"Minnesota Toolkit for Giving" Fills Important Gap in Giving Information

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (July 13, 2000) Minnesotans now have a one-stop resource for all their charitable giving questions: the Minnesota Toolkit for Giving. Available online at www.minnesotagiving.org and in print, the first-of-its-kind Toolkit offers a comprehensive, objective, initial source of information on the charitable giving options available to individuals, businesses and communities. The Toolkit was launched today by the Minnesota Council on Foundations, which developed the Toolkit with its five community partners.

"The Minnesota Toolkit for Giving fills an important gap in the information available to Minnesotans on charitable giving," said Jackie Reis, president of the Minnesota Council on Foundations. "Never before has so much information on all aspects of giving been available from a single source."

The Toolkit provides basic information on nine major charitable giving options -- making a direct gift to establishing a donor advised fund to creating a foundation. The Toolkit offers first-step guidance on such issues as planning your charitable giving, deciding where to make donations, and determining what and how much to give, with numerous listings and links for more detailed resources -- including the latest "e-giving" sites. The Toolkit also features inspiring "giving stories" that illustrate how various Minnesotans are giving to charity -- from everyday citizens to such well-known donors as Minnesota Twins legend Kirby Puckett, former Minnesota Governor Elmer Andersen and Medtronic CEO Bill George. People can submit their own giving stories online.

"Anyone interested in learning more about charitable giving will find the Toolkit useful," says Reis. "Whether you're looking to give as an individual, a family, a company or a community, the Toolkit can help you give in ways that will best fulfill your life's passions and goals." Reis notes that the Toolkit is also a valuable resource for professionals advisors, nonprofits and others who provide guidance to people on charitable giving.

The Web version of the Minnesota Toolkit for Giving can be accessed at www.minnesotagiving.org. Individuals can also request one free print copy by contacting the Council at 612/338-1989, info@mcf.org. Multiple copies are available for the following fees (plus 10% shipping/handling fee and 7% MN sales tax or tax-exempt number; prepayment required): 2-5 copies: $9 ea.; 6-10 copies: $8 ea.; 11-25 copies: $7 ea.; 26+ copies: $5 ea. For an order form, go to www.minnesotagiving.org/resources/order.htm or contact the Council.

The Minnesota Toolkit for Giving was developed by the Minnesota Council on Foundations in partnership with the Center for Family Enterprise, University of St. Thomas; Leave A Legacy Minnesota; the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits; the Minnesota Keystone Program; and The One Percent Club. Development of the Toolkit has been funded by New Ventures in Philanthropy, an initiative of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers in Washington, D.C.; American Express Financial Advisors, Inc.; Blandin Foundation; Buuck Family Foundation; Dain Rauscher Foundation; Huss Foundation; The St. Paul Companies, Inc.; and Target Foundation.

Founded in 1969, the Minnesota Council on Foundations is one of the oldest regional membership associations of grantmakers in the country, with a broad and diverse membership that includes private foundations, community and other public foundations, and corporate foundations and giving programs. The Council's mission is to strengthen and to increase participation in philanthropy.

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

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