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:

Donors of distinction

In 2021-22, these donors have made the largest donations. We welcome their critical support.

2021-22 donor list

Elite Circle ($200,000 and up)
DonorYears giving
Ciresi Walburn Foundation for Children5
The Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota55
Leadership Circle ($100,000 - $199,999)
DonorYears giving
John & Karen Meslow24
Xcel Energy70
Founder's Circle  ($75,000 - $99,999)
DonorYears giving
The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations2
Securian Financial59
Board’s Circle ($50,000 - $74,999)
DonorYears giving
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation34
The Teagle Foundation3
The Council of Independent Colleges through its CIC/UPS Educational Endowment Fund45
President's Circle ($25,000 - $49,999)
DonorYears giving
Fred C. & Katherine B. Andersen Foundation1
The Graco Foundation62
Helen Harrington Charitable Trust44
Winton Jones Foundation3
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education & Research28
Medtronic Foundation Communities Fund58
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation7
Wenger Foundation57
Scholar's Circle ($15,000 - $24,999)
DonorYears giving
Julie Andrus Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation1
Emerson58
The Hubbard Broadcasting Foundation58
US Bank Foundation46
Wells Fargo Foundation Minnesota40
Benefactor ($10,000 - $14,999)
DonorYears giving
BNSF Railway Foundation65
Faegre Drinker Foundation63
Groves Foundation61
Horton, Inc.60
Offutt Family Foundation1
Margaret Rivers Fund33
Mary Lynn & Warren Staley24
Patron ($5,000 - $9,999)
DonorYears giving
Baker Tilly46
The Boldt Company18
Paul Cerkvenik & Kathleen Murray24
Federated Insurance Companies62
Bill Lurton23
Marvin Windows & Doors33
Provost ($3,000 - $4,999)
DonorYears giving
Otter Tail Corporation66
Slaggie Family Foundation19
Archie D. & Bertha H. Walker Foundation5
Winona Heating & Ventilating Co.53
Dean ($1,000 - $2,999)
DonorYears giving
Anonymous Donor46
Anonymous Donor34
Dave & Muriel Arnold Family Fund40
B.Vell1
Celista1
Kathleen M. Cooney8
David Crosby33
Cryosa, Inc.1
Dexter Davis3
Susan M. Eich8
Janet Olson Estep16
Goodin Company Foundation63
Ann Houser & Scott Pollei8
Carolyn & Patrick Jones8
InterShunt Technologies, Inc.1
Helen & Eldon Jones Fund of the Mankato Area Foundation31
Anthony D. Kelley1
Kuhrmeyer Family Foundation28
Joanne Laird34
Michael & Sylvia Lovett9
Merchants Bank65
Russ & Jan Michaletz14
Teresa Mogensen4
National Checking Company53
J. Thomas & Janet Rajala Nelson Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation26
Laurie Nordquist12
North Shore Bank67
Nuss Family/Nuss Truck & Equipment Donor Advised Fund of the Rochester Area Foundation32
Premier Banks30
Abigail & Paul Pribbenow16
Rapp Strategies, Inc.29
VentureMed Group, Inc.1
WNB Financial64
Western Bank53
WNB Financial63
Professor ($750 - $999)
DonorYears giving
William & Anne Craft8
John & Cherie McDowall36
Vern & May Nordling37
WinCraft, Inc.52
Angela Wordell5
Graduate ($500 - $749)
DonorYears giving
James H. Barnes III & Barbara A. Barnes14
Rev. James P. Burns IVD4
Alison R. Byerly1
Steve Kohner46
Robert & Sharon Mattison18
Gregg Peterson2
Jim Rustad11
Sanjit Sethi - Minneapolis College of Art & De3
Brian & Nancy Siska Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation19
Smith Foundry Company41
Baccalaureate ($250 - $499)
DonorYears giving
Anonymous Donor6
4J2R1C Limited Partnership29
Karen Angell14
Thomas & Rebecca Bergman7
Cobb Strecker Dunphy & Zimmermann, Inc.37
Rev. Brian Friedrich3
Dr. Stanley M. & Luella G. Goldberg30
Ajay Gupta4
Dan Loritz6
Barbara McDonald3
Mississippi Welders Supply Co.47
Dr. Suzanne M. Rivera2
Becky & Mark Roloff6
Stacy Rooney7
Schwab Construction46
St. Paul Lino37
Julie Sullivan9
Associate (Gifts up to $249)
DonorYears giving
Anonymous Donor7
Anonymous Donor3
Ross Allen2
Marjorie A. Boening40
Molly Doran17
Charles A. Flinn, Jr.2
Foussard Hospitality39
Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Haugh29
Joanne Kendall15
Mark Kronholm14
Dr. Fayneese Miller6
Dr. James Mullen, Jr.1
Rand Park12
Gene & Carrie Pfeifer7
Lance G. Reasor21
Vernon Roningen1
Douglas Stang6
Bruce & Kaye Stender18
Jonathan Thomas1
Robert Vanasek14