Nonprofit Resource Center

Do You Love Your Nonprofit?

2012-02-14T09:13:00.000-06:00

Do you have a favorite nonprofit? Would you like to see that nonprofit win a $1,000 donation? Continuing its commitment to build healthy communities through partnerships, Bremer Bank will make a $1,000 donation to one 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in its footprint of Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin in its first-ever Facebook contest.

Voting is simple. Visit Facebook.com/Bremer Bank and follow the contest directions. Once you’ve voted, share with your friends, family, and colleagues. Encourage them to vote for your nonprofit of choice. The nonprofit that receives the most votes will win the $1,000 donation. Contest entry deadline is 5 p.m. on March 2, 2012.

No purchase or account is required to win. Member FDIC.

The Power of Your Voice

2012-02-13T09:57:00.000-06:00

Have you, as a nonprofit, ever realized the power of your voice and the expertise that you can bring to the table?

When decisions are being made by local, state or national policy makers, nonprofits can and should be speaking out and educating decision makers on their field of expertise. Often times, we forget and don’t realize the depth of our knowledge that we can provide to decision makers.

When talking about your field of expertise or a particular issue, remember to use language that can be understood by the general population, not acronyms or words that are common to your particular organization. Also, when presenting your information, talk in terms of outcomes that are important not only to your organization, but the benefits to the community as well.

I would also challenge policy makers to be open and searching out this information so their decisions are as educated and well understood as possible. After all, you don’t know what you don’t know…

Kelly Greenlees, NRS, Grand Forks

Nonprofits Provide Valuable Employment Opportunities

2012-02-09T08:09:00.000-06:00

I came across the following article from the Philanthropy News Digest, January 24 edition. I’m interested in your thoughts related to the report. At Bremer, we’ve always valued the economic contributions of the nonprofit sector in our communities. This article illustrates the value that the sector brings in terms of employment opportunities. What are your thoughts?

Nonprofit Employment Outpaced Private Sector During 'Decade of Turmoil', report finds the nonprofit sector added jobs at an annual average rate of 2.1 percent from 2000 to 2010, while employment in the for-profit sector fell 0.6 percent per year on average, a new study from the Center for Civil Society Studies at Johns Hopkins University finds.

Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, the report, Holding the Fort: Nonprofit Employment During a Decade of Turmoil found that even during the Great Recession (2007 to 2009), the nonprofit sector gained jobs at an average rate of 1.9 percent per year, while the private sector lost jobs at a rate of 3.7 percent per year. However, while overall nonprofit employment grew faster than overall business employment during the reporting period, for-profit employment in three key fields -- social assistance, education, and nursing home care -- outpaced job growth in the nonprofit sector, resulting in nonprofits losing market share to for-profits in those fields. In the social assistance field, for example, nonprofit employment grew at an average annual rate of 2.2 percent per year, while for-profit employment grew at an average rate of 5.4 percent. As a result, nonprofits' market share in the field fell from 62 percent in 2000 to 54 percent in 2010.

The report also found that nonprofits employ the third largest workforce among U.S. industries, behind the retail and manufacturing sectors, with the vast majority of nonprofit jobs in health care (57 percent), education (15 percent), and social assistance (13 percent); & that nonprofit employment grew in all regions of the country over the 10-year period.

"Nonprofit organizations have been holding the fort for much of the rest of the economy over the past decade, creating jobs right through the recent recession and jobs crisis, while other components of the economy have been shedding jobs at accelerating rates," said the report's author, Lester M. Salamon, director of the Center for Civil Society Studies. "Ironically, with signs of recovery beginning to appear, there are serious questions about whether nonprofits will be able to sustain this resilient performance in the wake of the impending sharp cuts in government spending."

Kathy Grochow, NRS, St. Cloud

What do you Get When you Cross a Corporation with a Nonprofit?

2012-02-06T08:35:00.000-06:00

The benefit corporation is not yet recognized in Minnesota but seven states have adopted legislation allowing “B Corps” to create benefits for both society and its stakeholders. This is in response to investors who want to balance money making with social purpose.

It allows founders of companies and CEOs to take actions that help society, even if they don’t maximize profits. Under current law in most states, if a corporation did something that didn’t maximize profits, the shareholders could sue the company.

In the January 13, 2012, issue of Forbes online, an article entitled The Rise of the Charitable For Profit Entity, notes that “in the classic model, these social purposes had to be pursued in a non-profit corporation. But some regulations on tax-exempt non-profits such as limitations on political and lobbying activities, attracting and raising investment capital in addition to taxes on unrelated business income have made it a less desirable business entity for some.”

Myrna Meadows, NRS, International Falls

Does Brainstorming Produce the Best Results?

2012-02-02T07:54:00.000-06:00

In a book entitled, “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” author Susan Cain looks at many forms of group processes from schools to work place configurations and comes out on the side of privacy, freedom from interruption and modest collaboration.

She quotes an organizational psychologist Adrian Furnham, who said “talented and motivated people should be encouraged to work alone when creativity or efficiency is the highest priority.” In a study of office space for game developers, a switch from warehouse space where everyone could see each other to a cubicle format increased productivity. Steve Wozniak’s autobiography is referenced as a story of the solo spirit although success came because of collaboration with Steve Jobs.

When she takes on brainstorming, a technique I have often used in strategic planning, she reports that people in groups tend to sit back and let others do the work and they instinctively mimic other people’s opinions. Have you witnessed that in groups you work with?
“The larger the group, the worse the performance” is her summary. The exception seems to be electronic brainstorming where large groups outperform individuals. She believes the screen mitigates many problems of group work. Her opinion piece (The Rise of the New Groupthink) appeared in the January 15, 2012 issue of the New York Times.

Myrna Meadows, NRS, International Falls

Seeking Alignment and Capturing Your Story

2012-01-31T07:44:00.000-06:00

Nonprofit and community organizations gathered inside a local nightclub in downtown Mankato on a late January afternoon. The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits South Central Chapter hosted an event that featured The Otto Bremer Foundation, focusing on its mission and grant guidelines. Program Officer Tony LookingElk engaged the attendees in a look inside the Foundation. It was interesting to hear him talk about what inspired Mr. Otto Bremer in the mid-1940s to create the Foundation. He shared how Otto Bremer’s legacy works today through the efforts of three trustees who are connected to Mr. Bremer as descendants of business partners who served originally in the role. The Foundation also has a staff with several individuals serving as program officers.

If you’ve had a proposal in consideration for funding by the Otto Bremer Foundation, or most any funder, you are –or should be- aware of the key role the program officer plays in your funding request’s journey from submission to consideration to decision. LookingElk detailed the steps, and it was good information that attendees appreciated, especially in this Mankato area where the Otto Bremer Foundation is a new resource, thanks to a new Bremer Bank locating last year in the community. I most appreciated how he summed up his role as program officer. “My job is to seek alignment,” he said, “That is, your nonprofit to the Foundation’s mission and meaning, and capture your story.”

More on the role of the program officer is described in What Does A Program Officer Do? by Trista Harris from her New Voices of Philanthropy blog. Harris is executive director of the Headwaters Foundation for Justice. The post and the blog are focused on the philanthropic field and philanthropy as a career. For our nonprofit readers, you may find it interesting and worthwhile to take a peek inside the world on the other side of the grantseeker/grantmaker relationship.

Lois Schmidt, NRS, Willmar Charter

A Positive Outlook

2012-01-27T06:24:00.000-06:00

Thinking about nonprofits during these difficult economic times, it is quite easy to paint a bleak picture. Not for Ginny Ormsby, executive director of Northwoods Shelter in Amery, Wis. She has a positive outlook for her organization. Ormsby believes that her caring community and the support of other nonprofits has resulted in Northwoods' ability to access more help for its homeless clientele.

Like most nonprofit directors, Ormsby wears many hats. The benefit of this she believes, is that it allows her to do more than she thought she could in her job. For example, she is now a better public speaker than she imagined being simply because the opportunity presented itself and she took it. In the process of helping her organization, she is also upgrading her own skills.

Ormsby said she realized that once you get over the hurdle, it was really not that big afterall.

One of the highlights of her job is to work with the Western Wisconsin Continuum of Care Collaborative that meets periodically to discuss and support nonprofit issues for a seven-county area. Everyone is helpful, open and willing to share. It is a great support system for participants.

Another example of good news for Northwoods Shelter is that every month, Ginny receives about 200 pounds of food donation in soups, hot dishes, stews, etc. from a local restaurant. She completely believes that this happens only because everyone cares in her community.

She is excited to be on Facebook and encourages other nonprofits to jump on board. This would be a good way to connect and share nonprofit information.

In addition to low-income work experience, Ormsby's academic experience is from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a bachelor's degree in music education, specializing in double reed woodwind and piano. Music relaxes her and helps her to stay motivated.

Northwoods Homeless Shelter also received a grant from Otto Bremer Foundation in December, 2011.

Pictured above is Ormsby (left) next to Bremer Bank employee Tonya Fuglsang, the co-chair of the Northwoods Board of Directors.
Posted by Maltee McMahon, NRS, Wisconsin

Giving Back

2012-01-25T15:24:00.000-06:00

Howard Barlow, Nonprofit Resource Specialist at Bremer Bank was one of those honored by the Fargo Human Relations committee at the Martin Luther King Day event Monday, Jan. 16, at the Fargo Theatre. Mayor Dennis Walaker (pictured on the left, next to Barlow) presented the city’s Human Relations Award to an advocate for the homeless, two North High students, and an organization that provides transportation to new Americans and people with disabilities.

Barlow received the individual Fargo Human Relations Award for his work with the housing and homeless issues and his work to ensure equal treatment of all people. He helped found the Fargo-Moorhead Coalition for Homeless Persons and develop the city’s 10-year plan to end homelessness. Barlow served on the first board of the Coalition and remains active in the organization. He has also been active in housing issues. Additionally, Barlow is active in several peace and justice issues and is a member of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition.

“As a young father during the 70’s I saw and continue to remember the leaders of those struggling for equal rights for all - Martin Luther King and the Kennedys,” said Barlow. “My church upbringing and those leaders helped to shape my beliefs. I’m honored and very humbled to receive this award.”

North High School student Kayla Smith accepted the youth Human Relations Award given to herself and fellow student Abby Roche. The two joined the “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign to end the derogatory use of the word “retarded.” The girls and their schoolmates created brochures and made presentations to elementary schools.

The organization Human Relations Award was presented to Handi-Wheels and manager Julie Burnett. Handi-Wheels have been giving rides to those with disabilities since 1975, when a group of New Horizon residents bought the first van through a fundraising drive.

Burnett was flanked by longtime volunteers and drivers Monday night.

“I am so very proud of each and every one of you,” she said.

Celebrating Good Times

2012-01-23T09:37:00.000-06:00

On Martin Luther King Day, the staff of the Alexandria charter (pictured here) gathered to celebrate 2011 and prepare for the year ahead. We heard success stories from branch managers and David Kjos, president of the Alexandria Charter walked us through our 2012 Key Focus Strategies. We had break out sessions and discussed how we can continue to build a strong bank and work even better together to help maximize Bremer’s presence in our communities and help to build healthier communities. In the afternoon, we were kept laughing with Terry Fleck, the Attitude Doctor’s look at life and our own attitudes. I know you’ve probably all seen this before but I thought I’d share the handout he gave us.

Attitude……..by Charles Swindoll

“The Longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say of do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company….a church….a home. The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one thing we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.”

It was a good day and I’m so fortunate to be part of the wonderful Bremer family!

Holly Witt, NRS Alexandria Charter

Happy People

2012-01-19T07:16:00.000-06:00

Look at all these happy people!

These are just a few of the recent grant awards from the Otto Bremer Foundation to organizations in the Alexandria area. The difference these grants make to organizations has huge impact. Here is what these dollars will be used for:

Brandon Public Schools – The support the “iDevelop Skills with iPads Enhancing and Expanding Early Childhood Skills” program.

Fergus Falls Schools – To help support the Fergus Falls Community Arena project.

Morris Community Education – To support the “Students in Service” program.

Morris Senior Citizen’s Club – To remodel the kitchen, upgrade appliances and install new lighting for this local senior community club.

This is why the Bremer Story is so important!

Holly Witt, NRS, Alexandria

Brandon Public Schools

Fergus Falls Public Schools

Morris Community Education

Morris Senior Citizens

Grant Management Tip

2012-01-17T08:35:00.000-06:00

I came across a great tip from “The Grantsmanship Center” in its December 2011 newsletter related to the challenges following the receipt of a grant. Here is the tip: As soon as you're notified of a grant award, you should convene a meeting with everyone in the organization who will have any involvement in carrying out the grant obligations. This includes administrative support staff as well as program staff. Everyone should be clear about their roles in recordkeeping, data collection, processing of transactions, reporting, and the decision-making chain of command. After that first meeting, schedule regular meetings to monitor progress on the grant implementation and to address any problems that have arisen.

What are your thoughts? Is this something that you do? Do you find it helpful? Do you have additional suggestions to offer?

Kathy Grochow, NRS, St. Cloud

Shining the Light on Community Impact – How One Group Does It

2012-01-12T08:57:00.000-06:00

Few organizations can survive, let alone thrive, if they haven’t figured out what unique, special or precise value they bring to the people and places where they do business. But that’s not all there is to it. Are those outside of your world understanding and appreciating what you do and why you exist? How are you telling your story to those who should be hearing it? To those who can help you thrive?

Recently I had the privilege of facilitating a legislative forum designed by a partnership of agencies in southwest Minnesota that have a history of collegiality and cooperation in helping people prepare for and find jobs. Southwest Adult Basic Education, Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council and programs within the Minnesota Workforce Center - Marshall do an impressive job of telling their story and demonstrating their impact each year to an important, influential audience – local, state and national policymakers.

Forum planners make the community impact message interesting, relevant, personal - and according to one state legislator who estimates he’s been there for “about 9 forums” and wouldn’t miss it - effective in helping him understand each year who benefits and how the programs are making a difference. We know that real people/real stories are a great way to shine the light on what you do. That is, customers or consumers talking about their experiences with your services, rather than you or staff simply reporting on what you do. Read about how these agencies make the powerful personal stories the centerpiece of their forum in this Spreading the word about education, jobs programs article published by Marshall Independent on the day after the event.

I want to mention here too that all of the key ingredients in the event: cooperating agencies, front-line staffers, local turf, authentic consumers, local media and elected public leaders all come together in this light and space for just a little over an hour. It’s a facilitation challenge to be sure, but it’s another reason I believe this example of sharing the news on community impact works for this group. Hats off to all involved. I’m still thinking about the stories I heard and the people I met there, and very much appreciate how these programs enrich our communities.

What has worked well to shine the light on your organization’s community impact? Please share it here with our readers.

Lois Schmidt, NRS, Willmar Charter

2012 Resolutions

2012-01-10T07:53:00.000-06:00

I ran across this quote the other day and thought it was a good one. Happy New Year!

"Stop referring to our industry by what we don’t do. Not-for-profit is a tax status, not an operating model. We are social-benefit organizations that produce significant value."
— Howard Kucher, executive director, the Evergreen Project, a health-care advocacy group in Baltimore.

From 2012 Resolutions for the Nonprofit World in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, December 31, 2011

Posted by Myrna Meadows, NRS, International Falls

Hot Spot!

2012-01-09T07:24:00.001-06:00

Bremer Bank – Marshall’s marquee on January 5, 2012, registers 60 sunny degrees! Later in the afternoon it would climb to 62. A gorgeous day in January in Minnesota!

Lois Schmidt, NRS, Willmar/Marshall

Winning Grant Proposals

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

There are great resources available to help nonprofits develop “winning grant proposals.” Below is a list of some of those resources, as well as some tips. I would like to emphasize that grants are typically not awarded based on “winning grant proposal writing,” but rather on the project itself, its fit with the grantmaker and primarily, funds available. An excellent project that is poorly managed against a mediocre project that is managed well can also make or break a funding decision.

From my perspective, here are a few quick tips. Please feel free to respond with additional tips that you have found helpful and are willing to share!

• Ensure that the goals of the project are realistic and that those involved as well as the leadership agree on the use of the grant dollars should they be awarded.
• Ensure that the goals of the project align with the project budget.
• Do not change your programming to match the interests of the funder
• Ensure that your partners are truly engaged and not merely a “name” listed as a partner
• Ensure that your project/program and organization are well managed and align with the organization’s mission.
• Ensure the project or program has other funding sources that are sustainable (a mix of sources to include individual donors, corporate donors and/or earned income.)

Some helpful resources include:
• Minnesota Council on Foundation
     o Writing a Successful Grant Proposal
     o Other Grant seeking resources
• Minnesota Council on Nonprofits
    o Resources for Foundation grant seekers
    o Resources for Government Funding grant seekers
• The Grantsmanship Center
    o Newsletters with articles & tips related to grantwriting
    o Grantwriting seminars and training

Kathy Grochow, NRS, St. Cloud

Happy New Year!

2012-01-03T07:51:00.000-06:00

Wishing you a Happy New Year from the entire Nonprofit Resource Specialists Team at Bremer Bank. We are looking forward to continuing to work with you in 2012.

Otto Bremer's Legacy "Gives" On!

2011-12-29T09:44:00.000-06:00

Genesys Works Twin Cities recently published a story about the partnership with the organization, the Otto Bremer Foundation and Bremer Bank.

Otto Bremer's Legacy "Gives" On!

In the 1947 holiday classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the character played by Jimmy Stewart stops a run on his family’s bank by panicked depositors by offering up his own money to cover their immediate needs. Hollywood needed to look no further than Saint Paul, Minnesota, and the wonderful life of Otto Bremer to find inspiration for such a scene. Mr. Bremer owned a number of rural banks in Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and Wisconsin, and like George Bailey, he showed up at his banks carrying satchels of his personal money to keep depositors from pulling their money from the banks during the height of the Great Depression. His actions not only kept the banks from failing, but maintained the economic integrity of the communities his banks served. You can read more about the amazing life of Otto Bremer here.

What does Otto Bremer have to do with Genesys Works? Lots. Two entities he created, the Otto Bremer Foundation and Bremer Financial Corporation, have played impactful roles in the growth of Genesys Works in the Twin Cities, something for which we will be forever grateful.

Read the complete story.

Building Healthy Communities with 'Bigs' and 'Littles'

2011-12-27T10:25:00.000-06:00

Bremer and the Otto Bremer Foundation are working on building healthy communities through partnerships like the one with Big Brothers Big Sisters in Western Wisconsin and The University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF). The UWRF Friends Program is a student organization that serves youth from the community through one-to-one mentoring relationships in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters. The Friends program originated to provide college students, who do not have their own transportation an opportunity to be involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

The college students meet their ‘Littles’ on campus and participate in fun and inexpensive activities around campus that are set up by the Friends Leadership Team. Some examples of the activities include: ice skating, day with the physics department, trip to the campus radio and television studio and scavenger hunts.

The Big Brother Big Sister program received a grant from Otto Bremer Foundation to support its work in the St. Croix Valley area.

Maltee McMahon, NRS, Wisconsin

How Useful Can a 15 Minute Workshop Be?

2011-12-22T09:31:00.000-06:00

Have you noticed this resource from Nonprofits Assistance Fund? It’s like the answer to a prayer:

“Please, just tell me the basics; sort out the important points; make it short; easy to find and understand; accessible for my staff and board members; and available on my time!”

Coffee Break Webinars
Nonprofits Assistance Fund explains important financial management topics in easy-to-digest, 15-minute webinars available on demand! Perfect for board members, executive directors and nonprofit staff.

• Balance Sheet Basics: What We Have, What We Owe, What We're Worth
• Cash vs. Accrual Accounting: See the Future and Not Just the Past
• Income Statement Basics: What's Behind the Bottom Line
• Managing Restricted Funds: Catch, then Release
• Off the Shelf and into Practice: Using Your Annual Audit

I’ve already checked out several of these and to answer my own question: Fifteen minute workshops can indeed be very useful! Don’t take my word for it. Try these out yourself.

Lois Schmidt, NRS, Marshall, Willmar, Redwood Falls

When Volunteers Aren’t That Great – Part 2

2011-12-21T10:05:00.001-06:00

Thank you to Katie Bull, Membership, Communication & Service Manager at Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration (MAVA) for writing this guest post. If you missed Part 1, check out November 1, 2011 post.

Lois Schmidt, NRS, Willmar, Marshall, Redwood Falls

While volunteer performance issues are not a favorite issue to tackle, they can become surprisingly clear when we dissect possible causes for the conduct. Problems with a volunteer usually stem from one of two things; organizational inefficiencies or behavior of the volunteer.

For instance, let’s look at one of the most common issues leaders of volunteers face when working with volunteers: dependability. A volunteer is consistently late for their volunteer shift, never calls to alert the staff of tardiness and shows little anxiety at showing up late. The first thought that might come to our heads is that the volunteer is lazy or just undependable- they can’t be trusted to be on time. However, we need to look past our initial judgments and look for possible reasons for this tardiness.

First, analyze the practices of your organization and volunteer program and ask a few questions: Was it explained to the volunteer during orientation or at the start of service the importance and expectation of timeliness? Do volunteers know that clients are waiting or other volunteers need to be relieved? Was the volunteer’s lateness pointed out and recorded at the first incidence or was it silently observed by staff? Asking these questions can reveal if there are practices that need to be improved to prevent this issue from happening in the future, and will help staff see possible reasons for the volunteer’s tardiness other than a personal quality.

Next, we can look at the behavior of the volunteer. It is important not to judge the volunteer on personality traits but instead to look at behavior and how it is affecting the volunteer’s work. Is there something preventing the volunteer from getting to the organization on time, such as transportation problems or conflicts? Is this behavior that has been ongoing since the volunteer started service, or has it just started recently? Could the volunteer’s understanding of time be different from that of the organization? Western cultures tend to highly value timeliness, while many other cultures have a very different understanding of time.

Now that we have looked more closely at what could be causing the problem, it’s time to address it. Here are some suggestions for conducting constructive conversations around performance issues:

1. Don’t attack personality, focus on performance.
2. Be specific. Do your homework and have specific examples of behavior concerning you. Don’t say: “You always do it that way.”
3. Keep conversations private.
4. Make the intervention timely, but do not approach until you are rational and calm.
5. Reiterate expected behavior using “I” not “you” language.
6. Get agreement on the problem. Allow the volunteer to explain from his/her perspective.
7. Determine a shared commitment for finding a solution to the problem.
8. Agree on a plan (both parties) to solve the problem.
9. Arrange for a follow-up meeting to determine if the issue is resolved or needs alternative solution options.

Often we think that issues with a volunteer means letting that volunteer go. But, after asking yourself the questions above and finding the root of the issue, other options will reveal themselves. Some of these alternatives to “firing” a volunteer are:

1. Re-assign to a new volunteer position within the organization, if appropriate.
2. Train/coach or re-train, depending on whether the volunteer received adequate preparation to handle the position in the first place.
3. Provide a more motivating environment for the volunteer if s/he has lost interest in the work.
4. Give information about any central referral source in the community or online where the volunteer might find a position better suited to him/her.
5. If the volunteer, due to age or disability, is no longer able to carry out the work and no other position is appropriate, retire him/her with style and appreciation for past service.

If you have any other questions regarding volunteer performance or leadership of volunteers in general, please feel free to contact MAVA at (651)255-0469 or office@mavanetwork.org.

The Otto Bremer Foundation Announces $7 Million in Year-End Grantmaking

2011-12-19T15:16:00.000-06:00

The Otto Bremer Foundation Provides $7 Million to Help Communities Meet Basic Needs and Provide Opportunities for People in Poverty

The Otto Bremer Foundation today announced 52 grants totaling $7 million to address the impact of the persistently difficult economic conditions on the lives of vulnerable people, especially those living in poverty. The grants will enable community organizations in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin to provide support for basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter and access to medical care. Grants will also provide opportunities for people living in poverty to access the tools, skills, connections and other resources they need to begin to change their situation over the long term.

“This two‐pronged approach—addressing immediate needs during a time of crisis and providing opportunities to achieve long‐term economic stability—is part of a deep tradition at the Otto Bremer Foundation,” said William H. Lipschultz, a trustee of the Foundation. “Otto Bremer believed that people could survive and flourish if they had help at critical times.”

Read the full press release.

Addressing Housing Issues in ND

2011-12-19T09:39:00.000-06:00

Grand Forks Community Land Trust (GFCLT) has been working with The Minot Housing Task Force to address some of the difficult housing issues they are facing due to the loss of so many houses in the flood this past year. Bremer Bank Nonprofit Resource Specialist Kelly Greenlees is one of the founding board members of GFCLT and is working closely with the organization as they address affordable housing issues. GFCLT Executive Director, Emily Wright has met with The Minot Housing Task Force consisting of representatives from Minot Housing Authority, National Guard, North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) and numerous other community leaders. Bremer Bank Nonprofit Resource Specialist Jerry Stai in Minot plans to get involved with this CLT task force to have a Bremer presence and to share expertise.

GFCLT has contacted the National CLT Network to incorporate their assistance with housing issues in Minot, and will be featured at the 2012 NDHFA annual conference in February. GFCLT and the NDHFA believe CLTs could be a good way to approach the affordable home ownership dilemma in Minot, Dickinson, Bismarck, etc.

GFCLT feels confident that it will be a critical piece of the puzzle to help with the housing issues going on in Grand Forks and is near completion on construction of its first community land trust home in the state. They are also willing to share their insight to assist any other communities that want information on community land trusts. Bremer is pleased to be a part of this initiative. More information on GFCLT’s progress can be found online at http://www.gfclt.org/.

Kelly Greenlees, NRS, Grand Forks

MSUM Receives OBF Grant For Free Counseling Clinic

2011-12-15T10:53:00.000-06:00

Hal Wentzel, vice president and branch manager of the Moorhead Bremer Bank and Howard Barlow, NRS, presented a large facsimile check from the Otto Bremer Foundation to Edna Mora Szymanski, President of MSUM at a ceremony in the Counseling Education Department recently.

The OBF grant of $135,865.00 will help start a new counseling clinic that will serve homeless and low income residents in the MSUM area of Moorhead. Below is a complete article from the Fargo Forum regarding the grant.

Read more in a recent Fargo Forum article.

Howard Barlow, NRS, Fargo

Pictured along with many members of the staff of MSUM are president Szymanski, in the center behind the check and to her left are Wentzel and Barlow.

2011-12-14T07:50:00.000-06:00

The Nonprofit Finance Fund has a great tagline: “Where money meets mission."

A worksheet at the organization's website is designed to help your organization review its finances and make a strong case for fund raising.
1. Revenue
2. Expenses
3. Probability and Savings
4. Health of the Balance Sheet
5. Liquidity
6. Financial Planning

Use the worksheet to capture a snapshot of your nonprofit’s strengths and weaknesses. Together, these areas help you balance the three critical components essential to your organization’s long-term viability: Mission, Capacity, and Capital.

Myrna Meadows, NRS, International Falls

An Event to Raise Funds & Friends

2011-12-12T11:03:00.000-06:00

A Logging Camp Christmas was a sold out event in International Falls Friday, Dec. 2. The event was a fundraiser for Koochiching Aging Options, and it was a night filled with music and other entertainment besides the meal. "It was planned to raise funds and friends" said Doug Skrief, KAO Executive Director (shown in the last photo calling everybody to dinner). Check out the scenes from the party below!

Myrna Meadows, NRS, International Falls