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FY2023: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023

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Impact Report | 2023

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Local insight, lasting impact

Letter from Board Chair

Boozhoo Neighbor, As a community partner with deep roots, the Northwest Minnesota Foundation is not afraid to ask the right questions, involve the right players, and work as a team to connect all the dots. Making a positive impact takes vision, bold action, and long-term commitment. Never was this as clear to us as it was in the past year, as the Northwest Minnesota Foundation Board of Directors established two new subsidiaries specifically designed to make a real and lasting impact on the communities throughout Northwest Minnesota. I am pleased to present to you our annual Impact Report, which details our accomplishments in fiscal year 2023 and includes an introduction to the Northwest Minnesota Community Impact Corporation and North Star Neighbors, a community land trust. There are also dozens of headlines, photographs, and direct quotations taken from the impact stories we have shared throughout the past year. We hope this collage offers a deeper understanding of the difference we are making on the lives of those who live and work in our communities. We are proud of our accomplishments, but we have not done this work on our own. It is because of you that we are able to carry these efforts forward. We know that people here care: You care for your loved ones, the outdoors, your community – and each other. We have something special here in Northwest Minnesota and we want it to last. You can make an impact on tomorrow by supporting us today. In gratitude, Michelle Paquin Chair of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation Board of Directors

2 Impact Report 2023

Northwest Minnesota Community Impact Corporation NMCIC broadens NMF’s ability to support small businesses and entrepreneurs Supporting our region’s small businesses has been a key part of our work since our inception in 1986. By helping entrepreneurs and small businesses succeed, we lift up not only business owners and their employees but we also add to the economic vibrancy of Northwest Minnesota. From providing gap lending for business ventures to offering no-cost business consulting through the Northwest Small Business Development Center, our commitment to developing entrepreneurship has not wavered – it has only grown. In continuing that growth, we have established our first subsidiary – the Northwest Minnesota Community Impact Corporation (NMCIC) – to strengthen our efforts in lifting up small businesses. Since 1996, NMF has been a certified CDFI, a Community Development Financial Institution, through the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The program provides financing intended to support community revitalization. However, changes to the CDFI program over the years made it increasingly difficult for the Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) to deliver impactful business support throughout the region. To continue as a certified CDFI, we had to ensure that certain percentages of our lending occurred within specific geographic boundaries. Those boundaries – set by the U.S. Treasury with the intention of providing financing to populations who have been historically underserved – have been increasingly shrinking over time. It reached the point where much of our region is no longer included. It is crucially important that NMF be able to do both: support the businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the entire region, and also be able to extend financing to those populations that have, historically, had limited ability to access financing and expertise. By establishing the NMCIC, we are able to employ a more purposeful approach in providing lending capital and business support to those populations that have been, historically, left out of the opportunities to access traditional financing opportunities.

We’re here to help!

Making your business strong makes our whole community stronger. With our support, you’ll gain the mentorship, strategic connections, and valuable resources you need for your business to move ahead.

The NMCIC does not change our commitment to community revitalization – it expands it. The NMCIC will apply for certification as a CDFI itself. It will carry forward that targeted work while opportunities for business lending, resources, and expertise throughout all of Northwest Minnesota continue on through NMF.

Impact Report 2023

North Star Neighbors North Star Neighbors, a community land trust, aims to develop more affordable housing in Northwest Minnesota As the Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) rolled out its current strategic framework in 2018, it included a goal to lead regional efforts and community solutions focused on housing. The intention was to provide a mix of lending and grants to assist housing development throughout the region, specifically addressing workforce, affordable, and transitional housing needs. In the years since, we’ve learned a lot. Most notably, what we’ve learned is that our neighbors throughout Northwest Minnesota are simply unable to afford the homes at the costs developers have to sell them at. Housing costs are outpacing the rise in wages. The Federal Finance Housing Agency reports that home prices rose 74 percent from 2010 to 2022. The typical starter home can cost upwards of $300,000. With the intention of addressing housing needs, the NMF Board of Directors earlier this year established North Star Neighbors, a community land trust that will provide affordable home ownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income households, while addressing disparities in homeownership for underrepresented households. A community land trust (CLT) creates quality affordable homeownership opportunities by retaining ownership of the land on which the house is located and preserving the affordability of the home for generations. The CLT can accomplish this goal through new construction, acquisition and rehab of existing homes, or homebuyer-initiated purchase programs. North Star Neighbors has applied for funding through Minnesota Housing and, pending financial allocations, our work will begin in phases. This first phase will include: • 4 new construction homes in Thief River Falls • 2 new construction homes in Red Lake Falls • 6 homes sold on the open market to qualifying homebuyers throughout the region. These sales will be homebuyer-initiated. We expect construction to start in spring, and the application process for homebuyers to launch soon.

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An eye on the future Big change starts at the local level. That’s why we work side by side with our neighbors to make a real and lasting impact in our region.

Northwest Technical College Foundation NMF contract with NTC Foundation sunsets More than $500,000 raised in donations over the last 6 years of partnership The strength of our workforce in Northwest Minnesota is dependent on the strength of the technical education being offered in our region. Without local educational opportunities, we are at risk of being without nurses, plumbers, HVAC professionals, and so many others. In 2017, the Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) contracted with Northwest Technical College (NTC) in Bemidji to further the work of its NTC Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to enhance the educational experiences of NTC students through scholarships, equipment, and program support. At the time, the NTC Foundation was led by volunteer board of directors without staff support, and the college was under new administration, searching for a dean and about to undergo strategic planning. Wanting to align the college’s path forward with the NTC Foundation’s goal for fundraising and expanded educational opportunities, the college partnered with NMF, whose mission is to promote philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work. Ashley Johnson, senior philanthropy manager at NMF, became NTC Foundation’s executive director, devoting a percentage of her worktime to leading the NTC Foundation. That partnership has proven enormously successful. The NTC Foundation fund initially came to NMF with around $400,000 in assets, which are nearly doubled today. Further, the NTC Foundation has fundraised more than $500,000 over the last six years. The arrangement between the NTC Foundation and NMF has now entered a new chapter. While NMF will continue to hold the fund among its 430+ local funds, the ongoing operation of the NTC Foundation and its fundraising efforts moving forward will be led by NTC staff and its board of directors. “I’m incredibly pleased by the results of our work over the last six years,” said Ashley, in reflection. “But even more so, I’m excited for the opportunities that await future NTC students. There has not only been growing awareness of the opportunities available through technical education, but there has been growing support as well. “To have quality education opportunities, we need to be able to offer scholarships and cutting-edge technology. Through our work, we’ve developed strong partnerships with local businesses that strengthen those efforts. The future looks very strong for NTC.”

Key accomplishments • An annual Day of Giving for NTC was established, raising nearly $150,000 to support the Student Success Center, scholarship fundraising, and an emergency fund for students. • George W. Neilson Foundation supported first-year NTC students with $1,000 scholarships annually for six years. • Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation granted $50,000 to increase the enrollment of underrepresented students in the NTC Dental Assisting Program. • NTC raised more than $320,000 in leveraged equipment dollars by seeking gifts of equipment donated from local businesses. This is a match program offered by the state system office, which gives a dollar-for-dollar match; the money was given to the college to purchase new equipment.

Scholarships awarded • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020 • 2021 • 2022

$40,000 $42,800 $44,030 $37,500 $55,200 $122,500

Total scholarships awarded: $342,030

Impact Report 2023

Headlines from 2023 Local community fund helps bring BIO Girls to Thief River Falls Forty girls from second through sixth grade took part in the first BIO Girls program in Thief River Falls. BIO Girls – BIO stands for Beautiful Inside + Out – aims to improve girls’ selfesteem through a 12-week program focused on self-empowerment and service to others. Early grant support from the Thief River Falls Area Community Fund, one of about two dozen community funds held at NMF, spurred additional community support to bring the BIO Girls program into Thief River Falls.

‘You are changemakers’ 11 “warrior women” graduated in the first cohort of the Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative in White Earth Nation. NMF supports the Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative through Children & Families program grants.

“ The Indigenous Parent Leadership (Initiative) has taught me to use my voice, to create change. That if you don’t like something, you have to change it. It’s not going to change if you remain silent.” — Leanne Auginaush, program graduate

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council is addressing homelessness in Marshall and Norman counties Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, a nonprofit community action agency, will partner with the Northwest Minnesota Housing & Redevelopment Authority to provide housing assistance and supports for a three-year transitional housing project and rapid rehousing project. Tri-Valley received $285,469 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Northwest Minnesota Continuum of Care (NWCoC). NMF administers the NWCoC through its Homelessness program.

6 Impact Report 2023

MAHUBE-OTWA making new connections with grant The community action agency hired a new staff member to serve as a liaison with White Earth Nation. A grant from the Department of Human Services to NMF brought together six partner agencies in the region to better connect families to supportive services. This grant funded numerous initiatives, including providing support for this new position at MAHUBE-OTWA.

Building Better Lives Bemidji Middle School students make duck calls with wood lathe

A grant from the local education fund supported the purchase of a wood lathe for Bemidji Middle School. Students in two classes, as well as an after-school arts club, learned how to wood-turn to make their own duck call. Students learned to work safely with tools, learned about woodturning, and learned the basics of using a duck call and how they worked. The experience also expanded students’ opportunities to connect with the outdoors and work on a project by hand. The Bemidji 31 Education Foundation, one of 42 education funds held at NMF, supported the purchase of the wood lathe with a $1,000 grant.

Family establishes scholarship fund to honor beloved teacher, coach Mark Fodness was a beloved teacher and coach in the Bemidji school district who died unexpectedly in 2020. In the wake of his loss, his family established the Mark Fodness Scholarship Fund to support students from Bemidji Area Schools who are pursuing a post-secondary education through a college, university, trade school, tech school, or other accredited programs. Preference is given to students who are majoring in education, exemplify leadership skills, or have participated in Upward Bound as a participant or mentor. The Mark Fodness Memorial Scholarship Fund is among 123 scholarship funds held at NMF.

“ You help people who need help ... you always do the next best thing you can do to help people.” — Kyle Fodness, Mark’s son

Moving right along In 2019, Jake Sobieck established Blue Ox Moving Company with a single truck and trailer. When the pandemic struck and the housing market boomed, Jake had no choice but to learn quickly. An NMF loan positioned the company with equipment and cash flow to expand operations. The business now has five full-time employees and several part-timers, with plans to hire several more. NMF approved an Small Business Administration microloan to support the business in 2020; in 2022, NMF extend a Customer Appreciation Loan for equipment and supplies.

Impact Report 2023

Headlines from 2023 Miigwech bi mawadishiweyan!

Crookston Early Childhood Initiative holds annual Boo Run Run

Grant funding supported the installation of new signage, with both English and Ojibwe translations, at Headwaters Music & Arts in Bemidji, part of their ongoing efforts toward creating a welcoming space for all. The Bemidji Area Arts Endowment, a component fund at NMF, granted $4,000 to support the project.

Great Start For All Minnesota Children Task Force concludes its work as recommendations are presented The task force, which included NMF Program Officer Missy Okeson, completed its three years of work as final recommendations were presented to the governor and state legislature, detailing how to best provide Minnesota families access to highquality child care and education. While the bulk of our work is connecting people to resources, NMF also strives to be a force for our region, championing ideas that stabilize and strengthen our communities and lifting up the needs of rural Minnesota.

8 Impact Report 2023

More than 150 people explored the storybook walk throughout the wooded trails, and each child received a book, pumpkin, and snack. The Crookston Early Childhood Initiative, one of about 415 funds held at NMF, supports community projects that benefit children from birth to age 5.

Year-round child care is now available in Kelliher As the school year ends, the enrollment – and revenue – drops at Kelliher Kids, a child care center attached to the school in Kelliher. With school teachers home for the summer, they often withdraw their own children from child care those summer months, causing the center shortterm financial instability. A grant from NMF allowed the child care to address the funding disparity in the summertime, thus staying open year-round. NMF provided a $25,000 grant through Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Child Care Economic Development Grant.

Building Better Lives Finding balance: a child care spotlight Karen DeVos reflected on her child care career, having transitioned from providing in-home care to running two child care centers. She now operates Little Learners Early Child Care Centers in Ada and Halstad. NMF worked with the Halstad community and Halstad Living Center to provide grant funding to support the expansion of Little Learners Child Care from Ada into Halstad.

“My greatest pull to this work is helping families who wouldn't otherwise have opportunities like this, connecting the kids who maybe fall through the cracks, who are growing up in families that the community isn't always super accepting of, bringing them in and leveling the playing field.” — Karen DeVos

‘Rise of the Resilient’ workshops equip business owners A three-part workshop series helped business owners learn how to implement self-care and support their mental well-being while also moving their businesses forward. The first set of trainings were held in Bemidji and averaged 21 businesses owners throughout those three sessions. NMF sponsored the workshop series, which was later offered a second time in Thief River Falls.

Housing assessment: ‘Disappointing’ news offers clarity for the future The assessment determined it was costprohibitive for a former nursing home/youth center in Baudette to be repurposed into multi-use housing. NMF assisted in funding the assessment through a Housing program grant.

Garrett Larson, owner of 4 Ronnings stores, is named the 2023 SBA Minnesota Young Entrepreneur of the Year Garrett Larson owns and operates four Ronnings stores in greater Minnesota: those in International Falls, Baudette, Roseau and Thief River Falls. While working with the Northwest Small Business Development Center and SBA, Larson purchased all of the Ronnings stock in 2020 and took over as owner/operator. He continues to work with the SBDC and has introduced a bonus incentive program, health insurance, and a 401K with 6 percent company match, on top of increasing employee’s annual compensation. NMF hosts the Northwest Small Business Development Center.

Impact Report 2023

Headlines from 2023 SBDC Success Story: Stellher Human Services After purchasing Stellher Human Services, the owners recognized that their passion was in helping others – not necessarily in running the business side of things. They worked with a Northwest Small Business Development (SBDC) consultant who advised them on implementing changes, including a focus on hiring staff who are passionate about managing cash flow so the owners could continue focusing on offering great mental health services to their clients. The SBDC consultant continued to work with them, and now Stellher is developing a profit-sharing/bonus plan to help reward staff for their efforts. NMF hosts the Northwest Small Business Development Center, which provides free information, no-cost confidential counseling, and one-on-one support to start, build, and grow local businesses.

Stellher Human Services works with children and adults, providing behavioral health services at two outpatient offices and provides in-home therapy in Hubbard and Clearwater counties. Stellher also provides mental health services and consulting in more than a dozen school districts and Head Start programs.

First recipient of Lois Ludwig Memorial Scholarship is substitute teaching in Ms. Ludwig’s same district Brooke Knott, a 2019 graduate of Lafayette High School, was the first recipient of the Lois Ludwig Memorial Scholarship. Brooke is now substitute teaching in Ms. Ludwig's same district as she completes her master’s degree. The Lois Ludwig Memorial Scholarship Fund is among 123 scholarship funds held at NMF.

“ Lois Ludwig was a very influential person within our schools during her time as a teacher. I feel honored to have been the first recipient of this memorial scholarship.” — Brooke Knott, Red Lake Falls School District

Step Up child care workshops continue to grow Step Up child care workshops started five years ago as a standalone one-day workshop on social-emotional learning, but have now grown into a series of three workshops, offering follow-up coaching sessions as well. Step Up workshops are taught by educators with Peacemaker Resources, a nonprofit that promotes communication, compassion and connection. NMF administers the Step Up workshops in partnership with Peacemaker Resources, with funding support from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation. 10 Impact Report 2023

Building Better Lives Portable wheelchair swing now available in Thief River Falls The Thief River Falls Area Community Fund provided a grant for a portable wheelchair swing to the NorsKids Foundation. The NorsKids Foundation has made the swing available free of charge to businesses, nonprofits, and governmental agencies in the Thief River Falls School District and Pennington County that serve children and adults in wheelchairs. Within two weeks, the swing had its first user, Allison Jensen, 30, who has been in a wheelchair since childhood. The Thief River Falls Area Community Fund is one of about two dozen community funds held at NMF.

“ Being able to see Allison swing again, like when she was a little girl, was so amazing ... She always loved to swing and had not been able to swing for many years since she outgrew the harnessed, child-size swing seats.” — CoCo Jensen, Allison's mother

State grant grows child care availability throughout Northwest Minnesota $224,000 was awarded to NMF, which assisted four child care centers and eight new child care providers in opening their doors, adding onto their existing programs, or sustaining their programming. The funding allowed for the retention or addition of around 180 child care slots throughout the Northwest Minnesota region. NMF obtained the funding through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Child Care Economic Development Grant, aiding NMF’s efforts in increasing the availability of quality child care slots throughout Northwest Minnesota.

Red Lake celebrates opening of Red Lake Youth Shelter The shelter serves up to 12 youth and young adults and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Services and programming are based on Positive Youth Development, an evidence-based model, paired with culturally specific programming, including ongoing ceremonies and lessons in Ojibwe culture and traditions. Each youth has a person-centered housing plan started within their first three days of admission to the shelter. NMF granted $250,000 to support internal capacity development, staff salaries, and general support for the Red Lake Youth Shelter.

Impact Report 2023

Headlines from 2023 NMF has provided more than $3.6 million in scholarships to Northwest Minnesota students since NMF’s inception in 1986. As of FY23, NMF had 123 scholarships housed within its family of funds.

Grant supports health and wellness initiative in White Earth A White Earth health and wellness initiative – titled “Taking Care of our Elders” – was developed at the request of tribal elders to address food security and support their health and wellbeing. Elders were able to grow the produce they like to eat while having an opportunity for increased healthy physical activity. Funding supported the construction and installation of raised garden beds that were accessible by elders throughout White Earth. The NMF Emergency Disaster Recovery Fund awarded $10,000 to White Earth Tribal & Community College to support the project.

Landlord Risk Mitigation Fund expands housing options for young adults

‘Little ones all excited to say Ojibwe words'

By providing a "safety net" to landlords, the Landlord Risk Mitigation Fund (LRMF) aims to expand housing options for the hardest-to-house young adults in our community. The LRMF equates to rental insurance, providing landlords up to $3,000 in property damage or lost rental income, thus offering landlords a safety net. NMF funds and administers the Landlord Risk Mitigation Fund.

The White Earth Early Childhood Program has been working to restore the use of the Ojibwe language in their classrooms and homes of young families. A grant supported the recording of children’s books read in Ojibwe and the uploading of those readings onto White Earth Nation’s YouTube channel. Complementary packets were also produced so children and caregivers could follow along. There also was material on child development and activities on cultural teachings and identity. NMF provided a $7,500 grant through the state’s Governor’s Emergency Education Relief fund to support the project.

“ There is no silver bullet solution to homelessness. (But) this is, from my perspective, the type of program we need – a partnership.” — John Fick, program director of Evergreen Youth & Family Services

12 Impact Report 2023

Building Better Lives ‘You're making the difference’ The Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative celebrated the graduation of its second cohort in White Earth Nation. Ten graduates successfully completed the 22-week program that develops "champions of change" in their community. These 10 graduates now join the first 11 graduates as program alumni. NMF supports the Indigenous Parent Leadership Initiative through Children & Families program grants.

Racial Equity Accountability Project will address racial disparities in Northwest Minnesota homeless response system The Northwest Minnesota Racial Equity Accountability Project (REAP) team is a committee of community members examining and questioning the homeless response system with the goal of advancing racial equity and reducing racial disparities. As part of its work, the REAP team is holding "talking circles" to capture personal stories of lived experiences with homelessness, which will inform their work in developing an action plan. The talking circles reinforce the core value of "nothing for us without us," meaning that no effort should be implemented for a population without that population’s direct participation in the decision-making process. The REAP team is an initiative of the Northwest Minnesota Continuum of Care, a planning body of regional stakeholders who share a commitment to ending homelessness in Northwest Minnesota. NMF serves as the "collaborative applicant" of the NWCoC, essentially serving as the regional host.

Data shows that, in Minnesota, people of color experience homelessness and housing instability at rates that are 7 to 8 times higher than their representation within the general population.

“ It's a pet peeve of mine, you know, that there are homeless people. Why does that exist? Why do we let this happen? How? ” — Sally Fineday, REAP member

Impact Report 2023

Financial Report: Fiscal Year 2023

$96,782,010 $90,293,062 Revenue

TOTAL ASSETS As of June 30, 2023

NET ASSETS

Expenses

Program Revenue

$ 5,952,019

Programs

$ 6,224,025

Investment Income

7,972,577

Supportive Services

$ 2,246,495

Endowment Contributions

667,031

Fundraising

$ 360,006

Other

269,381

TOTAL EXPENSES

$ 8,830,526

TOTAL REVENUE

$ 14,861,008

$ 6,030,482

INCREASE IN NET ASSETS

Grants

Mission-driven grants TOTAL GRANTS

TOTAL GRANTS AMOUNT

$ 1,039,756

14 Impact Report 2023

Homelessness

$ 600,100

Housing

$ 115,000

Governor’s Emergency Education Relief

(to child care providers, schools, and nonprofits) $

79,520

Training & Education (for nonprofits)

61,295

Children & Families

$ 60,000

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

$ 57,500

Other

Business fellowships

$ 20,000

Child Care

$ 20,000

Emergency/disaster planning

21,668

4,673

Building Better Lives

Philanthropic Services Community Revitalization

26 TOTAL LOANS AMOUNT $900,700

NORTHWEST SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

BUSINESS LOANS ISSUED

TOTAL DONATIONS

CHILD CARE FINANCE PROGRAM LOANS ISSUED TOTAL COMPONENT FUND GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

CLIENTS SERVED

421

TOTAL LOANS AMOUNT

$75,000

CONSULTING HOURS

NUMBER OF FUNDS CHILD CARE SLOTS RETAINED

153

BOUGHT/STARTED BUSINESSES

NEW CHILD CARE SLOTS CREATED

DEBT/EQUITY INVESTMENT RAISED

4,209 13

$15.8 million

209

TOTAL NUMBER OF GIFTS

4,414

TOTAL COMPONENT FUND GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Philanthropic Services

$ 1,683,527 NUMBER OF FUNDS 433

TOTAL DONATIONS

$ 2,369,933 NEW FUNDS Charles A. “Art” Dickinson Travel Abroad Scholarship Fund Sanford Health Bemidji Scholarship Fund Swanson Vyskocil Family Fund Bemidji Youth Recreation Fund Paul & Babe Restoration Fund Play and Learn for All Abilities Fund Roseau County Environment Preservation Fund Citizens State Bank of Roseau Scholarship Fund NTC Dental Assisting Scholarship Fund Beltrami Electric Cooperative Scholarship Fund Bemidji Pioneer – Jim Carrington Scholarship Fund Deerwood Bank Scholarship Fund First National Bank Bemidji Scholarship Fund

Labraaten Insurance Agency Scholarship Fund North Country Snowmobile Club Scholarship Fund Paul Bunyan Communications Scholarship Fund Honda of Bemidji Scholarship l Fund Nortech Systems Scholarship Fund Jerry and Dina Brackin Scholarship Fund East Grand Forks Area Childcare Fund Katie “Brommenschenkel” Vilmo Scholarship Fund Andi (Noel) Olsonawski Scholarship Fund Tiger Alumni Scholarship Fund Thomas Sczepanski Memorial Scholarship Fund Community Strong Little Sand Lake Fund

Impact Report 2023

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Bemidji, MN Permit No.36

201 3rd Street NW Bemidji, MN 56601

We believe Northwest Minnesota offers boundless opportunities! People in the Northwest care — we care for our loved ones, the outdoors, our communities, and each other. We have something special, and we want it to last.

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is here to support the Northwest and the people who call it home. People like you can make an impact on tomorrow by joining us today. Please consider making a gift to the NMF Endowment. Together, we’ll work to empower our community and keep us headed in a positive direction.