Alexandria, Minn. – The Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) announced plans today to make significant grants that will be the “difference maker” in bringing about a lasting, positive change in the Alexandria area community. Thanks in large part to a grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation and rising local support, AACF plans to award up to three grants between $25,000 and $80,000 each.  Local nonprofit organizations need to submit their requests online by July 15. AACF started the Difference Maker Grant program last year to provide leadership support and make a connection that goes beyond the grant in order to advance the project or initiative. The Community Foundation awarded the first grant to WINGS Family Supportive Services in Alexandria to replace the roof and make other facility improvements. The grant came as WINGS faced an immediate need to ensure it could continue to provide a safe place for the eight families that call the Transitional House home. Read More... Apply...

ST. CLOUD, MN – The Women’s Fund has named Maxine Barnett the 2013 ATHENA Award® recipient. Maxine is honored for her many years of dedication and her spirit of justice that helped her stay committed to the cause of protecting battered women and children and assisting them along their journeys to better lives. Maxine is recognized for her commitment to educating the community about the existence of the problem, her leadership in establishing a shelter in Central Minnesota, and her commitment to work with offenders to end the cycle of abuse.

For many years, Maxine has worked hard to ensure thousands of women and children have a safe place to go to escape domestic abuse. Those efforts have culminated in the development and growth of Anna Marie’s Alliance. “Maxine’s example has been something for individuals from all walks of life to emulate,” said 2012 Athena Award Winner Molly Renslow. Read More...

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) announced today that it has hired Melinda Sanders as the new director of donor relations. Melinda comes to the Foundation with high praise from her work as an attorney and community advocate. She has been an attorney with Quinlivan & Hughes, P.A. since 1994, practicing in the areas of employment law, estate planning and nonprofits. Melinda has dedicated significant time to giving back to the community through a variety of causes. She currently serves on the board of directors for the United Way of Central Minnesota, the Center for Nonprofit Excellence and Social Innovation, and the St. Cloud Hospital. She is a member of the Downtown St. Cloud Kiwanis Club and a former board chair of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce. Read More...

Alexandria, Minn. – The Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) announced today that it awarded a $35,000 Difference Maker Grant to WINGS Family Supportive Services in Alexandria to replace the roof and make other facility improvements at its Transitional House. Work started last week and is expected to be completed this month. “We saw this as an opportunity to meet one of the most basic needs of putting a roof over people’s heads,” said Kelly Jenzen, chair of the AACF board of directors. “What happens under that roof is really important to our community and makes a difference in the lives of the women and children that call it home. " Read more...

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) has announced approval of grants totaling $579,225 to 17 nonprofit organizations in Kandiyohi County.  The Foundation’s Board of Directors met on April 17 to approve the awards, which range in size from $3,000 to $250,000.  Read More...

Growing business, developing our future workforce, improving physical amenities of our community and providing opportunities for all members of our community to be involved are the driving themes for the new community priorities.  Read More...

BRAINERD – For the third year, the Brainerd Lakes Area Women’s Fund is looking to recognize a woman in the community for ‘making waves.’ The Women Making Waves Award honors female leaders who have excelled in a variety of working environments and in doing so have improved conditions for themselves and others in our local community. Nominate a woman.  Read more…

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Central Minnesota Community Foundation is seeking nominations for its annual Awards in Philanthropy that will be presented at the annual dinner in September. The awards include include the  Alex Didier Award in Philanthropy, which honors a person or couple who has significantly contributed to the field of philanthropy in this region, and the Professional Award in Philanthropy,  which recognizes the efforts of a professional advisor, including an attorney, accountant, financial planner or other professional, who has significantly contributed to philanthropy in the region. Complete a nomination.  Read more...  

Alexandria, Minn. – The Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) announced today that it met a $50,000 matching challenge from the Otto Bremer Foundation—raising $100,000 for the benefit of the local community. The Otto Bremer Foundation issued the community challenge a year ago to help increase AACF’s capacity to enhance philanthropy and meet growing needs in the Alexandria community.  Read more...

ST. CLOUD, MN – Nominate a woman who inspires others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives for the local ATHENA Award. The internationally recognized award is presented by the Women's Fund and sponsored by HealthPartners Central Minnesota Clinics. The local award is a part of the international ATHENA program that started in 1982. Since the program’s inception, nearly 6,000 exemplary leaders in over 500 communities have received the prestigious ATHENA Award. Molly Renslow, Cindy Faye Johnson and Elaine Bauerly are among recent local recipients. Nominate a woman leader.  Read more...

St. Cloud, Minn. - The Bernick Family Foundation announced today that it awarded more than $221,000 in grants focused on enriching the lives of youth and improving health through the Central Minnesota Community Foundation. “Bernick’s is proud to uphold our tradition of supporting the community we serve,” said Jason Bernick, director of corporate affairs at Bernick’s. “The funding in this year’s grant round will help build a stronger future for our community.” View a list of recipients and read more...

Cold Spring, Minn. – The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) announced today a partnership with ROCORI area community leaders to form the Rocori Area Community Foundation. RACF’s affiliation with CMCF gives it access to expertise and resources that will help meet rising local needs. “This new affiliation will let us fully execute on our vision and mission to foster generosity, civic engagement and unity in our community,” said Dan Steil, who helped lead the formation of the new foundation and serves as chair of the board of directors for RACF. “Our partnership with CMCF gives us the tools and resources we need to become a leading force for strengthening the community.” Read More...

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Norman C. Skalicky Foundation and the Central Minnesota Community Foundation announced today that this year’s Charity Challenge raised a record $174,653 to meet critical needs at area food shelves, bringing the total raised over the past twelve years to more than $1.1 million. The dollars will benefit Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and St. Joseph food shelves. The total includes a $50,000 match from the Norman C. Skalicky Foundation. “This Charity Challenge brought many heartwarming moments of generosity, from a little girl who brought in money from her piggy bank to an anonymous donor who gave $20,000,” CMCF President Steve Joul said. “It truly shows the generosity of our community and the difference we can make.” Read More...

WILLMAR, Minn. - The Willmar Area Community Foundation released today a report from Wilder Research on the demographic shift and economic profile of Kandiyohi County. Demographic shifts in aging and diversity are changing the face of Kandiyohi County. 

While these shifts are reflective of a larger statewide trend, they have characteristics and challenges specific to this small but changing county. Residents of color, a rapidly growing share of the population, face major gaps in educational and economic outcomes from 3rd grade to adulthood.

With a growing aging population that will increase reliance on younger workers, paying early attention to these gaps and connecting new communities to paths of economic success will be important to a thriving Kandiyohi County. What’s more, an increasing share of older adults will likely result in additional pressure on social services, health care, and housing (concerns such as aging in place and basic home maintenance). 

Brainerd,Minn.– The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation (BLACF) announced plans to again recognize a local person or couple who have shown a commitment to philanthropy. The Foundation will begin seeking nominations for its Award in Philanthropy today.

The award recognizes the efforts of an individual or couple who have significantly contributed to philanthropy in the region through their personal giving, volunteerism or work as a professional advising their clients about philanthropy.
Read More...           Download Nomination Form

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Norman C. Skalicky Foundation and the Central Minnesota Community Foundation announced today a community matching challenge that aims to increase the total raised for area food shelves to $1 million, as these local agencies face record need.

Local agencies are seeing rising and record needs. Catholic Charities Emergency Services in St. Cloud served 2,196 families in October at its food shelf, up 8 percent from the high need seen a year ago, and distributed 160,212 pounds of food. Last year, Catholic Charities Emergency Services distributed 1.8 million pounds of food.
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ST. CLOUD, Minn - The Central Minnesota Community Foundation and United Way of Central Minnesota are supporting a regional fund established to address both the near-term and long-term recovery needs of communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy. “We know people in our community are interested in reaching out to help those devastated by the Hurricane Sandy,” said Steve Joul, president of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, which helps connect donors to causes. “We have a history of responding in big ways to needs of other communities looking to recover and rebuild after a disaster.” Nearly 8 million people have been impacted by the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. To respond to this unprecedented storm, United Way of New York City, in coordination with United Way U.S.A., established a fund that will help the many communities impacted. Donate to the fund.  Read more...

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) announced today it awarded grants to 10 local nonprofit organizations in its fall grant round. Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center received the largest grant of $8,000 to provide essential tools for the Eco-Voyageur Program.

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Brainerd, Minn. – The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation (BLACF) announced today that it awarded grants to support key community programs at ten local nonprofit organizations.

Kinship Partners received one of the largest grants, totaling $7,500, to support its One-on-One Youth Mentoring Program.

Kinship Partners is currently the only organization providing youth mentoring services in Crow Wing and southern Cass Counties. The organization focuses on matching children ages 5 to 14 with positive adult influences. Kinship Partners seeks to improve the lives of kids now and in the future by improving their self-esteem and offering new opportunities to them.

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St. Cloud, Minn. - The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) and the Initiative Foundation (IF) announced today they awarded $52,500 to area projects within the St. Cloud Area Community Priorities Initiative. The Foundations, with the support of the St. Cloud Times, helped to launch a 2011 community visioning project designed to identify key ways to improve the region's vitality. The foundations now serve as a convener, facilitator and financial catalyst for work on the 10 Community Priorities. They created a joint fund and pooled dollars with the Morgan Family Foundation. The following projects received $7,500 each to help move one of the Community Priorities forward. Read more...

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Minnesota Real Estate Foundation, a supporting organization of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, is seeing significant and steady increase in real estate sales for charity, according to a financial report released today. MReF has sold three properties that provided $320,000 to charities since July. That follows a successful year for the Minnesota nonprofit that completed another five property sales that invested $340,600 back in communities through charities in its fiscal year ending June 30. Read More...

East Gull Lake, Minn ­– Maddens on Gull Lake will once again set the stage for a marvelous 18th Century-inspired masquerade to support the Brainerd Lakes Area Women's Fund. More than 300 people attended the first "Afternoon in Venice" event last year. Promising to be bigger and better in its second year, the Women’s Fund will host “An Afternoon in Venice – Encore! Encore!” from 2-5 pm, October 13, 2012 at the Madden’s Town Hall.

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Alexandria, Minn. – The Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) announced today it awarded grants to 15 local nonprofit organizations in its annual grant round to support key community programs. The Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, awarded over $28,000. The largest grant of $5,000 will allow Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County (HFHDC) to serve more families in need. These funds will allow HFHDC to serve additional families by performing critical home repairs on owner occupied homes, thus allowing the affiliate to provide safe, and affordable housing solutions for more families while maximizing financial resources. Read More and Get the Full Listing...

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) announced today Dr. Roger and Kay Strand will be honored the Foundation’s annual awards event in October. The Foundation, for the first time, also will present the Marv Otto Award in his memory.

Dr. Roger and Kay Strand of New London will receive the Award in Philanthropy for their volunteerism and support of the greater Kandiyohi County community. This year the Strands celebrate the 30th year of hosting the Prairie Pot Hole Day on their Stoney Ridge Farm in New London. Their desire to leave a legacy of preserving lakes and rivers will be realized with their land gift through the Minnesota Land Trust. Read more...

St. Cloud, Minn. - Women on Stage raised a record $150,000 for local programs that support women and girls during the one day event. This represents a 22 percent increase from the previous record year and a 54 percent increase from last year. With the proceeds, the Women’s Fund at the Central Minnesota Community Foundation awarded $15,000 grants each to Clara’s House, Anna Marie’s, Whitney Center and Women’s Fund Scholarship Fund. Read More...

Alexandria, Minn. – The Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) is pleased to announce that it is seeking to make one or two significant grants that will be the “difference maker” in bringing about a lasting, positive change in the Alexandria area community.  AACF is looking to provide leadership financial support and make a connection that goes beyond the grant in order to advance the project or initiative.  Up to $50,000 is available in this grant round.  The minimum grant request is $20,000 and the maximum is $50,000.

Organizations applying for a grant must be 501(c) (3) nonprofits, schools or government entities that serve the residents within Douglas County.

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ST. CLOUD, MINN. - The Central Minnesota Community Foundation and its affiliates in Alexandria and Willmar, announce today the elections of key community leaders to their board of directors.

Longtime St. Cloud-area residents and community supporters Maryanne Mahowald and Michelle Meyer will join the board of directors for the Central Minnesota Community Foundation.

Bill Flaig, recently retired as CEO of the Douglas County Hospital, and Nancy Klepteka, Integrated Health Center, will bring their expertise and community leadership to the board of directors for the Alexandria Area Community Foundation.

Dennis Peterson, Kandiyohi County Commissioner, Steve Linder, Lakeland Broadcasting, and Mohamed Sayid, Kandiyohi County Family Services, have been elected to a three-year term on the board of directors for the Willmar Area Community Foundation.

The board of directors governs their respective Foundations, establishes policy, sets priorities and makes final grant decisions. All members are volunteers and serve three-year terms that can be renewed three times.

St. Cloud MN – The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) has awarded $143,600 in academic scholarships for the coming school year to 101 students from around the region. 

CMCF administers 56 separate scholarship funds established by individuals, families, and businesses to help area students reach their educational goals. "These scholarships are providing students the financial resources they need to attend college and to pursue their dreams," said Janet McConkey, CMCF scholarships and grant administrator. "By awarding these scholarships, our donors are saying 'We're behind you. We're cheering for you'."

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Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation announced today that three community leaders have elected to its Board of Directors to serve Kandiyohi County. Dennis Peterson, Kandiyohi County Commissioner, Steve Linder, owner of Lakeland Broadcasting, and Mohamed Sayid, Kandiyohi County Family Services, have joined the board. They each bring key experiences and a commitment to helping enrich the community they call home. Read more...

Alexandria, Minn. – The Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) announced today that it has elected two new business leaders to its board. Bill Flaig, recently retired as CEO of the Douglas County Hospital, and Nancy Klepteka, Integrated Health Center, will bring their expertise and community leadership to the visionary board. Read more...

St. Cloud, MN - The Central Minnesota Community Foundation announced plans today to provide nearly $30,000 to help provide critical community arts programs.

The Boys and Girls Club of Central Minnesota is among the eight programs that received grants through the Fund for the Arts at the Community Foundation. The local club will use the funds to provide its Drama Matters performing arts program for youth ages 5-18 at each of its three St. Cloud locations in the next year.

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Brainerd, Minn – Recognized as a “woman of firsts” in the Brainerd Lakes Area, Cheryl Gelbmann has been named recipient of the 2012 Women Making Waves Award.

The award is presented on behalf of the Brainerd Women’s Fund, a committee within the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation committed to creating and supporting programs that empower and enrich the lives of women and girls. Now in its second year, the Women Making Waves Award was spun off from the long-standing Athena Award, given by the Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with Imgrund Motors, years ago to recognize women making outstanding contributions in the Lakes Area.

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Alexandria, Minn.  - The Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) announces that it plans to award $30,000 in grants to organizations that serve the residents of the Alexandria area and improve the quality of life in the region.  The deadline to submit grant applications is July 31. Read More

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Bernick Family Foundation and the Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) announce that $150,000 will be available in the fifth annual round of Bernick Family Foundation community grants. Letters of inquiry will be accepted through Sept. 1. Read More

St. Cloud, Minn. – Support from the Women’s Fund for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota’s leadership program will assist both little sisters along with their young mentors in preparation for post-secondary education and career success. Big Brothers Big Sisters received a $4,500 grant from the Women’s Fund at the Central Minnesota Community Foundation to help make the dreams of young women who wish to attend college and to become  future leaders a reality. Read more...

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation announced today it awarded nearly $40,000 in grants to help deliver six key community programs in Kandiyohi County. Heartland Community Action Agency received two grants totaling more than $11,000 to meet rising economic and social needs in the community.  Read More...

Spicer, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation announced today it awarded nearly $40,000 in grants to help deliver six key community programs in Kandiyohi County. Faith Lutheran Church in Spicer received the largest grant to support The Link, which provides support to impoverished residents in Northern Kandiyohi County.  Read More...

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) provides local nonprofits access to grant opportunities worldwide through a progressive grant directory and guide and training program. Over the past year, CMCF’s resource center, provided through a partnership with the Foundation Center Cooperating Collections in New York, has helped 67 nonprofits and individuals identify funding sources to help them meet needs in the local community. More than 1,000 grant searches were made during that period. The Central Minnesota Community Foundation will host a free workshop May 7 in St. Cloud on using the online grant directory. Register and learn more.   Read News Release.

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Central Minnesota Community Foundation announced today that the Haws Family Fund has been established to honor former educator and lawmaker Larry Haws. Haws died March 27 at the age of 72 at his home after a battle with brain cancer.

Haws moved to St. Cloud in 1963 to teach and coach at Cathedral High School. He then worked in the St. Cloud Parks Department, where he served as director for nearly three decades.  Read More...

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Central Minnesota Community Foundation is seeking nominations for its annual awards in philanthropy, which will be presented at the Foundation’s annual dinner in September. Read More...
Athena Award Nomination Form

BRAINERD -- The Brainerd Lakes Area Women’s Fund is pleased to announce the Women Making Waves Award which honors women leaders. We are pleased to sponsor this recognition of women in our community who have excelled in a variety of working environments and in doing so have improved conditions for themselves and others in our local community.  Read More...
Download Nomination Form

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) announced today the establishment of a new Technology & Education Fund to provide lasting community support to the Willmar Public Schools. The fund’s first initiative, Advancing the Way We Teach and Learn, aims to provide every junior and senior student enrolled at Willmar Public Schools with the use of an iPad during the school year.  Read More...

Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Area Community Foundation (WACF) announced today that Alice Cox, who died on December 29, 2011, designated the Willmar Area Community Foundation as recipient of her entire estate, which is valued at over $6 million.  This gift will double the assets of WACF to over $12 million. Read More...

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Central Minnesota Community Foundation announced today that it received its largest gift since its inception in 1985. Alice Cox, who died on December 29, 2011, names the CMCF affiliate, the Willmar Area Community Foundation, as recipient of her entire estate, which is valued at over $6 million.
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Alexandria, Minn. – The Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) announced today that it will receive $360,000 from the Otto Bremer Foundation over the next two years to increase its capacity to enhance philanthropy in the Alexandria area and strengthen the community.  Read More...

St. Cloud, MN-The Central Minnesota Community Foundation in partnership with St. Cloud State University is offering a grant writing workshop, “Taking the Mystery out of Grant Writing!” on Thursday March 15th from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the  St. Cloud State University “WELCOME CENTER”  located at 355 5th Ave. S., St. Cloud.  Well-known presenter, Karl Samp, will share his grant writing knowledge from his many years of experience in fundraising, strategic planning, group facilitation, and grants management. He is a consultant for nonprofit groups and funding organizations throughout the State of Minnesota. Read More...

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Bernick Family Foundation announced today that it awarded more than $221,000 in grants to the community through the Central Minnesota Community Foundation. One of the grants will launch a new child literacy and parent involvement program in the St. Cloud School District.  Read More...

Brainerd, Minn.- The Brainerd Lakes Area Women’s Fund will recognize an inspiring local woman who is leading the way both professionally and personally in the local community. Nomination for the Women Making Waves Award are due April 9. Download the Nomination Form.

Brainerd, Minn. - The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation names businessman Bill Brekken director. Brekken has been a longtime member of the BLACF Board of Directors and resident of the Brainerd Lakes Area. He brings great business expertise and a true heart to give back. He recently served as president of Lakewood Bank in the Brainerd Lakes Area and as a realtor with Close Converse Commercial Real Estate.

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Central Minnesota Community Foundation and its affiliates received confirmation of compliance with the esteemed National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. The 5-year accreditation is awarded to Community Foundations that demonstrate excellence in gift stewardship, grant-making, transparency and accountability.  Read More...