St. Cloud, Minn. – “Central Minnesota is my hometown, I’ve grown up here in more ways than just one,” says Greta Stark-Kraker, the next Executive Director for the Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF). “I believe that everyone should have a seat and a voice at the table, as I step into this new role, my goal is to bring our community together to focus on the greatest needs.”

ST. CLOUD, MN – The fifth annual Women’s Fund Presents Dancing with Our Stars came back stronger than ever with a record-breaking event! After a year off due to the pandemic, the event was live-streamed from the Hubert H. Humphrey stage at Saint John’s University on Monday, June 14, 2021. Combined with sponsorships, the event raised a total of $389,428.10 for local organizations that benefit women and girls within a 30-mile radius of St. Cloud. This year’s event featured a dance competition between five local “community stars” who were paired with a professional partner for a chance to win up to a $15,000 grant for the nonprofit program of their choice. The Women’s Fund donated a total of $37,000 in grant money to participants based on their rankings in the competition.

St. Cloud, Minn. – Five, six, seven, eight…a woman who has dedicated her career to the performing and visual arts, anti-racism training, leadership development of women, international education and prioritizing the success for under-represented students is the recipient of this year’s ATHENA Award.

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Central Minnesota Community Foundation welcomes Erin Bitzan and Ryan Daniels to its Board of Directors. Both Bitzan and Daniels have officially accepted their new positions.

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Central Minnesota Community Foundation, in conjunction with CommunityGiving, has awarded $136,050 in academic scholarships for the 2020-2021 school year to 87 students from the upper Midwest.

St. Cloud, Minn. – Six nonprofits in Central Minnesota were awarded rural poverty grants. These grants were provided through the Rural Poverty Fund, managed by the Central Minnesota Community Foundation in partnership with the Initiative Foundation.

St. Cloud, Minn. – A St. Cloud native and inspiring community leader has been selected as the 2020 ATHENA award recipient. The Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation has selected Dorraine (Dorrie) Larison as the 2020 ATHENA Award recipient.

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) announced today the Central Minnesota Special Needs Fund will begin accepting grant applications on September 1, 2020. The Central Minnesota Special Needs grants will support programming that serves those with complex intellectual and physical disabilities. Application deadline for this grant round is October 28, 2020.

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) announced two grant rounds are now accepting grant applications to benefit women and young girls in the community. The first grant opportunity is from the Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation. The Women’s Fund provides funding to projects and programs that focus on the following three areas: girls ages 10-18, women in transition and elder women.

St. Cloud, Minn. – The former Greater St. Cloud Community Pillars Initiative announced today that it is transitioning to the Central Minnesota Communities of Excellence (CMCOE). CMCOE is an initiative to drive alignment of community organizations in the six communities of Central Minnesota (St. Cloud, Sartell, Waite Park, St. Augusta, St. Joseph and Sauk Rapids) by focusing attention and resources on structural problems and opportunities in the region. The end goal will be to create a vibrant, thriving, diverse, and sustainable community that attracts people to live, work and play.