News Release: McKnight announces $7.2 million for central Minnesota in grant to the Initiative Foundation
October 17, 2007 - McKnight has pledged up to $7.2 million to the Initiative Foundation over the next five years.
Contact information and related linksThe McKnight Foundation in Minneapolis and the Initiative Foundation of Little Falls have extended through 2012 their joint efforts to meet the needs of Central Minnesota's hometowns, children and families, nonprofits and natural resources. McKnight has pledged up to $7.2 million to the Initiative Foundation over the next five years. Kate Wolford, president of The McKnight Foundation, joined Initiative Foundation vice president Curt Hanson to announce the grant to community leaders in St. Cloud and Brainerd on Wednesday. McKnight's investment will anchor $26.3 million in central Minnesota grants and business loans through 2012, and support four focus areas identified in the Initiative Foundation's new five-year strategic plan: economic opportunity; key places and natural resources; nonprofit organizational effectiveness; and children, youth, and families."The Initiative Foundation's partnership with McKnight is integral to improving the quality of life in our state," says McKnight president Kate Wolford. "Its smart strategies and skilled implementation have ably served this region's families, economy, and environment for more than 20 years. Today, it continues to ensure the highest returns from McKnight's investments in central Minnesota."During the mid-1980s, The McKnight Foundation partnered with local leaders to create six regional Initiative Foundations as a counterpunch to Minnesota's rural economic crisis. The Little Falls-based Initiative Foundation serves 14 counties in central Minnesota. As it launches its next five-year strategic plan (2007-2012), the Initiative Foundation has identified four important focus areas in its work:1. STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY"It's not easy being a working family in central Minnesota," said Kathy Gaalswyk, Initiative Foundation president. According to 2004 U.S. Census data, eight of central Minnesota's fourteen counties rank in the bottom half of the state in poverty level. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development estimates that 30 to 40 percent of all central Minnesota jobs pay less than $10 per hour.Gaalswyk said the foundation will continue its work in economic development and business financing, to support locally owned businesses that pay living wages in central Minnesota hometowns. By investing in 150 new businesses, the foundation plans to secure more than 1,400 quality jobs that pay workers at least $15 per hour, including health insurance and other benefits. Minority-owned and green businesses will also be a priority.2. PRESERVE KEY PLACES & NATURAL RESOURCESIf there is one regional trend that has the Initiative Foundation most concerned, it's population growth. By 2030, the Minnesota State Demographic Center forecasts a 40 percent population increase for central Minnesota counties. "Our challenge will be to welcome a population nearly double our existing levels, while preserving natural resources, rural character and downtowns," says Don Hickman, the foundation's program manager for planning and preservation. "We will invest heavily in planning for the best possible future."3. BUILD ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESSCentral Minnesota is home to more than 500 nonprofit organizations. According to Cathy Hartle, the foundation's program manager for organizational effectiveness, regional nonprofits will receive more than $5 million in Initiative Foundation grants through 2012.Hartle said that many nonprofits are faced with a dilemma: Spend time and money on internal operations, or focus all resources on meeting community needs. "They shouldn't have to make that choice," she said. Through its Healthy Organizations Partnership program, the foundation will train nonprofit leaders to build more effective organizations that achieve greater results in their communities.4. SUPPORT CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIESThe Minnesota Department of Education estimated that less than 50 percent of preschool children enter kindergarten fully prepared to succeed. According to the 2004 Minnesota student survey, more than 50 percent of high school seniors in central Minnesota reported that they spend no time in clubs, sports, or volunteer activities.Those numbers drove the Initiative Foundation to recommit its efforts in early childhood and youth engagement. It plans to add 10 new coalitions to the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative, a statewide program that rallies communities to make their youngest children a top priority. The foundation will also roll out a new program to engage 400 youth in community service and leadership activities.RETURN ON INVESTMENTThe Initiative Foundation announced a five-year fundraising campaign, which includes a challenge from The McKnight Foundation. Every donation will earn a McKnight match, up to $2.2 million."Many of the funds the Initiative Foundation has raised since 1986 have come from wise investors other than McKnight," says Wolford. "Now we are inviting the community to force our pen, by pushing their own. In matching local donations, we believe we're presenting a powerful opportunity for folks to make a contribution that will connect them directly to some of this region's most exciting, important work."The Initiative Foundation has received $7.4 million in local charitable contributions since 1986. The foundation has returned $44.5 million in central Minnesota grants, business loans, and scholarships, representing a 501% return on investment. The foundation also assists donors with planned gifts and creating named, scholarship and memorial funds that benefit specific charitable causes. ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT FOUNDATIONThe McKnight Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for present and future generations through grantmaking, coalition-building, and encouragement of strategic policy reform. Founded in 1953 and independently endowed by William L. McKnight and Maude L. McKnight, the Minnesota-based Foundation has assets of approximately $2.2 billion and granted about $93 million in 2006. Program information and full grant descriptions are available at www.mcknight.org.ABOUT THE INITIATIVE FOUNDATION Serving central Minnesota's 14 counties, the Initiative Foundation is a regional resource for grants, business financing investments, donor services, and citizen leadership and planning programs. More information online at www.ifound.org. Contact: Matt Kilian, director of communications, 877-632-9255 (office), 320-267-1756 (wireless).
Related links
Initiative Foundation
Contact information
Tim Hanrahan, Communications Director, 612-333-4220
Contact information and related linksThe McKnight Foundation in Minneapolis and the Initiative Foundation of Little Falls have extended through 2012 their joint efforts to meet the needs of Central Minnesota's hometowns, children and families, nonprofits and natural resources. McKnight has pledged up to $7.2 million to the Initiative Foundation over the next five years. Kate Wolford, president of The McKnight Foundation, joined Initiative Foundation vice president Curt Hanson to announce the grant to community leaders in St. Cloud and Brainerd on Wednesday. McKnight's investment will anchor $26.3 million in central Minnesota grants and business loans through 2012, and support four focus areas identified in the Initiative Foundation's new five-year strategic plan: economic opportunity; key places and natural resources; nonprofit organizational effectiveness; and children, youth, and families."The Initiative Foundation's partnership with McKnight is integral to improving the quality of life in our state," says McKnight president Kate Wolford. "Its smart strategies and skilled implementation have ably served this region's families, economy, and environment for more than 20 years. Today, it continues to ensure the highest returns from McKnight's investments in central Minnesota."During the mid-1980s, The McKnight Foundation partnered with local leaders to create six regional Initiative Foundations as a counterpunch to Minnesota's rural economic crisis. The Little Falls-based Initiative Foundation serves 14 counties in central Minnesota. As it launches its next five-year strategic plan (2007-2012), the Initiative Foundation has identified four important focus areas in its work:1. STRENGTHEN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY"It's not easy being a working family in central Minnesota," said Kathy Gaalswyk, Initiative Foundation president. According to 2004 U.S. Census data, eight of central Minnesota's fourteen counties rank in the bottom half of the state in poverty level. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development estimates that 30 to 40 percent of all central Minnesota jobs pay less than $10 per hour.Gaalswyk said the foundation will continue its work in economic development and business financing, to support locally owned businesses that pay living wages in central Minnesota hometowns. By investing in 150 new businesses, the foundation plans to secure more than 1,400 quality jobs that pay workers at least $15 per hour, including health insurance and other benefits. Minority-owned and green businesses will also be a priority.2. PRESERVE KEY PLACES & NATURAL RESOURCESIf there is one regional trend that has the Initiative Foundation most concerned, it's population growth. By 2030, the Minnesota State Demographic Center forecasts a 40 percent population increase for central Minnesota counties. "Our challenge will be to welcome a population nearly double our existing levels, while preserving natural resources, rural character and downtowns," says Don Hickman, the foundation's program manager for planning and preservation. "We will invest heavily in planning for the best possible future."3. BUILD ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESSCentral Minnesota is home to more than 500 nonprofit organizations. According to Cathy Hartle, the foundation's program manager for organizational effectiveness, regional nonprofits will receive more than $5 million in Initiative Foundation grants through 2012.Hartle said that many nonprofits are faced with a dilemma: Spend time and money on internal operations, or focus all resources on meeting community needs. "They shouldn't have to make that choice," she said. Through its Healthy Organizations Partnership program, the foundation will train nonprofit leaders to build more effective organizations that achieve greater results in their communities.4. SUPPORT CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILIESThe Minnesota Department of Education estimated that less than 50 percent of preschool children enter kindergarten fully prepared to succeed. According to the 2004 Minnesota student survey, more than 50 percent of high school seniors in central Minnesota reported that they spend no time in clubs, sports, or volunteer activities.Those numbers drove the Initiative Foundation to recommit its efforts in early childhood and youth engagement. It plans to add 10 new coalitions to the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative, a statewide program that rallies communities to make their youngest children a top priority. The foundation will also roll out a new program to engage 400 youth in community service and leadership activities.RETURN ON INVESTMENTThe Initiative Foundation announced a five-year fundraising campaign, which includes a challenge from The McKnight Foundation. Every donation will earn a McKnight match, up to $2.2 million."Many of the funds the Initiative Foundation has raised since 1986 have come from wise investors other than McKnight," says Wolford. "Now we are inviting the community to force our pen, by pushing their own. In matching local donations, we believe we're presenting a powerful opportunity for folks to make a contribution that will connect them directly to some of this region's most exciting, important work."The Initiative Foundation has received $7.4 million in local charitable contributions since 1986. The foundation has returned $44.5 million in central Minnesota grants, business loans, and scholarships, representing a 501% return on investment. The foundation also assists donors with planned gifts and creating named, scholarship and memorial funds that benefit specific charitable causes. ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT FOUNDATIONThe McKnight Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for present and future generations through grantmaking, coalition-building, and encouragement of strategic policy reform. Founded in 1953 and independently endowed by William L. McKnight and Maude L. McKnight, the Minnesota-based Foundation has assets of approximately $2.2 billion and granted about $93 million in 2006. Program information and full grant descriptions are available at www.mcknight.org.ABOUT THE INITIATIVE FOUNDATION Serving central Minnesota's 14 counties, the Initiative Foundation is a regional resource for grants, business financing investments, donor services, and citizen leadership and planning programs. More information online at www.ifound.org. Contact: Matt Kilian, director of communications, 877-632-9255 (office), 320-267-1756 (wireless).
Related links
Initiative Foundation
Contact information
Tim Hanrahan, Communications Director, 612-333-4220