CMCF Announces Award in Philanthropy Recipients

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s Awards in Philanthropy. Lee and Vicki Morgan will be receiving the Alex Didier Award in Philanthropy, Farhiya Iman will be receiving the Social Trust Award, and Stefanie Brown will be receiving the Professional Award in Philanthropy. These individuals will be honored at the CMCF Annual Celebration of Philanthropy event that will take place on Thursday, September 4 from 5-8 p.m. at the Park Event Center in Waite Park. For more information and to register to attend, interested parties can visit communitygiving.org/events or call (320) 253-4380.
 
Lee & Vicki Morgan – Alex Didier Award in Philanthropy
 
The Alex Didier Award in Philanthropy recognizes a person or couple who has significantly contributed to the field of philanthropy in the region.
 
Lee and Vicki Morgan have dedicated their lives to community, philanthropy, and purposeful living. Lee’s roots trace back generations in St. Cloud, where his great-grandfather served as the Stearns County Surveyor. Though career opportunities led his family to Ohio, Lee later took over his father’s printing business in 1968, growing it into the Antioch Company, parent of Creative Memories. Even early on, philanthropy was embedded in his leadership—through both personal giving and the Antioch Company Foundation.
 
Vicki began her career in education, teaching in The Netherlands and India, and later poured her time and energy into volunteerism and community fundraising while raising their two children. In Yellow Springs, Ohio, she became a dynamic force in local efforts, serving on school committees, supporting the soccer program, and leading the Yellow Springs Community Foundation as a board member and president. It was during this time she discovered her true talent: creatively rallying people and resources to support causes she cared about.
 
After selling their company shares, Lee and Vicki established the Morgan Family Foundation, a vehicle to expand their giving and deepen their impact. Vicki embraced this opportunity to focus on issues close to her heart, particularly social equity and End-of-Life advocacy, including serving on the board of Light the Legacy. Meanwhile, Lee turned his attention to civic and environmental causes—staying active in the League of Women Voters, traveling, playing and refereeing soccer, and founding a local chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
 
Their move to Annandale reignited their commitment to community in new ways. Vicki brought joy and creativity to local initiatives like the United Way Imagination Library Progressive Dinners and the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, while Lee quietly supported and inspired through leadership and service. Now “professionally retired” but busier than ever, the Morgans continue to share their time, talents, and treasure with a spirit of generosity that has touched communities near and far.
 
Farhiya Iman – Social Trust Award
 
The Social Trust Award recognizes the often-unsung hero of community building: the Weaver; an individual who is actively building social trust across the Greater St. Cloud community.
 
Farhiya Iman is a passionate and experienced social work professional dedicated to empowering individuals and families through culturally responsive care, advocacy, and leadership. Based in St. Cloud, Minnesota, she brings over a decade of experience across mental health, housing stabilization, refugee resettlement, and child welfare.
 
Farhiya holds a Master of Social Work from St. Cloud State University and is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW). Her unwavering commitment to supporting underserved communities was recognized with the 2020 Outstanding Refugee Award from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, honoring her as a leader and advocate for equity and inclusion.
 
She is the founder of Arise Autism Center, where she leads a team focused on delivering family-centered, culturally competent autism services. She also operates House of Sanctuary, providing Housing Stabilization Services to individuals with disabilities seeking stable housing and community-based support.
 
Throughout her career, Farhiya has held impactful roles including working with individuals diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Child Protection, and Case Management Coordinator with the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration in Somalia. She also served as Assistant Director with a local charter school, reflecting her ongoing commitment to youth and education.
 
With expertise spanning case management, trauma-informed care, refugee support, and systems-level advocacy, Farhiya is a trusted leader and voice for change. Her work continues to bridge gaps in services and empower marginalized communities to thrive.
 
Stefanie Brown – Professional Award in Philanthropy
 
The Professional Award in Philanthropy recognizes the efforts of a professional advisor such as an attorney, accountant, financial planner, or other professional who has significantly contributed to philanthropy in the region.
 
Stefanie Brown is a Partner at Rinke Noonan, where she has practiced law since 2002. Working with businesses and families across Central Minnesota, Stefanie concentrates her practice on complex estate planning, business law, and real estate transactions. Her model is delivering strategic, results-driven counsel with a focus on client service and effective outcomes.
 
Stefanie works closely with business owners on all facets of business law, including ownership structure, succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate transactions. Her experience extends to helping businesses navigate generational transitions while minimizing tax burdens and preserving their legacy. In her estate planning practice, she assists clients with sophisticated tax planning strategies and asset protection, always with a commitment to long-term family and financial security.
 
A Central Minnesota native, Stefanie grew up in St. Michael where she developed a strong entrepreneurial ethic from her father who runs his own small business. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls and earned her law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School. Stefanie is deeply engaged in the community. She has served on the boards and various committees of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation and the Central Minnesota Community Foundation and contributes to numerous initiatives supporting St. Cloud School District 742. She finds real energy from engaging in efforts promoting regional growth and community well-being.
 
Stefanie lives in St. Cloud with her husband and their two teenage children. Outside the office, she values time with family, which involves traveling as much as possible, a ton of youth sporting activities, and cheering on the Golden Gophers.
 
The Central Minnesota Community Foundation (CMCF) attracts and administers charitable funds for the benefit of the local community. Since 1985, CMCF has grown to $143.5 million in assets and awarded $155.3 million in grants to non-profits.  The CMCF is governed by a local board of directors and is a partner of CommunityGiving, which is a network of community foundations united under a single framework to create efficiencies that maximize the impact of our donors.  Collectively, CommunityGiving administers over 1,100 funds totaling over $225 million in assets. Learn more at communitygiving.org/cmcf