2009 Grants Update

Mission

To strengthen rural Minnesota communities, especially the Grand Rapids area.

Vision

Healthy rural communities grounded in strong economies where the burdens and benefits are widely shared.

Operational Areas

Grantee Update Topics

Grantee Perception Survey ResultsGrant making practices for 2009-2010

Grantee Perception Survey

National, comparative survey.Examines perceptions on impact, customer

satisfaction, quality of interactions, clarity of communications, assistance beyond the grant, administrative process, and evaluation system.

Blandin will conduct every 3 years starting in 2005.

Response rate for Blandin well above average.Thank you – the results do influence our work.

2005 Grantee Survey

Results were poor.In bottom half of foundations in 8 of 11

categories.Improvement plan reviewed and approved by

Trustees.Simplification, revamp reporting system,

increased interactions, communications, philosophy of mutuality.

2008 Grantee Survey

Thank you for candor in 2005.Strong positive movement.In top half of foundations in 8 of 12

categories.Effectiveness of communications continues to

lag.Hold us accountable for maintaining

standards and further improvements in 2011.

Grant Making 2009-10

Financial environmentStrategic Priorities

Combined Assets/Endowment

Foundation Annual Budget

2008 $23,331,0002009 $21,200,0002010 $18,700,000 (est.)

Foundation Budget Plan for 2009-2010

Gradual decreases in charitable distributions .

Decreases in both grants and program activities.

Re-evaluate at end of 2009.

Program Allocations

Programs – 22%

Administration – 15%

Grants & Scholarships 63%

Total spending: $21,200,000 in 2009

Grant Fund Availability

2008 $14,500,0002009 $13,250,0002010 $11,500,000 (est.)

Grant-Making AssumptionsA minimum of 55 percent in local giving area

(actual has been 75% based on 6 year rolling average).

Continue statewide engagement at lower level. Maintain local long term commitments.Maintain education, economic, and safety net

giving.New grant initiatives under more scrutiny,

smaller in size, more emphasis on matching funds, etc.

Major reductions in two strategic areas.

Strategic PrioritiesCapacityLeadership DevelopmentRural VoiceEducational Attainment

ChangeEconomic OpportunityFairness and Social JusticeInter-cultural Competency

Grant Allocation by Strategy

$13.25 million total grant making 2009

Support community and regional economic initiatives that capitalize on diverse assets Establish economic engines via

entrepreneurship, industry/higher ed collaboration, industry clusters, workforce, capital formation.

Examples include:Industry and Education AlliancesCommunity Planning and CoordinationCapital MobilizationTechnical Assistance

Increase educational attainment for disadvantaged populations Improve outcomes for those facing barriers

associated with poverty, race, disabilities, and gender.

Priority on replicable models or policy level impacts for grants outside local giving area.

Examples include:Invest EarlyEducation Awards, ICC, and AEOA scholarshipsEdVisions Minnesota Minority Education Project

Strive for fairness and opportunity through social justice and philanthropy Primarily a local giving area focus.Demonstrate how low income or other

disadvantaged people will be better able to live in dignity (increased income, asset ownership, or other indicator). 

Examples include:Local Sustaining grantsKootasca - Circles of Support and Partners in LeadershipJobs Now CoalitionGreater Minnesota Housing Fund

Develop diverse leaders and equip them with skills needed for collective action Blandin Community Leadership Programs

are lead investment.Native American Youth Initiative pending.

Strengthen inter-cultural competencies

Culture is a broad concept encompassing race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class, etc.

Recognizing differences and working effectively across them – inclusiveness.

Few grants to date. Statewide Request for Proposals (RFP)

likely.

Be a voice for rural MN and increase the capacity of rural residents to be their own voice

Insure that rural perspectives are accounted for in policy debates.

Public Policy & Engagement program is lead activity for Foundation (forestry and broadband).

Limited new funding. Current examples include:Center for Rural Policy and DevelopmentMinnesota Public RadioNew media grants like MinnPost

Conclusion

What suggestions do you have for the Blandin Foundation to support your work in the current environment?

Thank you

See you next year!