At its annual recognition event, the Northwest Minnesota Foundation celebrated six awardees from across the region whose leadership and service are strengthening communities 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.
- Jane Evans, of Roseau, was named the recipient of the Ruth Edevold Award for Excellence in Leadership in recognition of her decades of volunteer service and commitment to strengthening her community. Evans has held leadership roles with Jaycee Women/Women of Today, her church, and a variety of youth programs that support children and families in Roseau. She has also served on the Roseau Park Board, helping bring to life major projects such as the community splash pad and skate park, and has dedicated more than 25 years to ALS fundraising efforts that have raised over $2.5 million for families and research. Evans continues to give back as a board member for LifeCare Health Care Funds, Mission in Motion, and the Evans Charitable Fund, reflecting her deep commitment to advancing health, faith, and community vitality across Roseau County.
- BIO Girls was named the recipient of the Ruth Edevold Award for Nonprofit Organizational Excellence in recognition of its work to improve the mental health of young girls through mentorship, character-building, and goal-centered activities. Founded in 2013, BIO Girls has grown from a single program serving 35 participants to reaching 3,000 girls annually across 120 sites, including more than a dozen in Northwest Minnesota. With 7 in 10 participants reporting higher self-esteem and half experiencing less anxiety, BIO Girls equips girls to be kind, empathetic, confident, and resilient. The program is entirely volunteer-facilitated, engaging thousands each year, and has now impacted more than 18,000 adolescent girls, helping them know they are enough.
The 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:
- Advance Thief River: Founded in 1955 as Thief River Falls Jobs Incorporated, the organization has helped attract employers, expand industries, and guide entrepreneurs while working to improve quality of life in the city and surrounding region. Its priorities include supporting small businesses, recruiting new residents, expanding child care, and fostering industrial growth. Guided by a broad board and dedicated volunteers, Advance Thief River has been instrumental in shaping Thief River Falls into a thriving regional hub and continues to drive prosperity, inclusivity, and resilience for future generations.
- Andrew Erholtz: As the founder of Vision Properties Management in Bemidji, Erholtz has worked to be part of the housing solution by providing rental opportunities for individuals facing barriers to stability. He has been a key leader in advancing the Youth Mitigation Fund, which helps expand housing opportunities for youth by encouraging landlords to work alongside housing agencies to provide support and accountability. Beyond his work in housing, Erholtz served as a children’s minister for 17 years at Tenstrike Community Church and volunteered for 12 years in the Blackduck public schools, teaching character-building lessons to elementary students. His commitment to both housing and youth reflects a deep belief in creating opportunities that allow people to thrive.
- Mitch Rautio, of Bemidji: As a successful entrepreneur and developer whose projects strengthen community and expand housing opportunities, Rautio was recognized for his leadership in business and community development. He is currently leading the Mountain View Meadows neighborhood project to expand moderate-income housing, and he has also built supportive housing for individuals overcoming substance abuse. Through strategic partnerships with nonprofit organizations like North Star Neighbors, Rautio illustrates how private-sector leadership can align with mission-driven housing initiatives to expand affordable housing options. His work highlights the transformative potential of business and nonprofit collaboration in building stronger, more inclusive communities across Northwest Minnesota.
The Thief River Falls Area Community Fund was recognized with the Community Philanthropy Award for its creativity, generosity, and commitment to strengthening the community it serves. Founded in 2015 after community members came together to sustain local giving, the fund has awarded more than 50 grants supporting youth, seniors, social needs, and quality of life. Known for energizing events like its popular Murder Mystery Dinner and the upcoming Family Feud Fundraiser, the fund continues to engage donors and volunteers through creative and community-spirited events that strengthen the Thief River Falls area.
