MNSights - Spring 2012 - (Page 2)

?DI?=>JI Photography by Travis Anderson Working Ahead By Carleen Rhodes A healthy workforce is critical for Minnesota’s future. MNSIGHTS VOL. 2, ISSUE 1 , Helping President and CEO of Minnesota Philanthropy Partners Illustration by Bruce Morser - Who Inspires Local Veterans Us: John and Nancy Lindahl Minnesota’s Workforce e’re sure to hear many conversations this election year about the A job is about economy and jobs. If you’re like us, you’ve seen a signiﬁcant uptick more than a in the volume of funding requests from nonproﬁts that focus on job creation paycheck. and getting people back to work. It’s a building A job is about more than a paycheck. It’s a building block of vibrant block of vibrant communities. At Minnesota Philanthropy Partners, we believe a strong communities. workforce improves every other aspect of the community—from education to human services to ensuring early success for our children and youth. Good jobs make our community stronger. They create access to housing and health care and long-term self-sufﬁciency—all of which make our economy stronger. The push for jobs is critical for Minnesota. We need to focus our efforts and get people trained and ready to be the workforce of the future. Our global competitiveness depends on it. When you read our feature article, “Work in Progress,” you’ll see that solutions to this problem require entrepreneurial energy, perseverance and creativity—and you’ll ﬁnd many organizations already advancing these approaches. Through our partnership with Philanthropedia, we salute 18 Minnesota nonproﬁts that experts recognize for their work on this issue. These 18 organizations, and many others, strive to ensure a vibrant workforce that will continue to attract, retain and grow major talent for Minnesota. You’ll ﬁnd many great tips and resources worth putting into action in this issue of MNSights. I hope you also ﬂip to the last page and check out “Pint-Sized Philanthropy.” As a proud grandmother, I was delighted with the great ideas for practical activities I can do with my granddaughters to spark their enthusiasm for giving back. M / How to Boost '* Fun Ways for Kids to Give Kari Ruth Editor in chief Anna Befort Managing editor Mary Mangan Editorial assistant Naomi Pesky Director of marketing and communications Chris Winn Art director Assumpta Mbele Project manager Find the digital edition of MNSights at mnpartners.org/ mnsights. Cross-Cultural Crowdsourcing The Minnesota Idea Open taps into the innovative ideas of all Minnesotans—think of it as crowdsourced problem-solving. Its ﬁrst challenge in 2010 focused on obesity, followed by water issues in 2011. Now, the 2012 Idea Open has asked Minnesotans for their best ideas to build bonds and work together across cultures and faiths in their communities. The ideas are in, and you can be part of the solution: Starting May 15, go to mnideaopen.org to watch ﬁnalist videos and vote for the ideas you think should receive a $15,000 grant for implementation. S PRIN G I 2 012 Vote Tell Others Tune In Tell interested friends and colleagues to weigh in on the winners before May 25. MN SIGHTS The Idea Open will celebrate the three Challenge Champions May 30–June 8. 2 http://www.mnpartners.org/mnsights http://www.mnpartners.org/mnsights http://www.mnideaopen.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MNSights - Spring 2012

MNSights - Spring 2012
Contents
Helping Local Veterans
Who Inspires Us: John and Nancy Lindahl
How to Boost Minnesota’s Workforce
Fun Ways for Kids to Give

MNSights - Spring 2012