Business Support Organizations

The organizations listed below can provide useful information and assistance to businesses seeking to develop or enhance their charitable giving and community involvement practices.

Minnesota Organizations

The Center for Ethical Business Cultures (CEBC) at the University of St. Thomas assists business leaders in creating ethical and profitable business cultures at the enterprise, community and global levels. CEBC, an independent nonprofit, adds value for its business members and the community by Promoting Awareness - through research, publications and public forums - of the critical importance of business ethics and corporate citizenship; Generating Products and Services that assist companies in building ethical cultures; Educating and Developing the Next Generation of Business Leaders, in collaboration with its university partners; and, Fostering Research emphasizing practical applications and challenges in creating an ethical culture. Contact: David Rodbourne, Vice President. 651-962-4122; dhrodbourne@cebcglobal.org; www.cebcglobal.org.

Initiative Foundation partners with donors to unlock the potential of central Minnesota residents and communities. The foundation uses grants, business investments, and leadership training programs to strengthen children, youth, and families; promote economic stability; preserve space, place, and natural resources; build capacity of nonprofit organizations; embrace diversity and reduce prejudice; and increase the use of technology. Contact: Kathy Gaalswyk, President, 320-632-9255, kgaalswyk@ifound.org; www.ifound.org.

Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce (MRCC) seeks to heighten the overall standards of the business community's role in the region and strengthen the economic vitality of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. MRCC is a private membership association involving more than 5,100 representatives from 1,360 locations throughout the region. Its annual Quality of Life Award recognizes the role businesses play in enhancing the region's quality of life. Contact: Todd Klingel, President, 612-370-9100, tklingel@minneapolischamber.org; www.minneapolischamber.org.

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is the state's largest business advocacy organization. As the voice of business, the Chamber represents more than 2,800 businesses of all types and sizes across Minnesota. The Minnesota Chamber is committed to advancing public policy and job growth strategies that create an environment for businesses statewide to prosper. The Minnesota Chamber manages Minnesota Business Gives. Contact: Jackie Reis, 651-292-4679,jreis@mnchamber.com; www.mnchamber.com.

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Executives is a membership association for the executive leadership of local chambers of commerce throughout Minnesota. It offers educational and development opportunities for chamber professionals and volunteers to network and share ideas, both formally and informally. Contact: Jennifer Byers, 651-292-4673, jbyers@mnchamber.com; www.mnchamber.com/mcce.

Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF) works to strengthen and expand philanthropy. The council is a regional membership association of grantmakers seeking to improve the vitality and health of our communities. Council members include private foundations, community and other public foundations, and corporate foundations and giving programs. MCF's member services include education and professional development to help improve grantmaking effectiveness; local research and information on the field; and networking opportunities with colleagues. The Council provides a number of ongoing programs, publications, and other resources to help support and encourage corporate and business giving. MCF sponsors the Minnesota Toolkit for Giving (www.minnesotagiving.org), an extensive resource on planning for charitable purposes. Contact: William King, President, 612-335-3557, bking@mcf.org; www.mcf.org.

Minnesota Keystone Program promotes and sustains corporate support for the community by encouraging and annually recognizing companies that contribute 2 percent or more of pretax earnings to address community needs and aspirations that enhance Minnesota's quality of life. The program also honors companies that demonstrate notable generosity and commitment to community needs. Founded in 1976, the program is administered by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. Contact: Todd Klingel, President, 612-370-9100, tklingel@minneapolischamber.org; www.minneapolischamber.org.

Northland Foundation is a resource for people, businesses, and communities in northeast Minnesota working toward prosperity through economic and social justice. Its purpose is to strengthen families, grow a sustainable regional economy, cultivate leadership and philanthropy, and foster respect for all. Contact: Tom Renier, President, 218-723-4040, tom@northlandfdn.org; www.northlandfdn.org.

Northwest Minnesota Foundation invests resources, creates opportunities, and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work. Its resources are used to develop the region's assets through grantmaking, business financing, training, and philanthropic services. Contact: John Ostrem, President, 218-759-2057, johno@nwmf.org. Website: www.nwmf.org.

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation is helping to build stronger communities and businesses in 20 southern Minnesota counties. Working with local partners, the foundation's grants, loans, and program initiatives support three key objectives: strong businesses that provide quality jobs, vibrant communities that build on the social and economic assets of their people and organizations, and working together to foster policies and practices that support a brighter future for all residents. Contact: Trixie Ann Golberg, President, 507-455-3215, trixieg@smifoundation.org. Website: www.smifoundation.org.

Southwest Minnesota Foundation is a catalyst facilitating opportunities for economic, social, and cultural growth by promoting philanthropy, leadership, innovation, and collaboration in the 18 counties of southwest Minnesota. The foundation's priorities are to promote productive aging, promote inclusive communities, connect youth and communities, promote business and economic development, and promote philanthropy. Contact: Sherry Ristau, President, 320-587-4848, sherryr@swmnfoundation.org; swmnfoundation.org.

The Collaborative has served as the proven resource for Minnesota's growth companies since 1987. It provides real life, high-quality content and unmatched networking that make a difference to growing and emerging companies. Through numerous programs, publications, and electronic forums, The Collaborative delivers that information and networking from the perspective of people who've been there: entrepreneurs, investors, experts, peers. Contact: Daniel Carr, President, 612-338-3828, dcarr@collaborative.net; www.collaborative.net.

United Ways of Minnesota is a membership association of the executives of 38 United Ways throughout the state of Minnesota, offering opportunities to share best practices and networking to strengthen local United Way organizations and their leaders. The organization provides training and a liaison with the United Way of America. Contact: Doris Pagelkopf, 612-340-7147, pagelkopf@aol.com.

West Central Initiative is a public foundation that brings people and resources together to maintain and enhance the viability of west central Minnesota. Its programs are designed to help workers, employers, families, and communities so everyone living in west central Minnesota can achieve a better quality of life. Contact: Nancy Straw, President, 218-739-2239, nancy@wcif.org; www.wcif.org.

National Organizations

The Business Committee for the Arts, Inc. (BCA), founded in 1967 by David Rockefeller, is a national not-for-profit organization that brings business and the arts together. It provides businesses of all sizes with the services and resources necessary to develop and advance partnerships with the arts that benefit business, the arts and the community. Web site: www.bcainc.org.

Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), based in San Francisco, is a membership organization that helps companies succeed commercially in ways that demonstrate respect for ethical values, people, communities, and the environment. BSR's online Global Business Responsibility Resource Center includes an introduction to corporate social responsibility, plus information on business ethics and community involvement. Web site: www.bsr.org.

Business Strengthening America is a peer-to-peer campaign to mobilize the business community to support effective service and civic engagement by every American. Web site: www.bsanetwork.org.

The Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College is a membership based research organization. We work with global corporations to help them define, plan and operationalize their corporate citizenship. Our goal is to help business leverage its social, economic and human assets to ensure both its success and a more just and sustainable world. Web site: www.bcccc.net.

The Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) is a national forum of business CEOs and Chairpersons with an agenda exclusively focused on corporate philanthropy. The Committee is not a fundraising organization. Rather, the Committee serves dual advocacy and facilitative roles in the cause of expanded strategic philanthropy. The Committee represents corporate leaders in their pursuit to better serve communities. Web site: www.corphilanthropy.org.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Center for Corporate Citizenship (CCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the environment in which businesses operate. Through recognition, communications, research, issue analysis, and coalition development activities, CCC supports businesses in their initiatives to achieve social goals. With access to an unparalleled network of business, government, and community service organizations and the convening power of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, CCC plays a vital role in advancing better public-private partnerships and communication. Web site: www.uschamber.com/ccc.

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