Northwest Minnesota Foundation
RESOURCE
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation invests resources, facilitates collaboration and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work.
SPRING 2017 | Number 75
Board of Directors Pete Haddeland, Chair Tom Anderson, Vice Chair Faye Auchenpaugh, Secretary Leah Pigatti, Treasurer Jon Linnell Cathy Forgit Kristin Eggerling Edie Ramstad Steven Anderson Todd Beckel Michelle Paquin Jason Brumwell
Developing Community Assets Serving 12 Counties
BEYOND HOCKEYTOWN: WARROAD COMMITTED TO FOSTERING THEIR DISTINCTIVE COMMUNITY Nestled in Northern Minnesota, just six miles from the Canadian border, many people know Warroad as being Hockeytown, USA. The town is home to more hockey legends than any other town in the world. Warroad is also home to Marvin Windows, a company with over 100 years of history as the world’s largest manufacturer of made-to-order wood window and door products. Warroad prides itself on being a smalltown community that offers distinctive opportunities for small businesses to thrive and for residents to maintain a high quality of life. The Discovery and Development HUB opened its doors just after the new year began. This coworking space is open to community members to hold meetings, develop business plans, network with other business leaders and
entrepreneurs, and attend informational sessions led by industry professionals. Located at Lake Street Center in downtown Warroad, the facility includes three private offices, a conference room and video conferencing, as well as tabletop workspaces and “conversation corners.” To keep Warroad’s entrepreneurial momentum going, NMF partnered with The Warroad Pioneer, KQ92, and Security State Bank of Warroad to host the “Building Better Communities” workshop on May 17th. This workshop offered both a morning and an evening session led by Peter Wagner, an international speaker, publisher, broadcaster and author. Wagner gave a presentation, tailored specifically to the Warroad community, about how business owners can pull together to continued on page 6
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Hello Friends,
It is hard for me to believe that ten years have already passed since I first became involved with the Northwest Minnesota Foundation. I started by immersing myself in the brand-new five-year strategic plan. Today I find myself deep into the development of the third plan of my tenure. This plan is greatly Nancy Vyskocil influenced by what we have heard from so many of you: keep up the great work you are doing in helping our communities grow their own funds and develop their own assets. And we also heard you say that we need more help on community infrastructure that allows our employers to grow and our residents to fully participate in this great economy. I want to share three points that are the core of the new plan, and just like with the trailer of a new movie I hope it leaves you wanting more...
• We ask ourselves and others, “How are our children?” and we commit to strengthening support for children and families. • We help rural communities achieve their full potential. • We build the resources available to the foundation and the region through donor-centered philanthropy and resource advancement. The board and staff of the Foundation are prepared and committed to meeting the challenges that lie ahead for the region. We choose Northwest Minnesota and we choose to boldly make a difference. I am excited to welcome Jason Brumwell to the board of the Foundation. Jason is a bit of a celebrity in these parts as the debunker of the myth that Red Lake County is “America’s Worst Place to Live.” Jason is a true champion of rural Northwest Minnesota and a great addition to the board.
NMF WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBER JASON BRUMWELL Jason Brumwell of Red Lake Falls, Minnesota was recently elected to the Northwest Minnesota Foundation Board of Directors. Brumwell is the owner of Voyaguer’s View, Inc., a campground and outfitter north of Red Lake Falls. He is a graduate of the Minnesota School of Business and holds a degree in Hospitality Management. He also 2
hosts the annual Diane Brumwell Memorial “Hoops for Hope” basketball tournament. “Our area has a lot to offer and we need to work together to show visitors that Northwest Minnesota is worth not just traveling through, but is a viable place to live and work,” said Brumwell. “If we collaborate and work together, I believe visitors will be surprised by what they find.”
A NITE AT THE RACES The Northwest Technical College Foundation, a fund of NMF, held its largest fund-raiser on April 28th at the Beaux Arts Ballroom on the campus of Bemidji State University. The 9th Annual Nite at the Races was a huge success! The event raised $22,000 in scholarships that will support Northwest Technical College students.
Thank you to the donors, sponsors, businesses, and organizations that supported the Northwest Technical College Foundation’s mission! To learn more about how you can support NTCF, please contact Executive Director, Ashley Johnson at 218-759-2057.
HALLOCK KEEPS BUSINESS BREWING Minnesota is no stranger to the craft beer scene. Breweries continue to pop up all around the state, not just in the Twin Cities metro. Brothers Ryan and Joshua Evenson, along with their spouses, Lindsey and Ashley, opened a new microbrewery in Hallock on February 24, 2017: Revelation Ale Works. “It was a dream of ours for a long time,” said Ryan. “Lindsey and I lived in Oregon for about eight years. Josh and Ashley lived in Oregon too. We fell in love with craft beer. It was always a ‘someday’ dream until this building became available.” The building is located at 146 Atlantic Avenue, the former Johnson Oil service
station (circa 1939). It features an industrial design with space for the seven-barrel brewing system, seating for customers, and a unique curved glass block wall. In 2016, the two couples spent many hours planning, followed by the brothers working for days with tools and ladders before the building was ready for customers. In February 2017, the grand opening quickly grew to standing room only. Groovy Grub, a local food truck, provided a variety of food to complement the brews: Pale Ale, IPA, Blonde Ale, Red Rye Ale, Brown Ale, and Chocolate Milk Ale. Since then, the business has grown by leaps and bounds, exceeding initial projections. By early April, the business had acquired twelve tap accounts from the greater Fargo-Moorhead area, east to Roseau and south to Crookston. Currently, Revelation Ale Works brews are found in 21 establishments in the Grand Forks/East Grand Forks area, FargoMoorhead and Northwest Minnesota. Ryan said, “People are loving the beer. The local support has been fantastic. We have lots of regulars.”
Josh Evenson sanitizing a tank
The Evensons are Hallock natives, and now they even grow their own hops on a nearby farmstead. They considered
Ryan Evenson pours a fresh-brewed beer in the Revelation Ales taproom Grand Forks as a potential site, but felt they needed a small town, and their own hometown was the ideal location. Local support for new breweries is the key to their success. With Kittson County’s population on the decline, the new small-business development benefits the community and local economy. Revelation Ales also donates a portion of their sales to support local nonprofits. Interested in opening your own microbrewery? The Evensons’ advice: Take your budget and double it. That was the same wisdom that was given to them when they were starting out. It also took twice as long as they thought with a lot of nights and weekends of hard work. Revelation Aleworks is open from 4:00 to 9:00 pm., Thursday through Saturday. For more information, visit their website, www.revales.com. 3
ASSET BUILDING GRANTS Grants totaling $478,281 were awarded from March 2017 - June 2017 COMPONENT FUNDS TOTAL: $333,781 94 GRANTS AWARDED
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD TOTAL: $41,095 43 SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
NATURAL RESOURCES TOTAL: $12,000
CARING COMMUNITIES TOTAL: $125,000
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Gary Cares – Gary Pines Trail Project
Face It TOGETHER Bemidji – Addiction services
Bemidji State University – Headwaters Fuel Poverty Pilot Project
COMMUNITY PLANNING TOTAL: $27,500 Northwest Community Action Inc., – Broadband services study Greater Bemidji, Inc. – North-central Minnesota MakerSpace/HackerSpace feasibility study
Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota – Warroad Lao Engagement Program Northwoods Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers Program – Options to stay at home White Earth Land Recovery Project – Mending the Circle: Indigenous Mindfulness Empowerment
Find Component Fund Grants online at 4
TOTAL: $5,000
NWMF.ORG under the Donor menu.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM BUSINESS FINANCE
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Four loans we made totaling $456,172.
Five businesses received a total of $3,660.
• TRF Hardware, LLC, Thief River Falls
• Creative House Consultant Group – Building a Better Community, Warroad
• Greenbush Ace Hardware, Inc., Greenbush • Ward Enterprises, LLC, Twin Valley • LaValley Industries, Bemidji
MICROLOANS Business counseling and loans are available to help entrepreneurs develop small-business and self-employment opportunities. Four loans were made totaling $115,000.
• T & M Olson, Inc. – Legal work, Bemidji • Enterprise Minnesota – 2017 State of Manufacturing event, Bemidji • Compass Rose – Storefront sign design, Bemidji • Neil Law Firm PC – Legal work for SBA Microloan client, East Grand Forks
STRONG FIRST YEAR OF FUNDRAISING FOR THE ARGYLE FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE On Friday, June 23rd, 92 golfers from the Argyle area showed up on a chilly, windy, and overcast day to support the Argyle Parks & Recreation Fund. This was the second annual golf tournament organized by a group of committed Argyle community volunteers who serve on the Argyle Parks and Recreation Fund Advisory Committee. Hosted at Riverside Golf Course in Stephen, the tournament includes raffle prizes, games and contests along the course, and food. Golfers form teams of four and play one round of nine holes. Forty-eight Argyle area businesses stepped up to support the event by being sponsors and donating door prizes. The Argyle Parks & Recreation Fund Advisory Committee has been busy in the past year fervently planning events and fundraisers to expand wellness opportunities for their community. In the past year, they've organized eight fund-raisers including a Color Run, mother/son dance, and a basketball tournament for 3rd and 4th graders. “I believe Argyle has a lot to offer families,” said Alysa Tulibaski, the committee's lead volunteer. “That's why this group came together, because we want to make sure our community has the wellness services and amenities for people of all ages and new families moving to the area.” Tulibaski is one of eight core advisory committee members who volunteers her time to plan these fund-raisers. Their goal: to open an indoor aquatic center. Opening an aquatic center in Argyle would provide a space to host birthday parties and other events, as well as the opportunity to participate in aerobic classes, lap swimming, and water yoga. The aquatic center would
also mean Argyle-area children could take swimming lessons without parents having to drive forty minutes each way to the nearest swimming pool. Pam Sunby, who also serves on the advisory committee, said “It’s great to see our younger residents stepping up to raise money for these community services. It makes me hopeful for the future of our town.” Other advisory committee members expressed excitement for what they will accomplish in the upcoming years. Here at NMF, we are looking forward to seeing what is next for the Argyle Fund Advisory Committee and the community. These are the people who keep our region growing and thriving!
Reece & Jenny Setterholm, Dana & Brandon Setterholm pose for a quick photo out on the Riverside Golf Course in Stephen, MN 5
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attract more customers, traditional and digital marketing best practices, creating a community-focused brand, and more. Warroad residents, business owners, and community leaders were in attendance and had the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas about how to keep Warroad’s economy thriving. The brand-new Warroad Community Park Pavilion recently opened its doors, and on Saturday, June 3rd, it was ready for people to see it all lit up and decorated for its very first event: The Warroad Area Community Fund (WACF) Gala. It was a beautiful summer evening filled with music, food, and camaraderie. The advisory committee hosted this gala to raise awareness for the fund and its impact on the Warroad community. This was also an opportunity to share with community members the potential of this fund to continue fostering community initiatives when additional gifts are made. The evening included a social hour, silent auction, a three-course meal, a live strings performance by the Rainy Lake Community Orchestra, and an awards program followed by a DJ and dancing. The 90 attendees included donors, sponsors, community leaders, and grant recipients.
The WACF awarded 14 grants in 2017. Recipients included: • • • • • • • • • • • • •
The Warroad Public Library Warroad Skater Tots Keys for Kids Ministries The Okee Dokee Brothers Growing Young Minds Project Summer Success Program Project Feed Watch Lost River Sportsmen Complex Community Education STEM Lab Chromebooks for classrooms Elementary Music Program Warroad Historical Society
Grant funding will support a wide variety of community needs, including education equipment and facility upgrades, children’s musical and athletic programs, and Warroad community events. The funds raised at the gala will go directly to support future Warroadarea initiatives. The WACF Advisory Committee deemed the event a great
Gala attendees take their seats for dinner inside the Warroad Community Pavilion 6
success and looks forward to planning more events to support Warroad-area initiatives and meet the needs of the community. NMF was proud to be a sponsor for this outstanding event. All of these valuable initiatives are happening in Warroad thanks to the commitment of its residents. NMF is excited to see what new and exciting projects this community implements to enhance the quality of life for generations to come.
2017
Winners
The IDEA Competition announced the names of three 2017 winners on Tuesday, April 25th, at the IDEA awards banquet held at Bemidji State University’s Beaux Arts Ballroom. Each winner was awarded $10,000 in cash and additional specialized technical assistance to advance their business.
THE 2017 WINNERS ARE: • Chiara and Travis Bolton, Hubbard County, for Bolton Bees – Bolton Bees provides MN-hardy bees to backyard beekeepers, creates local, distinct, raw, location-specific honey and forms partnerships with solar companies to create pollinator-friendly habitats. Bolton Bees is invested in our community. • Todd Sandwick, Fosston, for Dean UltraThin Retainer – The Dean retainer solves several problems seen in standard acrylic Hawley retainers by making use of pre-existing, timetested materials. The advantages of a Dean retainer are evident in less breakage and loss, comfort and compliance, hygiene, and cost. • Mychal Stittsworth, Bemidji, for Stittsworth Meats – Stittsworth Meats is working to bring a means of USDA inspected slaughter to Northern Minnesota through the use of a USDA-approved Mobile Slaughter Unit (MSU). This will enable any local farmer to sell their meat in a retail setting. The advantage of the MSU is that it goes to where the livestock live, reducing stress on the animal and increasing yield and quality of the meat.
The 2017 runners up are Keila McCracken, Bemidji, for Bare Cloth; Russ Karasch and Robert Monahan, Park Rapids, for Squarrel Cooperage, LLC; Jeremy Leffelman, Bemidji and Joel Anderson, Solway, for Raptor Rack. For the second year in a row, one IDEA participant will be automatically entered into MN Cup, a statewide business start-up competition. The judges selected Dean UltraThin Retainer as the participant that will advance to the semifinals of this premier resource for early-stage entrepreneurs, supporting and accelerating the development of breakthrough business ideas across Minnesota. The IDEA Hall of Fame added Christian Brothers, Inc., a former hockey stick manufacturing company. Christian Brothers’ three business principals are: Roger Christian and Hal Bakke (inducted posthumously) and Bill Christian (unable to attend and his daughter accepted the award). The IDEA Hall of Fame was established to recognize the accomplishments of the region’s legacy innovators—those within the region who have inspired others with their entrepreneurial vision, leadership, and achievement.
Northwest Minnesota’s • P R E M I E R •
ENTREPRENEUR COMPETITION
Turning great ideas into great businesses.
Pictured left to right: Travis and Chiara Bolton, Bolton Bees; Mychal Stittsworth, Stittsworth Meats; Bryce Oakes, Melinda and Todd Sandwick, Dean UltraThin Retainer
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NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Mailed From Zip Code 56601 Permit No.36
201 3rd St. NW • Bemidji, MN 56601
2017 HACKFEST COMPETITORS CREATE PROBLEM-SOLVING WEB APPLICATIONS The Northwest Minnesota Foundation partnered with the Blandin Foundation to host the 2017 Hackfest competition at the Bemidji LaunchPad on April 8th. Competitors of all ages came together to create web applications and design websites and 3D games. Groups were challenged to find a way solve problems, such as addressing invasive species and educating people about their constitutional rights through web applications. Some used online website creators, while others built their application from scratch using HTML coding.
The $1,000 Grand Prize went to the following individuals (pictured right) for their design, EcoSavvy:
• Dan Moe, Bemidji • Mychal Waldorf, Bemidji • Aric McGriff, Fargo
CALLING ALL NONPROFIT PROFESSIONALS! Financial Management Workshops offered in Bemidji and Crookston:
AUGUST 15TH | 9:00 a m – 2:00 pm Northwest Minnesota Foundation – 201 3rd Street NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
AUGUST 17TH | 9:00 a m – 2:00 pm Crookston Inn - 2200 University Ave, Crookston, MN 56716
COST: $65
Topics that will be covered include: nonprofit accounting principles, how to set up your accounting system so it supports strategic planning, building a budget, reading financial statements, and more!
TO REGISTER: Visit www.nwmf.org
and click on the “Events” section on the homepage.