In honor of National Volunteer Week (April 16-22), we are highlighting a few of our dedicated volunteers who give their time and expertise to champion community. We appreciate their partnership in building better lives throughout our region.
Today, we are featuring Connie Lindstrom, a member of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation Board of Directors.
Volunteers like Connie make it happen! By contributing their energy and expertise, volunteers make a sustainable impact on the lives of those who call our community home. Thank you, Connie, for all you do to lead and support our region in meaningful ways.
How did you first become familiar with the work of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation?
I attended a civic meeting in my town of Hallock, where community leaders described their plans to open a new community child care center, and all the organizations and funding sources that came together to make that happen. Northwest Minnesota Foundation was mentioned as the manager of a Hallock Area Community Fund which helped bring the child care center to life. I was impressed and wanted to learn more!
During your time on the NMF Board of Directors, what have you seen in terms of its impact on our region and/or your community?
Many hands and many groups often need to come together to successfully launch new projects or businesses, especially in rural areas. I have seen so many examples of ways the Northwest Minnesota Foundation has been able to bridge a gap, it’s hard to pick just one. Particularly in our smaller communities, having an organization that can provide expertise or serve that “connector” function is so critical, and Northwest Minnesota Foundation does it very well.
What are your hopes for the future on NMF?
I hope we’ll continue to grow and evolve with our communities here, and I hope we’ll be able to continue to serve the people who live here with ongoing attention to inclusion and diversity. I’ve only been on the board a little over a year, and already I’ve seen how committed staff, leadership, and other board members are to learning and keeping pace with changing needs. That’s very exciting to be a part of.
