At its annual recognition event, the Northwest Minnesota Foundation celebrated six awardees from throughout the region whose work and energies are leading and supporting community in meaningful ways.
Awards were given in three categories. Each awardee was presented with a gift of pottery from Planet A Clay, created by Bemidji artist Butch Holden, and received a $1,000 grant to a nonprofit of their choice, with the exception of the philanthropy award which instead received $1,000 to the fund itself.
The Ruth Edevold Awards for Excellence, established in honor of NMF’s founding executive director, recognizes excellence in leadership and nonprofit organizational excellence.
- Brenda Baumann, of Warroad, was named the recipient of the Ruth Edevold Award for Excellence in Leadership in recognition of her work in community collaboration and leadership in the Warroad area. Her career at Marvin spanned more than 32 years and included her most recent role as executive director of The Hub, a community collaboration initiative dedicated to incubating new businesses. Additionally, Baumann has been active on the Warroad Area Community Fund advisory committee since its inception and co-led Hockey Day Minnesota in Warroad.
- Alluma, headquartered in Crookston, was named the recipient of the Ruth Edevold Award for Non-Profit Organizational Excellence. Alluma is an inclusive Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic that ensures high-quality access to mental health services in the region. For over 60 years, Alluma has provided evidence-based, client-focused care in Northwest Minnesota. Alluma takes an uncommon approach, integrating mental health and substance use care into overall wellbeing.
Community Compass Awards celebrate individuals, businesses, community leaders, nonprofits, and partners whose work and efforts are strengthening our communities to build tomorrow’s best future for all who live and work in Northwest Minnesota.
Awardees are:
- North Country Food Bank: Headquartered in East Grand Forks, North Country Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in northwest and west central Minnesota. Each year, North Country distributes over 6 million pounds of food, or enough food for 5.2 million meals, which feed approximately 35,000 of our neighbors in need. North Country’s distribution occurs through a network of effective regional agency partners and through its own direct service programs.
- Jeff Fagerstrom / Northwest Minnesota Housing Cooperative: Jeff Fagerstrom, of Thief River Falls, is the president of the Northwest Minnesota Housing Cooperative. NMHC was created in 1998 through a collaboration between USDA Rural Development and the Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation. NMHC builds affordable, sustainable housing throughout Northwest Minnesota, partnering with local developers, contractors, retailers, financial institutions, and government agencies to create a simple path to homeownership. Fagerstrom, who initially was named manager of the NMHC when it was formed in 1998, now also serves as the contractor partner for North Star Neighbors, a community land trust serving Northwest Minnesota.
- Deb McGregor: Deb McGregor, of Bemidji, inspires entrepreneurs, clients, colleagues and communities to live, share, and lead with joy. She invites others to be a part of processes and solutions. She impacts thousands of people each year through her keynote speaking, workshop presentations, her work as a consultant with the Northwest Small Business Development Center, podcast hosting and appearances, and executive/life coaching.
The Fosston Education Foundation Fund was recognized as the recipient of the Community Philanthropy Award. The fund, among the NMF family of funds, was established in 1996, and has issued 166 grants totaling more than $220,000 to support not only the students of Fosston Public Schools but also district staff, community educational programs, and other educational institutions in and around Fosston. In addition to grants, the fund also provides scholarships to Fosston students who are majoring in education to assist in their post-secondary pursuits. Since 2001, more than $35,000 dollars has been awarded through these scholarships.
