MCF Giving Forum, Spring 2006 - Voices In Philanthropy

Giving Forum Index | Archives | Subscribe | Advertise | Editorial Calendar

Spring 2006

Voices in Philanthropy

Jody Bloemke
Agstar Fund for Rural America, Mankato

We awarded our first grants in 2002 and now it is time to move to the next step. We are headquartered in Mankato and serve farmers in 69 counties, mostly in Minnesota and in northwestern Wisconsin. As a cooperative, we have the opportunity to go out and talk to our members to see if we are on track with what's important to them and their communities. We ask them what issues are impacting agriculture and rural communities. The grant applications we receive are diverse, so this dialogue with member producers who live and work in these communities is helping us focus on the most pertinent areas for giving.

We are finding that our members are very supportive of our giving program and its growth. There is a huge need out there. Some of the key issues are ‘ag' awareness and educating people about where their food comes from; the emergency response system, both equipment and training; and technology from cell towers to internet access and hardware needs. Methamphetamine has been a big issue, too, as well as having opportunities for young people in rural areas to keep them in their communities.

Andre Lewis
RBC Dain Rauscher, Minneapolis

One business giving trend is using corporate sponsorship and marketing dollars to fund novel and unique opportunities with nonprofits. There are often fewer restrictions and a shorter timeline than the long foundation process. What's helpful for us is that all three of those departments — foundation, sponsorship and marketing — report into my office. They are independent but do link, and together we can see where opportunities are. Hey, that does match up so the foundation can participate at this level and the marketing department can pick up at this level. We can utilize all those areas to have an impact in the community. Nonprofits have picked up on this and have found many ways to provide opportunities for corporations to participate in their programs.

Our sponsorship department was working with the University of Minnesota Gopher sports teams to develop a collaborative program. Together, we brainstormed Kids$Wish where middle school students would shoot baskets during halftime at Gopher men's basketball games to benefit children's charities like the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery. The foundation brought to the mix its relationship with middle schools and provided $100 for every basket. Marketing worked on signage for the event and with the schools to provide pizza parties after the event. The real benefit, though, was getting these basketball kids onto the floor of Williams Arena to have them learn about and get recognition for helping other kids less fortunate.

Carolyn Roby
Wells Fargo, Minneapolis

Wells Fargo has a decentralized decision-making philosophy, originated 100 years ago by Norwest. This strategic business model resonates throughout the organization, including our community involvement. The thinking was that if bankers are empowered to make million-dollar loan decisions while paying attention to the communities where they live and work, why wouldn't we give them the responsibility also to assess the needs in the community and direct the bank's community giving?

We are continually reinforced that our decentralized giving philosophy is an effective strategy for us. We see the energy and excitement of our team members, our executives and the bank presidents in their communities. The communities say, "It's great to have people engaged and involved who have the authority to make decisions — and they live here!" We are lucky to be able to live in so many communities — 82 communities and 20,000 team members in Minnesota.

The coming Wells Fargo annual report will feature a Minnesota project, the Phalen Corridor revitalization started 10 years ago through the impetus of the East St. Paul bank president and a couple of friends in the community. It turned into a multi-million-dollar economic development engine on the eastside. A great example of a bank president who knew he had the authority to get involved.

Judson Tharin
Toro Company, Bloomington

Since adding a first full-time staff person three years ago, the Toro giving program has experienced a lot of growing and fine-tuning. The biggest focus is aligning our giving strategically with our company mission and goals. Along those lines, we are looking at what it means to be environmentally and socially responsible. That doesn't mean we won't be donating in other ways, but there is an increased emphasis on the outdoor environment.

Because we want to maximize our impact on the community, we are defining our giving programs even further. Our primary focus is environment and beautification and educational programs in water conservation, agronomy and other industry-related fields of study. We have developed a giving strategy to support our golf and sports fields businesses, funding programs to build access to sports and scholarships for those entering the industry. Our product donations are really important to our overall approach to giving. We provided the irrigation system for the new Walker Art Museum, professional turf equipment for the Minnesota Zoo and University of Minnesota Master Gardener Research and Display Garden, and consumer equipment for organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Common Bond Communities. GF

More Information from the Spring 2006 Edition of Giving Forum

Thank you to the sponsors of this business giving issue of Giving Forum:
$3,000 Partner
$1,000 Supporter	Mairs and Power

privacy | terms of use | site map | search | questions or comments? contact MCF's webmaster