Do you know the other 90 percent of Minnesota foundations?
Defined as giving less than $500,000 annually, small family foundations are the largest and fastest growing segment of institutional philanthropy in Minnesota growing at a rate of nearly 35 percent every two years.
More than 1,000 small family foundations support Minnesota nonprofits, collectively giving more than $90 million in grants annually. Many of these foundations are headquartered outside of Minnesota, but view Minnesota as their primary funding focus.
Are you talking to these funders? Do you know who they are? If not, this is the workshop for you!
Access Philanthropy has the most comprehensive and up-to-date list of small family foundations located in and/or funding primarily in Minnesota. They have done comprehensive research on what small family foundations are like, what they like, and how to get them to like you.
In this workshop you’ll find out who these small family foundations are; what these foundations are funding and what they want from you; and how to approach them – first steps, strategies, building relationships.
Workshop attendees will receive, among other benefits:
- An online booklet containing information and descriptions of 100+ small family foundations giving Minnesota
- 30 minutes of “just you and me” time with one of Access Philanthropy’s senior advisors on nearly any topic
Event Details
This event will have AI captions via Zoom’s transcription function. Please note that these captions are automatically generated by the computer software and may not always accurately transcribe what is said. If you need professional captioning, or have another accessibility accommodation, please email
MCN’s program assistant with your request at least two weeks prior to the start of the event. Although we will attempt to meet all accessibility requests, late request may not be fulfilled.
Speaker Information
Marc Belton is a former executive with General Mills, where he served most recently as Executive Vice President for Global Strategy, Growth, and Marketing Innovation. In his 32-year career at General Mills he became known as a champion for growth, innovation and people. More recently Marc founded Wisefellows Consulting, serving clients in the areas of marketing, strategy and new business development. Marc earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from Dartmouth College and his MBA from the Wharton School of Business. He has 16 years of Fortune 500 corporate board experience having served at Navistar International and US Bancorp, plus serving his community as a board member with the Salvation Army (National), the Guthrie Theater, Urban Ventures, and Minnehaha Academy, where he currently serves as board chair. Belton is a member of the Executive Leadership Council and received numerous awards and recognition, including being named one of corporate America’s most powerful African-American executives by Fortune and Black Enterprise as well as one of the most creative people in business by Fast Company magazine. Marc lives in Minneapolis with his wife Alicia and children Alexander and Gabrielle.
Steve Paprocki, president of Access Philanthropy, has spent his entire professional career in philanthropy—as a foundation director, fundraiser, trainer, donor consultant, author, researcher, and lobbyist. With 45 years of philanthropic experience, he knows his stuff. He draws on his diverse experience and connections to help you meet the right people and meet your goals.
Peg Thomas manages the Sundance Family Foundation’s operations and initiatives, provides strategic program guidance to the board, mentors interns, and provides both grants management and technical support to grantees. As a connector, she is exceptionally skilled at working with leaders and neighbors in diverse ethnic, refugee, immigrant, disabilities, Deaf, DeafBlind, and low income communities, and bringing the right people to the table.
Peg holds an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School, an MS in Therapeutic Recreation and Administration from the University of Minnesota, an MPP in Business from the Carlson School of Business, and a BS in Music Therapy also from University of Minnesota (with coursework from UConn, Napa Jr. College and University of California San Diego).