Waite Park, MN — Community leaders, nonprofit partners, and philanthropy advocates from across Minnesota will gather for EmpowerCF 2026, April 22-23, a statewide conference designed to spark new ideas, strengthen local community foundations, and prepare communities for the opportunities ahead.
Hosted by CommunityGiving with support from other major foundations such as the Blandin Foundation, the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, the Initiative Foundation, the Minnesota Council on Foundations as well as other philanthropic organizations, EmpowerCF 2026 will focus on practical tools, peer learning, and forward-looking conversations about how communities can grow their local impact, especially at a time when Minnesota is experiencing one of the largest intergenerational transfers of wealth in its history.
Over the next decade, billions of dollars are expected to change hands across the state. EmpowerCF aims to help communities understand what that means locally—and how they can position themselves so more of that wealth stays close to home, supporting the people and places they care about most.
“This moment presents both a challenge and an opportunity for communities across Minnesota,” said Steve Joul, President & CEO of CommunityGiving. “EmpowerCF is about helping local leaders see what’s possible and giving them the tools to turn that potential into lasting impact.”
Keynote Speakers Bring National Perspective to Local Conversations
This year’s conference will feature keynote presentations from nationally recognized voices in economic development and rural policy:
- Chris Farrell, senior economics contributor for Minnesota Public Radio, will share insights on economic trends shaping communities and what they mean for local philanthropy.
- Tony Pipa, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and leader of the Reimagining Rural Policy initiative, will bring a national lens to rural opportunity.
- There will also be a panel discussion about how communities can come together especially during times of divide which will be moderated by Shannon Watson, founder and executive director of Majority in the Middle. On the panel will be Eric Wilkie, Executive Director of the FM (Fargo-Moorhead) Area Community Foundation, Nancy Zallek, President & CEO of the Mankato Area Foundation, Sara Carlson, Executive Director of the Willmar Area Community Foundation and Shaun Floerke, President & CEO of the Boreal Waters Community Foundation.
Registration for the conference is open, with available spots limited. More information on the conference, breakout sessions and registration can be found at www.communitygiving.org/empowercf.
CommunityGiving is a network of community foundations united under a single framework to create efficiencies that maximize the impact of our donors. The core foundations working with CommunityGiving include the Alexandria Area Community Foundation, the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, the Community Foundation for Carver County, the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, Greater White Bear Lake Community Foundation, the Paynesville Area Community Foundation, Virginia Community Foundation and the Willmar Area Community Foundation, all based in Minnesota and the Derby Community Foundation, based in Kansas. Collectively, CommunityGiving administers over 1,300 funds totaling over $283 million in assets. Learn more at CommunityGiving.org.