Northwest Minnesota Foundation ~ Developing Community Assets ~ Serving 12 Counties FALL 2010
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Number 53
Strong Fundraising Tradition Continues in Greenbush Community supports new LifeCare Greenbush Medical Park The people of Greenbush and the surrounding area have always valued good medical care and their history of giving proves it. They built the first Greenbush Hospital in 1949, using donated money from nearly every family, church and community organization. And, continuing the tradition, they have given to support the new Greenbush LifeCare Medical Park, now nearing completion. “Our community has always been in favor of providing convenient quality health care, and I have seen first-hand how people are willing to support improvements to our hospital and nursing home,” says Dr. Al Larson, a retired veterinarian who was chairman of the Greenbush board when the original nursing home was added to the hospital in 1962. Larson served on the hospital board for more than 30 years, and now at 87, he has checked weekly on the construction progress of the new LifeCare Medical Park. “My wife and I are excited about the beautiful new building and how nice it will be for our community, and personally are looking forward to using the new exercise room.” Located on the southwest corner
of Greenbush, the new medical park sits on 15 acres and includes the LifeCare Greenbush Manor, assisted living apartments, and a clinic and wellness center. Construction of the $8.8 million complex is the responsibility of LifeCare Medical Center, however this does not include a few of the features required to make the new building fully functional. Carolyn Eeg, a Greenbush resident and former NMF board member, who serves on the LifeCare board, said, “Our goal was to raise $130,900. A generous donation was received early on from the Ted Peterson estate. Many fund raising events have been held throughout the community including pancake breakfasts, raffles, a hand-crafted keepsake ornament sale, a carnival, monthly doughnut sales, Greenbush-Middle River school
girls basketball event and many other group and individual fundraisers, including a noon meal at the Community Center on the 4th of July.” The additional funds will cover the cost of furnishings for the LifeCare Manor Community Room and Meditation Room, Coffee Shop, Household Dining and Lounge and Assisted Living area, courtyard and grounds, and the Wellness Center exercise equipment,” she says. Northwest Minnesota Foundation administered the donations through the LifeCare Health Care Fund. This past August, the LifeCare Fund advisory committee recommended a grant for $100,038 that represents the amount raised for the furnishings and courtyard. To reach their goal, $21,000 is needed for the built-in sound (Continued on page 5)
A Message from the President Nancy Vyskocil
Thanks to Outgoing Board Members
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation invests resources, creates opportunities and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Eric Bergeson Chair Fertile Mark Hewitt Vice-Chair Park Rapids Kim Wilson Secretary Fosston Gary Purath Treasurer Red Lake Falls Terri Anderson Ogema Robert Hager Greenbush Jody Horntvedt Baudette Dean Johnson Mahnomen Roger Malm Hallock Judy Roy Redby Laurie Wilson Crookston
One of the true pleasures of my job at the Foundation is working with some very special people who serve on the Board of Directors. I’m saying a fond farewell to three such excellent people. Dean Johnson and Terri Anderson are leaving the board after eight years and Dave Bergman after six. These board members have been great joys to work with, bringing strong assets and serving as advocates for NMF. Their time and talents have been crucial to the successes of the foundation in the years they served. Thank you for so generously giving of yourselves. Dean, who has been active in just about every important economic development effort in the Mahnomen area, has served as our Treasurer and has always been a thoughtful presence on the Board. He’s the sort of board member that makes the Board stronger because of his valuable insights and as an active representative for the White Earth reservation. His was a vital voice to have on a Board and led us to become a more effective, more responsive organization. Terri Anderson is another departing board member who will be sorely missed. Many people know Terri from her years working with the Center for School Change. Her
understanding and advocacy for K-12 and charter schools and education in general has been a wonderful asset. Naytahwaush has benefited greatly from her expertise. Terri brought that experience to the foundation and provided a voice of wisdom and experience. David Bergman served for nearly six years as a board member and during that time he’s been a great source of information about community activities that add vitality. Dave has knowledge of our entire service area and brought a wealth of experience, qualifications and an understanding of our issues. He also presented opportunities and ways to market the region as a great place to visit and enjoy. All three served on the Board during a time of significant growth and substantial achievements in realizing our mission and meeting goals. While maintaining a strong presence and roots in their communities, they always kept the interests of the region in mind in service to NMF. Board members don’t always get a lot of recognition. Much of their work is done behind the scenes. We wouldn’t be the organization we are today without Dean, Terri and Dave. Thank you for being on the board!
The IDEA Competition Opens for Third Year! Enter. Compete. Win. Succeed. Do you have a breakthrough business idea? Enter the IDEA Competition! The competition is now open and closes on November 30, 2010. Since the competition began two years ago, $90,000 has been awarded to nine Northwest Minnesota entrepreneurs. The purpose of the competition is to assist the most promising local entrepreneurs in the commercialization of innovative products, processes and deliveries by connecting them to the best resources available, along with access to the capital it takes to launch a successful venture. Here’s what you get if you participate: • Access to valuable tools and resources • The opportunity to refine your investor pitch • Attention in the media • A chance to pitch your idea to qualified potential investors and leaders in the
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business community • The chance to receive substantial funding for your venture, including individual cash awards of $10,000 each, for up to five winners The only way to enter the competition is through the IDEA Competition website. Visit www.ideacompetition.org now for more information or to get registered. There is a fee of $150 to participate in the competition, payable when you send in your completed application. (Students qualify for a 50% discount.) Questions? Contact Michelle Landsverk, IDEA Competition Project Coordinator by calling 218-435-2834 or e-mail michelle@ michellelandsverk.com.
Thrive: Rural Innovations in Early Childhood Mental Health A conference from the Thrive Initiative for professionals in mental health, medicine, public health, social work, special education and early education. All children from birth to age five are developing the capacity to fully experience, regulate and express emotions; to form close and secure relationships; and to explore the environment and learn. Spreading awareness about these important aspects of early childhood mental health to promote healthy development is the focus of the Thrive Initiative. On November 5, NMF’s Thrive Initiative will host the first annual early childhood mental health conference at the Hampton Inn of Bemidji. The conference will offer the opportunity for professionals in the region to enhance their knowledge and expertise in the field of infant and early childhood socialemotional health and development. More than 150 attendees are expected for the daylong conference, who will earn CEUs in their professional fields.
• The Shared Care Model: Integrating mental and medical health • Diagnosis of mental health problems in infants and toddlers. One of the Thrive Initiative’s primary goals since its inception in 2006 has been to improve the capacity of local services for young children with mental health needs and their families. Jean Christensen, Thrive Action Team Manager said, “Our Thrive conference will play a unique role in supporting the work of a wide range of professionals who serve very young children by promoting continuing education, monitoring emerging trends and fostering lively intra-disciplinary conversation.” Thrive has been fortunate to attract keynote speakers to the conference who are nationally known leaders in the field of early childhood social and emotional development. They include Dr. L. Read Sulik, the Assistant Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Dr. Sulik has been the chair of a joint task force on meeting the mental health needs of Native American youth in Minnesota and directs the Red Lake Bridge Project, a volunteer psychiatric outreach effort to the Indian Health Services Red Lake Hospital serving people of the Red Lake Nation. A child psychiatrist, he speaks and consults widely on various models of integrating mental health and primary care, currently consulting with local care providers in Bemidji as part of Thrive’s Shared Care Model at Sanford Health.
Two keynote speakers and six breakout session options will cover a variety of topics: • Early brain development and its tie to emotional health • Maternal/caregiver mental health – its impact on infant development • Autism Spectrum Disorders: Identification and intervention • Family Toybox: A family skills group for young children with social-emotional needs • Help Me Grow and MNParentsKnow from MDE & MDH • Professional competency and reflective practice
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“Our Thrive conference will play a unique role in supporting the work of a wide range of professionals who serve very young children.” Jean Christensen, Thrive Action Team Manager
Business Development Program Business Loans
“Northwest Minnesota Foundation has helped Larson Parts & Repair get established and grow. They are there when you need them.” Gary Larson
One loan was recently made from the Revolving Loan Fund: St. Hilaire Seed Company, Inc., St. Hilaire For purchase of a storage facility in Argyle to accommodate continued expansion One loan was recently made from the Industries for Park Rapids Loan Fund:
Echopoint Design & Development, LLC, Park Rapids For help with the development of the Armory Building project One loan was recently made from the Lake of the Woods Revolving Loan Fund: The Wesley Graves Brokerage, Roosevelt For the start-up of a new trucking brokerage in Williams
Big Expansion in a Small Town
When a business expands in a small town like Bejou, it’s hard to miss. Larson Parts & Repair, located along Highway 59 in Bejou, has added 26,800 square feet to its service building with the assistance of the NMF Business Finance program. Larson repairs and services trucks, trailers, semis, farm tractors, combines, and other heavy equipment. The additional space will be used for parts and more inside areas for mechanics to work on equipment. The Larson brothers, Allen and Gary, first received a loan in 2003 through the NMF business financing program to establish Larson Parts and Repair. At that time they used the funds to build a new 60’ x 80’ service building. Business has been brisk, with a backlog of units frequently waiting to get in for service. They outgrew their original facility in a short period of time. With the new addition to the service building, Larson will be able to hire three more mechanics. They will also hire new personnel to handle the sale of parts, where they expect a substantial increase with the larger storage area. Co-owner Gary Larson says, “Northwest Minnesota Foundation has helped Larson Parts & Repair get established and grow.” He added, “They are there when you need them.”
Microloans
Olson Septic Pumping, Ada To purchase fixtures and supplies
Business counseling and loans are available to help entrepreneurs develop small business and self-employment opportunities.
Technical Assistance
Five loans were recently made totaling $69,000: Midway Convenience Store LLC, Bemidji To re-open the store and purchase additional inventory LaValley Industries, LLC, Bemidji For working capital to assist with growth Minnesota Nice Café, Bemidji To expand the restaurant’s capacity to provide county fair vendor service Interiors by Decorating Den, Bemidji For working capital
Nine businesses from Baudette, Ada, Roseau, Macintosh, and Bemidji received a total of $8,099 in outside consulting for management and technical assistance. IDEA Each of the following competition winners received $10,000 to support their business ideas: Insect Inferno, LaValley Industries, LLC, McIntosh Machine & Manufacturing Inc., sf(x) Engineering, Inc., Tim Sargent 4
EDP News The NMF Entrepreneur Development Program has been funded by the Small Business Administration since its inception. This year, NMF has been awarded a significant increase in funding because of the recent stimulus package passed by the U.S. Congress and President. Here’s what that means for small businesses in the region: • New workshop activity to add value to businesses, beginning with Website Evaluation and including other topics such as a Boot Camp for Business, Understanding Financial Statements, and Strategic Planning • Increased technical assistance capacity for IDEA customers as well as EDP borrowers • The addition of Tiffany Fettig to coordinate training and technical assistance • The addition of Jorge Prince as the new business development specialist who will assist IDEA customers
Greenbush
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system and wellness equipment. As the move in date approaches, Mayor Scott Waage reflects on the impact the new facility will have on his community. “First impressions count in small communities, especially for attracting new residents and businesses,” Waage says. “When you drive into town, you can’t help but notice this beautiful new medical park, and it shows that we are committed to making our city a great place to live. I see this project as a spring board for positive growth for the future.” Eeg added, “This facility is for people of all ages – it’s so much more than a long-term care facility; it will provide much needed assisted living services to the community and it’s also a clinic and wellness center,” she Thrive
said, “so the gifts are for something you can use right now…at any stage of your life.” If you would like to make a gift to support the LifeCare Health Care Fund, please go to www.nwmf.org, or contact Ritchie Houge (phone 218-759-2057 or e-mail ritchh@ nwmf.org).
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Dr. Terrie Rose will present both keynote and breakout sessions. She is the founder and President of Baby’s Space in the Little Earth Learning Center in Minneapolis, a nationally known “one stop” early childhood development model that offers low-income children and their families sustainable, highquality, culturally-relevant, neighborhoodbased child development services. Dr. Rose is also widely known for providing training for early childhood professionals on the diagnosis of mental illness in young children.
This unique opportunity, bringing together these experts for furthering education and awareness about early childhood mental health, is one which Thrive intends to share with the region and beyond. Sponsors are being sought for partnership in this first of its kind conference in greater Minnesota. The conference is open to all professionals who are interested in attending. Register at www.nwmf.org or contact Holly at hollyt@nwmf.org
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“When you drive into town, you can’t help but notice this beautiful new medical park, and it shows that we are committed to making our city a great place to live.” Scott Waage, Mayor of Greenbush
Grants Grants totaling $307,149 were made from June – August 2010 Caring Communities Total: $1,000
Bemidji Area Parks and Trails Fund Bemidji Sculpture Walk Fund Bemidji Sculpture Walk............................... $1,700 Bemidji Lumberjack Foundation Fund Bemidji All School Reunion Fund Bemidji Area Schools Dist #31..................... $5,348 Rick Lee Memorial Fund Bemidji Area Schools Dist #31........................ $297 Tom Gardner Memorial Fund Bemidji Area Schools Dist #31........................ $297
Children, Family & Elderly Component funds use interest earnings from their endowments to fund projects, programs, or for scholarships, all supporting the mission of the fund.
Minnesota Fathers & Families Network.................................... $1,000 For NW MN Fall Fatherhood Seminar Series
Community Planning Total: $45,000 Economic & Community Development
Headwaters Regional Development Commission....................... $20,000 For Bemidji Student First! Inititiative Red Lake Band of Chippewa...................... $5,000 For NMTEDC Organizational Development and Strategic Plan
Clearbrook-Gonvick Early Childhood Initiative Fund Clearbrook-Gonvick Public Schools (2).......... $1,100
Growth Management
White Earth Reservation.......................... $20,000 For Developing a Land Use Plan, Assessment and Policy Guidance for the White Earth Reservation
Clearwater County Humane Society Endowment and Project Fund Clearwater County Humane Society............. $1,000
Natural Resources Total: $50,000
Crookston Early Childhood Initiative Fund Fertile-Beltrami Early Childhood Initiative Fund.............................................. $250
Promotion & Preservation
Red Lake County Soil & Water................. $25,000 For Red Lake County SWCD Culvert Inventory Project
New Technologies
First Care Medical Services-Endowment and Project First Care Medical Services.......................... $1,209
Training Total:..........................$4,120
Greenbush Area Community Fund City of Greenbush......................................... $300 Greenbush-Middle River School Dist #2683 (2)................................ $1,250 RSVP.......................................................... $450
The Nature Conservancy, Minnesota Chapter................................... $25,000 For Biomass and Waste to Energy Business Development Survey
Nonprofit Excellence Program
Greenbush Community Education Fund Greenbush-Middle River School Dist #2683....... $500
Giziibii RC & D.......................................... $2,120 For Bemidji’s Natural Choice Farmers Market
HRDC Leadership Fund HRDC Successful Communities Challenge Fund Headwaters Regional Development Commission........................... $5,000 Northern MN Tribal Economic Development...$4,500 Red Lake Band of Chippewa....................... $4,000 White Earth Reservation........................... $10,000
Upper Mississippi Mental Health Center.... $2,000 For External Billing Assessment Component funds are established with the Northwest Minnesota Foundation for a specific purpose. A donor or group of donors helps to build a permanent endowment from which interest earning are used to fund projects, programs or activities and/or scholarships that support the mission of the fund. A local fund advisory committee recommends distribution s based on specific purposes and criteria. The NMF board, for purposes of IRS regulation, approves the advisory recommendations for grants, but the component funds are the source of the grant dollars.
John and Eloise Ostrem Charitable Fund Bemidji Food Shelf........................................ $200 Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area.............. $300 Lake of the Woods Early Childhood Initiative Fund Lake of the Woods School Dist........................ $700 LifeCare Health Care Fund LifeCare Greenbush Manor Fund LifeCare Greenbush Manor..................... $100,038
Component Fund Total:...... $207,029 Bemidji Area Arts Endowment & Project Fund Everett Wilimek Endowment for Orchestral String Studies Bemidji Music Studio........................................... $250
Norman County East Early Childhood Initiative Fund Norman County East School Dist #2215..... $10,090
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Warroad Independent School District #690.... $3,000 Warroad Lost River Sportsmen Complex........ $1,000
Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund Bridges Medical Center............................... $2,500 Mask and Rose Theatre Collective................. $1,000 Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy............................ $2,500
Gaylord A. Gunderson Education and Scholarship Fund Warroad Independent School District #690 (2).............................. $3,500
Ole and Ruth Tweet Family Fund Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch...................... $1,000 Girl Scouts Dakota Horizon............................ $500 Thief River Falls Community Arts Council................................ $500 Thief River Softball Assoc. Playground Committee.................................. $500 Violence Intervention Project........................... $500
Margaret Ann and Paul Samuel Johnson Family Charitable Fund Waipa Foundation...................................... $1,000 Warroad Care Center Fund.......................... $1,000 Warroad Education Endowment Fund........... $1,000 Warroad Heritage Fund................................. 1,000 Warroad Lost River Sportsmen Complex........ $1,000 Warroad Memorial Arena Fund.................... $1,000 Warroad Point Restoration & Community ..... $1,000 Warroad Veterans Memorial Fund................. $1,000 Zion Lutheran Church................................ $1,000
Park Rapids Area Community Fund Heartland Homes Endowment and Project Fund Heartland Homes, Inc................................. $3,799 Hewitt Family Charitable Fund Positively Park Rapids Fund......................... $2,500 Positively Park Rapids Fund City of Park Rapids..................................... $8,500
Warroad Education Endowment and Project Fund Warroad Independent School District #690.... $2,150
Scholarship Funds Total:..........$2,300
Roseau Area Community Fund Boy Scouts of America Troop 56..................... $150 City of Roseau........................................... $1,350 Roseau Area Friends of the Library.................. $500
Bagley Education Endowment and Project Fund Bagley General Scholarship Fund.................... $200 Nola Ellis Memorial Fund............................... $100
Thief River Falls Early Childhood Initiative Fund Thief River Falls School Dist #564.............. $10,000
Merle and Mildred Rundell Education Fund............................................. $500
Thrive Initiative Fund Beltrami Area Service Collaborative................. $800
Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund Northwest Minnesota Women’s Scholarship Fund............................. $500
Warroad Area Community Fund Warroad Eagle Scouts (Troop #151)................ $500 Warroad Independent School District #690...................................... $500 Warroad Independent School District #690.... $2,000
Warroad Area Community Fund Gaylord A. Gunderson Education and Scholarship Fund................................. $1,000
Congratulations to the City of Kennedy and the NW Regional Development Commission, who have received a 2010 Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation for its Kennedy GO GREEN Business Incubator & Renewable Energy Training Center.
The project provides a unique and innovative use of the former Kennedy High School building, which was vacant as a result of recent school consolidation. The building is being converted from fossil fuel use to renewable energy sources of geothermal, wind power, solar power, and biomass. The GO GREEN Center will house a business incubator for small business development, providing a central site for business startups with shared access of resources in order to keep business operating costs low. The GO GREEN center will also provide training and educational outreach programs and seminars to the public in order to increase awareness of various renewable energy sources and of energy efficiency methods and best practices. NMF was one of the funders of this project, along with the federal Economic Development Authority, State of Minnesota, Kittson County Economic Development Authority, City of Kennedy and private businesses. 7
NMF helped to fund the City of Kennedy and NW Regional Development Commission’s award-winning GO GREEN Business Incubator & Renewable Energy Training Center.
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID Bemidji, MN 56601 Permit No. 36
4225 Technology Drive NW Bemidji, MN 56601 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Contact us: 218-759-2057 • 800-659-7859 • info@nwmf.org
Upcoming Events Business Development
Your Website Inside and Out Oct. 1, 2010 - 11:00 – 2:00 pm Hampton Inn, Bemidji Cost: $30 Register at www.nwmf.org E-mail dianem@nwmf.org for more information. IDEA Competition - The IDEA website www.ideacompetition.org - Ready for round one applicants. Deadline is November 30, 2009. E-mail michelle@michellelandsverk.com for more information.
Training
NMF LeaderImpact Session I: October 20-22, 2010 (10:00 a.m. start time on the 20th through 4:30 p.m. on the 22nd) Session II: January 19 – 21, 2011 (Starts 5:30 pm on the 19th, ends at 4:00 pm on the 21st)
**Participants commit to both sessions Location: Hiawatha Beach Resort, Walker, MN Forms are available at www.nwmf.org, Events & Workshops Contact Jane McKelvy (218-759-2057 – e-mail janem@nwmf.org) for more information.
Early Childhood
Thrive: Rural Innovations in Early Childhood Mental Health November 5, 2010 - Hampton Inn Bemidji $85 Early Bird ($100 after Oct. 1st ) Register at www.nwmf.org Contact Holly Tri for more information at 218-759-2057 – e-mail hollyt@nwmf.org
Visit our Website
www.nwmf.org