Document

Index

What we do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Who are the people working for the region . . . 4Board & StaffMessage from the Chair & President

How the funds are used and accounted . . . . . . . . 7Statement of Financial Position

Where the funds came from . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Circle of Vision

How the funds were invested . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14GrantsCommunity & Component FundsBusiness

What was accomplished in 2007Ingenuity Frontier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Project Lead the Way. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Central Boiler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Early Childhood Initiatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24STAR Teams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Boys & Girls Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

“What you do for yourself is fleeting and dies with you.What you do for others has unending benefit and is eternal.”

J E R O L D P A N A S

Our mission is broad...

Reimagining the Future

and our programs are many...Reimagining the Future

32007 ANNUAL REPORT

Northwest Minnesota Foundation

What we do

Mission

The Northwest

Minnesota Foundation

invests resources,

creates opportunities,

and promotes philanthropy

to make the region

a better place to live and work.

Values

EXCELLENCE We strive for the highest standards

in all our programs and services.

INTEGRITYWe are a trusted resource

demonstrating honesty and fairness in our relationships with

partners, clients and colleagues.

PASSIONWe are committed to the region

and mission-driven in all our endeavors.

INNOVATIONWe are forward thinking

and proactive in seeking out opportunities.

WISDOMWe apply knowledge of the region

and historical perspective to make sound decisions.

PARTNERSHIPSWe are most effective

when working in cooperation with others.

AccomplishmentsSince inception in 1986

Business loan programs with over $5.6 million inassets have made 407 loansfor a total of more than$17.1 million

Creation or retention of almost 2,151 jobs

Lending has leveraged more than $70 millionin additional funds

Made over 2,957 grantstotaling over $17 million

Adult and youth leadershipprograms have providedtraining for nearly 3,373 leaders

Specially designed non-profitmanagement and diversitytraining programs haveaddressed the special needs of 496 organizationsand 85 communities

$46.5 million total assets

More than 230 componentfunds and sub-funds, withassets totaling $12.9 million

Kittson Roseau Lakeof the Woods

Marshall

BeltramiPennington

Red Lake

Polk

NormanMahnomen

Hub

bard

Cle

arw

ater

OUROUROUR

4 2007 ANNUAL REPORT

Who are the people working for the regionNorthwest Minnesota Foundation

Board

Staff

Terri AndersonDirectorOgema

The Board of Directorsestablishes the strategic goals

and policies that provide aframework for addressing the

needs and opportunities it hasidentified in the region.

The Board strives to maintaingender balance, broad

geographic representation,and a wide range of interests

and experience.

The staff is headquartered inthe Bemidji office. They travel

throughout the twelve countiesin the region to meet with loanclients, donors, grant recipients,

fund advisors and colleagues.

Top row left to right: Tim Wang, Caryl Turnow, Ritchie Houge, LaRae Maddox,Samantha Hedin, Diane Morey, Holly Tri, Jim Steenerson

Bottom row left to right: Jane McKelvy, Dave West, Lisa Peterson, Sandy Kamnikar, Lin Backstrom, Marty Sieve, Peggy Crandall

Photo to left: John Ostrem, President

Eric BergesonChair Fertile

Diane BlairChairResigned February ‘07

East Grand Forks

Dean JohnsonTreasurerMahnomen

Kim WilsonDirectorFosston

Mark HewittDirectorPark Rapids

Bob HagerDirectorRoseau

Roger MalmDirectorHallock

Anne SandVice-Chair Bemidji

Ann BeckDirectorBagley

Gary PurathSecretaryRed Lake Falls

Dave BergmanDirectorThief River Falls

52007 ANNUAL REPORT

M E S S A G E F R O M T H E C H A I R A N D P R E S I D E N T

Northwestern Minnesota is turning the corner. After decades of declining population, the state demographer is telling us that in the next twenty years,our area will experience population growth for the first time in nearly 100 years.

At its inception twenty-one years ago, the Northwest Minnesota Foundation was preoccupied with staving off economic decline and helping to create growth. In the past few years, those efforts, combined with a turnaround in agriculture, a bustling manufacturing sector–and an increased desire by the harried suburban masses to enjoy the peace and quiet we take for granted–have given our area thebrightest outlook for the future we have seen in decades.

Have you seen the price for swampland lately? We may laugh at what people fromoutside of the area are paying for land you can’t even farm, but we shouldn’t miss the broader message: We’ve got something somebody else wants, which arethe elements and assets that create “Quality of Place,” and they’re going to want more of it all the time.

Growth brings its own challenges. We must manage our growth so we do not lose the things we cherish. We must preserve our past, our natural treasures and our sense of community.

At the same time, we cannot delude ourselves into thinking we will return to a past which is familiar to us. The coming decades will bring dramatic change to our countryside. It is up to us not to resist change, but to make sure the change is for the better.

We must embrace technology. We must venture boldly into the world economy.We must prepare our children to compete on a world-wide scale, but we must make sure they don’t feel they have to abandon the area to do so.

Big challenges. But these are the challenges that, with your help, the Northwest Minnesota Foundation is determined to meet. Our mission is broad and our programs are many, but all of the canoes in the NMF fleet are paddling in the same direction.

We want to make northwestern Minnesota a great place to live and workfor generations to come.

Eric Bergeson John OstremBoard Chair President


...but all of the canoes in the NMF fleet are paddling in the same direction.


72007 ANNUAL REPORT

How the funds are used and accountedNorthwest Minnesota Foundation

Fundraising

Administration

ProgramsTotal

Other

Program Contributions

Endowment Contributions

Investment IncomeTotal

$ 377,392 $ 450,578 39,103,988 33,455,639

536,150 529,598 125,500 125,500 166,057 179,216 403,861 245,637 208,687 156,086

14,621 14,559 4,214,713 3,769,476

3,651 4,894 701,256 725,493

$$ 4455,,885555,,887766 $$ 3399,,665566,,667766

$ 93,434 $ 93,434 468,740 314,351 248,897 163,251

1,788,039 1,638,135 1,450,017 1,061,613

273,898 324,934 500,403 630,989 232,896 245,757

$$ 55,,005566,,332244 $$ 44,,447722,,446644

475,927 529,302 17,489,805 13,857,806 22,833,820 20,797,104 40,799,552 35,184,212

$$ 4455,,885555,,887766 $$ 3399,,665566,,667766

A s s e t s

Cash and Cash EquivalentsInvestments Assets Held in Charitable Remainder Trust Other Equity Investments Grants/Contracts Receivable Pledges Receivable Accrued Interest ReceivableOther Receivables Notes Receivable – Revolving Loan Fund Prepaid ExpensesFixed Assets

TOTAL ASSETS

L i a b i l i t i e s

Deferred RevenueProgram Grants/Scholarships PayableOther LiabilitiesAgency Endowment Liability Loans Payable Mortgage Payable Annuity Payable Liability Under Annuity Trust Agreement

TOTAL LIABILITIES

N e t A s s e t s

UnrestrictedTemporarily RestrictedPermanently RestrictedTotal Net Assets

TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

June 30, 2007 June 2006

R e v e n u e Fiscal Year 2007

E x p e n s e s Fiscal Year 2007

& S u p p o r t


Where the funds came fromFiscal Year 2007 Donors Northwest Minnesota Foundation

Circle of Vision

The Circle of Vision wasestablished to recognizethose people who see thepossibilities of tomorrow by acting today; who believein their communities andshare of themselves and their resources.

In 2007, an anonymous donorjoined the Circle of Vision as an individual or a familywho made a gift, planned gift,or will bequest of $100,000 or more in direct support of NMF or any of itscomponent funds.

H O N O R E E SAnonymous

H.C.”Bill” Baer, Jr. and Jessie Baer

Frances Drivold

Employees of Team Industries-Team Foundation

Lyle H. Engelstad

Robert F. and Marian Foley

Gaylord Gunderson Estate

Helleckson Family/Courage Center North

Mark and Peg Hewitt

Sam and Peg Johnson

Leonard J. and Rosemond Kucera

Arnold F. Lund, Sr.

Eldor and Stella Omdahl

Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians

Elsie Semrau

Ole and Ruth Tweet

Circle of Vision Leadership Society

This year, William S. and Margaret W. Marvin were recognized as members of the Circle of VisionLeadership Society. These are individual donors, not associated with another foundation or organi-zation, who have reached a giving level of $1,000,000 or more in contributions to the NorthwestMinnesota Foundation, a component fund or program. The Marvins have generously supported theWarroad community with their gift to establish the Warroad Swim Program Fund.

Arnold F. Lund Sr. was the first to reach the $1 million mark in total gifts, recognized in 2005.

Listed are donors whose gifts were received and recorded between July 1, 2006 andJune 30, 2007. We do our best to maintain an accurate list of donors and apologize for any errors or omissions.Please call our office with corrections.

aA & B Rice ProcessingLeif and Cheryl AakreBetty AanerudCarole and James AbelsCindy and Lee AbrahamsonAccess Bank of PlummerAce on the LakeMary M AdamsAdkins Equipment, Inc.Advantage Marketing &

Promotional Design, Inc.Affinity Plus Federal Credit UnionAgassiz Insurance GroupAgassiz Study ClubAgCountry Farm Credit Services

of Detroit LakesAgCountry Farm Credit Services

of FargoBecky AgnewBob AgnewWayne and Karen AhmannPatricia AlbergPatrick Alcorn DDSAlex Power EquipmentBrad and Trish AllenRoger W. AllenJason AllrichLyle AllrichSally J. AmbersonAmerican Crystal Sugar CompanyAmerican Federal Bank of

CrookstonAmerican Federal Bank of FargoAmerican Federal Savings Bank

of Warren

American Legion Drum and Bugle Corp. & Class of 42

American Legion Post #20American Legion Post #238American Legion Post #31-Isaccson-BjorgeAmerican State Bank of GryglaAmeriPride Services, Inc.Margie AmiotAmundson Equipment, Inc.Anderson Power & EquipmentKandy B Anderson, LtdChester A. and Frances AndersonGary AndersonJeanette AndersonLouise and Dallas AndersonMark AndersonRamona AndersonStacy AndersonTerri AndersonWard and DeAnn AndersonRenee K. AndresenJoAnn and Donald AndringaAnimal Care ClinicAnonymousAppraisal Associates, Inc.Arctic Cat, Inc.Robert E. ArnesonViolet ArnquistArrow Printing, Inc.Betty ArvidsonMavis ArvidsonBruce AtwaterCarol and Delbert AudetteTammy and Martin AudetteJill AustinRodney M. AustinJames P. and Linda K. AutreyRobert D. & Gloria J. Aylesworth

bMary Lynn BachandLin and Jay BackstromBadger School Dist #676City of BadgerBagley Independent School District

#162Bagley Rotary ClubMichael BahnmillerBaja Auto PartsJoseph E. BakArdis BakkeJoan M. BakkeDonald and Janice BakkenBalboa AnesthesiaRaymond W. BallFloyd Balstad FarmPat BalstadWanda BaltzellKaye BaluarteBar 209Marlene and Rick BarberLois BauerBrenda BaumannDorothy BaxterMonica BeauchaneStacy BeauchaneMike and Cindy BeaudryKathryn BeaulieuAnn BeckCelia A. BeckMarjory BeckRodney BeckMarsha BeckelAllan and Amanda BeckerKathy and Ken BeitoDick and Josephine Beitzel

Bejou Rough RidersBeltrami Electric Cooperative, Inc.Beltrami Farmers ElevatorBeltrami United Methodist WomenSteve and Shirley BeltzBemidji Ambulance ServiceBemidji Branch COABemidji City Parks & TrailsBemidji Community TheaterBemidji Co-op AssociationBemidji Dental ClinicBemidji Downtown Development

AuthorityBemidji First City Lions ClubBemidji JayceesBemidji Medical EquipmentThe Bemidji Rotary ClubBemidji Sports CentreBemidji Tae Kwon Do SchoolBemidji Travel ServiceBemidji Welders Supply, IncBemidji Woolen Mills, Inc.Bemidji Youth Basketball Assoc.Gwen BenboJulie BengstonDonavin BennesJim and Nancy BensenBrian Berdahl AgencyConnie and Norm BergNick BergBergeson NurseryEric BergesonBob and Helen BerglandDave and Jodi L.BergmanDiane BerhowMuret BerhowThe Bernick CompaniesBern's Convenient StorageJoan Bertilrud

Generosity is giving more thanyou can, and pride is taking lessthan you need. Kahlil Gibran

Charity sees the need not the cause.German Proverb

In charity there is no excess.Sir Francis Bacon

Charity begins at home.Terence

We make a living by what weget, we make a life by whatwe give. Sir Winston Churchill

Make all you can, save allyou can, give all you can.John Wesley

92007 ANNUAL REPORT

Elaine S. BertilsGregg and Terese BervigDaryl BesslerBest of the North Real Estate Co.Jordan BesteBeta Sigma PhiBethel Lutheran Church of

Stafford WELCAEileen BevoldenJeffrey T. BisekRachel A. BishopVerna BjerkLinda and David BlackRobert and Kathy BlackBlackduck Dental ClinicDiane and Rick BlairKathy BlancBruce and Linda BlanchardBlandin FoundationRob and Bonnie BlankenfeldBlue Line ClubJoann BluhmDorothy V. BoeBois Forte Reservation Tribal

CouncilTerry and Mary BoldinghAdeline BolstadJoel BolstadKeith and Cathy BolstadBonanza SteakhouseBonded Lock and AlarmBonnie's FloralStephen W. and Kristin A. BoothCarol BorchertBorder State BankBonnie BorgesonKristen M. and Henry W. BorysewiczHenry C. Boucha, Sr.Geraldine B. BowlesCharles W. BoyerJessie BoyerArt Branden FamilyWill BrandliTim BrandtBoyd and Sylvia BratagerGary BratvoldKevin and Renee BrauerKelsey BraunDavid and Sarah BrayBonnie and Donald BredenbergVirginia and Terry BrekkeBremer Bank of BreckenridgeBremer Bank of CrookstonBremer Bank of Grand ForksBremer Bank of WarrenOtto Bremer FoundationBremer Trust, NABrents Food PrideSarah and Kevin BrevikBrigid's Pub, Inc.Bromelkamp CoDennis and Nancy BrovoldTheresa J. Brown

Ronald W. and Debra A. BrummerJason BrumwellRyan BrumwellGwen BrunsLoraine A. BrunsbergJodi BryantAlan BurchellBurger KingBurkel Grain Service, Inc.Keith and Janet BurkelElvin and Bev BurnhamMary Burslie DavisAbby BuseJulie BuseMary ButzierBuuck Family FoundationKenneth and Crystal Byfuglien

cC & M Ford Sales, Inc.Campbell Volunteer Fire Dept.Sheila CapistranJay and Carla CardinalMatt CardinalElizabeth CarlsonShannon CarlsonVerda CarlsonCarpenter & Wangberg PABob and Jan CarrNancy CarrollSteven and Joyce CaspersRyan C. CassCease Family Funeral HomeCease Funeral HomeLorraine F. CecilCentennial CelebrationCentral Boiler, Inc.Century 21 Dickinson RealtorsCeres Equipment Inc.Clark ChambersCharles and Barbara ChamplinEileen ChannelTim and Shelly ChaputBeverly B. CharlesChateau MotelDouglas ChristensenJeff and Rebekah ChristensenAllard and Marguerite ChristensonRay and Nancy ChristianDavid ChristiansonMichael P. and Jennifer L.

ChristiansonJustin ChrzCHS FoundationCHS Salol ElevatorsChurch of Corpus ChristiRuth Circle Faith Lutheran ChurchCitizens State Bank of KelliherClassic Cuts Hair and Body SalonClearbrook Ag Service, Inc.Clearbrook Dental Clinic, Ltd.

Clearwater Lutheran Church Women

Clearwater Veterinary Service, Ltd.Clearwater-Polk Electric CooperativeCarol CloseCoca-Cola Bottling Company

of BemidjiKaren L. CoeDavid W. CollinsSteven and Meagan CollinsComfort Heat Systems, LLCCommunity Bank of the Red River

Valley-Warren Community Co-opsThe Community Development

Trust, LPCompass Capital Management Inc.Complete Title Services LLCRoger and Jane ComstockConcordia Language VillagesBret E Cooper, DDS MSJoseph and Karen CorcoranLenore CostelloMarilyn and Jim CounterCountry KitchenCountryside TirePeggy CrandallCredit Savers, LPConnie CrevistonCherie L. Crooks-BathelCrookston Implement CompanyCrookston National BankCrookston Noon Day LionsCrookston Rotary ClubCrookston Valley Cooperative, Inc.Cry of the Loon LodgeCurb Crowser DesignC-W Valley CO-OPSybil CwiklaKaren CyrWayne and Patricia Czeh

dD & D CommoditiesAnnette A. DaedlowDavid C. DaggettJoyce DahlMary Ann DahlStephen Ray and Dianne DahlDanny and Michelle DaleRita A. DalzellLauren DanielsMary J. DanielsDave's PizzaDave's Satellite Inc.Susan DavidsonDavis Drywall IncJoyce DavisMichelle M. DavisRichard and Ann Marie DayDonald and Petra De Krey

Robin L. DeakinsDeerwood BankLorraine Degerness and FamilyThe Delaware Mutual Insurance CoBryan DenaultDept of Employment and EconomicDevelopmentBrad DerosierMarion B. DessertDeb and Jim DeWenterJessica A. DeweyLynne DidriksonDieter Enterprises Inc.Digi-Key CorporationJoe DiMaggio's Sports CafeDonna DittesDL Drywall Northwest IncJana DoddsDeb DokkenRobert DomreseDondelinger Chevrolet-BuickBunny DondelingerLauren DondelingerM.B. DondelingerTom and Susan DondelingerCay DonlinPatrick DonnaySara DormanSunshine DorowDianna DotsonPatricia DowEsther DowningDown's Insurance & Investment

ServicesAllan and Judy DragsethRosalie and Carl DrahosTerry and Tammy DrangstveitRobin DufaultRoy J. and Joan R. DufaultDunn Bros CoffeeVivian J. Dvergsten

eLarry and Janet EcksteinMarv EdevoldEdlund ChiropraticEducation of MN- MahnomenByron and Carolyn EegDouglas and Sharon EhlersAlf and Verna EideAdella M. EidsmoeRenee ElbingerDonna M. EllensonGardell and Judy EmeryCarole EngelstadRichard and Bonnie EngenElaine M. ErdahlAngela EricksonArt & Betty EricksonBarb EricksonBrian G. and Lynn M. Erickson

Charles W. EricksonDeVaughn and Pam EricksonDoris EricksonJanet EricksonJune and Evelyn EricksonKirk and Debbie EricksonMark and Jackie EricksonMark G. EricksonNeil EricksonPeter and Rebecca EricksonKen and Jan ErieHarold and Jane EvansEvenAire Systems, Inc.The Evergreen HouseEvergreen Implement Company

f4Charity Foundation, Inc.

Daniel and Roxanne FabianFaith Lutheran Church WomenEleanor and John FallgrenThomas and Mary Kay FallgrenFalls Building Center, Inc.Pamela FankhanelFannie Mae Corporate HeadquartersFarm Credit Services of Grand ForksFarm Power Inc. of MinnesotaFarmers Co-op Ag Service of

GreenbushFarmers Elevator of Fergus FallsFarmers Mutual Insurance

CompanyFarmers Union Oil Co of GryglaFarmers Union Oil Co of

Lake BronsonFarmers Union Oil Co of OsloFarmers Union Oil Co of RoseauFarmers Union Oil Co of WarroadFarmers Union Oil of Southern

ValleyElizabeth A. FedorConnie Jean FeragenFertile Building Center, Ltd.Fertile Fire Fighters Relief

AssociationFertile Lions ClubFertile Oil CoFertile Veterans Memorial

CommitteeFertile-Beltrami Public SchoolAnthony L. and Traci K. FichterOrlin FickEsther F. FieldmanLeo R and Linda M FilipiAmy FilpulaFirst Federal Bank-BemidjiFirst Impression Salon SpaFirst Lutheran ChurchFirst National Agency Bagley, Inc.First National Bank of BagleyFirst National Bank of Bemidji

Listed are donors whose gifts were received and recorded between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007.

The universal brotherhood of man is our most preciouspossession. Mark Twain

If we have the opportunity to begenerous, we have no idea ofthe depth and breadth of love'sreach. Margaret Cho

Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have.H. Jackson Brown Jr.

The living need charity more than the dead.George Arnold

What a child doesn't receive he can seldom later give.P. D. James


Donald and Faye HammerBruce and Aase HamnesHampton Inn & Suites of BemidjiLowell and Margaret HamrumNeil and Leona HandJim and Jo HankoJeanne HanseSalome and Randy HansenHanson Oil & Fuel, Inc.Ethel HansonHarley HansonJudy and Elroy HansonLinda A. HansonLinda L. HansonLyle HansonSheila A. HansonHardee'sJessica J. HarrenLorri Ann and Dean HartelVernae and Mike HasbargenJim and Becky HaskellCurtis HaugenKeith D. and Debra K. HaugenThe Head-QuartersHeadwaters Regional Development

CommissionHeadwaters Regional Finance

CorporationChuck and Gail HealyHeartland Homes, IncCarter and Florence HedeenSamantha HedinDawn M HedlundLorraine HedlundMarvin and Lynnett HedlundRod HeffernanJanice HelgesonJon P. and Jill A. HelgesonRoger and RuthAnn HelgesonRonald and Marcyln HellingMarilyn HeltzerHensel Overhead Door ServiceHerington's Shoe StoreReverend Louis HermansenDr. Ralph HersethNorma HesbyScott and Anndrea HetheringtonMike HetteenPam and Rick HetteenFred and Hilde HetzneckerMark and Peggy HewittCynthia R. HibbardHolly A. HicksDick and Barb HiedemanCharles B. HillerHill's Plumbing & HeatingHilltop Animal HospitalHirshfield'sPamela HockstedlerRoger and Pat HockstedlerKristie HodgsonMichael C. HoganLowell Hogberg

Sandi HogensonJames and Angela HogloJohn and Ruth HollisDon HolmHolmes & Associates, LtdDavid and Carole HolmesJenny A. HoltDel and Alice HolzAnton and Anna HonekDonna T. HonekJohn and Judy HonerElaine HonlLindsay S. and Bryan A. HontvetPaul and Karen HopkeStanley HorwichJack and Linda HossRitchie HougeJohn and Wanda HoughtDick HoutkooperRuth A. HoweWanda HoyumHubbard County Parks andRecreationJim HubbardCurtis D. HukeeLori A. HumphreyMyrtie HuntMarian HuschleJohn M. and Catherine A. HussDennis and Kathryn HuweAndy Hyser

iYvonne IngallsInitiative FoundationIPS IncorporatedCurt and Kathy IrelandOlav and Betsey IsaneItasca-Mantrap CooperativeIverson Corner DrugAaron & Kathy IversonDarold and Marie Iverson

jNathaniel JacksonJack'Stop Inc.James and Grace JacobsAnn M. JacobsonDonna Rae JacobsonLuis and Neva JainMarion JasonHarold and Jean JennissenHarvey JensrudLois JohanneckMichelle and Roger JohanneckCalvin and Cleo JohannsenMarv and Melinda JohannsenTim Johannsen

John's Backhoe ServiceDawn and Mitchell JohnsonDean and Sharon JohnsonDean M. JohnsonDick L. JohnsonDonna J JohnsonFay JohnsonHarvey M. JohnsonIvan JohnsonMarlin and Sandra JohnsonPeg and Sam JohnsonPhyliss JohnsonTammy Grittner JohnsonMarie and David JohnstadPearl Johnston FamilyLinda L. JohnstonMarshall and Barbara JohnstonCynthia Cizmek JonesFloyd W. and Dorothy M. JorgensenBeverly and Joe Jorland

kJulie KaczmarJoe KaiserMary Ann KaiserDaniel C. KallgrenSariina KalliSandra KamnikarKaren KappedalKeith KapphahnPatricia KapphahnReverend Gregory KapphahnNorma KarlsenKaste Seed, IncOrvis D. KasteRolland and Diane KastnerRuth KautzmanKeg 'N CorkPatricia KellyMary Jo KelseyKelsey's JewelryBrad KennedyRonnie and Jan KennedyBradley KennettKenny's BP & GoodyearKent State BankKentucky Fried ChickenEloise KettnerDennis and Diana KihlstadiusRaylene KimballJanice A. and J. Alden KittlesonKittson Auto-Implement, Inc.Kittson CountyKittson EquipmentJason KjearRod and Marion KjerstenDavid & Mary Ellen KjosSue KlaboSanford H and Colleen R KlamarNeil Klein

First National Bank of Bemidji Foundation

First National Bank of HermanFirst National Bank of WalkerFirst Realty GMACFirst State Bank of ClearbrookFirst State Bank of FertileFirst State Bank of KensingtonMildred Johnson and Vivian FjelstadMarty and Heidi FladeboeLynnette and John FlageSarah A. FlageOrris FlermoenBetty FloanMary and Tom FogartyRobert F. Foley, Sr.Robert J. and Mary FoleySandra and Keith FontaineForseman ConstructionBill and Marge ForsethFosston-Lengby Lions ClubMary FosterSonia FosterFox Beauty SalonFrancis FloralFraternal Order of Eagles-CrookstonVince and Betty FreborgJoann E. FredricksonFreeberg & Grund, Inc.Freese FarmOdetta V. FreierDeeGee FrenzelPaul FriesenJennifer FriscoFrizzell Furniture GalleryFrom Under a Dark CloudLloyd and Norma FrosakerHarold M. FruetelJerry R. FruetelEvan FrutigerDiane FuchsAlvin (Bud) and Shirley FuglebergChad M. FurusethRhonda Furuseth

gClarence and Dianne GagnerGalen's Super ValuMargaret and Donald GallagherCharles Galli, Sr.James and Teresa GallowayPeter and Marilyn GandrudDawn GanjeGarden Valley Telephone CoJoann M. and George GardnerKathleen GardnerGarfield Homemakers ClubGarfield InsuranceThe GazetteKevin GeerdesHerbert and Clara Gerlitz

Raymond J. German, Ltd.James and Beverly GilbertsonLowell and Ardis GillettGiziibii RC & DGladen Construction, Inc.Marion GoedenGold Pine Home Bemidji, Inc.Judy L. GoldsmithGonvick Annual Fund DriveGood Shepherd Lutheran WELCAGracza & Gracza, Inc.Isaac GraffDuane and Bonita GranPete and Jeanette GrangerDon and Joan GrayWade GrayArthur L. GredvigHenry GredvigPaul GredvigRonald P. GredvigRaymond W. GreenGreenbush LionsGreenbush Veterinary Clinic, Ltd.Raymond J. GrenierWhitney A. GrenierJean A. GrimesLyle C. GrindyGrittner FarmsHarlow K. GroveDebbie Drinkard GrovumSharon GrugelJody and Howard GudvangenLarry GuggisbergFay and Russell GullicksonLynne M. GullicksonSteve and Georgia GullicksonMichelle GulliksonGina M. and Grant W. GundersonRobert and Marian GundersonThe GunshopTony and Marcella Gust

hCarol HagenDave HagenDon and Connie HagenJon and Bonnie HagenReid C HagenWarren and Marsha HagenRobert J. HagerJimmy HaggeMelvin and Lillian HaiderStanley and Janice HaleyGordy and Tricia HallJill HallLynn HallettLuther HalstensgardGary and Karen HalversonGearey and Julie HalversonDouglas and Sharon HalvorsonYvonne Halvorson


Deeds of giving are thevery foundations of theworld. The Torah

Isn't everyone a part of everyone else?Budd Schulberg

Compassion is the basis of all morality.Arthur Schopenhauer

112007 ANNUAL REPORT

Sandra and Paul KleinTeresa R KleinStacy KlemaLinda KlineMary Jo KlingerCharley and Carol KlotzKarrie and Neil KnaackMark KnebelKnife River CorporationBea KnodelAric KnottBrett M. KnottChris KnottGregory and Sandy KnottKayla and Dan KnottPaul and Shelly KnottRenee KnottJulie and Matt KnoxKnutson, Windahl and LemmGary and Sue KnutsonSusan KnutsonFredric and Lana KraftheferDavid and Peggy KragnesTony KrahnEleanor KramerKraus-Anderson Construction

CompanyKraus-Anderson, Inc.Krigbaum and Jones, Ltd.Kathleen KrogstadLois M. Kruger

lL & M Fleet Supply, Inc.Frank and Diane LabadieDennis LaCroixLadies Auxiliary VFW Post 1260Kathleen H. LahtiLake Country Chevrolet-Buick-

PontiacLake George CaféLake of the Woods DriftersLake of the Woods Humane SocietyLake Region Electric CooperativeLakeland Farmers InsuranceLakes Region Chemical DependencyLakewood Health CenterLambert InsuranceJean and Derek LambertLampert's Cabinets, Inc.Keith and Deb LandinJanet LangLaporte GroceryLaporte-Benedict Lions ClubRobert F. Larson Enterprises, Ltd.Larson FarmsLarson Parts & Repair, Inc.Carole LarsonChad and Lynn R. LarsonCraig and Melinda LarsonEd M. Larson

Maynard LarsonMiles L. LarsonFrancine and Lyle LaskeLyle and Sally LauberLarry LaudonKim LaVineLB Grain, Inc.Lee & Al's IncDawn LeeEdith LeeJami LeeMark and Susan LeeOrville LeeLeech Lake Band of OjibweLeech Lake Gaming DivisionLeech Lake RealtyKylene and Darin LehmannJoel and Susan LehrerChloe LeitingWilbert and Sandra LemckeBrad and Lori LemmLeon TownshipDiane S. LevinJohn and Dottie LiapisMary LiapisLifeCare Medical CenterNeen LillquistCal LindbergGladys LindbergKathi and Brian LindbergRobert C. LindbergRoss LindbergLindner Hagen Enterprises, Inc.Ileen LindnerSusan and Galen LisellLloyd's FurnitureTim LoefflerRodney LofthusLuWayne LoilandJohn A and Beverly K LokenLooking Glass Salon, Inc.Lowry State BankHenry and Gwen Lund, Sr.Harriet LundbyCharlene LundinLundrigan's ClothingLutheran Brotherhood

mM & M Insurance Agency, Inc.La Rae MaddoxTed and Betty MagnanJoyce MagnerDonna MagnussonRoyal MahlumMahnomen Health CenterKaydell MajerOrla MajerMelvin MalbraatenRoger and Sandy MalmPhilip Malmstedt

Laurie J. MalwitzWillard and Tammie MalwitzAde and Ev MannOnen and Sheila MarkesonBenji MarquisMarshall County CooperativeMarshall County CropLinda M. MartinMarvin Lumber & Cedar Co.Frank and Margaret A. MarvinGinny MarvinMary E. MarvinMichael and Connie Lou MarvinMrs. R. A. MarvinScott MarvinSusan I. MarvinWilliam S. MarvinMathein Study ClubMarilyn MathisonMatrons ClubA.O. Mattson Post 25Judy MattsonMichael L. and Claudia A. MatzSherrie MaxwellTherese McBrideJohn P. McCarthy and Associates, Inc.Grace McClanahanMcDonald's RestaurantJoseph G. McDonnellBlanche McFarlaneKent and Brenda McFarlaneStuart and Beth McFarlaneRebecca Jane McKelvyThe McKnight FoundationJohn and Lynnda McNellyJoyce M. McNellyMark and Patricia McNellyMichael and Carra McNellyPaul and Sue McNellyTeresa McNellyHarvey and Becky MelbyAlfred and Gail MeltingMemories CaféCasey MercilTroy MercilCarol MerrimanEugene and Gloria MerschmanHennie MersethLandis J. and Rebecca R. MidboeMiddle River Community CenterMid-Valley Grain CooperativeMidwest BankTom MillarFlorence MillerJames P. and Shirley M. MillerJon L. MillerMarilyn K. MillerPaula M. MillerSharon S. and Norman J. MillerTabetha MillerMinn 5th Dist Auxiliary FOEMinn-Dak Farmers CooperativeMinnesota Energy

Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation

Minnesota Nice CaféMinnesota Public RadioMinnesota Red River Valley

Development AssociationMinnesota Supply CompanyMinn-Kota Ag Products, Inc.Jim MiranowskiMJB Maytag Home Appliance CenterGreg and Carletta MlodzikWayne and Robina MoePatsy MoenDave and Darlene MolandMonahan's Larson Motor ServiceEdward D. and Etta M. MooneyMrs. John MoosbruggerDoris W. MooseMorell's Chippewa Trading PostMichelle E. MorenDiane MoreyJody MorlanChester MorvigKari R. MorvigShirley and Eugene MoserJudy MosherThomas J. MoudryMary C. MoyerBruce MuckalaCharles H. Casey and Barbara J.

MuesingMuldoon Law OfficeDeAnna MurphySharon J. and William F. MurphyCharlene and Rodney MyhreDorothy MyhreJosie and Randy MyhreNicole MyhreSidney and Barbara MyhreValerie and Darin MyhreWes and Carolyn Myhre

nNapa Auto PartsNei Bottling, Inc.George W. Neilson Foundation, Inc.CDR Jerome G.S. Nelson, USN Ret.Cynthia A. NelsonJane E. NelsonJeff NelsonJerry and Pam NelsonJohn F. and Brenda M. NelsonLaura NelsonLisa and Brian NelsonMarvin L. NelsonMichelle and Branden NelsonPam and Richard NelsonRaymond L. NelsonWilliam A. and Eloise E. NelsonJoan F. NephewMargaret Nephew

Cindy NessVictor NessNew Horizons Ag ServiceJoyce NewcomNight Riders Sno-ClubSharon NoetheMrs. Edward NogaWalter NolteNorbord MinnesotaJay NordJeffrey and Diane NordWallace NordKellie NordlofKelly and Linda NordlundRobert A. NorlandRichard D. and Beverly A. NorlinNortech Systems, Inc.North Central Door, LLCNorth Country CruisersNorth Country Dental ServiceNorth Country Health ServicesNorth Country Snowmobile ClubNorthern AmusementNorthern Engineering &

Consulting, Inc.Northern Horizons Hospitality, Inc.Northern Psychological ServicesNorthern Safety & SecurityNorthern State Bank of GonvickNorthern State Bank of

Thief River FallsNorthern SurplusNorthern Wireless, Inc.Northland FoundationNorthland Hardwood Lumber CoNorthStar Orthodontics, Inc.Northway Insurance of Park RapidsNorthway Services of BemidjiNorthwest GrainNorthwest Manufacturing, Inc.Northwestern Mental Health

Center, Inc.Northwoods Bank of MinnesotaNorthwoods PressBarbara and Jerome NovakTony NovotnyGeraldine A. NubsonPhyllis and Palmer Nymark

oOak Hills Christian CollegeKathleen O'BrienEarl and Bonnie OckengaOdland, Fitzgerald & Reynolds, PLLPOf The Land GalleryRobyn OfstedalWes and Robyn OfstedalRandi Lee and Craig OftedahlRandine O'HaraTimothy OistadKeith W. and Michelle J. Okeson

Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare tothink. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“We have to decide today whether we will design the future or resign ourselves to it.”

H U B E R T H . H U M P H R E Y

For it is in giving that we receive. St. Francis of Assisi

The simple act of caring isheroic. Edward Albert

From caring comes courage.

Lao Tzu

Life, like a mirror, never givesback more than we put into it.Anonymous


Deborah and Jon PerisianLea PerkinsLynette L. PerraultMerlyn and Vern PerreaultLisa PersingKristine G. PeschRobert H. and Mary Lou PetersHarold A. and Karen E. PetersenDarrin PetersonDuane and Marjorie PetersonJames S. and Geraldine B. PetersonJeffrey G. and Annette T. PetersonJohn M. PetersonLisa and John PetersonOlga PetersonRuth S. PetersonTodd R. PetersonAdrianne PhilionRobert and Sharon PhilionSteve and Renae PhilippDebra PicheLeah PigattiJay and Marlene PikePine Lake Wild Rice FarmPinnacle Publishing, LLCThe PioneerDr. William PitbladoLawrence Krantz and Diane PittmanPKM Electric Cooperative, Inc.Pleasant Valley StorageDonald J. and Janet M. PohlPolaris Industries, Inc.Port-Able John Rental and

Service, Inc.Mary L. PorwollLeonore PotterLeonore and Wayne PotterMelinda and Randy PracharMelinda J. PracharRobyn PreamProfessional Salon Academy, Inc.Robert W. and Carmen M. PrzekwasGenevieve M. PulczinskiGary Purath

qClayton QuadeMary Betty Quistgard

rRadio Shack of WarroadErnest A. and Patricia M. RallDavid L. RambowGregory O. and Colleen RanzRaphael's Bakery CaféEd H. and Betty RasmussenRed Lake County Cooperative, Inc.Red Lake Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Red Lake Falls Sportsman ClubRed Lake RideRed Power International, Inc.Red River Agency, Inc.Red River Marketing Co.Redeemer Lutheran Women'sMissionary LeagueReel Adventures Fishing ServiceGreg and Patti ReesePamela M. and Paul L.F. ReeseKevin ReichReierson Construction, Inc.Norma ReinhartSharon T. RemarkBrian RemickJeffrey and Ingrid RemickRenaissance Hearing Centers, Inc.Tami J. RenolletPatricia A. RentfrowResort Marine & Service, Inc.Ernest and Katherine RevealKurt ReynoldsLorraine RhenGerald and Carla RicardTommy H. and Sandra K. RichardJohn R. and Melissa A. RickersLeroy and Connie RiewerNatalie Roholt and Patrick RileyRivards Quality Seeds, Inc.Riverside Bait & Tackle, Inc.Richard B. and Martha M. RobertsBarry RobertsonDeanna K. RobertsonVerlon E. and Sharon L. RobinsonJennifer RochollDona R. and Joyce RockNicole D. and Eric B. RoedGary E. and Sandy RoerickRobert and Mary RohlaH.B. and Ina T. RoholtKrista M. RollandDebra K. RollerBarrett C. and Connie R. RongenCarol and Gary RoseRoseau Area Hospital AuxiliaryRoseau County Co-op Assn.Roseau Eagles AuxilaryRoseau Electric CooperativeRoseau Lions ClubRoseau Park AssociationRoseau Realty Co., Inc.Steve Ross and Vicki Ross-RhoadesCollette V. RothPatricia A. and Raymond D. RothRothsay Farmers CO-OPIrvin and Ardith RottoBernice RoyRoyal Neighbors of AmericaRichard M. and Astrid RudeKay A. RudekDonald W. RudowPaul L. RundellRunestone Telephone AssociationChristopher R. Runnels

Oklee Farmers Cooperative Elevator Association

Ann and Ronald OliveriSusan OllrichTanner OlsenTim Olson & Sons ExcavatingOlson Oil Company, Inc.David and Patti OlsonDeborah OlsonFloyd B. and Marjorie I. OlsonGary and Jeanette OlsonKaren and Ronald D. OlsonPatricia K. OlsonShelia and Duane OlsonYvonne OlsonJodie OmangOof-da TacoTodd and Sue OrtloffRichard and Rosalie OrvisLea OsethCarol OsmondsonJoan B. OsterbergDaniel and Kristin OstercampJohn and Eloise OstremC. Vernon OswaldOtter Tail Power Company-

Fergus FallsKen and Joyce OttoOur Saviors WELCA-KelliherOur Saviors WELCA-LeonardLaurie and Terry Ourada

pPam and Allan PageRonald R. PaggenScott Pahlen Realty, Inc.Palace Casino and HotelParadis Mail Service, Inc.Park Rapids Area KinshipPark Rapids Education & Activities

FoundationPark Rapids Rotary ClubParkview ClubJohn H. ParsonsThe Patch MotelPatterson'sPaul Bunyan Broadcasting Co.Paul Bunyan Mini StoragePaul Bunyan TelephoneDonna PaulinSteve and Linda PavekPawn USA, IncKeith and Harriet PearsonDave and Cindy PeckatJessica and Brent PedersenTed Pederson EstateLon and Sara PedersonPederson's Agri-SV, Inc.Brian and Sharon PelowskiPennington County CropImprovement Association

Rural Cellular CorporationShaun and Amanda RyanMadonna RysavyJim and Donna RystadSarah A. Rystad

sDouglas SafarBrian and Jane SageDennis SagedahlFlavia A. SagedahlBrita S. SailerDoug and Terre Saint OngeSamhold W.E.L.C.A.Sam's Club #8172Anne SandLyle and Joyce SandeDavid A. SandemTruman and Avis SandlandTodd SandwickSanitary Service & Recycling IncBette SatherBrenda SatherJudy SatherGary and Kristine SatreBrian W. SchaibleRobert and Cynthia SchearGerald H. SchlichtmannDebra and John SchmalenbergCrystal SchmitzJoel and Judie SchmitzKaren SchmitzPeggy SchmitzSchoolcraft Learning CommunityDave and Roxie SchumacherArt and Dorothy SchuschkeJohn and Marguerite SchwegmanDuane SeaSecurity Bank USA of BemidjiSecurity State Bank of North DakotaBradley J. and Tricia SeegerBrenda and Lon SeegerMarie SeegerMichael SeegerSteve SeegerVirginia, John and Jeri SeegmillerRoberta SellonSteve and Laurie SengGlenn and Sheree SetterholmAlton ShannonCecilia A. SheehySusan ShnyderThomas and Claudette SiekmeierMarty Sieve and Colleen ShannonSilbernick Accounting Inc.Sally SimonLinda K. SimonsPeter and Marilyn SimonsonSimplot Grower SolutionsPeter M. and Delores SinclairIlene Sistad

Sisters of St. FrancisDory L. SjoblomCheryl SjodinSjostrom Dairy FarmDavid B. and Marta M. SjostromTimothy L. SkimeAlbert T. SlagleW. Richard and Jean C. SlinkmanJames and Charlene SmalleyTerry and Miriam SmartRolf C. SmebyCarl D. and Jane E. SmithKathryn M. and John T. SmithWayne C. and Sharon SmithDick SoderbergElliott J. and Michelle SolheimDarlene SolieStanley C. SollieRalph D. and Karen M. SollomArlette C. SolomSolum - Sundby Insurance Agency, Inc.Brent A. SorensonRoy O. Sorrels, Jr.David and Claudia SorvigLinda and Melvin Sovde, Jr.Teresa SpaethMaurice and Carolyn SpanglerSparby Financial GroupSparkey Electric, Inc.Nicole J. SpauldingThe SpotSpringsteel Resort, Inc.Michael R. and Mickie A. SpurginSt. Ann's Ladies Aid of St. Joseph's

ChurchSt. Hilaire Supply Co, Inc.Dennis W. StainbrookVicki Ste. MarieRick A. and Millie M. StecklerSteele's Auto Body of Bemidji, Inc.Dale and Kari SteenblockJames SteenersonKen N. and Jean E. SteinbachCharles and Linda SteinerPaul M. StennesStephen Lions ClubBonnie StewartLouis StichMerle W. and Debra StinarPhillip StodgellStony Point Resort, Inc.Bennie and Mary StoroLori M. StoskopfShannon K. StoskopfJeanette B. StoutBernard M. StrandJoyce M. StrandVicki J. StrandLaura StrawHeather and Gordon StreiffAlice StremVirginia StremDonald and Ellen Strickler

In your hands lies the future of your world and the fulfillment of the best qualities of your own spirit.

R O B E R T F. K E N N E D Y

Happiest are the people whogive most happiness to othersDennis Diderot

The great use of life is tospend it for something thatwill outlast it. William James

No one has a right to consume happiness withoutproducing it. Helen Keller

As I give, I get.Mary McLeod Bethune

If you haven't got any charity in your heart, you have theworst kind of heart trouble.Bob Hope

As the purse is emptied, the heart is filled.Victor Hugo

When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die. Eleanor Roosevelt


O'Brien StromsodtRaymond M. and Marvlyn L.

StromstadMary StroozasIlyne StruthersJesse and Staci StubbsStuhaug SanitationGladys StuhaugGreg and Marla StuhaugEllsworth and Alta SulerudTracey SundeenEleanor SundquistSusan SuttonGerald and Phyllis SveenSverdrup Mutual Insurance

CompanyKarl and Kay SwansonMonica and Trevor SwansonNancy J. SwansonThomas L. and Bonnie J. SwansonShirley SweepChris and Leah SwenbyFamily of August E. SwensonLester Swenson

tRon and Margaret TabarTailoredwear, Inc.Target Store of BemidjiTheo TatumDebra E. TaylorTDS Fertilizer, Inc.Team FoundationArne and Karen TeiglandAlton and Patty TheisThibert Chevrolet-Buick, Inc.Jane and Steven ThibertRuth ThibodeauThief River Falls Chamber

of CommerceMerril ThielAndrew ThomasBarb ThomasonThompson HardwareKen K. Thompson JewelryDewain ThompsonEvi ThompsonHelen ThompsonKayo ThompsonKevin and Sherrie ThompsonKim and Mike ThompsonNancy ThompsonBradley and Myrna ThorsonJudy ThorsonThrifty White Drug-Red Lake FallsThrivent Financial for Lutherans

FoundationThrivent Financial for Lutherans-

Climax

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans-Gonvick

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans-Lake of the Woods

Thune Insurance NetworkClarice and David TilleraasTires Plus of BemidjiDouglas and Donna TischerArt TobkinNancy TofteElizabeth TollefsonTom'Stop Inc.Joanne TorfinElaine TorpetMargaret ToulouseTown & Country BuildersBarb and Jim TreatLeora TrontvedtStephanie TschosikArlene TuckerLinda TuckerPaula TunsethCaryl TurnowEllishia TurnwallGary TveitNancy B. TveitKathleen R. Twite

uOkokon O. UdoErman UelandUltima Bank MinnesotaUncle Bill'sBonnie UnderdahlKaren UnderhillUnited Valley BankUnity Bank NorthUnity Insurance and Investment

ServicesUpper Red Lake Area AssocationThe UPS StoreUS Small Business Administration

vJohn VallagerRoger and Roberta ValleyValu Ford of Elbow LakeBryon Vande WegeTammy and Terry Vant HofEmil VanyoLarry and Linda VatnsdalLynn VatthauerTammy VatthauerTheodore G. and Emily R. VeenVFW 1902 Entertainment FundVFW Post 8754Irene ViddenEileen M. Vierling

Paul and Karen VigerCharles VindGloria VorderbruggenVoyageur's View, Inc.

wHeidi WaggonerWagner Plumbing & HeatingWayne WagnerWilliam H. and Helen A. WagnerWilliam T. and Shirley WagnerWahl Brothers RacingDennis and Rae Ann WahlJohn and Mavis WahlbergDean and Jane WalkWalker Power Equipment, LLCJames J WalkerWal-Mart Store #3233Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.Walter Brother Dairy, Inc.Larry C. and Karen WaltersDale WaltzLilah M. WangTim and Mary WangVicki WangbergPatricia WanglerJoel and Lin WardWarren Senior Center FundWarren-Alvarado-Oslo PublicSchool Ed FoundationWarroad Chiropractic Clinic, P.A.Warroad Dairy QueenWarroad Friends of the LibraryWarroad Heritage PharmacyWarroad Women of TodayMarinell WaterworthDeEtta WattsMarty and Howard WattsDaniel and Lori WavraKelly WavraSylvia WavrinDallas and Joyce WayWeather-Tek Design CenterGay WebsterWeckwerth Animal HospitalLori and Tim WeedingIrene L. WeisBarbara WelbergMargaret L. WelleRobert J. and Jeanette WelleRichard and Sherry WellmanWells Fargo Bank NAWells Fargo of Fergus FallsDavid WensloffDavid and Joan WensloffWes' Plumbing and Heating, Inc.Dave and Candace WestSandra A. WestonRonald and Beverly WhittWidman's Candy Shop

Widseth, Smith, Nolting & Assoc., Inc.

Wikstrom Telephone Company, Inc.Wilcox Furniture & Appliance, IncWilcox Plumbing & Heating, Inc.Wild Rice Electric TrustAnnette WilderSylvia WildgenJay and Geri WilimekDouglas Williams, DDSSteve WilliamsWilmer Farms, Inc.Bruce and Judy WilsonGary and Bonnie WilsonJames R. and Carole A. WilsonKim and Scott WilsonWinger Implement, Inc.Janet and Darrell WiskowJoyce WoidtkeRobert C. and Paula A. WokaschRobin L. WoldJennifer WolfeMarjean O. WolffJohn WollackTove WollinWomen of The Moose-Chapter # 982Bud and Gloria WoodardBeverly WrightDonovan E. Wright

xXclusive Consulting, LLC

yMarsha YatesYellow Rose 5K Walk/RunDwayne Young, Inc.Dwayne YoungJuli YounggrenRobert and JoAnne YuergensDon Yutrzenka

zRalph B. and Maryanne ZachmanDale ZaiserDeborah ZakKaye and Glen ZebarthZetah Construction,Inc.Zion Women of the ELCAPierre and Doris ZothmanDarlene ZutzJoAnn Zutz




Individual EffectivenessPeacemaker Resources $1,350For conflict resolution and mediation training

Randy Walden $2,485For mini master of project management and HR employment procedures and functions

Wee Care Children's Center $1,280Executive coaching for Ellen Boyd from Wee Care Children'sCenter

Nonprofit Excellence ProgramLakeland Public Television $925For combining board members and staff members for integratedstrategic planning

Lakeland Public Television $1,450For local programming: Is Lakeland Public TelevisionMeeting the Needs of its Viewers?

Organizational EffectivenessGreater Minnesota Management (3) $5,000For board development, customer service, human resource training

Heartland Homes, Inc $5,000For Heartland Homes, Inc.

Hope House $5,000For technology improvements

Human Achievement & Performance $5,000For board recruitment, orientation and development

Mahnomen Health Center $5,000For Customer Service in Healthcare "Creating World Class"

Sexual Assault Program $696For board visioning and team building

STAR Teams A total of $1,500 was granted to the followingschools for follow-up activities: BagleyIndependent Schools, Bemidji Area Schools,Franklin Middle School, Magelssen ElementarySchool, Nevis School, Red Lake County CentralElementary, Schoolcraft Learning Community, St. Philips School

Red Lake Nation Chemical Health $1,000For David Parnell Presentation

Valley Community Health Centers $25,000To the Northern Valley Dental Alliance for addressing oralhealth issues of children and vulnerable populations in thenorthern Red River Valley

Warren-Alvarado-Oslo School District $1,000For a drug awareness presentation by the Climb Theater

Early Childhood Initiative $1,285To the Minnesota Department of Human Services for trainingsessions for children's mental health professionals

Emergency AssistanceAwarded for flood relief and/or crisis needs of low-income families and individuals

Bi-County CAP, Inc $20,300Inter-County Community Action Council $12,200Mahube Community Council, Inc. $9,000Northwest Community Action Program $7,450Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. $11,050

The ElderlyMahnomen Area Service Center $15,000To the Mahnomen Area Service Center for youth programming services in conjunction with Senior Services

The Baudette Community Foundation $2,000For the Lake of the Woods Senior Fishing and Boating Program

Children & Families

Cornerstone $5,000 To expand Day One Services

Human Achievement & Performance $25,000 Creating a Hubbard County Youth Drug & Alcohol TaskForce

Lady Slipper Scenic Byway, Inc. $10,000 To retain project manager for the Rabideau Conservation Academy and Learning Center and to secure project partners, for strategic planning, and fund development

Lifetrack Resources $10,000To place local Parent Guides in each of six out-state regions to provide more readily available support for familiesin Greater Minnesota with children who have hearing loss

Mahube Community Council, Inc. $25,000For support groups for grandparents and other relatives raising grandchildren in Roseau and Thief River Falls

Meritcare Clinic Bemidji $500For Celebrate Kindness Campaign

Mississippi Headwaters Area Dental $25,000For the Mississippi Headwaters Area Dental Health Centerto support start-up costs of this public access clinic

MN Department of Human Services $1,285For training sessions for children's mental health professionals and other professionals working with young children

Mount St. Benedict CSA Garden $16,000To provide funding for four full time internship positions

North Country Health Services $500For David Parnell Presentation

Northwoods Coalition for Battered Women $24,900To re-establish Children's Program services

How the funds were invested: GrantsTotal NMF Grants Fiscal Year 2007 $1,339,468

Caring Communities $248,470

Training $34,686


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Economic & Community Development

City of Bagley $20,000Build a coalition addressing critical needs in the community,while creating a showcase focus at Lake Lomond Park

City of Fosston $10,000Update the comprehensive plan for the City of Fosston

City of Park Rapids $2,850Formulate a landscaping plan for the Highway 34 corridor through Park Rapids

City of Warroad $2,650 To hire a Land Use Planner to help the community redesign the Point recreation area

East Grand Forks EDHA $10,000To identify strategic economic development opportunities

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce $1,000For Minnesota Business Gives

Northwest Minnesota Foundation $25,000For coordination of regional economic development IngenuityFrontier project

White Earth Reservation Tribal Council $2,500 For the Northern Minnesota Reservation EconomicDevelopment Initiative Conference

Growth ManagementCity of Park Rapids $21,000To undertake an ambitious Quality of Place Initiative involv-ing two critical and overlapping activities

Headwaters Regional Development Commission $10,000To use the Bemidji Leads! model to help the community assesscurrent standing in a variety of quality of life areas

Through a collaborative effort with the Valspar Corporation “Picture-It-Painted”program, paint and other coating materials were given to local towns and organizations.Awards of 371 total gallons of free paint were made for the following projects:

Community Planning $164,415

University of Minnesota - Crookston $10,400For a feasibility study and planning grant to assessglobal market opportunities and local economic development potential for value-added business venturesin fermented foods

Clearwater County Land and Forestry Dept $12,500To address the critical issues facing Clearwater County on its county managed forest resources

Giziibii RC & D $25,000To create an awareness among private woodland ownersof the need for good management

Independent School District #390 $9,000To assemble and coordinate a volunteer group of studentsto assist in water quality testing to gain baseline datafor two of the tributaries to the Rainy River BasinRiver Watch Program

University of Minnesota - Crookston $1,500For Hosting of Aspen Parkland Ecotourism Conference

University of Minnesota-Crookston $5,000For the evaluation of high tunnel methods for produc-tion of vegetables and fruits in northwestern Minnesota

Natural Resources $63,400

HousingCrookston HRA $4,665To assist with the cost of a housing study

Mahnomen Health Center $14,750To perform studies for a proposed assisted living unit

Northwest Area RegionalDevelopment Commission $25,000For the Thief River Falls Area Growth Partnership

Healthy Lakes & Rivers PartnershipBeltrami Soil & Water Conservation District $4,000For LAWA Voluntary Septic System Inspection Project

Hubbard County Soil and Water District $4,000 For Potato Lake shoreland restoration and vegetationmapping

Hubbard County Soil and Water District $4,000 For water quality reconstruction from fossil diatomanalysis

• Perley Community HallRestoration - exterior and interior of hall

• City of ArgyleCentennial gazebo

• Clearwater Health Services,Bagley - rooms in Clearbrookand Bagley clinics, hospital

• Lake George Senior Citizen’sClub - exterior of senior citizenbuilding

• Care and Share, Inc.,Crookston - interior walls

• Paul Bunyan Playhouse,Bemidji - house and stage floor

• Hayes Lake State Park, RoseauBemis Hill shelter

• Occupational DevelopmentCenter, Inc., Bemidji - wallsand floor in work area

• Upper Mississippi MentalHealth Center, Bemidji - exterior door trim and interior walls

• Beltrami County HistoricalSociety, Bemidji - exterior of Sunnyside School

• City of Greenbush - pool house, mural

Before(above)

and afterphotos of the

ArgyleCentennial

gazebo

PictureIt Painted


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What is a Component Fund: Philanthropic Services

The component and community funds established and administeredby the foundation make a huge contribution to the region’s quality ofplace. The extra benefits are that they keep local resources in the com-munities where they are actually earned and are contributed by gen-erous donors, stay where they are needed funding local projects, andwhere they continue to give back through their endowment earnings.The resources remain in northwest Minnesota, making a differencefor generations to come.

In some cases, the foundation’s own discretionary grant programswork in tandem with the component funds’ priorities. The founda-tion’s staff advise one another and the fund’s advisors when opportuni-ties for co-funding arise. This strategy serves to strengthen each of theprograms and impacts the region’s quality of place in a powerful way.

A major development in the past fiscal year was the dramatic increasein grants disbursed from the component funds, surpassing the foun-dation’s own discretionary grantmaking.

Component Fund Grants Fiscal Year 2007By category, following are the numbers of grants and totals:

Cultural Funds 11 grants $ 17,700

Community Funds 28 grants $ 202,157

Community Service Funds 8 grants $ 71,690

Donor Advised Funds 16 grants $ 36,300

Economic Development Funds 2 grants $ 15,000

Education Funds 30 grants $ 109,022

Environmental Funds 3 grants $ 34,185

Health Care Funds 13 grants $ 108,558

Scholarship Funds 104 grants $ 78,069

NW Minnesota Women’s Fund 5 grants $ 7,277

Early Childhood Initiative Funds 37 grants $ 149,690

TOTAL 257 GRANTS $ 829,648

Northwest MinnesotaWomen’s Fund advisory

committee members MarilynHeltzer and Karen Coe presented a check to Anne Sand, executivedirector of the Family AdvocacyCenter of Northern Minnesota fora grant to present diversity trainingto the staff of the Advocacy Centerand the nurses from the SexualAssault Nurse Examiner (SANE)Program. The Advocacy Centerserves family violence victims in a 16-county region in northwestMinnesota. The center focuses onthe crimes most likely to affectfamilies -- child abuse, sexualassault and domestic violence. It's the first such facility in the countrydeveloped by a tribal governmentand non-tribal organization.

The Bemidji Parksand Trails Fundraised nearly $55,000 with

the help of NMF for the Paul andBabe Maintenance Fund in order to restore the Babe statue. Paul and Babe are 70 years old and are one of the most photographedattractions in the nation. With reinforced innards, firm footing,and a new weather-resistant coat,Babe the Blue Ox was repaired to grace family albums for generations to come.

Bagley EarlyChildhood InitiativeFund made

a grant to purchase andinstall newequipmentat theschoolplaygroundin Bagley thatis safe for pre-school aged kids. Besides the grantfunds, other sources for support forthe project included Head Start,Clearwater-Polk Electric andvarious fund raising activities. The funds made it possible for thecommunity to have a safe play areafor children from birth to age five,with many years of durable servicefor enjoyment.

Roseau Area CommunityFund advisory committeecreated a float for the

county fair parade. The sign inthe background proudly displaysthe dollar amount of grant dollarsthat were disbursed from the fundfamily for five scholarships, a grantto Oak Crest Senior Housing foroutdoor furniture, and a grant to a tennis camp for kids, as wellas a major gift to NorthlandTechnical and CommunityCollege for a Roseau communityeducation computer classroom.

How the funds were invested: CommunityandComCommmunity & Component Fund Grants Fiscal Year 2007 $829,648

Roseau


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ponent Funds

Community Service Funds

Bagley Early Childhood Initiative Fund Beltrami Humane Society Fund

Ralph and Ruth Shoemate Fund

Bemidji Waterfront-Paul and Babe Maintenance FundClearwater County Humane Society Fund Crookston Early Childhood Initiative Fund Early Childhood Mental Health Initiative FundThe Evergreen House FundFertile Area Armed Forces Veterans FundFour Seasons Senior Center Endowment & Project Fund Headwaters Regional Development Commission Leadership Fund

HRDC Successful Communities Challenge Fund

Headwaters Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Fund Lake of the Woods County Humane Society Endowment Fund Marshall County Early Childhood Initiative Fund OPTIONS Endowment and Project Fund Naytahwaush Area Early Childhood Initiative Senior Trust Fund of Beltrami County Kelliher Area Seniors Fund Thief River Falls Early Childhood Initiative Fund Warren Senior Center Endowment Fund WEE-Care Children’s Center Fund

Cultural Funds

Beltrami County Historical Society Endowment Fund Bemidji Area Arts Endowment Fund

Bemidji Community Arts Center FundBemidji Community Theater Fund Fred Marshall Fund for the Headwaters School of Musicand the Arts Richard & Pam Nelson Family Fund for the Visual ArtsNorth Star Arts Fund Ernie Rall Children’s Performing Arts FundHB and Ina T. Roholt Family Fund for the Arts Everett Wilimek Endowment for Violin Studies

Bemidji Area Public Library Foundation Endowment Fund Bemidji Area Public Library Mural Fund Dorothy Breen Fund for the Visually Impaired Hazel I. Shimmin Endowment Fund Ruth Stenerson Project Support Fund

Clearbrook-Gonvick Performing Arts Fund Lake of the Woods County Historical Society Endowment Fund Roseau County Historical Society Endowment Fund Two Rivers Area Theatre Endowment and Scholarship Fund

Community Funds

Badger Area Community FundBadger Education Fund

Bagley Area Community FundBagley Area Scholarship FundBagley Beautification FundBagley Education Endowment & Project Fund

Bagley Technology Advancement Fund Bagley Area Scholarship Fund

Blackduck Community Fund Blackduck Academic and Character Scholarship Fund

Fosston Area Community FundCameron Badurek Memorial Fund Dean Clementson Scholarship Fund Fosston 21st Century Endowment and Project Fund Fosston Education Foundation Fosston Livestock Shipping Association Animal ScienceScholarship Fund Dean & Joyce McNelly Vocational Scholarship Fund Jim Miller Memorial Math Scholarship Fund Terry Stout Memorial Scholarship FundLuVerne Trogstad Education and Scholarship Fund Wilma & Franklin Vikan Scholarship Fund

Greenbush Area Community Fund Greenbush Education Fund Keith and Ellen Kapphahn Family Scholarship Fund

Mahnomen Area Community Fund Mahnomen Health Care Fund

Park Rapids Area Community FundHeartland Homes Endowment and Project Fund

Hewitt Family Charitable Fund Kinship of Park Rapids FundPark Rapids Early Childhood Initiative Fund

Park Rapids Education & ActivitiesFoundation Fund

Park Rapids Memorial Scholarship FundMatthew Spangler Hockey Fund

Red Lake Band of Chippewa IndiansCommunity Fund

Red Lake Band of ChippewaEducation Fund Red Lake Band of ChippewaIndians Renewal & Recovery FundRed Lake Tribal InformationCenter, Archives, & Library Fund

Youth Initiative Fund Roseau Area Community & Education Fund A.J. Kramer Scholarship Fund

Marian Foley Memorial FundMarvin LaRue Memorial Fund

Nick Peterson Scholarship FundRoseau Adult Education Fund Roseau Area Friends of the Library FundRoseau Lions Club Scholarship Fund Roseau Parks and Recreation FundJoseph Schneider Memorial Scholarship Bruce Wiskow Memorial Fund

Scholarship recipientsBrittany Kirkeide (left)

and Regina Wollinreceived $250 awards

from the Keith and EllenKapphahn FamilyScholarship Fund,

presented by KeithKapphahn.

The Kapphahnsshare a strong

belief thatpost high

schooleducation

contributesto a better

quality of life, which

is shownthrough theirinvestment in

this donoradvised fund, a

part of theGreenbush Area

Community Fund.


Warroad Area Community Fund Bruce and Ellen Atwater Education FundBetty Bahnmiller Memorial Fund Edward and Agnes Brandli Scholarship Fund Farmers Union Oil Co. Scholarship Fund Jennifer Grove Memorial Scholarship Fund Gaylord Gunderson Memorial Fund Lee Hafdahl Memorial Scholarship Ann and Les Henderson Scholarship Fund Margaret Ann and Paul Samuel Johnson FamilyCharitable Fund Justin Knebel Memorial Fund Nick Moyer Memorial and Scholarship Fund Napa Ride to Reading FundPatrick O’Donnell Memorial Scholarship Fund Katie Jo Olafson Memorial Scholarship Rainbow Park Restoration FundWarroad Care Center Fund Warroad Early Childhood Initiative Fund Warroad Education Fund Warroad Heritage Center FundWarroad Memorial Arena Fund Warroad Point Area Restoration and CommunityRecovery Fund Warroad Swim Program Fund

White Earth Reservation Area Community Fund

Health Care FundsBridges Medical Services FoundationClearwater County Area Health Care Fund

Clearwater Emergency Services Fund Greensview Endowment and Project Fund Clearwater Health Services Cancer Screening Fund Greensview Care Center Pet Therapy Fund Hospice Endowment & Project Fund Hospice Family Room Fund

Courage Center Programs and Camps Fund First Care Medical Services Foundation

First Care Hospice Endowment Fund Kelliher Area Health Care FundLifeCare Medical Center Care Fund

Maggi Adams Medical Equipment Fund Eagles Auxiliary Diabetes & Dialysis Fund Greenbush Nursing Home Fund LifeCare Medical Center Hospice FundParish Nursing FundSheltering Oaks Manor Fund

Mississippi Headwaters Area Dental Health Center FundNorth Valley Health Center Endowment Fund Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center Foundation Fund

Economic Development FundsIngenuity Frontier FundLake of the Woods Area Industrial Development Fund Lake of the Woods Industrial Park Fund Lake of the Woods Revolving Loan Fund Park Rapids Revolving Loan Fund

Environment & Recreation FundsBemidji Area Parks and Trails Endowment and Project Fund

Bemidji First City of Lights FundBemidji Curling FundBig Bog State Recreation Area Endowment and Project Fund Giziibii Resource Conservation & Development FundGreater Bemidji Outdoor Foundation Omdahl Environment & Conservation Fund Rydell Refuge Endowment and Project Fund Upper Mississippi Watershed Endowment and Project Fund Wetlands, Pines, & Prairie Audubon Sanctuary (Eldor andStella Omdahl) Endowment Fund

Education Funds Bemidji Lumberjack Foundation Fund

All School Reunion Fund First National Bank, Bemidji Bonspiel Fund John F. Breen Scholarship Fund Ray Breen Scholarship Fund Amy Anderson English Fund Food Service Fund Bun and Alvera Fortier Scholarship Fund Tom Gardner Memorial Fund General Scholarship Fund • First National Bank Foundation Scholarship• National Honor Society Scholarship (Rural Cellular)• Paul Bunyan Telephone Cooperative• Beltrami Electric Cooperative ScholarshipGeorge Pelawa/Calgary Flames ScholarshipKen VanWilgen Memorial ScholarshipRick Lee Memorial Fund Heidi Bitzer McClure Memorial Scholarship Fund Pat Campbell String Fund Joe Plummer Music Fund Buck Robbins Scholarship Fund Des Sagedahl Scholarship Fund Troy Nelson Memorial Character ScholarshipEndowment Fund Lumberjack Security Bank Scramble Fund K. E. “Red” Wilson Athletic Fund Ruth Shannon Wilson Scholarship in Music Fund

Laurel Capistran Murphy Scholarship FundClearbrook-Gonvick Education Endowment and Project Fund

Mary Jo Klinger Scholarship FundOlga Peterson Scholarship FundPlayground Fund Thorbeck Field Fund

Community & Component Funds Continued

District #593 (Crookston) Education Foundation Endowment Fund Frances Drivold Special Education Fund

East Polk County Fair Scholarship Fund Heartland Christian Academy Endowment Fund Julie Holmquist Memorial Scholarship Fund

Leonard J. and Rosemond Kucera Memorial Scholarship Fund

Lake of the Woods Industrial Development CorporationScholarship Fund

Lake of the Woods Student Intern Fund

Laporte Education Fund Laporte-Benedict VFW Scholarship Fund Tonia Johannsen Memorial Fund Community Playground Fund

Mahnomen Education Fund General Scholarship Fund Les Hanson Scholarship Fund Milton Hockel Scholarship Fund Gen. Ike and Maj. Bruce Isaacson Scholarship Fund Track Fund

Red Lake Falls Education Fund Richard Bresnahan Leadership in the Arts Fund Lester Norris Dale, MD Scholarship Fund Kris Fontaine Scholarship Fund Kyle A. Myhre Memorial Fund

St. Mary’s Mission School Endowment & Project Fund James and Sylvia Sande Scholarship FundMike Staples Memorial Scholarship Fund Two Rivers Area Theatre Endowment and Project Fund–Scholarship FundWarren-Alvarado-Oslo Education Foundation

Lyle H. Engelstad Scholarship Fund Myron and Margaret Carlson Scholarship Fund Music Advancement Fund

Luther Younggren Memorial Scholarship Fund

Donor Advised FundsAnonymous (2)Backstrom Family Charitable FundBaer Family Fund Meade Family Fund

David Meade Scholarship Fund William A. and Eloise E. Nelson Fund Oja Family Fund Major Robert Olson Memorial Fund Rongen Family Fund Ole and Ruth Tweet Family Fund

Regional FundsFourth and Robbins FundRed River Valley Emerging Leadership Fund Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund


GENERAL BUSINESSLOANS$646,000

Financing is available for business start-ups andexpansions that create new jobsleading to long-termcommunity impact,diversification of the economyand that leverage other sourcesof funds to increase total capitalinvestment in the region.

Loans totaling $646,000 were made to:

North Central Door,LLC, Bemidji

To provide gap financing forexpansion and new construction of a garage door factory.

Northern TierIndustries, LLC,GreenbushTo provide working

capital for the manufacture anddistribution of products used forsemi-trailer trucks.

Roseau CountyFord, Inc., RoseauFor new business start-up.

Mid-Central Medical, St. VincentFor expansion of medical equipment

manufacturing.

ENTREPRENEURDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM$301,000

Loans up to $35,000 are available to help develop small businesses and self-employment opportunities. Staff works directly with entrepreneurs to develop business plans and provideongoing assistance and training.

Loans totaling $301,000 were made to:

Viper Exteriors, Goodridge

T. Squared Fitness, LLC, Roseau

Legends Sporting Goods,Thief River Falls

The Flower Place, Park Rapids

Advanced Composites, Grygla

Oriental Wok, Baudette

Rejuv’ Salon and Spa, Inc.,Crookston

Mobo Hobo Catering,Thief River Falls

C & M Concessions, Warroad

D & D Thomforde GardenCenter, Crookston

Freedom Rolls, Bemidji

North Country Food & Fuel,Inc., Waskish

The Book Patch, Thief River Falls

Wright Locksmith and SecuritySystems, Warroad

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

The Northwest MinnesotaFoundation provides assistancein the loan application processand after the loan is made. Staff provides technicalassistance to increase a business owner’s capacity to successfully manage andoperate their business andincrease its prospects for long-term success. Assistance is provided by staff orconsultants and may includeworkshops, classroom trainingand individual counseling.

• 250 businesses andindividuals received personaltechnical assistancecounseling

• $7,864 supported consultingto assist 8 entrepreneurialbusinesses

• 80 people attended theclassroom trainingworkshops NMF sponsored

The Business Development Programs of the Northwest Minnesota Foundationreceive funding and support from theMinnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and United States Department of AgricultureRural Development as well as the SmallBusiness Administration and Fannie Mae.

HOUSING$400,000

Northwest MinnesotaFoundation received a $500,000 line ofcredit throughFannie Mae, a majorfunder of housing,financial products andservices, that works toexpand home owner-ship opportunities.

Four loans were madefrom Fannie Maefunds for the BeltramiCounty HRA and theHeadwaters RegionalDevelopmentCommission for thedevelopment ofaffordable housingtotaling $400,000.

How the funds were invested: BusinessBusiness Loans & Investments Fiscal Year 2007 $1,296,000

Roseau

Roseau

Kittson

Roseau

Roseau

Polk

Polk

Lakeof the Woods

Lakeof the Woods

Pennington

Roseau

Pennington

Pennington

Pennington

Hub

bard

D&D ThomfordeGreenhouse co-ownerDawn Resendiz; Dave West, NMF businessdevelopment specialist;and co-owner DiannaErickson

20

Northwest Minnesota boasts more manufacturing jobs percapita than any other region in the state. Continued growth depends on the coordination and targeteddevelopment of key assets – education, workforce skills, regional identity, infrastructure enhancementand industry innovations, to name a few.

Ingenuity Frontier initiatives, launched in 2002 after regional and state entities met to study theimportance of advanced manufacturing and applied engineering to the region’s economic health, haveaimed to foster growth in those industries and the support systems required to ensure vibrant futures forboth employers and their all-important workforces – right here in northwest Minnesota.

G o a l s Ingenuity Frontier partners are working together to accomplish these goals:

To increase the pool of manufacturing and applied engineeringtalent in northwest Minnesota, in part by offering a pre-engineer-ing curriculum in area middle schools and high schools and deliv-ering degree programs in manufacturing and applied engineering.

To promote a culture of manufacturing and applied engineering innovation in northwest Minnesota, in part by establishing an Applied Research Center in collaboration with business and education.

Brand northwest Minnesota as a hub of manufacturing and applied engineering talent and innovation, in part by implementing a targeted marketing campaign to attract high-skill workers and businesses to northwest Minnesota.

A c h i e v e m e n t s Substantial progress has been made in achieving each goal and a newphase of development has been identified.

Ingenuity Frontier has taken a two-pronged approach to meeting the goal of increasing the pool ofengineering talent in the region with strategies that engage middle and high school students andcontinue with college degree programs. Project Lead the Way has been launched in eight schools in theregion, providing students with a way to learn math, science and technology through practical appli-cations and encouraging them to explore careers in engineering and other technology-related fields.

After high school, education opportunities continue with two new engineering-relateddegree programs having been added to the curriculum at Bemidji State University this fall.A nationally accredited Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology focuses on the

application of high technology to problem solving in manufacturing settings. An online degreein Applied Engineering Technology is also now available, having been developed in collaboration withsix regional two-year colleges so that students can transfer in both A.S. and A.A.S. degrees.

Bemidji State University was selected in 2005 to receive one of only four “Center of Excellence”designations from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system along with an award of$5 million in funding. The resulting 360° Manufacturing and Applied Engineering Center ofExcellence represents a partnership of Bemidji State University, Central Lakes College in Brainerd andStaples, Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, Northland Community and Technical College inThief River Falls and East Grand Forks, Pine Technical College in Pine City, Saint Paul College,St. Cloud Technical College and Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

What was accomplished in 2007:

Ingenuity Frontier1

2

3

21

360° has worked with faculty at its partner institutions todevelop the Seamless Career Pathway model for manufacturingand applied engineering careers which encompasses Project Lead theWay and leads students to and between technical and communitycollege certificates, diplomas and associate degrees – to bachelor’sand master’s degrees at Bemidji State University.

“Our involvement with Ingenuity Frontier in northwestMinnesota has assured that our solutions and results are alignedwith industry needs and coordinated with various northwestMinnesota organizations including economic development, educationand workforce development,” said Karen White, director of 360°.

Ingenuity Frontier’s second goal of promoting a culture ofengineering innovation in the region has been furthered with theSpring 2007 opening of the Applied Research Center at BemidjiState University. More than $16 million has been invested in thefacility, which is equipped with state-of-the-art technology,including labs on engineering technology such as rapid prototyping,general manufacturing and simulations using 3D holography. Asidefrom offering advanced training, the Applied Research Center’smission includes: encouraging joint research and developmentbetween the university and industry, serving as an integrator ofmanufacturing education in the region including Project Lead theWay, offering summer academies in manufacturing and engineer-ing technology and facilitating technology transfer and businessdevelopment assistance for commercialization of new products andsystems.

Finally, in support of achieving Ingenuity Frontier’s third goal,a marketing plan has been completed and is being implemented.Industry partners are financially supporting a cooperative advertisingcampaign designed to identify the region as a hub of manufacturingand engineering innovation. The campaign is being aimed at a five-state area – Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa andWisconsin - and focuses on attracting high school graduates, collegestudents and working professionals. In addition, businesses targetedby the campaign will be new suppliers to existing manufacturers,new manufacturers that could purchase from existing suppliers andstart-up companies seeking a locale with a strong engineeringculture. Major components of the campaign are Internet “pay-per-click” and targeted television ads.

T h e F u t u r e One of Ingenuity Frontier’s original inten-tions was to create new wealth in Greater Minnesota.

While much has been done to accomplish that, it remains an areain which project partners see a great opportunity for future growth,particularly in assisting local innovators in the commercialization ofproducts, processes and deliveries.

A new phase of development has been defined by projectpartners, one that involves contest-based methods of selecting andgrooming high-tech entrepreneurs in an effort to “grow the economyof northwest Minnesota by outfitting the next generation of home-grown innovators for success in the global, entrepreneurial marketplace.”

Using a new model of early stage acceleration and ventureinvesting gaining popularity in the United States, Europe and otherparts of the world, the Ingenuity Frontier intends to identify promisinginnovations through a competitive, “American Idol” style process;accelerate development of winning innovations by providingintensive and in-depth training along with specialized technicalassistance guiding innovators through the various phases of com-mercialization; and enable the successful launch of new innovationsby connecting innovators to sources of capital.

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation and its IngenuityFrontier partners enter the new year working to further enhance theregion’s capacity for attracting and nurturing manufacturing andengineering innovators and spreading the word that THIS is the newfrontier, and pioneering spirits of all kinds are welcome here.

The Ingenuity Frontier is a collaborative project of: Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College, Headwaters RegionalDevelopment Commission, Northland Community and Technical College, MinnesotaDepartment of Employment and Economic Development

Private Industry including: Arctic Cat, Central Boiler, Digi-Key, Marvin Windows and Doors, Polaris, TEAM Industries and the TEAM Foundation

22

IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA,the first steps on an educational pathway to acareer in applied engineering and manufacturingpresent themselves early to students in eightschool districts in the region participating inProject Lead The Way.

The project was developed as part of anoverall model that helps offer a seamless transitionfrom high school pre-engineering curriculum totechnical and community college programs andultimately to bachelor and masters degreeprograms at Bemidji State University.

The curriculum provides students withopportunities to learn math, science andtechnology through practical application andencourages them to explore careers in engineeringand other technology-related fields. Recognizingthat these youngsters represent the workforce ofthe near future, the project aims to attract andtrain the best and brightest, grooming them tobe the innovators of tomorrow.

Project Lead The Way involves a four-year sequence of high school courses which,when combined with college preparatorymathematics and science courses, introducesstudents to the scope, rigor and discipline ofengineering and engineering technology prior toentering college. The courses are: Introduction toEngineering Design, Digital Electronics,Principles of Engineering, Computer IntegratedManufacturing, Civil Engineering andArchitecture, Biotechnical Engineering, AerospaceEngineering, and Engineering Design andDevelopment.

In addition, project developers havedesigned an exciting Middle School TechnologyCurriculum: Gateway to Technology. Thiscurriculum is 40 weeks long, divided into four10-week units of study in the disciplines ofdesign and modeling, the magic of electrons,the science of technology and automation androbotics.

Clearbrook-Gonvick Schools is in its thirdyear of participating in Project Lead The Wayand has both a middle school component,in which all sixth-eighth grade studentsparticipate, and a high school program offer-ing the classes as electives.

Students are thoroughly engaged in real-life applications of math and science, tourplants and colleges and listen to engineers talkabout their careers, according to Diane Lehse,superintendent of Clearbrook-Gonvick Schools.One student designed snowmobile blocks andis planning to patent his invention. Severalgraduates have subsequently entered university-level engineering programs.

“At this time, over 140 of our students areinvolved in the project, 22 in the high schoolclasses and 119 in our middle level classes,” saidLehse. “Project Lead The Way has changedstudent learning in our district and has givenstudents a reason to study math and science.We welcome visitors to our program at any time!”

ldenldNewfolll

BemidjiBBB

FosstonFoosston

Win-E-MacWWi a

ClearbrookGonvick

Badger

BagleyCass Lake

School Districts currently participating in

Project Lead The Way:

BadgerBagley

BemidjiCass Lake- Bena

Clearbrook-GonvickFosston

NewfoldenWin-E-Mac


ProjectLeadtheWay

23

Northwest Minnesota is an area like no other inthe Midwest, dotted with manufacturers and technology companiesthriving within a culture of engineering knowledge and creativity. It’sonly fitting that the region has come to be known as the “IngenuityFrontier,” and perhaps nobody personifies the spirit of the regionbetter than entrepreneur Dennis Brazier. Together with his wife,Terri, he established Central Boiler in1985, a business that produces outdoorfurnaces, including wood and corn burningmodels. In just a few short years, the companythat started in a farm machine shop justoutside of Greenbush has grown to abusiness that employs 200, operates a state-of-the-art 240,000 square foot manufacturingfacility and ships product to hundreds ofdealers located throughout the United States,Canada and other countries.

In 1991, the Braziers built their first manufacturing facility at their farmand since that time the facility has undergone several expansions, withthe latest in 2006 representing Central Boiler’s second project to qualifyfor participation in the state’s JOBZ incentive program.

“The tools for success were all around me and I was fortunate enoughto find the right path,” said Dennis of his decision to grow his businessin rural Greenbush, population 784.

Steven Muzzy, Central Boiler’s controller, credits Ingenuity Frontierdevelopments with helping to build a well trained workforce to supportthe company’s future growth. Programs and educational opportunitieshave emerged to address and link the needs of manufacturing innorthwest Minnesota with educational resources and potentialemployees as a direct result of Ingenuity Frontier project activities.

Muzzy cited examples such as Project Lead the Way, launched recentlyin the region’s middle schools and high schools with the intention ofattracting students to engineering and other technology-related fieldsearly in their educational careers, as well as the addition of an onlineApplied Engineering degree program to the curriculum at Bemidji StateUniversity.

Dennis is quick to give credit for Central Boiler’s continued success tohis accomplished workforce. He believes it’s important to “hire peoplesmarter than you are,” and many talented individuals have joined theBraziers in putting down roots in northwest Minnesota.

“The Ingenuity Frontier is a great place to work, a great place to live anda great place to raise a family,” agreed Muzzy emphatically.

Central BoilerWhat was accomplished in 2007:

Roseau

24

Of the many programs that are helping Northwest Minnesota Foundationto re-imagine the future, the Early Childhood Initiative (ECI)coalitions working today are establishing the basis for thedevelopment of the success we all desire for tomorrow. The region’s youngest citizens need to be equipped to take

on the coming challenges and take advantage of the opportunities in theregion. Assuring that every child is equipped and ready to learn when they enter kindergarten is a major step in achieving that goal.

Themes in CommonEach of the ECI coalitions in the region is unique and sets

priorities based upon the characteristics of its community, the ideasidentified during the Community Profile Surveys, the Speak Out panel and the Visioning session. In spite of the individuality of eachcommunity coalition, common themes emerge in the work:

Partnerships among early care and education entities: All ten of our coalitions have implemented action projects to helpcreate cultures of cooperation within their communities. Some newservice partnerships have occurred simply because all those workingwith young children were meeting together regularly. As a result,resources are used more effectively and families have ease of access.

Raising the quality of care and education: Everycoalition has implemented action projects to enhance the quality of child care, to improve relationships and professional networkingamong all early childhood professionals and to bring all those whoprovide care for young children together to learn. Often, theseprojects involve collaboration with the public schools, Head Start,and/or the Minnesota Child Care Resource and Referral Network.

Filling gaps in service: The information gatheredduring the early phase of the ECI often reveals gaps in service suchas families in need, children being left out of programs, or a needed service that is unavailable to parents. Coalitions have,in many cases, developed projects to fill these gaps in the mostappropriate way for their community. Children and families in need are being served in innovative ways.

Community engagement and commitment to youngchildren: Larger or more attention-getting projects such as newplayground installations, front page newspaper articles, whole-community fairs or events can serve the purpose of demonstratingthe community’s acknowledgement of young children – to letfamilies and the public know that children are here, they areimportant and they do figure into the life of the community.

Advocacy for early childhood: Our region’s coalitions do an excellent job of contacting and meeting with all candidatesprior to elections, to impress upon them the importance of the earlyyears and investing in our youngest citizens. Coalitions will continueto be in relationship with their legislators, reminding them to keepyoung children as a top priority.


Marshall

BeltramiPennington

Red Lake

Polk

NormanMahnomen

Hub

bard

Cle

arw

ater


Early Childhood Initiatives

25

Thrive InitiativeWith funding from the Bush Foundation, NMF is

advancing the statewide Minnesota Thrive Initiative – promoting the healthy social and emotional development of our youngestchildren. The six Minnesota Initiative Foundations (MIFs) arecollaborating in this joint venture. NMF has selected the Bemidji-Blackduck-Kelliher area for our region’s pilot site. The three-yeargrant is for planning and implementing a continuum of care for early mental health.

The organization Zero to Three describes early childhoodmental health as the developing capacity of a child to experience,regulate, and express emotions; form close and secure interpersonalrelationships; and explore the environment and learn. “A youngchild’s healthy social and emotional development forms a strongfoundation for all other development, including cognitive –the ability to learn and thrive in school,” said NMF’s EarlyChildhood Specialist Lin Backstrom. “Our ECI coalitions told us this was an area of need in our region and state.”

Thrive Initiative Action Team Manager for the NMF site is Carol Heimsoth. She has gathered a team of local peopleinvolved in the issues around early childhood mental health to develop priorities and goals for the project.

The Action Team has chosen five priority areas for work,based upon information gathered during interviews with 75 peopleand subsequent discussions. They are: bridging the mental healthand medical communities for screening and referral, mentoring andproviding educational opportunities about emotional health for thoseworking with young children, raising community awareness aboutthe importance of social and emotional development and how it impacts all learning in young children, expanding the capacity of professional mental health providers in our communities to workwith young children, and working to find new or re-allocatedfunding at all levels for early mental health issues, including changesin billing policies.

Five task teams are at work on the priority areas and willdesign short- and longer-term projects to reach the goals they set. All will address the overarching goal of the Thrive Initiative, which is to create seamless networks of local services that support the healthy social and emotional development of Minnesota’syoungest children. ≈

Generous support from funders includes the Mardag Foundation, Sheltering ArmsFoundation, Phillips Foundation, Medica Foundation, and Robins, Kaplan, and Ciresi LLP Foundation for Education, Public Health and Social Justice, a supportingorganization of the Minneapolis Foundation.

Regional FocusThe ten Early Childhood

Initiative coalitions in our region havedecided to focus upon a unified theme,Early Literacy, in addition to their otherinvolvements. Children’s language andliteracy development are key to both brain development and school success.Talking and reading with children alsobuilds the relationship bonds that supportsocial-emotional development.

Coalitions will be designing and funding a variety of projects that teachearly care and education providers, parents,grandparents and others how to readeffectively with very young children. In addition, projects will bring booksinto the homes of community children,support “dads and kids” readingevents, partner with local libraries,supply resources and in-home

training for child care providersand more. The results will

be powerful when wholecommunities get behindthese efforts to start earlywith good reading skillsand habits.


STAR TeamsSince 1995 when the foundation first initiated the STAR program with a grant,

more than 1,000 sixth and seventh graders from within the 12-county service regionhave participated, representing nearly 20 schools.

The foundation-sponsored program is delivered by trainers from PeacemakerResources, a Bemidji-based nonprofit focusing on teaching cooperative life skills andpromoting principals of non-violence.

Each year, up to six teams composed of six students and an advisor attend a two-day STAR retreat in the fall at Concordia Language Villages near Bemidji, and returnin the winter for a second retreat session. In the interim, team members meet regularlyin their home schools to decide how to best teach skills of respect to families, otherstudents and the community. They are also encouraged to partner with another schoolto present programs and teach concepts of respect.

Retreats are highly interactive and experiential. Students learn healthy ways ofmeeting their basic needs of belonging, feeling a sense of self-worth, having fun andgaining independence. They also learn how to avoid becoming victims of bullies andothers who choose to get their needs met in unhealthy ways.

The differences between cooperative games and competitive games are examinedto illustrate that both can be good and important, even though competition tends tobe most heavily emphasized in this culture.

Another component is media awareness, demonstrating how messages caninfluence choices. Students also learn different techniques for dealing with

conflict and are taught communication and listening skills that may be usedin conflict resolution.

“Students that participate in the program recognize thatthey can choose how they perceive and respond to conflict,” said

Barb Houg, executive director of Peacemaker Resources.“It is awe-inspiring to see sixth and seventh

graders really understand that they have theability to make a positivedifference in the world.”

She credits the foundationwith being a pioneer increating a program thatnot only teaches these

skills to youth, but alsoencourages the students to

teach the skills to others. Thenet result is better skill

acquisition for the students anda larger impact for communities

in which the concepts are shared.

Registration opens eachyear on July 1 for sessions that begin

the following fall. A maximum of sixteams is accepted each session in order tomaintain a ratio of approximately twostudents per adult trainer or advisor.

Students Teaching Attitudes of Respect(STAR) is another way that the Northwest

Minnesota Foundation is preparing for the region’s

future. The program is designed to help youth develop

advanced social skills and increase their leadership

ability. Youngsters often list these among key skills

learned while participating in the STAR Program.

Plantingthe seed of peace

Learning to deal with bullies

Developing a respect for one’s self

and others

27

When youth are given a support system to help them, taught to make smart choices, and become engagedin their communities, the future looks a lot brighter.

A 2006 grant award from the Northwest MinnesotaFoundation’s Caring Communities Program is encouraging thispotential and possibility. NMF helped establish and expand the Boys and Girls Club of the White Earth Reservationat its new Mahnomen Club site, contributing to a successful first year of operation and growth.

The White Earth Reservation encompassesall of Mahnomen County and portions of Beckerand Clearwater Counties, a total of nearly 1,300square miles. The Boys and Girls Club originallyplanned to start in Mahnomen and then expandto other reservation communities. However, dueto a variety of factors, the Club began in Naytahwaush in 2003and expanded first in the village of Pine Point. In March 2006, a new Club Unit was opened in the Mahnomen Area ServiceCenter, which also houses a senior program.

Within four months, the Mahnomen Club site was serving more than 140 enrolled youngsters,testimony to the community’s need and desire for a safe, supervised place for their children to learnnew skills, gain self-confidence and have fun.Today the Mahnomen Club boasts more than230 youth members and is servicing about 50 children per day. Reservation wide, theprogram boasts more than 550 youth membersand services about 100 youngsters each day,providing programs and activities that arefocused in five developmental areas: sports andrecreation; education and technology; arts andcultural enrichment; health and life skills; andcharacter, leadership and service.

The Northwest Minnesota Foundationawarded the Club a $15,000 grant designated for

use in providing quality services and adequatesupervision for Club members during the first year ofoperations at the Mahnomen Club site, helping to pay the Club’s share of utility costs for the Center, and fordeveloping an effective collaboration between the Boys andGirls Club and a seniors program housed at the Center.

“The grant was crucial to the success of ourprogram,” said Tim Reiplinger, executive director of theWhite Earth Reservation Boys and Girls Club. “Withoutthe support from Northwest Minnesota Foundation, theMahnomen unit would not have been able to get off theground as quickly as it did. We do receive federal funds aswell, but local grants like this one are especially importantbecause they help leverage other funding from around theregion.”

Specifically, Reiplinger said the money was used to help pay the new unit director’s salary and to initiateprograms linking the youth and seniors programs, bothoperating within the Service Center.

Seniors and youth club members worked together toplant, nurture and harvest a garden throughout the growingseason. In turn, seniors would visit Club members to learncomputer skills from them such as safely using the Internetand how to post emails.

“It proved to be quite a successful trading ofinformation for the first go-around,” said Reiplinger.


Boys&GirlsClubWhite Earth Reservation Grant

CC rerClearwateeC

MMMahnomenM


The foundation completed a major effort to

“freshen up” its website, to make it more

user friendly, and to add several new features

that provide better access to services and information

on foundation resources.

On line registration for workshops and training

opportunities. The site provides the schedule

of upcoming workshops, descriptions and the means

to register and pay on line using a credit card.

On line contributions. Donors can select from

a list of our community and component funds

and make contributions to their favorites or

NMF endowments using credit cards.

Visit www.nwmf.org

4225 Technology Drive NWBemidji, MN 56601

218-759-2057800-659-7859218-759-2328 [email protected]

www.nwmf.org

NONPROFIT ORGUS Postage

PAIDBemidji MN 56601

Permit No 36

C H A N G E S E RV I C E R E Q U E S T E D

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