NW MN FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH GOOGLE AND NW MN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

 BEMIDJI, MN – August 6, 2012 -- Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) is partnering with Google and the Northwest Minnesota Small Business Development Center (NM SBDC) to help businesses and non profits get online.

Minnesota Get Your Business Online is an easy, free and fast way to get your business or nonprofit online. With professional templates and a few easy steps, you can create and publish a website for your business or nonprofit in less than 60 minutes.

Four workshops will be held Thursday, September 20, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Sanford Center in Bemidji. The event fee is $10 per person for one session or all four. Event fee includes light breakfast, refreshments, and lunch. Pre-registration is required for planning purposes and is greatly appreciated. Online registration access at www.nwmf.org.

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is a public, charitable foundation serving 12 counties of Northwest Minnesota by investing resources, creating opportunities and promoting philanthropy.

NWF in Top Philanthropic Tier Nationally

Bemidji, MN – Northwest Minnesota Foundation recently received notification that it has met the nation’s highest philanthropic standards for operational quality, integrity and accountability. The notice comes from the Community Foundations National Standards Board, a national accreditation organization based in Arlington, Va.

“This is similar to the Good Housekeeping Seal for community foundations,” said Diane Miller, Manager, Community Foundations National Standards Board. “It says that Northwest Minnesota Foundation has demonstrated a commitment to operational quality, integrity and accountability.”

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration. With over 200 community foundations already confirmed in compliance nationwide, the program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.

“This is critically important to our donors,” said Nancy Vyskocil, Northwest Community Foundation president. “When people make a charitable bequest, establish a fund or set up an annuity, they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the investment wisely, honor their charitable wishes and, in some cases, provide lifetime income to a loved one. The National Standards confirmation says our house is in order.”

Northwest Minnesota Foundation offers a range of charitable funds, allowing donors to advance a cause such as education or the environment, support an individual organization, provide flexible support for community needs or recommend individual grants. In addition to affirming the organization’s philanthropic services, the confirmation validates Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s grantmaking practices for the nonprofit community.

“Some say it’s easier to create wealth than to give money away wisely,” said Gary Purath, Northwest Minnesota Foundation board chair. “There’s some truth in that. Grantmaking is a lot like investing… we need to assess risks, weigh potential gains, diversify assets, monitor performance and operate fairly. When you see the National Standards Seal, you can be assured that we’re committed to meeting the highest standards for grantmaking as well.”

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations program is the first of its kind for charitable foundations in the United States.

NW Minnesota Women's Fund seeks outstanding "Community Builders"

Since 1998, the Northwest Minnesota Women's Fund has honored 33 women who have demonstrated leadership for improving the quality of their own lives or those around them. In our increasingly complex society, the Women’s Fund seeks to applaud the efforts of the women who have made Northwest Minnesota a better place to live, work, raise families, and have fun.

The Women’s Fund is asking for your assistance in recognizing these women who live in the counties of Beltrami, Clearwater, Marshall, Hubbard, Pennington, Polk, Kittson, Red Lake, Norman, Mahnomen, Roseau and Lake of the Woods. Nomination forms can be obtained from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation web site (www.nwmf.org) or by calling 218-759-2057 or 1-800-659-7859.

All nomination forms must be submitted by June 1, 2011. After the selections, the Advisory Committee will plan and host receptions in the recipients’ hometowns, to be held in late summer or early fall.
“Community Builders” awards are given based on the following criteria:

Leadership: A woman who through leadership roles has made significant contributions to her community; and through volunteerism, citizenship or community service has significantly improved the lives of women and girls.

Outstanding Mentor: A woman who has demonstrated wisdom and devotion to helping others; a role model and mentor who has supported and encouraged positive development in young women, and who also shows the characteristics necessary for success while actively sharing her skills.

Professional Excellence: A woman who has demonstrated leadership and excellence in her work, and whose leadership has benefited her community and/or her company; and outstanding entrepreneur; a role model for other women in achieving success in traditional or non-traditional positions.

The Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund, a component of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, serves as a catalyst for improving the quality of life for women and girls by focusing on women’s initiatives, leadership and philanthropy to build successful communities.