Your gifts provide hope. That simple fact came through in one of the comments shared by Elizabeth Paul, an outstanding student at Bethel University who has shared her story.
We don’t always think of it that simply, but we should. Opening doors for students to attend college is all about hope.
Our 125 donors gave nearly $2 million in the last fiscal year. That was phenomenal; it was the highest total in more than 20 years. We are so grateful for the support. This support makes it possible for Elizabeth to receive the Meslow First Generation Scholarship — and for more than 300 other students to receive the scholarship and other support they need to achieve their educational goals.
Fueled by your support, our students are preparing for what’s next, for how they’re going to contribute and step up once they graduate.
Consider Kevin Arthur, a student at Saint John’s University who shared his experiences with the Eddie Phillips Scholarship for African-American Men. “This scholarship has given me the opportunity to connect with and mentor younger students,” he said. “The network that I’ve built and the connections I’ve made have set me on the path to success.” The personalized education that students receive at the 17 Fund member institutions makes the difference.
You and our other donors understand the value of supporting college students. And some have known it for years. In fact, we had our first donor reach the 70-year benchmark — Xcel Energy. You can see all of our donors recognized below and in the 2021-22 Donor Report.
We are so thankful. Your gift to the Minnesota Private College Fund reflects your commitment to helping others and the welfare of our state as a whole.
With gratitude,
Paul Cerkvenik
President, Minnesota Private College Fund
Rebecca Bergman
President, Gustavus Adolphus College
Chair, Minnesota Private College Fund Board of Directors
Ann Houser
President, Ann Houser Coaching and Consulting
Chair, Fundraising Committee, Minnesota Private College Fund
Recognizing our donors
We proudly recognize our corporate, foundation and individual donors from across Minnesota who give to the Minnesota Private College Fund. Their gifts support the more than 56,000 students at our 17 colleges and universities. They fund scholarships that help make college affordable for deserving students and contribute general operating support for our institutions' most pressing needs. We salute all our donors for their generosity and visionary commitment to higher education!
50+ year donors
Many donors understand the impact of providing ongoing support. Year after year, they remain steadfast and sustain what our colleges do. In fact, for a growing number, the commitment has endured for 50, 60 or even 70 years. Donors reaching these milestones this year are:
70-year donor – Xcel Energy
As a leading electric and natural gas energy company, Xcel Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.4 million electricity customers and 1.9 million natural gas customers across an eight-state region that includes Minnesota. Xcel Energy’s workforce of more than 12,000 is rising to the challenge of a dynamic, constantly-changing utility industry. Xcel Energy is becoming even more customer-focused, forward-thinking and productive while remaining committed to meeting its customers’ fundamental need for safe, reliable, affordable energy.
60-year donor – Horton, Inc.
Founded in 1951, Horton originally focused on manufacturing industrial clutches. Later, Horton convinced truck manufacturers that they could save fuel during the U.S. energy crisis of the 1970s by installing engine cooling fan drives on their vehicles. By the 1980s, Horton fan drives were standard equipment for major truck original equipment manufacturers. Horton continues to be a pioneer in the on- and off-highway industries. Horton is a global company, with over 15 facilities worldwide, operating in over 70 countries, with a global network of over 900 distributor locations.
Donors who have been with us for more than 50 years
Generations of students have been helped by the generosity of these donors, and others who have been with us for 50 years or more. We appreciate their leadership:
- 70 years – Xcel Energy
- 67 years – North Shore Bank
- 66 years – Otter Tail Corporation
- 65 years – BNSF Railway Foundation
- 65 years – Merchants Bank
- 64 years – WNB Financial
- 63 years – Faegre Drinker Foundation
- 63 years – Goodin Company
- 62 years – The Graco Foundation
- 61 years – Groves Foundation
- 60 years – Horton, Inc.
- 59 years – Securian Financial
- 58 years – Emerson
- 58 years – The Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation
- 58 years – The Medtronic Foundation
- 59 years – Wenger Foundation
- 55 years – The Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota (Phillips Scholars Program and Eddie Phillips Scholarship for African-American Men)
- 53 years – National Checking Company
- 53 years – Winona Heating & Ventilating Co.
- 52 years – WinCraft Incorporated
Donors of distinction
In 2021-22, these donors have made the largest donations. We welcome their critical support.
- Fred C. & Katherine B. Andersen Foundation
- Julie Andrus Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation
- Ciresi Walburn Foundation for Children
- The Council of Independent Colleges through its CIC/UPS Educational Endowment Fund and its CIC/SAGE Scholars program
- The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations
- Emerson
- The Graco Foundation
- Helen Harrington Charitable Trust
- The Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation
- Winton Jones Foundation
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education & Research
- Medtronic Foundation Communities Fund
- John & Karen Meslow
- The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota (Phillips Scholars Program & Eddie Phillips Scholarship for African American Men)
- Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
- Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation
- Securian Financial
- The Teagle Foundation
- US Bank Foundation
- Wells Fargo Foundation Minnesota
- Wenger Foundation
- Xcel Energy
2021-22 donor list
Elite Circle ($200,000 and up)
Donor | Years giving |
Ciresi Walburn Foundation for Children | 5 |
The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota | 55 |
Leadership Circle ($100,000 - $199,999)
Donor | Years giving |
John & Karen Meslow | 24 |
Xcel Energy | 70 |
Founder's Circle ($75,000 - $99,999)
Donor | Years giving |
The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations | 2 |
Securian Financial | 59 |
Board’s Circle ($50,000 - $74,999)
Donor | Years giving |
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation | 34 |
The Teagle Foundation | 3 |
The Council of Independent Colleges through its CIC/UPS Educational Endowment Fund | 45 |
President's Circle ($25,000 - $49,999)
Donor | Years giving |
Fred C. & Katherine B. Andersen Foundation | 1 |
The Graco Foundation | 62 |
Helen Harrington Charitable Trust | 44 |
Winton Jones Foundation | 3 |
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education & Research | 28 |
Medtronic Foundation Communities Fund | 58 |
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation | 7 |
Wenger Foundation | 57 |
Scholar's Circle ($15,000 - $24,999)
Donor | Years giving |
Julie Andrus Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation | 1 |
Emerson | 58 |
The Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation | 58 |
US Bank Foundation | 46 |
Wells Fargo Foundation Minnesota | 40 |
Benefactor ($10,000 - $14,999)
Donor | Years giving |
BNSF Railway Foundation | 65 |
Faegre Drinker Foundation | 63 |
Groves Foundation | 61 |
Horton, Inc. | 60 |
Offutt Family Foundation | 1 |
Margaret Rivers Fund | 33 |
Mary Lynn & Warren Staley | 24 |
Patron ($5,000 - $9,999)
Donor | Years giving |
Baker Tilly | 46 |
The Boldt Company | 18 |
Paul Cerkvenik & Kathleen Murray | 24 |
Federated Insurance Companies | 62 |
Bill Lurton | 23 |
Marvin Windows & Doors | 33 |
Provost ($3,000 - $4,999)
Donor | Years giving |
Otter Tail Corporation | 66 |
Slaggie Family Foundation | 19 |
Archie D. & Bertha H. Walker Foundation | 5 |
Winona Heating & Ventilating Co. | 53 |
Dean ($1,000 - $2,999)
Donor | Years giving |
Anonymous Donor | 46 |
Anonymous Donor | 34 |
Dave & Muriel Arnold Family Fund | 40 |
B.Vell | 1 |
Celista | 1 |
Kathleen M. Cooney | 8 |
David Crosby | 33 |
Cryosa, Inc. | 1 |
Dexter Davis | 3 |
Susan M. Eich | 8 |
Janet Olson Estep | 16 |
Goodin Company Foundation | 63 |
Ann Houser & Scott Pollei | 8 |
Carolyn & Patrick Jones | 8 |
InterShunt Technologies, Inc. | 1 |
Helen & Eldon Jones Fund of the Mankato Area Foundation | 31 |
Anthony D. Kelley | 1 |
Kuhrmeyer Family Foundation | 28 |
Joanne Laird | 34 |
Michael & Sylvia Lovett | 9 |
Merchants Bank | 65 |
Russ & Jan Michaletz | 14 |
Teresa Mogensen | 4 |
National Checking Company | 53 |
J. Thomas & Janet Rajala Nelson Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation | 26 |
Laurie Nordquist | 12 |
North Shore Bank | 67 |
Nuss Family/Nuss Truck & Equipment Donor Advised Fund of the Rochester Area Foundation | 32 |
Premier Banks | 30 |
Abigail & Paul Pribbenow | 16 |
Rapp Strategies, Inc. | 29 |
VentureMed Group, Inc. | 1 |
WNB Financial | 64 |
Western Bank | 53 |
WNB Financial | 63 |
Professor ($750 - $999)
Donor | Years giving |
William & Anne Craft | 8 |
John & Cherie McDowall | 36 |
Vern & May Nordling | 37 |
WinCraft, Inc. | 52 |
Angela Wordell | 5 |
Graduate ($500 - $749)
Donor | Years giving |
James H. Barnes III & Barbara A. Barnes | 14 |
Rev. James P. Burns IVD | 4 |
Alison R. Byerly | 1 |
Steve Kohner | 46 |
Robert & Sharon Mattison | 18 |
Gregg Peterson | 2 |
Jim Rustad | 11 |
Sanjit Sethi - Minneapolis College of Art & De | 3 |
Brian & Nancy Siska Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation | 19 |
Smith Foundry Company | 41 |
Baccalaureate ($250 - $499)
Donor | Years giving |
Anonymous Donor | 6 |
4J2R1C Limited Partnership | 29 |
Karen Angell | 14 |
Thomas & Rebecca Bergman | 7 |
Cobb Strecker Dunphy & Zimmermann, Inc. | 37 |
Rev. Brian Friedrich | 3 |
Dr. Stanley M. & Luella G. Goldberg | 30 |
Ajay Gupta | 4 |
Dan Loritz | 6 |
Barbara McDonald | 3 |
Mississippi Welders Supply Co. | 47 |
Dr. Suzanne M. Rivera | 2 |
Becky & Mark Roloff | 6 |
Stacy Rooney | 7 |
Schwab Construction | 46 |
St. Paul Lino | 37 |
Julie Sullivan | 9 |
Associate (Gifts up to $249)
Donor | Years giving |
Anonymous Donor | 7 |
Anonymous Donor | 3 |
Ross Allen | 2 |
Marjorie A. Boening | 40 |
Molly Doran | 17 |
Charles A. Flinn, Jr. | 2 |
Foussard Hospitality | 39 |
Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Haugh | 29 |
Joanne Kendall | 15 |
Mark Kronholm | 14 |
Dr. Fayneese Miller | 6 |
Dr. James Mullen, Jr. | 1 |
Rand Park | 12 |
Gene & Carrie Pfeifer | 7 |
Lance G. Reasor | 21 |
Vernon Roningen | 1 |
Douglas Stang | 6 |
Bruce & Kaye Stender | 18 |
Jonathan Thomas | 1 |
Robert Vanasek | 14 |
Includes information about the Minnesota Private College Fund and its list of donors.