Blandin Foundation Pledges At Least 55% of Grants to Grand Rapids Area

The Blandin Foundation in Grand Rapids will dedicate at least 55 percent of its grants to the Grand Rapids area, according to a resolution approved Dec. 10 by the foundation's board of trustees. As a result, objections to the foundation's local giving practices have been withdrawn, according to Kenneth Lundgren, chair of the board and a Cohasset resident.

The board's decision was approved by Ramsey County District Court Judge Margaret Marrinan with the concurrence of the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General. "This decision formally assures the community of the foundation's long-standing and ongoing commitment to the Grand Rapids area," said Lundgren speaking on behalf of the board. "The formula roughly equals the annual Grand Rapids municipal operating budget. For example, in 2002 alone the foundation contributed more than $5 million for dozens of programs here, not including the $20 million grant for the new hospital complex - the foundation's single largest grant ever."

The minimum 55-percent formula was reached during a mediation session on Dec. 5 that was conducted by Marrinan. "The foundation's decision was agreed to with the help and support of the Judge and the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General, both of which actively participated in the mediation session, along with Bob Rossman representing Citizens for Blandin," Lundgren said.

While details have yet to be worked out, Lundgren said that the foundation will:

• Devote at least 55 percent of its grants to the Grand Rapids area. Compliance will be determined on the basis of a six-year rolling average starting with and including 2003 grantmaking activity.
     
• Review distributions annually with the Office of the Attorney General to ensure compliance. In addition the court will appoint an auditor - known as a special master - to review foundation accounts annually for court review.

"We hope this explicit formula goes a long way to clearing away ambiguity about our special relationship to Grand Rapids," Lundgren said. "In addition, going forward you can expect the foundation to be even more communicative and visible in the community - as part of the community."

The Blandin Foundation's overall purpose is to strengthen rural communities in Minnesota, with special emphasis on the Grand Rapids area. The foundation, which is the state's largest rural-based private foundation, will continue to offer programs and grants throughout the state as part of its Community Economic Advantage strategy, including its leadership programs and its public policy initiatives, Vital Forests/Vital Communities and the Rural Broadband Initiative.

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