Thank You For Being a Part of the MCF Community in 2025

As we look ahead to 2026 and reflect on 2025, we are filled with deep gratitude for all 170 member organizations that make up the MCF community. 

This year tested our sector in unprecedented ways. Amid political, economic, and operational uncertainty, you continued to adapt and show up for your partners across Minnesota. Throughout it all, we saw how connection to each other and our shared values has been a powerful source of strength. 

In 2025, MCF worked alongside you to connect, strengthen, and mobilize our collective voice and resources. Highlights include: 

• Honoring Susie Brown’s leadership and welcoming Michelle Maryns as the new MCF president to guide the organization into its next chapter. 

• Advancing local journalism through Press Forward Minnesota, awarding $520,000 to 13 organizations across the state and opening applications for a second funding round. 

• Deepening relationships and shared learning through the expanded People of Color & LGBTQ+ Community of Practice with six meaningful virtual and in-person gatherings. 

• Creating timely resources to help MCF members track and respond to federal changes affecting the philanthropic and nonprofits operating environment.

• Engaging with policymakers by participating in Foundations on the Hill and meeting all 10 of Minnesota's Congressional delegation offices.

• Strengthening data-informed advocacy and research through our partnership with Impala, onboarding 62 MCF members and 232 Minnesota nonprofits supporting 75 foundations statewide, and informing insights featured in the new Giving in Minnesota report. 

• Transitioning MCF’s office from the North Loop to EquaSpace in St. Paul. 

• Convening a working group of representatives from philanthropy and nonprofits to update the Minnesota Common Grant report. 

• Hosting 132 peer networks and training programs with over 4,000 participants, including partnerships with WASH-MN, MCN, and the Latine Program Series.

• Developing the Minnesota State Share campaign in partnership with MCF members and UMN Extension to encourage community investment as Minnesota prepares for an unprecedented intergenerational transfer of wealth. 

• Announcing the Rural Urban Bridging for Impact (RUBI) Bridging & Belonging Fund based on the Blueprint for Action for Uniting Across Difference that MCF members developed to create belonging through stories, relationships, skillsets, and structures. 

• Launching MCF’s Equity, Belonging, Diversity & Inclusion (EBDI) Institute to support learning, practice, and leadership across the sector. 

Seeing so many of you at our convenings this year reinforced the power of this community. We’re excited to carry that energy into 2026, starting with our Annual Conference in February featuring keynote speakers Rinku Sen and Secretary of State Steve Simon. 

Thank you for all you did in 2025. Here's to staying connected and going further together in the year ahead!