CommunityGiving

Willmar Area Women's Fund 2026 Campaign Kickoff
2026-06-02 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | O’Neils, 152 Lake Ave N, Spicer, MN, 56288, United States
Join us for the launch of this year’s campaign on June 2 at O’Neils in Spicer. This gathering is a chance to connect with community members, learn more about the impact of the Willmar Area Women’s Fund and celebrate the work ahead.
Guests will enjoy appetizers and refreshments while hearing a featured presentation from Lutheran Social Services, highlighting important work happening in our region. We will also announce the 2026 grant recipients and recognize the organizations making a difference in our communities.
We hope you’ll join us for an evening of connection, learning, and community impact.
Please register by May 26.

"Sustainability in Turbulent Times for Non-Profits" with the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation
2026-06-03 11:45 - 13:15 | Clifton Larson Allen | Training Room, 14275 Golf Course Dr. N, Baxter, MN, 56425, United States
Building resilience, diversifying revenue, and strengthening your nonprofit for the future Nonprofits today are navigating rapid change—economic uncertainty, shifts in donor behavior, rising community needs, and increasing competition for limited funding. But turbulence also brings opportunity. This interactive Lunch & Learn will equip nonprofit leaders, board members, and development professionals with practical, realistic, and sustainable strategies to weather volatility and build long-term strength. Together, we’ll explore four key pillars of sustainability and leave you with actionable ideas you can implement immediately.
1. Reality Check: Funding Trends That Matter
2. Fundraising That Works: Donors, Relationships & Real Engagement
3. Social Enterprise: Revenue That Works for You
4. Collaboration & Capacity: Growing Together

Who Should Attend? Nonprofit staff, board members, executive directors, fundraisers, volunteers, and community partners interested in strengthening their organizations for long-term success.

Don’t miss this chance to stay informed and connected—RSVP today!

Lunch will be provided for this workshop.

Estate Planning Workshop | Virginia Knudson, Attorney with BSKK Law Office in partnership with the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation
2026-06-08 17:00 - 18:30 | Nonprofit Center of Old National Bank/Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation Office, 321 S. 7th St., Brainerd, MN, 56401, United States
Date: Monday, June 8Time: 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.Location: Old National Bank Nonprofit Center – Campbell Conference Room, 321 S. 7th Street, Brainerd
Planning for the future doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Join the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation for a free estate planning workshop designed to help you better understand your options and take the next step with confidence.
This session will provide clear, practical guidance in a straightforward, easy-to-follow format. Whether you are just getting started or revisiting an existing plan, you’ll gain helpful insights to make informed decisions about your assets, your family, and the causes you care about.
Presenters:

Virginia Knudson, Attorney, BSKK Law Firm
Terri Foster, Executive Director, Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation

Topics will include:

Estate planning basics explained in a down-to-earth way
Key differences between wills and trusts
Naming beneficiaries and when to update them
When a trust may (or may not) be necessary
Essential healthcare documents
Charitable giving and legacy planning options
Tax-smart giving strategies
Live Q&A with presenters

This workshop is free to attend, but registration is required.
Can’t make this time?A second free workshop will be offered Tuesday, June 16 in Nisswa, providing the same helpful information in a morning session. Click here to learn more!

Women's Fund Presents: Dancing With Our Stars Live
2026-06-08 17:00 - 20:30 | College of St. Benedict, 37 South College Ave S, St Joseph, MN, 56374, United States
The Women’s Fund of Central Minnesota Community Foundation would like to cordially invite you to attend the fundraising event of the year! This year’s event will feature a dance competition between five local celebrities who have been paired with a professional partner to face off for the chance to win up to $15,000 for the non-profit program/organization of their choice that supports women and girls! This is a do-not-miss event!
Schedule
Social Hour: 5:00 – 6:45pmGuests Seated for Performance: 6:45 – 7:00pmShow Begins: 7:00pm
This Year’s Dancers

Community Star Jennifer Lamb Randolph, a local professional singer will dance with Tuan (David) Le to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota.
Community Star Katie White Schad with the Sauk Rapids-Rice school district will dance with Dan Triplett to benefit Paramount Center for the Arts.
Community Star Mattea Voss with St. Cloud State University will dance with Jeff Ringer to benefit SCSU Women’s Basketball Youth Partnership Programs.
Community Star Jon Noyes with Great River Children’s Museum will dance with Janell Missler to benefit the Great River Children’s Museum.
Community Star Dr. Paul Wirth with the Wirth Center will dance with Kathy Kampa to benefit the Wirth Center.

Here’s How The Contest Works
The winner is going to be based upon their score from the judges as well as how many dollars they raise for their charity. 40% on judges score and 60% on dollars raised.
1st Place – $15,0002nd Place – $10,0003rd Place – $5,0004th-5th Place – $3,000
Fundraising has started and will continue up until the event. Click on your favorite dancing duo or charity from the list above and make your gift online! There will be opportunities to donate to the dancer/charity of your choice the night of the event. All dollars will be counted and the winner will be announced at the end of the evening.
A total of 10% of the donations raised during Women’s Fund Presents: Dancing With Our Stars, Live! will be used to support Women’s Fund programing including future events. Thank you for your support of women and girls in Central Minnesota.

Women’s Fund Presents 2026 Event Sponsors
Thank you to all of our sponsors who are supporting the Women’s Fund and their mission to improve the lives of women and girls in our community!

$10,000 Sponsor Level
AjD Technical Design & Production LLC*
Dorothy C Becker Fund
Townsquare Media*
$5000 Sponsor Level
Rick and Helga Bauerly
Bernick’s
Granite Partners
Preferred Credit, Inc. (PCI)
Ann and Dr. James Romanowsky
Stop Go Video Production*
Yuppy Photo*
$2500 Sponsor Level
APH Inc.
Franklin Outdoor Advertising*
Shelly Bauerly Kopel and Scott Kopel
Joanne and Chris Kudrna
Lathrop GPM
Microbiologics, Inc.
Ms. Melinda’s Dance Studio
Joyce and Thomas Schlough
UBS – Rivier Advisors
$1000 Sponsor Level
AIS Planning
Ann Daniels Healing Salon
Anonymous
Arbor Hair + Salon*
BankVista
Jan Bensen
Mark and Kathleen Bernick
DJ Bitzan Jewelers: Dick, Mimi and Erin Bitzan
CentraCare
College of Saint Benedict
Design Electric, Inc.
DeZURIK
Edward Jones —Michelle Redding
Elevate Dance Center, LLC*
GeoComm
Janet and Tom Grones
Hon Charles Flinn and Hon. Elizabeth Hayden
Steve and Brenda Joul
Janelle and John Kendall
LFA
Lincoln Wedding & Event Rentals*
Maryanne & John Mahowald
Proviant Group Wealth Advisors
Sentry Bank
St Cloud Area Family YMCA*
St. Augusta American Legion Auxiliary 621
St. Cloud Technical & Community College
Strategic Joy Co.*
Studio B*
The Studio Downtown St. Cloud*
Thrivent – St. Cloud
Joyce and Tony Tillemans
Traut Companies
UBS Financial Services – Karl Nikodym Wealth Management Group
Tim and Janet Wensman
Bob and Penny White
Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Homes
Diane Wojtanowicz
$500 Sponsor Level
Coborn’s Inc
United Way of Central MN*
Rose and Mike Windschitl
$350 Sponsor Level
Green Thumb etc*

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor?Click below to download the sponsor form and mail in your information.
SPONSOR FORM

Estate Planning Workshop | Matthews Law Office, PLLC in partnership with the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation
2026-06-16 10:00 - 11:30 | Matthews Law Office, PLLC, 24052 Smiley Road 56468, Nissway, MN, 56468, United States
Date: Tuesday, June 16Time: 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.Location: Matthews Law Office Legacy Learning Center (lower level), 24052 Smiley Road, Nisswa
Take a thoughtful step toward planning your future by attending this free estate planning workshop hosted by the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation.
Designed to be approachable and informative, this session will walk through key estate planning concepts in a way that is easy to understand and relevant to real-life decisions. You’ll leave with practical knowledge to help you organize your plans and align them with your personal values.
Presenters:

Ed Matthews, Attorney & CPA, Matthews Law Office, PLLC
Terri Foster, Executive Director, Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation

Topics will include:

Estate planning fundamentals explained clearly
Understanding wills vs. trusts
Naming beneficiaries and avoiding common gaps
When a trust might be appropriate
Must-have healthcare and end-of-life documents
Charitable giving options and legacy planning
Tax-aware giving strategies
Open Q&A with experienced professionals

This workshop is free to attend, but registration is required.
Prefer an evening option?The same workshop will also be offered Monday, June 8 in Brainerd for those who prefer an evening schedule. Click here to learn more!

Paynesville Area Community Foundation Summer Social
2026-07-11 17:30 - 20:00 | Tall Trees Estate, 29847 Crest Ridge Road, Paynesville, MN, 56362, United States
The Paynesville Area Community Foundation invites you to join us for our annual summer social event at Veterans Park just off Old Lake Road on Lake Koronis. Enjoy a 12-acre community park and beach while you learn more about the community activities that we are engaged in from our board members and Executive Director.
Experience an evening of fun and community, with an auction, live music, and free food, beer, and wine for attendees to enjoy.
Event is free to attend. Please RSVP by June 30th.

Contact Amanda Raisanen, PACF Executive Director, with any questions at araisanen@communitygiving.org.

Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation Awards in Philanthropy Dinner Celebration
2026-07-16 17:30 - 20:30 | Grand View Lodge, 23521 Nokomis Ave, Nisswa, MN, 56468, United States
Join us and share in an evening filled with inspiring stories of philanthropy. At the Awards in Philanthropy Dinner, we recognize charitable giving and celebrate the amazing individuals and organizations that make the Lakes Area a better place to live.
Proceeds from this event will be used to support annual grants to local non-profits.
Location:
Gull Lake Center – Grand View Lodge
23521 Nokomis Ave
Nisswa, MN 56468
Event Schedule:
5:30 P.M. – Reception
6:30 P.M. – Welcome and Dinner
7:15 P.M. – Program and Awards Presentation
Menu for the evening –
Salad: Mixed Greens with Marinated Cucumbers and Tomatoes, Pickled Vegetables, Seasoned Goat Cheese, Herb Vinaigrette
Entrée Options: Braised Beef Short Ribs, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Comfit Tomato, Vegetable Succotash, Herb Gremolata, Pan Jus OR Vegetarian Entrée: Farro and Mushroom Cake, Roasted Mushrooms, Confit Tomatoes, Herb Oil, “Veggie Demi-Glace”. Dairy Free/Gluten Free will also be available.
Dessert: Chocolate Smore Cake, Marshmallow Fluff, White and dark Chocolate, Smoked Bacon
2026 Award Recipients
Ruthie Gmeinder – Award in Philanthropy Honoree
Glen Gustafson – Legacy Memorial Honoree

Sponsorship opportunities still available. To view the sponsorship form for more information, click here.

Central Minnesota Community Foundation Celebration of Philanthropy
2026-09-10 17:00 - 20:00 | The Park Event Center, 500 Division Street, Waite Park, MN, 56387, United States
More details coming soon!

Community Foundation for Carver County Celebration of Philanthropy Dinner
2026-09-16 17:00 - 20:00 | Chaska Event Center, 3210 Chaska Blvd., Chaska, MN, 55318, United States
The Community Foundation for Carver County would like to invite you to join us to celebrate our community and honor individuals and organizations that have generously contributed to making it a great place to live, work and play.
Awards in Philanthropy Recipients –
Dave Pokorney of Chaska
LaVonne and Richard Kroells of Norwood Young America

Paynesville Area Community Foundation Community Celebration
2026-09-26 17:00 - 21:00 | Highline Construction, 16124 Old Lake Road, Paynesville, MN, 56362, United States
Join us on Saturday, September 26 for the annual Paynesville Area Community Foundation Community Celebration as we enjoy an evening of celebration, connection, and community spirit. We will reflect on the meaningful moments of the past year, recognize outstanding philanthropic leaders, and look ahead to the future of philanthropy in our community.
2026 Award Recipients – COMING SOON
Event Schedule:
5:00 – 5:45 P.M. – Social Hour & Silent Auction
5:45 – 7:00 P.M. – Welcome, Invocation, and Dinner
7:00 – 9:00 P.M. – Program and Awards Presentations

Alexandria Area Community Foundation's Annual Celebration of Philanthropy Social
2026-09-28 16:30 - 18:00 | Carlos Creek Winery, 6693 County Road 34 NW, Alexandria, MN, 56308, United States
Join us as we celebrate philanthropy and honor those who have given so much to the Alexandria area.
Ruth McDonald Awards in Philanthropy Recipients – Jack & Kirsten Driscoll and Tom Akenson and the late Linda Akenson

Social Hour & Appetizers 4:30 – 5:30PM
Program & Award Presentation 5:30 – 6:00PM

25th Anniversary Luncheon for the Women's Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation
2026-11-05 11:00 - 13:00 | Harvest Square, 539 East Saint Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN, 56304, United States
