Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s Give to the Max Day is an annual event held statewide on November 17 that focuses on supporting local non-profit organizations in your community. It was evident again this year, it’s eighth year, how much Give to the Max day means to residents in the area and the importance of the work the foundations do.
Sue Kolling, President of the Spring Valley Area Community Foundation (SVACF) in Spring Valley, Minn., and board member of SMIF, would like to give a big shout out to their donors, saying, “We raised almost $19,000 on November 17,” which is amazing!
The money raised this year by the SVACF will be used to support the State Veterans Home in Spring Valley, states Kolling, as the foundation has committed $25,000 towards this.
“We see the ability to attract the State Veterans Home to our community as a huge economic driver for our community, our school and area residents,” says Kolling, adding, “we felt the Foundation should take a leadership role in supporting this project and show our commitment and the community’s commitment to this project” that will be of great importance to the area.
In the event the veterans home is not approved in Spring Valley, the funds will be used according to the vision, mission and purpose of the foundation, which is “Striving to build a dynamic community by encouraging generosity, promoting civic engagement and providing the opportunity to enhance the quality of life by creating community partnerships,” says Kolling.
The money SVACF raised last year was dispersed throughout the community, according to Kolling. Recipients included the Wykoff Veterans Memorial, the Little Husker 1k kids run, Missoula Children’s Theatre for Kingsland school, St. Johns and homeschool children; Music in the Park, Gateway Academy – STEM Summer School, the annual banquet, a summer reading program, and the Spring Valley Historical Society.
The Chosen Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) is an active group whose funds are managed by the Rochester Area Foundation. The mission of the CVCF is “The Chosen Valley Community Foundation will be well known for its efforts to inspire, sustain and enhance the quality of life for the Chatfield community’s residents, from the youngest to the oldest. The Foundation will achieve this goal by facilitating, supporting and acting as a catalyst for community growth as it works synergistically with and through community partners,” according to the Foundations website cvcfoundation.com.
Tom Vinson, board member of the CVCF, says, “We are gradually increasing our footprint in the community. Each year we give out grants throughout the Chosen Valley Community. These grants support our mission to promote the quality of life and well-being of the citizens in the Chosen Valley Community. These projects can be charitable, educational, scientific, religious, literary, enhance public safety, beautify the environment, foster sports competition, and help prevent cruelty to children or animals,” which are all well deserved areas of interest.
Although the Rushford Community Foundation does not push Give to the Max day as “we have a couple of other fundraisers during the year and we don’t want people to get burned out on being asked for donations,” says member Bonnie Prinsen, they still received a total of $815 in donations that day online. “We are so grateful to all the generous, community-minded people in our area,” states Prinsen.
The Lanesboro Area Community Foundation (LACF) is in its infancy and member Louise Wolfgramm commented that “participating in Give to the Max Day would have been premature this year,” but undoubtedly the members look forward to their foundation growing and participating in the future.
Steve Donney, President of the Harmony Area Community Foundation (HACF), states, “Our day went well thanks to great planning and effort by Vicky Tribon, the head of our Give to the Max committee, and her committee members,” whose hard work paid off.
The committee had set a goal of $10,000 to raise on November 17. “We had approximately $9,300 in donations for the day,” says Donney, adding that “two businesses, First Southeast Bank and Harmony Enterprises both matched $1 for each $3 raised up to $1,000,” so with those two $1,000 contributions, “our total for the day was approximately $11,300,” states Donney.
“$2,000 of the proceeds are earmarked for the Harmony area senior citizens group for programming and activities and another $2,000 for the Historical Society,” states Donney.
Vicky Tribon with the HACF explains how they plan ahead for Give to the Max Day, which includes posters being delivered to area businesses by their students members Kiera Olson, Ryli Tostenson and Ashley Haugerud. An insert is included in utility bills, making residents aware of the event and other coverage is made possible by newspaper articles, public access channel and Facebook coverage. Another effective tool was Gerri Nielsen sending out a group email to past HACF donors.
The Preston Area Community Foundation (PACF) is also a very active group whose mission is “To serve the greater Preston area by supporting programs and projects that improve the quality of life and build a stronger community,” which is a very worthwhile mission.
During the 2016 Give to the Max event, participating for the fifth consecutive year, PACF raised a total of $18,390.76. Chairperson Chuck Aug stated it was “a huge success again this year” and recognized the work done by Kari Odenbrett, who chairs the Give to the Max Committee, and the members of the committee.
It is wonderful that there are so many people who want to make their community be the best it can be for its residents and visitors. The best part of Give to the Max Day is the fact that 100% of donations raised stay within the communities.
According to a press release by SMIF, “Minnesota’s Give to the Max day had a record setting year, bringing in $20.1 million in donations. Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) and its affiliates raised $48,000, with some matching dollars still to be totaled,” which is great news for all communities and community members involved.
SMIF oversees 26 community foundations in a 20-county region. To find out more information visit smifoundation.org.
Although it is great to Give to the Max each November 17, remember that donations can be made to these vital foundations any time of year at GiveMN.org.
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