Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Bemidji, has been named a Gold Award winner for excellence in communications by the 2005 Wilmer Shields Rich Awards Program. Sponsored by the national Council on Foundations, the awards program recognizes effective communications efforts to increase public awareness of foundations and corporate giving programs. Northwest Minnesota Foundation received the top award in the newsletter category for its quarterly publication, "Resource."

Foundation president, John Ostrem, said the foundation has been working hard to find more effective ways to communicate information to the region about its programs and services. "I have received many compliments on the new design and content of our "Resource" newsletter, so I know it is being read," he said. "It is gratifying to receive this special, national recognition as well."

Download the "Resource" newsletter from Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s Web site, or call the foundation at 218.759.2057 to request a print copy.