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AUGUST 2021 / VOLUME 87 @nwmnfoundation

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

2020-2021 IDEA COMPETITION ANNOUNCES WINNERS 04

MARSHALL COUNTY DEDICATES NEW VETERANS MEMORIAL 06

The statue was made by Nick Christensen, owner of Brodin Studies in Kimball, Minnesota.

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS: NMF AND THE NEW AMERICANS INTEGRATION CENTER

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Northwest Minnesota Foundation RESOURCE / VOLUME 87 / AUGUST 2021

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” - Henry Ford Strategic collaboration is one of our core values, one of our forever beliefs. This Resource is full of stories that highlight a few of our partnerships, some old, some new.

OUR MISSION The Northwest Minnesota Foundation invests resources, facilitates collaboration and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kristin Eggerling, Chair Steve Anderson, Vice Chair

We value each and every partner. You amaze us! Thank you for all that you do in the region. We are honored to work alongside you and we want to be your trusted partner, again and again, on into the future. If you have an idea for how we can partner in your community, please reach out to one of us. We’d love to chat about your ideas. With the spirit of partnership,

Karen White President and CEO

Cathy Forgit, Secretary Todd Beckel, Treasurer Jason Carlson Kaitlyn Grenier Cheri Gunvalson Mike LaRoque Michelle Paquin Leah Pigatti Kristi Thorfinnson Deb Zak

OUR BOARD IN ACTION Our Board of Directors, comprised of 12 individuals throughout the Northwest Minnesota region, recently came together for a board meeting at our Bemidji office.

@nwmnfoundation @NMF_1986 www.nwmf.org

Our board meets monthly throughout the year, typically eight times a year via webconferencing and four times in person but COVID-19 made those meetings impossible last year. Just being able to return to faceto-face meetings now has been incredibly welcome, but this past meeting was particularly enjoyable as the board and

staff were able to take a walking tour of downtown Bemidji, hearing firsthand from past loan clients and fund advisers about the impact NMF has on the community.

VOLUME 87 / AUGUST 2021 / Northwest Minnesota Foundation RESOURCE

IDEA COMPETITION ANNOUNCES ITS WINNERS The IDEA Competition has concluded its 2020-2021 season by naming one overall winner and four runners-up in the annual competition that aims to support northwest Minnesota entrepreneurs in turning their great ideas into great businesses.

KELLY VAN ERT / Secure & Safe Shower Zone

BOBBIE DAVIS / Lost Lamb Loomery

The winner was Kelly Van Ert of Bemidji, whose concept for the Secure & Safe Shower Zone was awarded a $7,500 cash prize, a $5,000 in-kind award of engineering and technical writing services from LVI, and a $5,000 in-kind award with HSML Law in Minneapolis for patent and trademark legal services. The Secure & Safe Shower Zone is a shower system designed to more safely equip showers for those striving to live as independently as possible.

Bobbie Davis, of Bemidji, was awarded $1,000 in cash and a $2,500 in-kind award from Evolve Creative, for an Awareness Campaign marketing package for her concept of Lost Lamb Loomery, a resource for those beginning to explore the world of fiber arts. She and her husband, Dave Robertson, aims to offer easy-to-assemble and high-quality wooden looms and spinning wheel kits while also offering online training curriculum.

ANDY OLSON / AMPLE Engineering

JOHN REPKO / Rvizion

Andy Olson received a $5,000 in-kind award from IDEA Works for general consulting, including advanced business planning, facility acquisition, and vendor selection. His concept of an engineering firm offering consultation and testing expands on his initial idea for a mobile wood processor that can lift logs, transfer them down a conveyor, and cut and split the logs.

For his concept of Rvizion, a collaborative web search product that empowers users with knowledge to build expertise, John Repko was named the 2021 Minnesota Cup semifinalist for Northwest Minnesota, a publicprivate partnership that supports Minnesota entrepreneurs through an annual competition that connects them with education, mentorship, and support to launch and accelerate their new ventures. Unlike traditional search engines, Rvizion sifts through search engines, news sources, medical journals and clinical trials to provide users the best, most applicable information needed in some of life’s greatest challenges.

RON TURNEY / Indigenous Origins Ron Turney, a traditional Ojibwe artist from the White Earth and Red Lake Nations, received a $2,500 cash award toward the development of Indigenous Origins, a SaaS (Software as a Service) platform for Indigenous artists, Native-owned small businesses, and Tribal-owned businesses that enables them to start an e-commerce store at no cost while joining a marketplace with truly authentic Indigenous arts, goods, and services.

Learn more about each winner and their idea at the NMF blog: www.nwmf.org/blog

If you would like to learn more about the IDEA Competition, its past winners, and announcements for the upcoming 2021-2022 season, please visit IDEAcompetition.org.

Northwest Minnesota Foundation RESOURCE / VOLUME 87 / AUGUST 2021

NEW AMERICANS INTEGRATION CENTER: ‘THEY ARE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITY’ Resource navigators. Translator services. Cultural center. Community center. The New Americans Integration Center, located in East Grand Forks, helps refugees and immigrant populations living in and around the greater Grand Forks area, its staff often pivoting from one role to another in quick succession. Located along a bustling Central Avenue, the nondescript building can easily be overlooked. But, inside, a sparse staff and dedicated volunteers advocate for and promote self-sufficiency for families through employment, education, cultural and social support and economic empowerment. The Northwest Minnesota Foundation has long been dedicated to working with historically disadvantaged communities (SEE SIDEBAR ON PAGE 5). Its relationship with the New Americans Integration Center (NAIC) has been particularly strengthened throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. More than $30,000 has been granted from NMF to the NAIC since the pandemic emerged: • $5,000 Emergency Disaster Grant for the Al Huda Center’s pandemic response, safety equipment and general operations in April 2020 • $5,000 Emergency Disaster Grant for pandemic response, safety equipment and general operation in May 2020 • $6,000 Bush Foundation, Bush Connect Grant for community building, housing and employment services in April 2021 • $10,000 Emergency Disaster Grant for general operations and translation services in May 2021 • $10,000 Housing Grant for housing education and training in June 2021 “The pandemic provided a unique opportunity to connect with organizations like the New Americans Integration Center,” said Nate Dorr, Vice President for Advocacy at NMF. “Our emergency disaster relief and

recovery grants allowed us to learn more from communities across the region. In particular, it lifted up the needs of those most vulnerable, those who were already facing difficult times. The center in East Grand Forks does a lot with very little resources.”

‘

Our emergency disaster

relief and recovery grants allowed us to learn more from communities across the region. In particular, it lifted up the needs of those most vulnerable, those who were already facing difficult times. – Nate Dorr, NMF Vice President for Advocacy

’

Abdirisak Duale has been the director of the NAIC for three years, serving as its leader, spokesman, and community advocate. He said some new Americans are coming to East Grand Forks from overseas but many Somali refugees move to East Grand Forks from larger cities such as Chicago and Minneapolis.

Nate Dorr, NMF’s Vice President for Advocacy, and Abdirisak Duale, the director of the New Americans Integration Center in East Grand Forks.

“Peace,” he said. “They seek peace.” While relieved to escape violence in East Africa in exchange for the relative calm of East Grand Forks, they instead face steep challenges in obtaining jobs and housing. One Somali man, who moved from Minneapolis, remarked on how much safer he felt in East Grand Forks, for himself and his family. If only he could get a job, he said, life would be ideal here. “They are looking for opportunity, how they can get employment opportunity, or how they can get assistance, how they can get an application,” Duale said. “Still, we have more gaps, between the county and the city, and schools and our own, but still, we’re learning

NAIC distributes food on site every Friday, a result of its strong relationship with the local food shelf. Food is also delivered to those unable to travel.

If you would like to learn more about how to make a meaningful gift in your community, visit www.nwmf.org and click “Ways to Give.” Text “NMF” to 50155 to donate from your phone to our general endowment fund!

VOLUME 87 / AUGUST 2021 / Northwest Minnesota Foundation RESOURCE from each other. Because the culture is different. Sometimes we speak different. To close that gap, it is taking time.” The ultimate goal, Abdirisak said, is to foster cultural understandings and acceptance of all people, with the new and old all working toward the same greater purpose. “America gives us, first, the opportunity, but we must also give our opportunity, our mind, our education, to feel we are one nation, to come together,” he said. Dorr, who transitioned into his advocacy role in 2019 after serving as a senior program officer, has worked not only with Duale in awarding grants to the NAIC, but he also advocates to community leaders for further support and improvements. He has spoken with local city and school officials and regional legislators about the challenges that exist for refugees and suggested potential improvements.

relationship with the local food shelf. Food is also delivered to those unable to travel. Unassuming from the outside, ample gathering spaces exist within its walls, including a prayer room on the main floor and a pair of classroom-style spaces downstairs, in which children gather after school and English as a second language is taught. “We are here, and they understand we are a resource for the new Americans,” Duale said. “They are looking for opportunity and a place where they can stay and live, in peace.”

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) has an established track record of supporting communities of all types. The issues facing historically disadvantaged populations in our area are wide-ranging. Access to housing, employment, and transportation are common issues that keep people from fulfilling their dreams. We also see barriers on the bigger issues of intercultural acceptance and the ability for communities to work across differences. The way we live our values and show up in the community is vitally important, especially when it comes to serving people with barriers to success. One of our organization’s value statements reads:

“There’s a lot we can do at the local level to make communities more welcoming,” Dorr said. “Local agencies and private businesses hold a lot of power in developing practices that accommodate a more diverse citizenry.” Meanwhile, as progress toward greater change chugs along, the NAIC continues to answer the calls and respond to the needs of the Somali population. Sometimes, its office manager is helping a refugee make an appointment for a doctor’s visit or car repair. Other times, she might be translating housing applications from English into Somali. Food is distributed on site every Friday, a result of their strong

‘WE COMMIT TO EQUITY FOR ALL IN OUR REGION’

“We commit to equity for all in our region. We seek to ensure that all programming and work involving the Foundation has been designed to be culturally supportive and effective for all.”

Some new Americans are coming to East Grand Forks from overseas but many Somali refugees move to East Grand Forks from larger cities such as Chicago and Minneapolis.

COVID COMMUNITY HEROES The New Americans Integration Center has been named one of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s COVID Community Heroes for its work in raising COVID-19 awareness, distributing masks and hand sanitizers, and transporting people for testing and proving testing kits. These efforts were provided while also continuing ongoing services such as food distribution and translation services. The COVID Community Heroes campaign celebrates, recognizes, and rewards those people and nonprofits who have made positive impacts on their communities during the time of COVID-19. Awardees are being announced in their own communities throughout the summer. You can learn their stories, as they are announced, at nwmf.org

To make a gift to support our COVID-19 relief efforts around the region, go to www.nwmf.org and click “Give Now” or text SUPPORTNORTHWESTMN to 50155.

NMF’s work to build cultural bridges is being continued with a new perspective. Our staff and Board of Directors have been working with an equity and inclusion facilitator to learn more about how we, at the Foundation, can reduce barriers to our services. A recent example of this work in action is with our newly formed partnership with the New Americans Integration Center (NAIC) in East Grand Forks. The NAIC and the Al Huda Center were able to access our pandemic disaster response and recovery grant program last year. That effort helped us better understand the needs of refugees and immigrants struggling to secure adequate housing, employment, transportation, and other services. We streamlined our grantmaking process, tested the ability to accept video interview grant applications, and more fully utilized our new software capabilities. Beyond continued on page 7

Northwest Minnesota Foundation RESOURCE / VOLUME 87 / AUGUST 2021

The park serves as a place to contemplate and honor the service of veterans, past and present. It is dedicated to the memory of those who sacrificed their lives in the defense of this nation as well as all who served.

‘EVERY VETERAN HAS A STORY.’ Before the crowd gathered for the dedication of the newly erected Marshall County Area Veterans Memorial Park, Russ Steer, president of the MCAVMP committee, called attention to every veteran who has served on behalf of the United States. “The park is a great thing. It speaks for itself. You can see the beauty in the monuments that will last for generations,” he said at the ceremony, held June 22 in Warren. “The service that you folks rendered to this country never ends either. It’s perpetual; it goes from generation to generation. The story of the park is really written in the faces of the veterans. Every veteran has a story.”

Two years of fundraising raised more than $230,000 in cash, plus additional in-kind donations Two years of fundraising culminated in the completion of this first phase of the park, located on the west side of the Marshall County Courthouse. More than $230,000 in donations and grants was raised for the project, with additional in-kind donations. The MCAVMP committee has been working toward this goal as the Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s development team has guided and supported them throughout ‘This the process. project is “It was a wonderful evening and very meaningful,” said Dawn Ganje, Senior Development Officer, who was among those who gathered to dedicate the park. “This project is a great example of how individuals can come together to become part of something bigger than themselves, to make a lasting impact on the future of their community, while also recognizing and honoring the past.”

The different branches of the United State military were represented at the dedication as individuals wore uniforms from various branches from past wars. The memorial park consists of a circular concrete walkway, a tiered planter at its center with a bronze statue at the top, a soldier seemingly overcome, a hand at his forehead, his helmet at his side, kneeling before a rifle placed upright between a pair of boots, an empty helmet resting atop, the memorial of a fallen soldier. Large, granite tablets flank the planter, displaying the emblems of military branches and POW/MIA, as well as purpose statements, quotations, and images of service in action. An inscription on a plaque above a bell tower welcomes visitors to this place of reflection: We asked that they serve – They proved their loyalty and bravery.

The dedication, held outside the courthouse under a blue sky, was an impactful day for those who have championed a and supported the project. A son wore his father’s great example of WWII uniform, a grandson his grandfather’s Vietnam how individuals can uniform. Others wore the uniforms of various branches from past wars and conflicts. Military jeeps lined the highway. to become part of

come together

something bigger than themselves.’ – Dawn Ganje, Senior Development Officer

“It was emotional,” Russ said. “There were a lot of veterans there. It was a lot to process.” While the park already is an impressive sight, work is continuing toward the next phase, which will include continued on page 7

VOLUME 87 / AUGUST 2021 / Northwest Minnesota Foundation RESOURCE

MCGREGOR EARNS STATE STAR Deb McGregor, a consultant with the Northwest Small Business Development Center, hosted by the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, has been named the 2021 State Star for the Minnesota SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance. The State Star award is the highest accolade achievable by SBDC employees and recognizes extraordinary performers who have made strong contributions to their state network. Annually, SBDCs from every state and U.S. territory select one employee for the award. McGregor will represent the Minnesota SBDC Network at the national ASBDC Convention to be held September 21-24, 2021. McGregor, of Bemidji, is a business consultant who focuses on marketing in the northwestern corner of the state. She actually works for two different regions: In addition to her work with the NWSBDC, she also assists clients in the West Central region, hosted by Concordia College in Moorhead.

continued from page 5 grantmaking, we connected with local partners like the City of East Grand Forks, the school district, University of Minnesota Extension, and others to find ways for the community to help meet the variety of needs for new Americans. By talking directly to new Americans, we found that many of the human services, employment, and housing resources do not have the ability to translate critical information from English to other languages. Because of this need, we invested in language translation services through our Bush Foundationsupported grant and provided funding for housing training and translation services through our housing grant program. What can you do to build cultural bridges in your own community? If you are an employer or business manager,

McGregor created a marketing campaign, Re-energizing Business Series, that encompassed several aspects to remind clients that the SBDC can help with more than just financing and surviving the pandemic. She teaches many classes and webinars to highlight these techniques and to share her expert insights on utilizing social media, branding, communication and effectively dealing with other challenges. She owns two small businesses and maintains her life coaching CPCC and CNTC certifications. From 2020 through June 2021, she has spent 1,000 hours assisting 100 unique clients in the Northwest region. The Northwest Small Business Development Center is hosted by the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, a public, charitable foundation serving 12 counties of Northwest Minnesota by investing resources, facilitating collaboration and promoting philanthropy.

consider becoming a designated Inclusive Workforce Employer through the Northwest Minnesota Regional Workforce Alliance. https://www.rwanw.org/inclusive-workforce-employer

continued from page 6 recognition of those who suffered physical injuries and PTSD as a result of their experiences. A website for the park, telling the stories of veterans through videos and images, is also planned. To donate to the Marshall County Area Veterans Memorial Park, please visit nwmf.org, hover above Ways to Give, and then click on Funds by County. Expand the menu at Marshall County and find the link for the Marshall County Area Veterans Memorial Park.

$224,000 AWARDED IN COVID RELIEF The Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) is providing $224,000 in grants to 24 organizations throughout the region through its third and final round of Emergency Relief and Recovery Grants. The following organizations were recently awarded grants in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: • Agassiz Environmental Learning Center • Bagley Senior Center • Bemidji Community Food Shelf • Bemidji Senior Center • Center of Human Environment • Clear Waters Life Center • Clearwater County Food Shelf • Face It Together Bemidji • Family Safety Network • Heritage Community Center • Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota’s Meals on Wheels • New Americans Integration Center • Northland Community & Technical College Foundation • Northwest Community Action • Northwoods Caregivers • Peoples Lutheran Chapel • RiverView Health Care Auxiliary • Stephen-Argyle Central School District • Thief River Falls Area Food Shelf • Tri-Valley Opportunity Council • United Way of Bemidji Area • Violence Intervention Project • Warren S.O.S. Living at Home, Block Nurse Program • White Earth Tribal and Community College The latest awards cap off NMF’s emergency relief funding opportunities for organizations located with the 12-county northwest Minnesota region. In all, NMF has awarded $616,000 through this grant program since April 2020. “The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is excited to help our region’s communities and nonprofits in responding to the ongoing needs of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Nate Dorr, NMF’s vice president for advocacy. “We know it will take more than financial resources alone to successfully emerge from COVID. We encourage everyone who can to get fully vaccinated and to support their local businesses and nonprofits as much as they are able.”

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A SIMPLE PLAN

Provides PEACE There is no better time to think about your future. As you do, reflect on all you have done with your life. If you do not have a will or estate plan,

now is the time to create or update yours. When you do, you will find ways to:

Plan your future to honor your past. Fortunately, it is fairly easy and overwhelmingly rewarding. With

even a simple plan, you can protect your family and leave a legacy that reflects your life’s work. Please reach out directly

to a member of our Philanthropic Services Team, Dawn Ganje, Ashley Johnson, or Kelly Leave more for your family and the causes you support.

Create income for you, your spouse and your family.

Ensure you leave the legacy you want.

Martinka by emailing dawng@nwmf.org, ashleyj@nwmf.org, or kellym@nwmf.org. We have tools and ideas to help you, and it is easier and more rewarding than you might think.

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