CEBC IN THE NEWS

Project to Study Minnesota's Corporate Givers

Published Thursday, January 25, 2001 in the Star Tribune.

By Patrick Kennedy

A new Minnesota initiative has received a $320,620 grant from a national philanthropy association to research the state's tradition of corporate giving.

The Building Business Investment in Community (BBIC) project, a collaboration of the Minnesota Council on Foundations and a number of other Minnesota organizations that promote philanthropy, comes at a time when Wall Street mergers and acquisitions have resulted in the relocation of some of the state's largest corporate givers.

The BBIC project will use the grant from the Washington, D.C.-based Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers and local funds during the next three years to research the amounts given and the giving styles of Minnesota companies of all sizes.

There is a general concern that the state's changing economy, including the departure of some prominent corporate headquarters, is affecting Minnesota's current business philanthropy.

But there has not been enough information available to determine whether adverse effects of the changing economy are being offset by giving from smaller companies.

"We are trying to get a handle on the range of giving activities out there in order to set a baseline to determine if giving is going up or down," said Marina Muñoz Lyon, chairwoman of the BBIC's steering committee.

Lyon is vice president of Pohlad Family Charities and a board member of the Minnesota Council on Foundations. Jackie Reis, who is retiring as president of the council in February after a 21-year career with the organization, will be the program's project manager.

The BBIC plans to gather information and conduct research on Minnesota's current business philanthropy environment and will develop strategies to sustain and increase business involvement in the community. The BBIC plans to develop a mentoring program for business leaders, a tool kit for business giving, and educational programs.

Joining the foundations council in the project will be the Center for Ethical Business Cultures, the Greater Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the Minnesota Keystone Program, the Collaborative, United Way Associates, Initiative Foundation, the Initiative Fund of southeast and south-central Minnesota, Northland Foundation, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Southwest Minnesota Foundation and West Central Initiative.

The author

Patrick Kennedy is a Star Tribune columnist.

© Copyright 2001 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.

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