Reaching New Heights!
FIFTYNORTH ANNUAL REPORT
2023
2022 ANNUAL REPORT
MISSION Inspiring and empowering our members and community users to engage in activities that nourish the mind, body and spirit.
A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR Dear Members and Friends of FiftyNorth,
Partnerships
In 2023, FiftyNorth reached new heights again and again!
Community outreach at its finest! Craig has worked vigorously over the past year to deliver FiftyNorth’s fitness programming to older adults residing in senior living facilities. He teaches once or twice per week at multiple facilities in our region, and the residents love it. We are proud to bring our high-quality fitness programming to our partners: 1000 Cannon Valley Drive Apartments, Benedictine Senior Living, Kildahl Park Pointe, and several Northfield Retirement Community locations: Parkview East, Fountain Fitness Center, The Manor, Evergreen Lodge, and Cannon Valley Suites.
Memberships
Kerry Hjelmgren, Executive Director
406 new members were welcomed by Elaine Meyers, giving FiftyNorth its highest membership in its 48 year history – 2,111! Programs In addition to membership growth, we have increased our levels and variety of programs in fitness, wellness, life-long learning, art, and community services and information. Our expert programming staff are Craig Swenson (Fitness), Patty Ciernia (Life-long Learning), and Michelle Brant (Arts, Dining, and Volunteers). Thanks to them, FiftyNorth members have over 100 different ways each week to stay active, improve health and wellness, learn, create, connect with others, and volunteer. To maximize opportunities for our members to participate in FiftyNorth's expanded programming, we have extended our open hours and increased our welcome staff. In sum, program growth has generated increased membership, member participation in programming, and facility usage to over 10,000 check-ins per month as our new norm.
Grants FiftyNorth continuously competes for funding from external funding sources in order to pursue its mission. In 2023, FiftyNorth received four grants totaling $45,283 to enhance our arts programming, transform our outdoor patio and gardens into age-friendly spaces, and host community dementia education programs. FiftyNorth received a $2,675 grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council to offer 15 members the opportunity to attend a multicultural artistry workshop to learn Asian brush painting techniques.
Membership (12/31/23)
2,111
2023 SCHOLARSHIPS FiftyNorth awarded free membership scholarships to 123 individuals in 2023. Total value: $57,431
Total Center Uses in 2023
106,111
Uses by Non-Members in 2023
3,356
Brand new members who joined in 2023
353
A $32,608 grant from Age-Friendly Minnesota enabled FiftyNorth to reimagine the outdoor patio and gardens with member input along the way. Members have new outdoor furniture, garden boxes, sun protection, equipment, games, and flowers to enjoy. We look forward to bringing new classes outdoors this summer! Age-Friendly Northfield contributed $5,000 to FiftyNorth to coordinate an upcoming community-wide dementia education series with The Remember Project. A collaboration with Family Service Rochester led to an additional $5,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services to fund the dementia education series. Volunteers Our Used a Bit Shoppe staff, Dolores Kornkven and Deb Olien, and Popcorn Wagon staff, Lesley Weirich, couldn’t do all that they do without our team of committed volunteers! We are so grateful to the 170+ volunteers who help us live our mission every day at the Used-a-Bit Shoppe, the Popcorn Wagon, and FiftyNorth. Volunteers make our organization thrive! The Used-a-Bit Shoppe and the Popcorn Wagon have the
most volunteers contributing to their causes, and together provided a total of $80,531 to support FiftyNorth’s operations and enrich our community. Donations Support from our members also reached new heights! Our annual fund goal was to raise $110,000 to support operations and scholarships. We achieved this goal, and then some! Thank you to our 420 donor households who went above and beyond with contributions totaling $115,376. We also launched an additional fund drive to restore our signature popcorn wagon. We received donations totaling $36,000 for the refurbishment of the woodwork, glass, suspension system, wheels, carriage, and Tosty Rosty man. Much of the refurbishment was completed this winter, and we look forward to unveiling the wagon on Bridge Square this spring. Scholarships FiftyNorth is committed to ensuring that all older adults in our community have access to membership regardless of ability to pay. In 2023, over $57,000 in membership scholarships were provided to 123 people. continued
Used-A-Bit Shoppe sales Total Land Fitness Uses
54,860
Total Aqua Fitness Uses
30,955
Total Fitness Uses by Zoom
7,650
totaled $269,470 with a profit of $71,803 in support of the center
Popcorn Wagon earned $14,150 in total sales with a delicious $8,728 profit for the center
2023 STRATEGIC PLAN
OUR NEW MISSION
OUR NEW VISION
In 2023, with survey input from members, FiftyNorth’s board of directors and staff revised our mission, vision, and values. The board then developed a new strategic plan based on those values. This plan will enable the board, its committees, and our staff to focus on specific strategic goals over the next three years.
Through programs and services that promote healthy aging and whole-person well-being, we inspire, empower, and enrich a community of active, engaged, and connected adults north of age 50.
FiftyNorth is a vibrant, essential, and collaborative organization that enhances the quality of life and sense of purpose of older adults.
Some efforts are already underway to fulfill several of our goals: Prioritize and recommend facility
improvements annually to the City of Northfield (Facilities Committee) Design and improve FiftyNorth’s website (Marketing Committee) Enhance FiftyNorth’s financial strength to achieve sustainability (Finance Committee) Develop a diverse range of donation/ sponsorship opportunities for members & businesses (Development Committee) Promote community building with luncheons for new members (Membership Committee) Create a volunteer hub with our community partner organizations (Membership Committee)
OUR NEW VALUES As an organization, FiftyNorth Leadership values: SERVICE EXCELLENCE: Being of significant benefit to members, the community, and our partners. INCLUSION: Welcoming and treating all with respect and embracing diversity. STEWARDSHIP: Being socially, financially, and environmentally responsible. VOLUNTEERISM: Engaging volunteers in meaningful roles and opportunities that are vital to FiftyNorth and the greater community. COLLABORATION: Pursuing and exploring new information, ideas, and partnerships.
LOOKING AHEAD locker rooms with privacy, safety, and maintenance in mind. This project will include: replacing the flooring, wall tiles, benches, lockers, restroom partitions, toilets, and sinks; and installing private shower stalls and changing areas. The City of Northfield is currently working with FiftyNorth to determine the cost and timeline for this project. After the locker rooms have been updated, the next priority will be reimagining and reorganizing the lobby to improve the use of space, flow of traffic during busy times, and the member check-in process. Back in 1996, when Northfield seniors began fundraising to help build the Northfield Community Resource Center, I wonder if they ever imagined that FiftyNorth’s membership would grow to be over 2,000 members. The messages from our 2023 and 2024 member surveys are clear. Members feel strongly that with current member volume, we must reorganize and update our existing space to better serve our growing membership. With approximately 80% of our members coming to FiftyNorth for fitness activities on land and in the pool, the first priority will be updating the
Also on our priority list is the availability of a variety of healthy and affordable meals for our members. In June, FiftyNorth plans to offer Tuesday breakfasts from Ruth’s on Stafford, Thursday lunches from The Hideaway, and snacks, beverages, and meals from Twin City Deli available every day, anytime from C&S Vending. While we anticipate reaching more new heights with these enhancements to our programming and the facility in 2024, we are honored to continue to empower our members to stay active, stay connected, and stay engaged at every age north of fifty.
FI NA N C IA L R E S ULT S ($ in thousands) 2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Membership (December 31)
1,917
1,425
1,628
1,705
2,111
INCOME
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Fund Drive
83
113
116
98
116
Grants & Other Contributions
32
25
60
33
146
Estate Gifts
150
323
-
65
Membership Dues
363
234
230
277
334
Program Fees
133
64
56
112
129
Sales
215
177
266
294
307
10
329
946
1057
879
1032
COVID Grants Total Operating Revenue
EXPENSES
976
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Personnel
401
438
418
495
562
Contractors & Professional Fees
126
77
103
154
130
Occupancy
206
224
213
235
253
Program Expenses
39
9
7
27
38
Depreciation
48
53
50
37
37
Other
78
54
52
87
87
Total Expense
898
855
843
1,035
1,107
Net Operating Gain (loss)
78
91
214
(156)
(75)
Investment Gain (loss)
265
127
242
(314)
333
Net Income, including investment gain (loss)
343
218
456
(470)
258
BA L A N C E S H E E T ($ in thousands) ASSETS Current Assets including Investments Net Property & Equipment Total Assets Liabilities & Net Assets
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2,607
2,893
3,321
2,887
3,176
197
194
159
142
133
2,804
3,087
3,480
3,029
3,309
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Liabilities
76
141
78
96
118
Net Assets
2,728
2,946
3,402
2,933
3,191
Total Liabilities & Net Assets
2,804
3,087
3,480
3,029
3,309
2023 results are unaudited
2023 DONORS FIT | $1 - $49
HEALTHY | $50–$199
Berit Anfinson Dianne Bach Katherine Baker Peter Beck Elizabeth Berry Jean Brandt Madonna Budin James & Heather Cannaday Mary Casey Evonne Clay Anne Marie Conwell Daniel Corcoran Daniel & Carrie Dauner John & Nancy Dennis Jeanne Estrem Jodine Friedow David & Betty Habermas Maxine Halverson Douglas Hamilton Dorothy Hammer Kay Hinzman Evelyn Hoover Robert & Beverly Jacobsen Janice Kasa Dennis & Arlene Kjar Pam Koester Neidra Krebs Naurine Lennox Louise Lucas & Michael Elbein Judy Matson Barbara Miller Diane Miller Jeanette Nelson Mary Ellen North Laura A Olson Susan Pedersen Rachel Peterson Ramona Revne Scott & Patricia Richardson Peggy Sell Karen Sellers Beth Sherwin Brenda Sielaff Erin Smith Beverly Steberg Linda Storlie Joshua Taylor Julie Thorsheim Christopher Weber A. DeWayne Wee Harland & Evelyn Wegner Mary Weidner Beverly Welch Darlene Witt Jeff Wood
Karen Achberger Ann Albert Mike & Laura Kay Allen Azna Amira Bradley Anderson Bernard & Mary Auge Lyle & Corby Bakken Lois Bakko Roxanne Baumann Mary Baumbach Sherry Behrens Rose Berthelsen Robert Beske James Haas & Kathy Bjerke Sharon Boisselle Donald & Roberta Bonrud Mickey Brodin George & Catherine Brophy Gene & Darlene Broughton Quinten & Emily Burt Bruce Burton Heather Candels Chucks Madhav & Jane E Carlson Clark & Lois Cary Ronald & Ginny Chatlos Bill & Nancy Child Bernice Christensen Jan Christophersen Richard & Sandra Clayton Linda Collette Roger Couture Jennifer Cox-Johnson Robert & Gail Craig Don & Mary Crook Dirk & Marilyn Danks Peterson Samuel & Margy Deel Gary & Connie DeGrote David & Sharon Detert Patsy Dew Carl & Kathy Eckstam-Ames James & Anne Eidsvold Sharon Ellsworth Carol Emery James Estrem Jim & Shirley Evans Michael & Terry Ferrise Jon & Phyllis Finger Marilyn Finneseth David & Vicky Follansbee Bruce & Mary Kay Forland Robert Forsgren Richard Fott Geno Fragnito Leah Garlie
Janet Gilbertson Jeanette Gilbertson Leota Goodney Catherine Graff Becky Boling & Doug Green Dennis Grinde Kevin Groebner & Sue Harvey William & Marjorie Gruszewski James & Marilynn Gryc Helene Haapala Erling & Connie Halverson Bruce & Carol Hamilton Robert & Barbara Hanisch Liz Hankins Barbara Hanson Jan Harrision Charles & Anita Hellie Reid & Gail Hendershot Shirley Herreid Barbara Herzog Kerry Hjelmgren Mary Ho Bob & Pat Hohertz John & Nancy Holte Gail Hoxie-Setterstrom Susan Hvistendahl John Jarvis Gerald Johnson Karen L Johnson Richard Johnson Ruth Johnson-Wirth Steve & Ann Jorstad John & Jan Kaufman Alice Kevern Vinay Khanna Kenneth & Marlena Kirton Marsha Kitchel Gayle Klauser Ken Klimisch Ben & Colleen Klotz James Knezz James & Kay Koch Vernon & Joan Koester Marv & Rose Kormann Arlys Kreis Douglas & Patricia Kriesel Karen Kronberg LaSina Kude Sylvia Langworthy Larry & Ann Larson Carol Lawrence Hanard Lien William & Karen Lillibridge Beverly Lubbers Charlene Lucken
Kevin & Monica Lynch John Dedzej & Wendy Manuel Russ & Lynn Margulies Carol Marshall Ted Suss & Janet Marti Ted Suss & Janet Marti Janet Mathews Donna & Jim May Anne Mayer James & Angie Mayr Brynda McCoy Janet McGrath Kevin Merkle Paul & Elaine Meyers Rich & Jeannie Michel John & Sharon Micklo Abraham & Lori Middeldorp Bruce & Audrey Moe Donna Moen Leone Larson & Tom Moen Joyce Mokoff Leonard Moore Robert Moore Mary Neikirk Eric & Riki Nelson Bill & Pat Nelson Richard & Raymonde Noer Naomi Nohava Karen Nord Robert & Sandra Nyvall Tom Oleson Deb Olien Mark Ostgarden Laurel Pankow Dorothy Palmquist Parker Joan Paulson Rieber & Ginny Paulson Robert Peasley Charlie & Lynne Pederson Ken & Roberta Persons John & Margot Peterka Gary & Bonnie Peterson Robert Peterson Claire Pfau Judith Pinc Bernice Pulju Qixian Qian Robert & Edie Quam Patricia Rezac Bruce Rippentrop Regina Robbins Pamela Roberts Jan Roetzel Richard Roth Carol Rutz
2023 DONORS HEALTHY | $50–$199 (continued) Jerry Sackmaster Greg & Barb Schmidt Dean Schoeb Nancy Schumacher & Jim Sipe John Sevilla Lorraine Sewich Tamara Seymour Mark & Patty Shaw Shelley Silkey John Simek Joyce Skaar Carol Slater Donald & Corrine Slaughter Kay Smith Gary & Dee Spillman Phyllis Stade Linda Stanton Kathryn Steichen Effie Stein Kenneth & Sharon Steinhouse Sharon Stoeck Sandra Strachan Noel & Lois Stratmoen Gerald Taylor Randy & Pam Toepper John Tripp Elizabeth Truman Anne Ulmer Dan Underwood Marlene Vanasek Dale & Dian VanGuilder Linda Wagenbach Charles Wagner Martha Wallace Cinda Weber Bob & Lucy Wells Nanette Winsell David & Linda Wolf Michael & Letti Zenner Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce
ROBUST $200 - $499 Dave & Mitzi Ackerman Joseph Auge Dianne Barrett Marie Benson Judy Broske Judeen Brown Kay Brown Mary Brown Brenda Bultman Evelyn Burry Eileen Cooper HomeTown Credit Union
Cleve Crowningshield George & Linda Davis Richard DeBeau & Doris Welke Richard DeBeau & Doris Welke Neil & Marilyn Deden Winnie Drentlaw Chris Ellison John Forsythe Joyce Francis Stephanie Frey Gerry & Carol Gengenbach Katy Gillispie Mac & Jacquelyn Gimse Annette Gust Delores Gustafson Joseph & Rita Hadacek Karl & Dao Hella Carl Henry Phyllis Hullett Muriel Inouye Richard & Donna Jackson Carol Jacobson Georgene Johnson Pat Johnson Sam & Patricia Johnson Brent Betterley & Nancy Just Joni Kilde Gary & Arlene Kruse Myron Lanoue Helen Larson Tom & Nancy Loesch Ione Lorch Janell Martin Ruth McCarty Mike & Ann McGovern Rebecca McMullen Todd & Sue Middleton Janet Mitchell Neil Lutsky & Irene Montenegro Clinton & Michelle Muench Dale Ness Sue Norsted Kenneth Lee & Donald Onsgard Raymond & Mary Ozmun Roberta Peterson Sandy Pieri John & Chris Pogue Mary Polsfuss Wendell Refior & Marla Welsford John & Karen Robison Gary & Donna Rock Dee Rogers John Besse & Ellen Saul Mary Savina Mel & Cheryl Schrader
Arland & Mary Schwake Shirley Shaft Susan Sheridan Jan Shoger Corinne Simonson Dan & Linda Stadler Joanne Stohl Craig Swenson Curt Swenson Allan & Nancy Swenson Robert & Patricia Tabery Rich & Kathie Taranto Tom Turgeant & Carla Johnson Dale & Rose Turnacliff Patricia Warner Lowell Miller & Kathy Wiertsema-Miller Marilyn Will Reese Winter & Associates Jay & Rachel Zoller
STRONG $500-$999
Bradley Anderson Nancy Ashmore & Kenneth Wedding Gene & Susan Bauer Warren & Karen Broughton Jim & Norma Driver JoAnn Edwardsen Beth Endert Christopher & Joan Ennis Alene Fink Marie Gery Bonnie Gretz Ross & Sandra Griffin Dennis & Janet Hahn Marie Kainer Kenneth & Patricia Kangas Gordon & Marilyn Kelley Dick & JoAnn Kleber Paul & Anne Klinefelter Daryl Knudsen Jeanine & Dave Landswerk Steve Albers & Cathy Larson Jean Larson Greg Loek & Kathleen Rice Norma Monroe Roberta Persons Brett Reese Lee & Kitty Runzheimer Paul Ruppel Marie Frederickson & John Schnorr Daryl Stokesbary
Vic & Dot Swanson Sandra Titus Erwin & Judy Ulrich Robert & Donna Vanderhoof Edward & Colleen Vitek
VIGOROUS $1000+
Richard & Wendy Allen David Appleyard Robert & Teresa Ballentine Dennis & Beth Berry Charles Black & Barbara Bofenkamp Judith Bond Diane Boyum Bob & Lin Bruce Jim Bull William & Charlotte Carlson Jim & Judy Cederberg Bill & Laurie Cowles Tim & Carol Cowles ANONYMOUS DONATIONS Edward & Mary Emery Gene & Margaret Enders James Finholt St Paul & MN Community Foundation Jerry & Diane Gehler Karen Gervais Katherine Hanson Miranda Johnson Patricia Jorstad Paul Kluge Pat Lamb Estate Richard & Donna Maus William & Callista Meyer Julie Morton Elizabeth Olson Al Schrader Family Foundation Stephen & Nancy Silcox Maynard & Jackie Simon Jerry & Jane Skluzacek Shelley Strobel Judith Tarabek Harley Tate Larry & Ginny Walsh Glenn & Marcia Wills Phil & Thelma Winter The Henkel Foundation Inc
2023 SUSTAINING DONORS Karen Achberger David Appleyard Nancy Ashmore & Kenneth Wedding Bernard & Mary Auge Lois Bakko George & Catherine Brophy Judy Broske Gene & Darlene Broughton Warren & Karen Broughton Mary Brown Bernice Christensen Eileen Cooper Neil & Marilyn Deden Winnie Drentlaw JoAnn Edwardsen Chris Ellison Carol Emery Beth Endert Stephanie Frey Marie Gery Mac & Jacquelyn Gimse Kevin Groebner & Sue Harvey Liz Hankins Kerry Hjelmgren Richard & Donna Jackson
Georgene Johnson Ruth Johnson-Wirth Steve & Ann Jorstad Patricia Jorstad Gary & Arlene Kruse Myron Lanoue Tom & Nancy Loesch Janet Mathews James & Angie Mayr Mike & Ann McGovern Elaine Meyers John & Sharon Micklo Neil Lutsky & Irene Montenegro Bill & Pat Nelson Elizabeth Olson Kenneth Lee & Donald Onsgard Roberta Persons Carol Rutz Kenneth & Sharon Steinhouse Craig Swenson Allan & Nancy Swenson Dale & Rose Turnacliff Anne Ulmer Linda Wagenbach Patricia Warner
2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Senior Board President: Pat Jorstad Vice President: Kathie Taranto Secretary: Nancy Ashmore Treasurer: Colleen Vitek Directors George Brophy Richard DeBeau Karen Gervais Jerry Johnson Ken Lee Lee Runzheimer
Our Core Programs Fitness Aqua Arts Lifelong Learning Social Community Engagement Wellness
FiftyNorth and its programs are made possible in part through financial contributions by the City of Northfield.
2023 STAFF Executive Director: Kerry Hjelmgren Assistant Director/Fitness Manager: Craig Swenson Administration Manager: Elaine Meyers Program Coordinator/ Community Outreach: Patty Ciernia Program Coordinator: Michelle Brant Used –A-Bit Shoppe Manager: Dolores Kornkven Used –A-Bit Shoppe Assistant Manager: Deb Olien Bookkeeper: Kathy Bjerke Popcorn Wagon Coordinator: Lesley Weirich Front Desk Receptionists: Brenda Bultman, Bonnie DuPay, JoAnn Edwardsen, Beth Endert, Cathy Graff, Pat Nelson, Jane Persons, Pam Toepper