Provide a legacy to support the Edina Community Foundation by making provisions for a gift in your estate plan. Whether it be through your Will, Living Trust, Retirement Plan Assets, Life Insurance Policy or a Charitable Remainder Trust, you can join the Edina Community Foundation Legacy Circle with your gift.

For more information on the ECF Legacy Circle, contact Carolyn Schroeder at 612-812 2492. 

"Grants-in-Aid from the Edina Community Foundation's Edina Challenge fund unlocked summer opportunities for youth and families.  Over sixty families received grants for aquatic center passes and recreation programs.  Without the financial support from the Challenge fund many kids would not be able to participate in the programs for youth ages 4-14."

--- Kristin Aarsvold, Recreation Supervisor 

Last Mile Students

 

• The Last Mile - graduating seniors' college transition support and resources. http://bit.ly/ECLastMile
• Oasis for Youth - provides stable housing for young people in Edina, Richfield, Bloomington and St. Louis Park.  http://bit.ly/ECOasis 
• One2One (Southdale YMCA) mentoring program for Edina middle school youth. http://www.one2onementor.org
• Edina Parks and Recreation Grants-in-Aid summer program and Summer of Opportunity YMCA camp experience. Here are a few examples of what your donation dollars can do to make a difference: $155 buys a summer Edina Aquatic Center family pass; $300 covers the cost of a YMCA weeklong summer camp experience; $30 to $100 pays for Edina Parks and Recreation Playground and Teens & Tweens program.

Support the Edina Challenge! Donate online or mail your check to Edina Community Foundation, 5280 Grandview Square, Edina MN 55436

Drive by the Pugh home and you will see one of the largest apple trees ever! It drops over 50 bushels of apples each August and neighbors from near and far stop by with buckets and baskets to gather the main ingredient for applesauce, apple pie, and apple butter. And then there's Mac, their 104 lb. yellow lab, who is always there to greet you. As Sharon says, "because of that apple tree and Mac, we know our neighbors!"

Their neighbors also know the Pugh family because of their strong sense of community and a love for the arts. So when their daughter Anna, a 2014 graduate of Edina High School and volunteer committee member of the Edina Public Art Committee, got involved in the Save Spalding Campaign to purchase a popular bronze dog sculpture at 50th and France, Doug and Sharon enthusiastically supported her efforts by donating to the Foundation's public art commission designated fund. Sharon stated, "Art adds richness to our environment and creates a strong sense of pride in our community; it is a great legacy for people of all ages to enjoy."

In 2011 the Edina Community Foundation created a charitable giving partnership with the Edina senior class party and established a designated fund to hold money collected for the end-of-year all-night party. Each year high school senior parents are asked to give numerous volunteer hours and contribute prizes for the event. The Pugh's not only volunteered this past June, they were also compelled to contribute to the party scholarship fund for seniors who cannot afford the $95 ticket admission. "It's an awesome end of the year party and the goal is for every senior to attend", says Sharon. They also sponsored one of the popular party games called Boxer Bingo. Spell B-I-N-G-O and win yourself some boxer shorts to show off at the party!

Why do the Pugh's love Edina and support the Foundation? "There's something for everyone here - it's one big neighborhood. Find something you are passionate about and in most cases the Foundation can be your partner in supporting it."

Edina's Own Veterans Memorial

Our community will soon be honoring its veterans with a Veterans Memorial recognizing Edina residents who have served in our nation's wars, especially the 32 who gave their lives for their country from World War I to the present.

Funding for the memorial reached a preliminary goal late this spring under the leadership of board member, Richard Olson. Contributions reflecting significant participation by the City, the Foundation, Edina residents and other veterans, and the State of Minnesota were:

• an initial grant of $30,000 from the City of Edina in 2011 for landscape architecture design expenses;
• a $3,700 Founders Club program grant from the Foundation, a $20,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Edina requested by the Foundation, and a $9,900 Veterans Memorial Park grant from the Minnesota Cultural Heritage Fund, also requested by the Foundation (one of 10 such grants awarded by the Minnesota Department of Administration);
• contributions ranging from $10 to $2,500 totaling some $50,000, from more than 200 Edina residents, veterans and their families;
• a grant from the State of Minnesota to match all private contributions, up to a total of $225,000. This resulted from the sustained effort during the last two legislative sessions by State Rep. Ron Erhardt, also a Foundation Board member, to include such funding in a State-bonding bill.

Groundbreaking for the memorial will take place on Friday, September 19 at Utley Park, Wooddale Avenue and 50th Street. Please attend! 

Edina Dialogue

2nd Annual CEO Roundtable

The second annual CEO Roundtable on Wednesday, October 22 is co-sponsored by the Edina Community Foundation and the Edina Chamber of Commerce and promises a lively discussion on Edina's current economic development.

Richard Davis, Chairman, President & CEO of U.S. Bank will serve as our keynote speaker on the topic, Economic Development in Edina.

Roundtable panelists include:

• Daniel Harvey, President, Precision Gasket Company (PGC);
• Scott Tankenoff, Managing Partner of Hillcrest Development, LLLP; 
• Gary Wyard, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Twin Cities Orthopedics;
• Paul Mackin, President & CEO of Think Mutual Bank.

Mayor Jim Hovland, senior partner in the law firm of Hovland and Rasmus, will open the program and Sam Black, Senior Reporter for the Minneapolis-St Paul Business Journal will serve as moderator.

Adam Gildner, an Edina businessman, is the volunteer program chair for the Roundtable and U.S. Bank/FlexPerks is the major event sponsor.

Register HERE for the October 22nd lunch event.

Edina Commuity Foundation Board of Directors Strategic Planning

The Foundation Board began a strategic planning process in early 2014 that involved survey mailings and interviews with key stakeholders and designated fund representatives, as well as Board and staff members.  This led to the Board's adoption in June of a new mission statement:  Bringing People Together to Serve, Strengthen and Celebrate our Community.  Draft statements of Vision and Goals are still being reviewed and should be finalized this fall.