Mayo Clinic's philanthropy campaign raises $1.35 billion

Minnesota's Mayo Clinic on Tuesday reported collecting $1.35-billion in its first sustained philanthropy campaign for operating costs. The famed medical center started the campaign in 2005 with a goal of raising $1.25-billion in seven years. While Mayo had previously sought donations from benefactors and former patients for new buildings, the current campaign was its first aimed at raising money for care, research, and education programs.

Full text article by Chen May Yee is available via Star Tribune, 1/26/10.

Minnesota Colleges Find Diverse Ways to Say 'Welcome'

A recruitment brochure printed in nine languages? Public and private colleges alike are working to attract a multicultural student population. When politicians and education leaders talk about demographic shifts, people usually think of Texas and California. But for decades Minnesota, especially the Minneapolis area, has had growing Asian and African immigrant populations, who are now being joined by Latin Americans. In all, the state's immigrant population has nearly doubled since 2000, according to the State Demographic Center.

Full text article by Emma L. Carew is available via The Chronicle of Higher Education, 1/17/10.

• Frugal Minnesota Farmer Leaves Multimillion-Dollar Bequest

A lifelong bachelor farmer from southwestern Minnesota whose modest lifestyle and prudent investments allowed him to build a $9.3 million estate has left about half of his fortune to nonprofit organizations in Rock County.

Full-text article by PAUL WALSH and PAMELA MILLER is available via Star Tribune, 8.20.09.

Minnesota Nonprofit Leaders Win New Law on Property-Tax Exemptions

Minnesota nonprofit leaders have won the final leg of their campaign to clarify state law governing charitable property-tax exemptions in the wake of what they considered a damaging Minnesota Supreme Court decision.

Full-text article by Suzanne Perry is available via The Chronicle of Philanthropy, 6.3.09.

In the Arts: Seattle, Minnesota, and Milwaukee Groups Announce Cuts

One of the country’s most respected nonprofit repertory groups, the Seattle Repertory Theater, is cutting its upcoming budget by one-third and going to a four-day workweek because of declining subscription ticket sales and an endowment it can’t dip into reports the Seattle Times.

Meanwhile, two Minnesota arts groups have announced cuts acccording to the Star Tribune. In Milwaukee, the United Performing Arts Fund, an organization that raises money for local arts groups, has reduced its fund-raising goal to $9-million this year, 15 percent less than last year’s target of $10.6-million, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Twin Cities Arts Advocates Argue for Financial Reality

Hundreds of people are expected at Arts Advocacy Day at the Minnesota State Capitol today. The lobbying comes as Gov. Tim Pawlenty is recommending the zeroing out of the State Arts Board's funding.

However, some within the arts community say they need to do a better job of explaining how the arts are vital to the Minnesota economy.

Full-text article by Euan Kerr is availble via Minnesota Public Radio, 2.24.09.

Minnesota Hospitals In Bad Shape, and Things Could Get Worse

The prognosis for state hospitals and health care providers will be sustained pain if Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposed budget cuts are approved, the head of the Minnesota Hospital Association predicted this week.

Full-text article by Scott Carlson is available via The Saint Paul Legal Ledger, 2.12.09.

Minnesota Grantmakers Anticipate Drop in Giving in 2009

After several years of increased giving, Minnesota foundations and corporate giving programs expect a decline in grantmaking to nonprofit organizations in 2009 versus 2008. 40 percent of grantmakers anticipate a decrease in giving, 41 percent expect their giving to remain the same, and 15 percent hope to increase their grantmaking in 2009.

The full report is available via the Minnesota Council on Foundations, 1.2009.

Financial Crisis Worries Nonprofits

As the tumult surrounding Wall Street’s implosion continues unresolved, Twin Cities philanthropic leaders are hoping for the best – but preparing for delayed gifts and lower investment returns.

Bruce Flessner, a fundraising consultant with Minneapolis-based Bentz, Whaley, Flessner & Associates Inc. had a major philanthropic client decide recently to postpone the launch of a new capital campaign. He declined to name the client.

“The bottom line is that you’ll see a slowing of giving,” he said. “It’s going to take longer for some of the gifts to get started. . . but it’s not going to collapse.”

Full-text article by Kendall Anderson is available via Finance and Commerce, 9.26.08.

Minnesota Residents Show High Trust in Charities

Minnesotans have a higher level of trust for nonprofit organizations than the rest of the country according to a study conducted by the Charities Review Council.

The study compiled responses from more than 600 Minnesotans to determine their trust of nonprofit and for-profit institutions.

Ninety-four percent of respondents said they give time or money to charity. Eighty-three percent of respondents said they trust the organizations to which they donate.

Charities Review Council, 10.2007.

Bush Foundation Names New President

Peter C. Hutchinson will succeed Anita M. Pampusch as the president of the organization.

Mr. Hutchinson has served as a vice president for the Dayton Hudson Foundation, commissioner of finance for Minnesota, deputy mayor of Minneapolis, and superintendent of the Minneapolis school district. He also co-founded Public Strategies Group, a company that helps governments redesign themselves.

With foundation assets of $900M, $40M in grants is distributed to organizations in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

More information available via the Bush Foundation website.