omentum M annual report 0909 DULUTH SUPERIOR AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION “Without generosity, we lose our sense of community, the of everyone coming together spiritof to make this an even better generosity place.” LONG-TIME FRIENDS OF THE it remain whole and vital,” Susan explains. “The Foundation is making a profound difference in COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, TODD AND our community. We couldn’t ask for more.” SUSAN JOHNSON EMBODY THE SPIRIT To keep this on-going momentum alive in the Johnson household, they take time to teach OF GENEROSITY THIS REGION HAS their children about why generosity matters. To Todd and Susan, volunteering and giving back EMBRACED FOR CENTURIES. to the community is a tradition that goes back generations. A proud father and successful To them, generosity reflects their passion for Superior businessman, Todd knows these values will continue in his family long after he’s gone. this area. “Duluth is a wonderful place to raise a Susan couldn’t agree more, “We’ve encouraged it in our children from an early age, and we’re family,” Todd says. “It’s where we have chosen to proud they have been involved and supportive of a variety of organizations.” live our lives. Nature is all around us yet we can By setting a strong example, the couple hopes others in the community will continue to also access the ballet, theater, sports and the arts. follow suit. “Without generosity, we lose our sense of community, of everyone coming In Duluth we can clearly see and experience the together to make this an even better place.” Todd goes on to say, “If you think about it, it big picture – what matters most to us in our lives.” doesn’t do any good to just have a good pitcher on a baseball team and not have any players The couple chooses to support the Community who can hit. It’s just not a well-balanced team. To put up a winning record, everyone needs to Foundation because it provides permanent bring something to the table. It’s that way with a community too; when everyone participates support for the region they love. “The Community and is generous in spirit, the community comes alive and well – everyone is a winner.” Foundation plays a central role in making our This winning spirit and generous nature, highlighted by friends like Todd and Susan, move this quality of life possible. It provides funding to community in the right direction. support so many facets of our community, helping IN A REGION PACKED WITH ENGAGED CITIZENS, This natural connection began Ness’s long history of DULUTH’S MAYOR DON NESS RISES TO THE TOP. AS collaborating with the Community Foundation on core MAYOR, GETTING INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY ISSUES community issues. Most noticeably, Speak Your Peace: ISN’T OPTIONAL, BUT DON’S GENUINE PASSION The Civility Project and the Community Foundation’s AND DEDICATION FOR MOVING THIS COMMUNITY Attracting and Retaining Young Adults initiatives. In FORWARD IS WHAT MAKES HIM STAND OUT. both cases, his involvement has led him to a better “Civic engagement represents the core of a democratic system,” understanding of this community. a Don explains. It is something he’s believed for years. In the early “Getting involved brings a special sense of 2000’s, his passion for community intersected with the Community awareness about an issue. When you start to Foundation when he joined the Millennium Group. “The idea understand how systems are working, it opens up of engaging the next generation of leaders interested me. And, I paths to make significant change,” he says. passion thought the Community Foundation’s ability to take a leadership And change, is something Don Ness believes in. “We role, access numerous resources, and have a long-term outlook on demonstrate time and time again that this community is for community were worthwhile.” full of citizens adept at engaging at a meaningful level to civic create change.” It is, after all, what continues to drive our community forward. “We really can make a positive difference in this community. Our high level of civic engagement builds our connection to community. It provides a sense of ownership which wills us to achieve engagement our goals.” These goals wouldn’t be achieved without the passion and dedication of engaged citizens like Don Ness. plantingthe visionofinclusivity IT STARTED WITH A GARDEN. IN 2004, JULIA CHENG Through her work at Community Action Duluth and the RELOCATED TO DULUTH AFTER HER HUSBAND TOOK A JOB Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, Cheng practices a AT THE DULUTH NEWS TRIBUNE. ONE OF THE FIRST PLACES philosophy that knowledge is the key to empowerment. HE SHOWED HER WAS THE CLAYTON JACKSON MCGHIE “Every year, people ask why we need to hold a Day of MEMORIAL SITE. AN AVID GARDENER, CHENG ASKED TO Remembrance,” at the Memorial, which pays homage to the HELP TEND THE MEMORIAL’s perenniaL PLOTS, AND A YEAR victims of one of Duluth’s greatest tragedies. “Our answer LATER WAS INVITED TO JOIN THE CLAYTON JACKSON MCGHIE is that we need to recognize that the mindset which allowed MEMORIAL (CJMM) BOARD OF DIRECTORS. this incident to occur still exists,” she says. “The results may be more subtle, but they are still damaging.” Already a member of Peace United Church of Christ’s Dismantling Racism “It’s a long process,” says team, Cheng went on to complete Duluth’s first round of Anti-Racism Study Her proudest achievement as CJMM co-chair has been Dialogue Circles while taking an increasingly active role in realizing CJMM’s to safeguard the organization’s annual scholarship with a Cheng, “but I’ve never lived mission of fostering racial justice. permanent endowment at the Community Foundation. “We teach a lesson to our scholarship winners: Learn from history.” in a community where I These experiences, coupled with a passion to create a community where all are welcome and treated equally, inspired Julia to do more. Today, in addition Cheng wouldn’t be a part of this movement to create a more was more engaged.” to chairing the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial board, she also works at inclusive community if she didn’t believe success was possible. Community Action Duluth as a financial counselor and tax preparer. “It’s a long process,” says Cheng, “but I’ve never lived in a “The more I got involved in this community, the more I understood that community where I was more engaged.” social justice doesn’t arise apart from economic justice. Poverty has a disproportionate impact on people of color, who also tend to enjoy less than full benefit of our system’s wealth-building mechanisms.” the energy and excitement our volunteers bring to clean slate; to reflect over the past five years and, most sustain this organization and engage in the community; importantly, create an energetic and innovative plan to Dear Friends, to the generous nature of our friends; to the strength of move the Community Foundation forward. In high school physics, one learns that momentum is many individuals and organizations striving to achieve a We look forward to your involvement in this journey. 2009 the sum of the mass and velocity of an object; also community that welcomes everyone. It is because of you, after all, that the momentum of known as (p=mv). For the Community Foundation, Despite difficult times, the momentum and the Community Foundation will continue on for years Accomplishments our momentum is the sum of our work to foster commitment of this community continued to move to come. generosity, civic engagement and inclusiveness. These • Completed and exceeded a $1 million challenge grant from the Bush Foundation nearly two us forward. In the height of the recession, we With sincere gratitude for all you have done and will principles provide the momentum needed to drive years ahead of schedule increasing unrestricted dollars for grant making completed a $1,000,000 challenge grant from the continue to do, our communities forward. Helping us along the way Bush Foundation nearly two years ahead of schedule. is the energy of donors, grantees, community leaders, We granted out nearly $1.9 million. Our investment • Distributed nearly $1.9 million in grants, scholarships and affiliated scholarships to assist and the hundreds of volunteers that partner with performance excelled. And, as community leaders people committed to moving this region forward us on increasing the quality of life in northeastern we engaged a number of audiences in improving this • Exceeded strategic plan fundraising goal, one year early Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. community through our initiatives work. 2009 was a difficult time in our country’s history and Looking ahead, throughout 2010 we will devote time and • Grew our investment pool by 28% with strong investment performance in this community. But, it is during these difficult times attention to laying the groundwork for our next strategic that we are most reminded about why we matter. It is plan. This planning process, which takes place every five • Added 14 new funds to our portfolio, bringing our total number of funds to over 290 during these times that our vision shines through—from years, provides an opportunity for us to start with a • Expanded nonprofit grant making eligibility to include core mission support during recession Holly C. Sampson, President • As part of effort to attract and retain young adults in this region: -Convened a committee of young adults to establish the Young Leaders Fund Lyle W. Northey, Chair -Co-sponsored Twin Ports Next Gen Summit -Launched theDuSu.com website • Welcomed over 40 donors to the newly created President’s Circle for cumulative, endowed giving of $100,000 or more.