The Landscape of Minnesota: A State of the State – Trends, Community Impact and What We Can Do

In this virtual presentation co-hosted by the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and the Center for Rural Policy & Development, attendees learned about trends shaping Greater Minnesota from Center for Rural Policy & Development staff: Julie Tesch, President & CEO; Marnie Werner​, VP Research & Operations; and​ Kelly Asche,​ Senior Researcher.

Alongside these insights, Chanda Smith Baker, President & CEO, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, on how the Foundation is working with community affiliates and partners statewide to strengthen local leadership and deepen our shared commitment to all of Minnesota.

This conversation is for everyone who cares about all of Minnesota’s vitality. Greater Minnesota is experiencing rapid change – and with it, new challenges and opportunities; and we need practical hope – the kind rooted in data, local leadership, and real solutions communities can act on today.

2026 Grant Programs Information Session Virtual

This 2026 virtual grant programs information session provided an overview of our reimagined grant programs and other programs offered through the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, F. R. Bigelow Foundation and Mardag Foundation.

Five Foolproof Steps to Every Non-Cash Gift

This event was for nonprofit endowment fundholders.

Speaker: Dana Holt, JD RICP AEP® CAP®, CEO & Philanthropic Strategist, Holt Consulting, LLC

2025 Facing Race Awards

The Facing Race Awards recognize anti-racism activists in Minnesota who challenge absent and harmful narratives on race, build solutions that unite instead of divide, and push for justice and equity. Through these Awards, we celebrate and learn from those leading the way forward.

The 2025 Facing Race Awards recipients:

• Alexs Pate, The Innocent Classroom/Innocent Tech
• Kathy Sublett, Let’s Erase the Stigma
• Nate Smith, Mino Animikiikaa, Good Thunder Collective
• Patricia Torres Ray, PTR Associates, former Minnesota Senator
• Sai Thao, In Progress

Giving+Together: Democracy in Action

This event was for Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation fundholders and their guests to engage with leaders who are working to ensure that democracy remains strong, inclusive and responsive to the people it serves.

Speakers included Mukhtar Ibrahim, MBA, Principal Consultant, Sayid Group, and Founder, Sahan Journal; Steve Simon, Minnesota Secretary of State; and Tsega Tamene, Associate Vice President of Community Impact, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation (moderator).

Women of Faith in Philanthropy: A Discussion

This Philanthropy in Your Practice event was for Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation professional advisors to deepen their understanding of how faith, values and identity inform philanthropic decisions – especially among women clients.

Words that work in major and planned gifts fundraising: Statistical analysis of the words and phrases that encourage planned giving

This event was for nonprofit endowment fundholders.

Speaker: Russell James, J.D., Ph.D., CFP®, Texas Tech University

Giving+Together: Increasing Access to the Arts

This event was for Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation fundholders and their guests to engage with changemakers who understand why protecting and investing in the arts is critical to Minnesota’s future – especially as we strive for thriving, healthy and equitable communities.

Speakers included:

• Sarah Bellamy, President at Penumbra
• John Davis, Executive Director at Warroad River Place
• Mary Anne Ligeralde Quiroz, Co-founder and Executive Director at Indigenous Roots

Pecha Kucha: Ideas to Grow Your Business and Happy Hour

Professional advisors joined us for a lively, fast-paced event where fellow advisors shared bold ideas, real-world insights, and creative strategies in Pecha Kucha style – a presentation format that kept things moving with 20 slides shown for just 20 seconds each. After the presentations, attendees engaged in structured networking before happy hour and continued conversation.

Giving+Together: The Future of Housing

This event was for Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation fundholders and their guests to engage with experts who are working to ensure that housing remains accessible, sustainable, and responsive to community needs.

Speakers included:

• Commissioner Jennifer Leimaile Ho at Minnesota Housing
• Chris Coleman, President & CEO at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
• Elizabeth Glidden, Deputy Executive Director at Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP)

East Metro Pulse Volume 4 Launch

This launch invited individuals from nonprofits, education and government to learn how to use community informed data to drive decisions in their work.