The Minnesota Work-Life Champions Partnership on Thursday honored 12 local companies for implementing programs that support employees who balance their work and families.

The partnership is comprised of local chambers of commerce, business and professional associations, foundations and nonprofit work-life advocacy organizations. The awards program was initiated by a grant from The McKnight Foundation and is managed by the Center for Ethical Business Cultures with assistance from Work and Family Connection Inc.

Each level of award was given to four companies of different sizes.

Gold awards went to Golden Valley-based General Mills Inc. in the "very large" category; Glenwood-based American Solutions for Business (large); Madelia Community Hospital (medium); and the Owatonna-based Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (small).

Silver awards went to Fridley-based Medtronic Inc. (very large); Minneapolis-based Leonard, Street and Deinard (large); St. Cloud-based Marco (medium); and Burnsville-based Lancet Software Development Inc. (small).

Bronze awards went to Rochester-based Mayo Clinic (very large); Minneapolis-based Gray Plant Mooty (large); St. Louis Park-based Healthia Consulting (medium); and Bloomington-based Karlsson Consulting Group Inc. (small).