MINNEAPOLIS (November 20, 2001) Charitable giving by Minnesota's foundations, corporations and individual citizens continued to show strong growth in the late 1990s, according to the Minnesota Council on Foundations' latest "Giving in Minnesota" research report. At the end of the decade the state experienced a healthy increase in its charitable grants and foundation assets and a record-high jump in the number of grantmaking organizations.

Minnesota's foundations and corporate givers increased their grants to nonprofits by 21 percent between 1998 and 1999 to a record $765 million, according to the report. Foundation assets in the state grew 16 percent to more than $10.57 billion. Both figures are similar to national averages. Minnesota was home to 1,010 grantmaking organizations in 1999, a net increase of 139 organizations since 1997 -- the largest two-year increase ever recorded by the Council.

The record addition to the state's grantmaking ranks bodes well for the long-term health of its philanthropy, according to Council president Bill King. "As these new foundations build their assets and begin making grants, they will provide an important new source of charitable dollars for many years to come," he said.

Other "Giving in Minnesota" report highlights:

• Education nonprofits had the largest gain in Minnesota grants -- a 40 percent increase from 1997 to 1999. Arts and environment nonprofits experienced drops in their total grant dollars of 10 percent and 16 percent, respectively.
     
• Minnesota grantmakers gave 69 percent of their 1999 grants to nonprofits located in Minnesota, the same percentage as in 1997.
      
• Individuals in Minnesota gave an estimated $2.96 billion to charity in 1999, up 19 percent from 1997 (in constant dollars), representing 79 percent of the state's total 1999 charitable giving.

Copies of the "Giving in Minnesota" technical report are available for $25. For an order form, visit the Council's Web site at www.mcf.org (select "Resources"), where you can also download a free "Giving in Minnesota" summary report. Or contact the Council at 612/338-1989, info@mcf.org .

Founded in 1969, the Minnesota Council on Foundations' mission is to strengthen and to increase participation in philanthropy. The Council is a regional membership association of grantmakers working to improve the vitality and health of our communities. The Council's broad and diverse membership includes private foundations, community and other public foundations, and corporate foundations and giving programs.

CONTACT: David Biemesderfer, director of communications and external relations, 612/335-3597, dbiemesderfer@mcf.org.

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