Philanthropy award given to Initiative Foundation
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits presented its Responsive Philanthropy Award to the Initiative Foundation and its five Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s sister organizations during its Oct. 7 annual conference. A video also was produced to highlight the collective responsive philanthropy work of the six foundations.
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits is an association with more than 2,000 nonprofits whose members vote to determine which foundations and corporate giving programs in Minnesota should receive special annual conference recognition. Award criteria includes:
o Being responsive to citizen initiatives.
o Recognizing public policy issues and long-term strategies to fight problems.
o Committing substantial resources to disadvantaged people and Minnesota communities through a process of dialogue and partnership.
The Minnesota Initiative Foundations have demonstrated responsive philanthropy since their inception, said Neal Cuthbert, vice president of program for The McKnight Foundation. “After 30 years, the Minnesota Initiative Foundations are more than a grantor, lender or partner. They are a voice for rural communities and a champion for all those who make Minnesota a great place, including our future generations of leaders, entrepreneurs, volunteers, employees, donors and families.”
Designed to empower and organize local people to address local issues, each Minnesota Initiative Foundation has developed uniquely over the years in response to key issues in their respective regions. Their determination and prudent use of assets helps to ensure that the people in their regions have more opportunity and the best possible start in life.
Individually and collectively, they share a culture of collaboration with the citizens of their regions, with nonprofit and business partners and with each other. An example of this includes the recent award from the State of Minnesota to support joint work around Pre-K to Grade 3 alignment, recognizing their key role in improving early learning outcomes in rural Minnesota.
Another example; small business and nonprofit emergency grant programs that were set up to quickly provide financial support to stabilize organizations dealing with extreme weather events that devastate small towns.
“It’s an honor to be recognized for the work we have accomplished together,” said Kathy Gaalswyk, president of the Initiative Foundation. “With the investment and support of The McKnight Foundation, the Minnesota Initiative Foundations have strengthened the economies and communities of Greater Minnesota through grants, business loans, programs, donor services and collaborative statewide initiatives.”
Together, the Minnesota Initiative Foundations have awarded more than 34,000 grants totaling $203 million, $68.5 million in business loans and have combined assets totaling $270 million.
