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Communities have scheduled their Horizons Transition events. At these community events, Horizons Teams will discuss their accomplishments, recognize all the volunteers that made the program such a success, and present their workplans for future activities. Please click below for a full schedule of dates and times.
Foundation Funds Financial Literacy Programs
The Foundation for Financial Literacy is accepting applications. The Foundation’s mission is to elevate the financial well-being of humanity. Through grantmaking, the Foundation supports organizations whose primary interest is in providing financial education and literacy programs for people of all ages. Special consideration will be afforded proposals that address underserved populations of children through mentoring programs with older teens as well as proposals focusing on underserved women’s groups. Collaborations between the public and private sectors are encouraged. Applications are accepted from organizations throughout the world. Online applications are due June 28, 2008. The final deadline for 2008 is December 27. For additional information, visit the website.
Department of Education: Advanced Placement Incentive Program
This program seeks to increase the successful participation of low-income students in advanced placement courses and tests, expand opportunities for low-income students to take college-level classes and earn college credit while still in high school, and support efforts to raise the rigor of the academic curriculum for all students attending high-poverty high schools. Read the pdf to learn more.
The Center provides all kinds of information on rural development. They include sections on community development, tourism, acquiring resources, just to name a few. They also have an “ask a question” component where a reference librarian will respond to your specific question. Very cool!
Rural Development Philanthropy Learning Network mission is “building rural assets to build rural livilihoods”
They provide books and step-by-step guides for rural communities to build endowments and community foundations.
It is supported by the Aspen Institute - Community Strategies Group.
Check it out!
Grantwriting Clinic - Duluth
Wednesday, May 28th, 1:00 - 4:00pm
Grantwriting endeavors too often drain an organization’s limited resources and end in frustration. Nonprofits that consistently get their grants funded know how to target their solicitations, write a compelling case for their program or organization, make a flawless professional presentation, and build relationships and networks with their current and potential supporters. In this workshop, participants will gain knowledge that will help them to better understand and implement a more strategic grantwriting and development process for their organizations. In this fast-paced, interactive clinic, participants will:
This workshop is designed for people who are already working in a development capacity in a nonprofit. It is appropriate for those who are new to development and those looking to refresh their skills and perspective. It is not appropriate for those who are looking to work in a nonprofit doing development at some point in their career. Clinic participants will receive a Handbook for Successful Grant Writing* that covers topics ranging from research and planning to a glossary of commonly used terms. This grantwriting clinic is designed by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and is led by Lori Anne Williams.
Lori-Anne Williams has twenty years of grant writing and nonprofit management experience. She teaches grantseeking for the University of St. Thomas and the Minnesota Council on Foundations. An independent contractor, her current clients include the Red Wing Area Fund, Jeremiah Program, Citizens League, the College of Design and the Center for Bioethics at the University of Minnesota.
* The Handbook is only available to participants and is not otherwise for sale.
Details:
Date: Wednesday, May 28
Time: 1 - 4 p.m.
Location: Room B/C, Ordean Building, 424 W. Superior Street, Duluth
Fee: $65 for MCN members / $85 for nonmembers
Learn more about MCN membership and join now!
The Nuts and Bolts of Fundraising: Building Your Nonprofit’s Individual and Major Donor Base - Grand Rapids, St. Paul, Mankato
June 10, 11, 12
The vast majority (85%) of charitable funds come from individual donors - not foundations or corporations. Learn how your organization can build a fundraising program that taps into the generosity of individual donors and honors your unique mission. In this dynamic, down-to-earth session you will have ongoing opportunities to practice what you learn as we explore:
• Why people give
• Where’s the money? (Philanthropy in America)
• Building a diverse funding base
• Identifying prospective donors
• “The ask” — face to face solicitation
• Alternative strategies, including house parties and “major gifts by mail”
• How to involve board members and other volunteers in fundraising
• And more!
Participants will work on, and then walk away with, concrete information, tools and handouts that you can use immediately as part of your organization’s fundraising plan. This workshop is for staff and volunteers of small- to mid-sized organizations wanting to take your individual and major gifts fundraising strategy (no matter where it’s at) to the next level.
Andy Robinson is the workshop presenter. For 27 years Andy Robinson has worked with a variety of nonprofits as a fundraiser, publicist, grantwriter, and community organizer. Since starting his consulting practice in 1995, Andy has provided support and training to thousands of nonprofit staff and volunteers in 45 U.S. states and in Canada.
This workshop is being held on the following dates/locations:
Tuesday, June 10, Grand Rapids
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (registration opens at 8:30 a.m.)
Blandin Foundation, 100 North Pokegama Avenue, Grand Rapids
Fee: $80 for MCN members/$130 for nonmembers
Registration fee includes lunch
Wednesday, June 11, St. Paul
8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (registration opens at 8 a.m.)
Continuing Education and Conference Center, University of Minnesota,1890 Buford Avenue, St. Paul
Click on this link for directions and parking information
Fee: $100 for MCN members/$150 for nonmembers
Registration fee includes lunch
Thursday, June 12, Mankato
9 a.m. – noon (registration opens at 8:30 a.m.)
Country Inn and Suites, 1900 Premier Drive, Mankato
Fee: $40 for MCN members/$65 for nonmembers
Attend both Mankato workshops (The Nuts and Bolts of Fundraising in the morning and Mobilize Your Board to Raise More Money in the afternoon) and lunch is included at no additional cost
Register:
2. By fax - to register by fax, download and complete the registration form (including credit card information) and fax the form to 651-642-1517
3. By mail - to register by mail, download and complete the registration form, include payment (either a check payable to MCN or credit card information) and mail to: innesota Council of Nonprofits; 2314 University Ave. West, Suite 20; St. Paul; MN; 55114-1802
Policies: Learn about MCN’s policies on scholarships, refunds and substitutions.
NMF Receives Blandin Foundation Grant Supporting Entrepreneur ProgramMay 12, 2008 The Blandin Foundation awarded a three-year, $300,000 grant to Northwest Minnesota Foundation for a partnership project that is designed to grow the economy of northwest Minnesota by outfitting the next generation of home-grown innovators for success in the global marketplace.IDEA, an acronym for Ingenuity Drives Entrepreneur Acceleration, is a project of the Ingenuity Frontier, a collaboration of partners, convened by the Northwest Minnesota Foundation and joined by the common purpose of encouraging entrepreneurs.The centerpiece of the effort will be an annual competition in which as many as five entrepreneurs will be recognized for new business concepts that are original, innovative and economically viable. Along with the recognition, the contest winners will receive cash awards of $10,000 each, plus consulting, coaching and technical assistance valued at an additional $10,000. Contestants will also benefit from networking with other successful entrepreneurs who will act as judges and have the opportunity to present their ideas to equity investors.
“The type of innovative thinking that drives business creation often comes down to the vision of a single individual,” says Wade Fauth, grants director for the Blandin Foundation. “This strategy focuses on uncovering some of the most promising ideas, and providing them with the support needed to be successful in the marketplace.” “The whole purpose of IDEA is to keep northwest Minnesota supplied with innovative entrepreneurs,” said Marty Sieve, NMF vice president for programs. “The kind of entrepreneurs that earned our reputation as one the the country’s premier manufacturing centers.” |
You can access Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunities website to learn about national trends, projects, and political activities surrounding poverty. It provides a glimpse on how everyone around the country is trying to address the impacts of poverty on individuals and communities. Check it out!
Please click on the Family: Understanding Youth resource page to access all kinds of publications and tools for adults who want to learn more about speaking with youth on a variety of topics. The resources are put together from Extension’s Center for Youth Development. A sample of topics includes:
The Power of Small: Building Solutions for Energy Self-Reliance
There are many self-reliant approaches to small-scale food, fuel, and power systems for schools and local governments. Come to this event to learn about the social, economic, environmental, and political factors that surround the building of these systems. The focus for this event is providing solutions for colleges/universities, P-12 schools, and local governments.
Networking, mentoring, and educational opportunities will be provided.
Keynote address by Peter Hutchinson, Bush Foundation
Sixth Annual Symposium on Small Towns
June 3 & 4, 2008
Registration is open.
Cost: Before May 16 - $65
After May 16 - $80