Northwest Blog

Pete Haddeland, NMF Chair I’m very thankful to be a part of such an outstanding organization. It has been a real treat reading the personal stories from each of our donors this month and I hope they have inspired you to give. I joined the Foundation board three years ago, and I’ve served on numerous boards in my 37 years as a banker. However, the Foundation board is the best I’ve served on because you feel good about the decisions being made. By giving back to NMF it shows that you can be involved with all of the many projects benefiting our communities – from business loans, grants to nonprofits and early childhood education, you can feel good about your donation! I’d like to thank all of those donors who have given and I strongly encourage you to join me at the circle of giving level because it supports a very good cause. Thank you, Pete 

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Jody Horntvedt, Baudette Jody Horntvedt has lived and worked in the Northwest region for 30 years. She loves the area because of the caring, hard working, talented and inspiring people who make it home. She first came to Lake of the Woods County in 1971 when her family purchased a cabin on Wabanica Bay near Baudette. "We would spend at least three, week-long vacations there every year," said Jody. Adding, "I came to love the

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Another honoree recognized at the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Northern Plains Chapter's annual celebration was Ginny Kruger.  Ginny Kruger and Sue Grafstrom Ginny began her development career more than 25 years ago when administering a grant for the North Valley Health Center in Warren, Minnesota. She designed and instituted a development program for the Health Center which has resulted in the building of a 14 millio

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Each year the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Northern Plains Chapter presents Philanthropy Awards to various honorees in our region. On Thursday, November 19th -- National Philanthropy Day -- Robert F. Foley Sr. was recognized.  Robert F. Foley Sr. has spent his lifetime focused on learning and serving, and at 87 years old, he has no intention of stopping. "I've always had a strong feeling that you can succeed if you tr

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Ernie and Pat Rall moved to Bemidji in 2000 to be near their only child. Ernie remembers coming from New York that Memorial Day weekend, and what a whirlwind it was!  "Even though our daughter was living in Grand Forks, we decided we liked Bemidji and we wanted a place on a lake." Ernie added, "Our daughter set up a few realtor appointments and we bought a home -- all in one weekend." The couple quickly became

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) founded National Philanthropy Day in 1982. The purpose is to acknowledge the entire spectrum of services provided by the nonprofit community and recognize the profound impact that philanthropy has on the fabric of society. National Philanthropy Day will be celebrated this year on November 19th. There are dozens of nonprofit organizations in the Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s service area that employ hundreds of staff members. These organizations’ donors and volunteers are committed to making a difference every single year…both in our region and throughout the world. Philanthropy Day gives us a chance to honor those donors, volunteers and staff who are working to promote charitable giving. Sincere gratitude is extended to the foundation’s community and component funds, their advisory committee members, and each of the generous donors. Working together, they are enhancing the quality of place in their respective towns and cities.

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Neen Lillquist, Laporte Neen Lillquist has followed NMF from the very beginning and she appreciates the work being done to promote local business, grants, scholarships and philanthropy. She has even helped her church to become acquainted with the Foundation - securing their dollars in an endowment to help its members in perpetuity.  "I've always had an abundance, so I want to give. NMF has specifically helped me support my

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Mike Tangen came to Bemidji for band camp in the sixth grade, and fell in love with the land, lakes and the town. Later in life when he and wife, Shannon were starting to establish their roots, Bemidji seemed to be perfect. "It's not so small that you can't accomplish things, and not too big that you can't make a difference," said Mike. And quite a difference he has made, in particular among the arts community.

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Ruth Howe was introduced to philanthropy at a very young age. "I grew up during the Great Depression, and I remember my mother fed anyone that came to the door. On Sunday, we attended Sunday school and even if we only had a penny to give - that's what we gave," said Ruth.  Having such wonderful role models, Ruth noted that even her six siblings actively give to various causes. One near and dear to all of them is

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Mildred Beckstrom, Fosston Making a difference for our rural communities is something many of us dream about and some accomplish with a big impact. Mildred Beckstrom did just that with her estate plan, which included a gift of real estate to benefit the First Care Medical Services Foundation Endowment Fund and the Fosston Education Foundation Endowment Fund. Following Beckstrom’s wishes, each fund received half of the proceeds from the s

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Evan Hazard, Bemidji Evan Hazard was introduced to the Northwest Minnesota Foundation through his financial planner after expressing a desire to make a difference for the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra. The Foundation has the flexibility to explore the interests and goals of prospective donors and Evan's consultant knew to call us to help him.  Evan's wife Elaine passed away a few years ago. She had always made the decisions abou

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Wanda and Jess Dishman Wanda and Jess Dishman received farmland in Oklee from her parents’ estate, so they decided to establish a trust with the land. When the time was right, they intended to sell the land and give the proceeds to support children and pets in the Oklee area. This support reflected passions of both the Dishmans and Wanda’s parents, Orlo and Millie Melby. In the fall of 2013, Jess completed their vision to honor Wanda

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Karvakko Family, Bemidji Mike and Sarah Karvakko invested in a Donor Advised Fund with Northwest Minnesota Foundation, established in 2012. They have a growing family that they wish to involve in learning about charitable giving. The Karvakko Family Fund is still new and hasn't yet matured to full grant making status. It is set up and will soon provide future support for a broad range of interests that focuses on improving educational

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Bob Naylor, Bemidji Bob Naylor was first introduced to philanthropy through family, church, scouting programs and by others in his community. “Giving of one’s time and resources is very rewarding,” said Naylor. He noted that for him personally, it is important to keep donation dollars local because it helps to improve the quality of life for all residents in the community. Bob Naylor started a donor advised fund 20 years ago with the Nor

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Frank and Marg Marvin, Warroad The year is 1931 and a frustrated Dorrance Johnston has a degree in Engineering with no jobs to be found. Persistent and not willing to give up, he offered to work for a year without pay just to get a foot in the door. This is a mere glimpse at who Margaret “Marg” (Johnston) Marvin’s father was. Marg was born and raised in Warroad, and then met her husband Frank Marvin in their shared hometown. Both of their f

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Carolyn Jacobs, Bemidji resident Carolyn Jacobs was first introduced to philanthropy by her parents, who were very involved in raising funds for a non-profit organization in the Chicago area, where she grew up. The organization served adults with developmental disabilities. Her father's twin cousins were recipients of those services, so it was a very personal endeavor for her parents who gave their time, energy and dollars to the organi

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Mark and Peggy Hewitt accept the Circle of Vision award.  The Hewitt Family has been involved with NMF for nearly two decades. Mark Hewitt served on the Board of Directors for eight years. He and his wife, Peggy created the Hewitt Family Charitable Fund, a donor advised fund with NMF. Its purpose is to provide support for projects or activities in the Park Rapids area that don't ordinarily receive all the financial help and attention needed

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Marcia Folland, Greenbush, MN  I was introduced to philanthropy at a very early age.  It was seeing my parents give back their time and resources that resonated with me.  My father, who was the local banker, always gave back.   As a child, I gave of my time as a candy striper at the local nursing home and I was a girl scout.    When I retired and returned home, I was introduced to NMF through Carolyn Eeg and I became involved with the

In honor of NMF's upcoming 30th anniversary and National Philanthropy Month, we want to celebrate the contributions of our donors! We will be highlighting a donor a day for the month of November. Please be sure to check the blog often to read about the wonderful stories of giving back to the northwest region.  If you are interested in making a difference through the services of our community foundation, our development officers would be happy to assist you. Please contact Caryl Turnow or Lisa Peterson at 218-759-2057 to learn more. Sam and Jane Evans When you come from a giving family, you often grow up with a desire to make a difference in other people’s lives.  Sam & Jane Evans both were raised in generous families, who gave their time, talent and money where they saw a need.  Sam & Jane continued their family’s legacy of giving by helping many organizations from church to 4-H and youth sports.  Jane helped form an ALS Fundraising team 16 years ago and ha

As a donor, your gift helps accomplish much in the development and impact of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation. Circle of Giving members support all areas of our work – helping people start and grow new businesses, providing youth with leadership training, and addressing long-standing social challenges. As many of our friends know, NMF’s unrestricted endowment is the financial backbone that supports the many ways we invest resources in our communities to enhance the region’s quality of place. We have been generously funded by The McKnight Foundation since our inception in 1986. They believe so firmly in our shared success that they provide a dollar-for-dollar match to each NMF General Endowment donation. There is no guarantee the match opportunity will last indefinitely, so that is part of the critical reason we are acting now for greater philanthropic investment throughout the region. We are inviting all of our friends, donors and partners to join us in our efforts. Members of

It is an annual tradition at the Northwest Minnesota Foundation to get out in the region and see firsthand what work is being accomplished in northwest Minnesota.   NMF staff board a charter bus, and we choose one area of our region to visit. This year, we started our tour in Red Lake Falls. Former Board Chair, Gary Purath was our tour guide, and he did an excellent job highlighting his hometown. http://www.northwestmanufacturing.com/ Todd Strem, Northwest Manufacturing, Inc. a locally owned company operating in Red Lake Falls since the early 80's. They employ 60-160 people during their busy times and are committed to staying in the RLF area.  Red Lake Falls Elementary School NMF staff standing in front of Red Lake County Courthouse Touring this historic courthouse was extremely cool!  Downtown Red Lake Falls. From Red Lake Falls we headed to Thief River Falls