle Landsverk, is enthusiastic about the extended deadline and the reduced registration fee.  “With the recent donation from Northwest Minnesota Foundation we are able to reduce the cost of entering the competition,” Landsverk said.  “With the reduced registration fee, it only made sense to extend the deadline so more people could take advantage of the cost savings.” The purpose of the competition is to assist the most promising local entrepreneurs in the commercialization of innovative products, processes and deliveries by connecting them to the best resources available, along with access to the capital it takes to launch a successful venture.  Sin