Here at the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, we’re proud to say that not only do we have dedicated staff committed to their work in building better lives throughout Northwest Minnesota, but 90 percent of our staff also give to the NMF Endowment, or one of its component funds.
Today, on this Giving Tuesday, we’re highlighting a couple of their stories.
Name: Nate Haskell
Position: Senior Program Officer, Community Revitalization
Length of employment at NMF: 10 months
Where you donate to at NMF: NMF Endowment and Greater Bemidji Outdoor Fund; previously donated to Watermark Art Center capital campaign project through NMF
I became familiar with the work of NMF a number of years ago. I was on the Bemidji Rotary Club Board of Directors and we were fundraising for the All-Inclusive Playground by Paul and Babe in Bemidji. NMF President Nancy Vyskocil (now retired) presented NMF as a conduit for our fundraising efforts to allow for tax-deductible donations. More recently, I signed up monthly ACH transfers from my bank account to support the capital campaign at the Watermark Art Center to renovate their building on 5th Street.
Why do you give?
I believe in giving back to the community, if you are able to do so. A strong community takes financial and volunteer support of its members.
Supporting the NMF Endowment is an investment in our region that will continue to support worthwhile projects that benefit our communities forever. The endowment provides a predictable and sustainable source of financial support for our region.
I also support the Greater Bemidji Outdoor Fund (GBOF). The GBOF provides funding to projects that maintain the cross-country ski trails in the Bemidji area. Cross-country skiing is a passion of mine and this is one way I can help support an activity that I love to do in the winter.
What should people know about NMF?
Staff at NMF are dedicated to supporting our mission to make our region a better place to live and work. That is one thing that I’ve noticed in my time here: Everyone cares about the region and our communities.
I also think that people need to know how easy it is to give back through the community funds at NMF. It is as simple as going to our website, finding the fund you wish to support and selecting the frequency and amount you want to give
