New Compensation Resources Support HR Decision-making

Throughout the summer of 2021, MCF hosted a Task Force on Compensation. Over a dozen MCF members and staff met monthly to discuss human resources questions about staff compensation and benefits.

The charge of the task force was to determine the information needs of members around compensation at their organizations, what gaps exist, and how MCF can help. The group, co-chaired by Milpha Blamo, The Minneapolis Foundation, and Missy Maiers, Southwest Initiative Foundation, identified three priorities to address.

Compensation Resource Priorities Identified by the Task Force

MCF members need:

• Increased knowledge about existing tools and resources for staff compensation
• More Minnesota-specific data around salaries and benefits
• Tools to develop their own organization’s compensation philosophy

MCF staff have started to bring together some of these resources. You will now find on the MCF website a listing of Compensation Benchmarking Resources and a Compensation Philosophy Primer, with tips and samples for crafting your own philosophy. In early 2022, MCF staff will assess possible avenues for collecting and sharing more Minnesota-specific data around staff salaries and benefits.

Your Templates and Sample Policies Can Help Another MCF Member

You can help fill gaps in resources around compensation. If you have a tool, policy, process or template that you’re willing to share on MCF’s online Resource Library, please reach out to Chris Oien, MCF’s Communications and Research Specialist, coien@mcf.org.

Together, we’re building a vibrant philanthropic community collectively advancing prosperity and equity. Stay tuned as we continue to shine a brighter light on compensation over the coming months.

Task Force Members

Thanks to the following MCF members who served on the task force:

• Milpha Blamo, Vice President of Talent and Culture, Minneapolis Foundation
• Lynn Bushinger, COO & CFO/Treasurer, Initiative Foundation
• Ben Cameron, President, Jerome Foundation
• Rhonda Cox, Associate Vice President of Human Resources, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
• Suzanne Flannigan, Chief Financial Officer, GHR Foundation
• Nichol Higdon, Vice President of Finance and Operations, McKnight Foundation
• Carolyn Link, President, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of MN Foundation
• Missy Maiers, Director of Talent and Operations, Southwest Initiative Foundation
• David Nelson, Executive Director, Carlson Family Foundation
• Alli Niathani, Director of Organizational Effectiveness and Talent Development, Northwest Area Foundation
• Julie Remmelts, Chief Operating Officer, Headwaters Foundation for Justice
• Casey Scott, Vice President of Finance & Administration, Catholic Community Foundation
• Shari Undeland, Human Resources Generalist, Blandin Foundation
• Michele Wallerstein, Director of Finance, Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation
• Heidi Walsh, Human Resources Generalist, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota

MCF staff support:

• Susie Brown, President
• Paul Masiarchin, Director of Member Services
• Chris Oien, Research & Communications Specialist