1. 2009 Grants Update

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

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

4. Operational Areas Grants Public Policy Leadership

5. Grantee Update Topics Grantee Perception Survey Results Grant making practices for 2009-2010

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Grant Making 2009-10 Financial environment Strategic Priorities

10. Combined Assets/Endowment

11. Foundation Annual Budget 2008$23,331,000 2009$21,200,000 2010$18,700,000 (est.)

12. Foundation Budget Plan for 2009-2010 Gradual decreases in charitable distributions. Decreases in both grants and program activities. Re-evaluate at end of 2009.

13. Program Allocations Programs – 22% Administration – 15% Grants & Scholarships 63% Total spending: $21,200,000 in 2009

14. Grant Fund Availability 2008$14,500,000 2009$13,250,000 2010$11,500,000 (est.)

15. Grant-Making Assumptions A 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.

16. Strategic Priorities Capacity Leadership Development Rural Voice Educational Attainment Change Economic Opportunity Fairness and Social Justice Inter-cultural Competency

17. Grant Allocation by Strategy $13.25 million total grant making 2009

18. 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 Alliances Community Planning and Coordination Capital Mobilization Technical Assistance

19. 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 Early Education Awards, ICC, and AEOA scholarships EdVisions Minnesota Minority Education Project

20. 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 grants Kootasca - Circles of Support and Partners in Leadership Jobs Now Coalition Greater Minnesota Housing Fund

21. Develop diverse leaders and equip them with skills needed for collective action Blandin Community Leadership Programs are lead investment. Native American Youth Initiative pending.

22. 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.

23. 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 Development Minnesota Public Radio New media grants like MinnPost

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

25. Thank you See you next year!