Shining a light on enduring partnerships with "Star of the Northland" awards

Special partners honored at 30th annual dinner celebration

It has been a privilege to have spent 30 years growing and serving northeastern Minnesota, and the Northland Foundation is poised to continue growth and service for decades to come. Strong, trusting relationships with dedicated partners have informed and inspired our work.

On August 4th, five very special partners were honored at our 30th anniversary celebration and annual dinner, held on the grounds of the Lake Superior Zoo.

These "Stars of the Northland" are close partners whose longtime support has greatly increased our mutual impact within the region.

“A definition of ‘partner’ is: one that is united or associated with others in an activity or a sphere of common interest. We're humbled to be united with such exceptional partners in our shared interest of serving the needs of people and communities in northeastern Minnesota.” —Tony Sertich, President,
Northland Foundation

The McKnight Foundation founded the Northland Foundation along with the five other Minnesota Initiative Foundations in 1986 and has remained our strongest supporter. Of McKnight, it can truly be stated that the Northland Foundation would not be here, and would not be what it is today, without them. McKnight has provided $55 million to advance Northland's mission over the decades, and made significant investments in our Early Childhood Initiative and PreK-3rd Grade alignment efforts statewide. Kate Wolford, President, and Neal Cuthbert, Vice President of Program, were unable to attend but will be presented with their award soon.

Blandin Foundation has been an outstanding partner in rural northeastern Minnesota, starting with its first grant to Northland in 1988. To date, Blandin has invested $1.25 million to support a range of regional initiatives that meet our mutual priorities to help ensure thriving rural communities. Notably, the Blandin Foundation was also pivotal to the creation of our KIDS PLUS Program in 1992 and its expansion over time, from the Youth Leadership Academy to the Early Childhood Initiative. The Blandin Foundation was also the first partner to contribute to the Business Flood Recovery Grant initiative following the devastating 2012 flood.

Minnesota Power Foundation has provided $945,000 over the past 25 years, for an array of KIDS PLUS, Grant Program and Business Finance Program and economic development efforts. In 2000, they helped us to establish Youth In Philanthropy. With commitments of $150,000 to date for this program alone - all of it being funneled right back into the region in the form of grants to youth-led projects, the initiative has been renamed as Minnesota Power Foundation Youth In Philanthropy. Al Hodnik, CEO, and Aimee Curtiss, Community Relations and Foundation Director, accepted their award.

Essentia Health has had an enduring relationship with the Northland Foundation for 25 straight years and provided $825,000 to date. For 24 of those years, Essentia Health contributed annually toward grantmaking to benefit the health and well-being of children, youth, and older adults in our region. Since 2012, they have also been a significant funder of Thrive, our infant and early childhood mental health initiative. In June, Essentia Health committed $25,000 to the KIDS PLUS Twin Ports Youth Leadership Academy. Accepting the award were Sister Kathleen Hofer, Dr. David Herman, Ron Alston, and Dr. Tim Zager.

Antoinette “Toni” and Leo Monster have a history with the Northland Foundation that is just as lengthy, yet, as individual donors, unique from the other award recipients. Toni served on the Northland Foundation Board of Trustees from 1992 to 2001 and is a charter member of the Emeritus Trustee Group. Five years ago, the Monsters made a major, multi-year gift to the Northland Foundation in support of children and youth, and are continuing this commitment into the future. Leo and Toni also recently joined the Legacy Friends of the Northland by indicating their intent to include the Foundation in their estate plans.

Each of these awardees deserves heartfelt thanks for their dedication, friendship, and ongoing support.